Calling this “stolen valor” is overstated.
He didn’t claim to be anything or to have done anything that was not true.
He simply retired to run for congress at the same time as he was in sergeant major academy. That also coincided with his unit receiving Iraq deployment orders.
Since he won the congressional seat, it wasn’t just a fancy on his part.
Was it cowardly to leave his unit that went to Iraq? Folks will probably decide that based on their political leanings.
I’m waiting for more info. The victorious run for a congressional seat says that opportunity is probably what generated the retirement decision.
I think it’s more like breach of contract than stolen valor. IIRC, he was demoted when he resigned.