Former FBI agent? Sorry, no thank you. Former congressman? Sorry, no thank you. That outweighs being a retired Marine. It’s retired by the way, not former.
1) There are former Marines, and there are retired Marines. Former Marines successfully complete their service obligations. Retired Marines serve long enough to receive a monthly stipend for the rest of their lives.
Ex Marines are those who are dishonorably discharged.
2) I'm not overly thrilled with Mike Rogers, either, but he is one of the few Republicans in Michigan with enough statewide name recognition to stand a chance of winning Debbie Stabenow's Senate Seat.