Gulf War vet - he was a lawyer. His primary opponent in 2004 tried to make hay over Buyer announcing he might be going to Iraq, accusing Buyer of inflating his military credentials. What I found fascinating about that is it seems Buyer genuinely thought he was going, but then was told his services would not be necessary. I find the theory that the absence of people like him shows that Abu Ghraib-style antics were all part of the plan quite persuasive. (See, for instance,
http://www.highclearing.com/archivesuo/week_2004_05_09.html#005339 )
He's become best known for being Bush's point man in Congress on preventing veterans from obtaining the benefits they need.