Kelly is an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. During his 1991-2000 active duty military service Kelly was an AV-8B Harrier jump jet pilot assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 211, the “Wake Island Avengers”. Kelly amassed over 158 aircraft carrier landings and flew over Iraq in Operation Southern Watch, enforcing the United Nations imposed No-Fly Zone.
Plus, IIRC, he’s the son of former Police Commissioner Ray Kelly in NYC. I’m not certain of his politics, but I believe he was effective — in a good way.
I thank him for his service.
However, that was then; this is now.