Putting Service Above Self: Tulsi Gabbard Takes Break from Campaign for Military Service

Many presidential candidates will be spending the month of August hitting the campaign trail hard while Congress is on recess. One candidate, however, will be taking a break from the campaign trail for military service.

In an interview with CBS, US. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard talks about her commitment to service even when advisers tell her this is not the time to step away from the campaign trail, looking ahead to the next DNC debates in September and the quickly approaching 2020 primary. But Gabbard says this is about more than just her or her candidacy.

"I love our country. I love being able to serve our country in so many ways, including as a soldier," Gabbard says. "While some people are telling me like, 'Gosh this is a terrible time to leave the campaign. Can't you find a way out of it?' That's not what this is about. I am not really thinking about how this will impact my campaign. I'm looking forward to being able to fulfill my service and my responsibility."

Gabbard talks about the training exercise in Indonesia she and the Hawaii National Guard will be conducting. She also talks about the state of US foreign policy and what service to the US means to her and others who put on the uniform. Check out the full interview above.