IOWA CITY, Iowa — The U.S. Army Reserve has reprimanded a soldier who went on national television in his military uniform to endorse Ron Paul for president on the night of the Iowa caucuses.
The military announced Friday that Jesse Thorsen violated Department of Defense policies when he appeared on stage at Paul's Jan. 3 rally. Soldiers are not allowed to participate in political events in uniform.
Thorsen praised Paul's plans to end foreign wars and asked his supporters to work to make Paul the next president.
Paul's aides have said the candidate invited Thorsen to the stage after he gave a television interview earlier that was cut off because of technical difficulties. The U.S. Army Reserve launched an investigation and distanced itself from his political views.
Thorsen, who is with a Des Moines-based unit, declined comment Friday.
At the rally, Thorsen, 28, said meeting the Texas congressman was like "meeting a rock star," The Hill reported.
Paul campaign officials have said Thorsen's appearance had not been planned; he was called to the stage by Paul during his speech, The Hill reported.
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