On Thursday's episode of Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5's "The Jeff Poor Show," U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) provided additional information on his background as a veteran of the U.S. military.
"I went through basic training. I joined the guard," said Moore. "I was at the junior college in Enterprise, and went through basic training as a private. When I transferred up to Auburn, I was still drilling with my unit, and I had an opportunity to get in an ROTC program, so I joined the ROTC program. Then I started driving from Auburn as a student, over drilling as a cadet at the unit in Montgomery. I was hoping to go to flight school at some point, and get a commission through that program, and ROTC made sense. So I transitioned and did my time, and I'm proud of that. I'm proud of the unit I was in."
Moore explained two major qualifications necessary to become a veteran, both of which he meets, he said.
"Yes, there are two components to be a veteran, if you look at it," Moore outlined. "Number one, you have to have served on active duty, which basic training was active duty. Secondly, you have to be honorably discharged. I was honorably discharged. So, I absolutely fit the requirements if you look at the Veterans Administration."
The legislator then addressed his lack of a DD-214 form.
"A lot of National Guard and Reservists, they get an NG 22. So, you won't get a 214 unless you're deployed over a period of time," explained Moore. "I think if you're injured when you're deployed, you might get a DD 214. If you don't deploy and you don't do consistent active service, I think it's 90 days and basics, not that long. Guard and reserve will not have a DD 214."
"Anybody who knows much about the military should be aware of that," added Moore.
Moore has faced attacks from his opponent in the upcoming GOP U.S. Senate runoff election, former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson, who has alleged that the lawmaker has lied about his status as a veteran, despite multiple documents furnished by Moore's campaign now showing otherwise.
RELATED: Barry Moore campaign pushes back against 'truly offensive' claims questioning his military service
SEE ALSO: Hudson presses attack on Moore's veteran status ahead of next week's U.S. Senate GOP runoff election
Moore and Hudson will face off on June 16, with the winner moving on to November's general election.
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