Mike Waltz is an American politician, diplomat, author, businessman, and retired U.S. Army Colonel, a combat-decorated Green Beret with 27 years of military service and the first retired Special Forces officer elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Born in Florida, to a family steeped in military tradition as the son and grandson of Navy Chiefs, Waltz graduated from Stanton College Preparatory School in Jacksonville, Florida, before attending Virginia Military Institute (VMI), earning a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in 1996. Commissioned as an Army lieutenant upon graduation, he excelled by graduating from elite Ranger School and selection for the Green Berets, deploying worldwide on multiple combat tours to Afghanistan (starting in 2000), the Middle East, and Africa, while serving in the Pentagon under Secretaries Rumsfeld and Gates and as a counterterrorism advisor to Vice President Dick Cheney.

Waltz served three terms as Republican Congressman from Florida’s 6th District (2019–2025), resigning to become National Security Advisor in President Trump’s second administration (January–May 2025) before his September 2025 Senate confirmation as the 32nd U.S. Representative to the United Nations, where he currently serves.

A successful business owner, he co-founded Metis Solutions, a strategy and intelligence firm that grew to hundreds of employees worldwide and was acquired for $92 million; he authored the bestseller Warrior Diplomat recounting his military and policy experiences, along with Hard Truths on Green Beret leadership, with proceeds benefiting veterans’ charities, and he continues media commentary on defense and foreign policy.

Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app and use code SRS to turn $5 into $300 in bonus bets if your bet wins—see full terms and responsible gaming resources at https://dkng.co/audio.

Go to https://drinkag1.com/SRS to get their best offer—plus, for a limited time, receive a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order (while supplies last).

Sign up and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/srs. #ad

Get 27% off sitewide at https://helixsleep.com/SRS, exclusive for listeners of the Shawn Ryan Show—enter our show name after checkout!

Mike Waltz Links:

X - https://x.com/michaelgwaltz

IG - https://www.instagram.com/michaelgwaltz

Warrior Diplomat - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1612346316

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Straight Fire - The Cowboys are an Unserious NFL Franchise, Kyler Murray's Murky Future in Arizona & a Stunning Lakers Win