Senator, United States Senate, 2007-2012

Former Member, Armed Services Committee, United States Senate

Former Chair, Asia-Pacific Subcommittee, Foreign Relations Committee, United States Senate

Former Member, Foreign Relations Committee, United States Senate

Former Member, Joint Economic Committee, United States Senate

Co-Founder, Redneck Caucus

Former Member, Veterans Affairs Committee, United States Senate

Founder, Born Fighting Political Action Committee, present

Producer

Screenwriter

Journalist

Former Company Commander, Fifth Marine Regiment, United States Marine Corps, Vietnam

Former Platoon Commander/Instructor in Tactics and Weapons, Marine Corps Officer Candidates School

Former Staff, Secretary of Navy

Former Visiting Writer/Literature Instructor, United States Naval Academy

Secretary of the Navy, United States Navy, 1987

Appointed, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, United States Department of Defense, 1984

Counsel, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, 1977-1981

Member, Friends of Scotland

Awards:

The Vietnam Veterans Civic Council's Bicentennial "Outstanding Veteran Award", 1976

Marine Corps Reserve Association Frank M. Tejeda Leadership Award for Commitment to National Defense and Strong Support of the Marine Corps, April 2011

The Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Citizen Leadership, jointly awarded by the University of Virginia as its highest recognition for public service, April 2014

Emmy Award winner, 1983 - PBS coverage of the United States Marines in Beirut

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Media Service Award, 2001

Esquire's Magazine's Most Influential People of the 21st Century, September 2008

The Marine Corps Combat Correspondent Association's Brigadier General Robert L. Denig Sr. Memorial Distinguished Service Award, 1993

The Marine Corps League's Military Order of the Iron Mike Award, 1987

The Navy Cross, the Silver Star Medal, two Bronze Star Medals, and two Purple Hearts.

American Legion Distinguished Public Service Award, February 2013

Asia-Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce (APCAC) Award for Advancing U.S. Business Interests in East Asia, 2011

National Association of County Veterans Service Officers Legislator of the Year Award, 2011

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Outstanding Legislator Award, July 2010

Andrew Jackson Presidential Award for Commitment to Economic Fairness, Sound Principles of Governance, April 2010

Educational Policy Institute (EPI) Award for Strengthening U.S. Workforce through Education, 2010

Atlantic Magazine, One of the World's Brave Thinkers, October 2009

Marine for Life Award, October 2008

The Military Coalition Award of Merit for Contributions to Military Families, September 2008

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Gold Medal & Citation of Merit for Exceptional Leadership on Post-9/11 GI Bill, August 2008

The US Naval Academy Class of 1968 Leadership Award, 2001

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society Patriot Award, 1987

Major General John H. Russell Leadership Award, 1987

The Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, 1987

Esquire Magazine, Men and Women Under 40 Who Are Changing America, 1984

The American Legion National Commander Public Relations Award, 1979

Publications:

Rules of Engagement - screenwriter and producer, 2000;
I Heard My Country Calling, 2014;
Fields of Fire, 1978;
A Sense of Honor, 1981;
A Country Such as This, 1983;
Something to Die For, 1991;
The Emperor's General, 1999;
Lost Soldiers, 2001;
Born Fighting, 2004;
A Time to Fight, 2008