Tacoma City Councilman Robert Thoms is back on US territory after more than 31 weeks called up for active duty.  Thoms spent a 6-month tour of duty in Afghanistan this year as part of a 25 year career in the military.

According to the City of Tacoma, Thoms was called up as part of Operation Resolute Support, a “NATO-led mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan security forces and institutions.”

He has been involuntary recalled to active duty for a six-month tour of duty in Kabul, Afghanistan starting in March 2018 in support of Operation Resolute Support. State and federal law allow for elected officials to take extended leave for involuntary recalls to military service.

The Morning Wire: Keeping you informed on politics, policies, and personalities of Washington State.

Thoms returned to Tacoma last week where he threw out the first pitch to his son’s baseball game.  After more than 6 months, it was the first time they had seen each other.

Military service is something that provided by an increasingly smaller group of Americans.  The notion of an elected official being called up for duty is one that arises very rarely.  Sen. Steve Hobbs is one example, with a deployment to Estonia this year.  That deployment was for “a few short weeks,” in Hobbs’ words.

A six month deployment is uncommon in elected politics in Washington State – and worth noting here as a sign of appreciation.

Your support matters.

Public service journalism is important today as ever. If you get something from our coverage, please consider making a donation to support our work. Thanks for reading our stuff.