Jim Mattis, current commander of Central Command, is one of the most revered generals in the recent history of the Marine Corps. He has been nicknamed affectionately “Mad Dog” and the “Warrior Monk,” and he has acquired a considerable and well-earned reputation for battlefield excellence and general strategic acumen over the course of the last decade in Afghanistan and Iraq and now at Centcom. The San Diego Union Tribune has a great profile of him.
Yet, although only 62 years old, his military career may well end in the next few months, because he is slated to leave Centcom. Veteran military correspondent Tom Ricks reports here and here that Mattis may be getting pushed out a bit early because the White House does not appreciate his blunt advice and thinks he is too hawkish on Iran.
I don’t know the truth of the matter, but if Ricks’ reporting is accurate, it does not reflect well on the administration. It would be a shame to lose such a fearless, experienced, and brilliant general who can provide unvarnished advice to an administration whose senior ranks increasingly appear to be stocked with the president’s cronies and loyalists rather than the “team of rivals” Obama was thought by some to try to cultivate in the first term.
Of course Mattis has been at Centcom for a considerable period of time–since 2007, making him the second-longest-service Combatant Command chief–and it is unrealistic to expect that he would stay in the job indefinitely. But it would make sense to find some other employment for him, whether in another prominent command or in an educational capacity helping to groom the next generation of soldiers and marines. Certainly it would be a real loss if he were to retire to farming in Washington State, as he is rumored to be contemplating. America already owes a considerable debt to Mattis, but he is young enough and energetic enough that we can still derive considerable benefit from this wise and inspirational warrior.
I don't know the guy, and he may be a great battlefield leader, but in general I have found that Iran hawks do not have America's best interests at heart. It makes me wonder: who has gotten to this guy? n nA general's job is to run wars, not tell the people which wars to launch in the first place. Although a loose cannon can be tolerated up to a point in recognition of his other skills, in these precarious times we can't afford someone like that. n nOne general does not make or break the military when the people are truly determined to win. The Soviets purged tons of generals they didn't like and still won WWII. We'll manage.
More vile slander from the Jew-hating, self described "patriot" with the low IQ trolling Jewish websites. n nFirst there is the suggestion that anyone hawkish on Iran does not have "America's best interests at heart." Second there is the suggestion that General Mattis is corrupt and on the take ("who has gotten to this guy?") Third,there is the suggestion that a CENTCOM commander is not qualified (unlike BillPatriot) to identify America's enemies. Finally, there is the suggestion that General Mattis is a "loose cannon." n nBillPatriot is a scoundrel of the lowest type. And he is anything but patriotic.
Dead on!
I served with General Mattis. You are right: You don't "know the guy." So, your labeling him as a loose cannon is baseless. A general's job- his DUTY, IS to providehis civilian leadership his best estimate of a situation and his recommendations for achieving America's strategic goals. Unfortunately, this administration has no strategic goals and it is sadly apparent in every non-decision they make. n nRegarding your grasp of history: 1. The Soviets did not win WWII. The US, Britain and our allies won the war. The Soviets were fighting the Germans to preserve their homeland. If the US and its allies hadn't been thrashing the Germans on the west, while the Russian Winter and the soviets were battling them in the east, the Germans would have crushed the soviets and taken Moscow. 2. And how did the Germans manage to end up fighting on two fronts that ultimately led to their defeat? Hitler, the amateur strategist and egomaniac, ignored and purged his professional generals that disagreed with him. DO YOU SEE ANY PARALLELS HERE? n n
I come in peace. n n I didn't bring artillery. n nBut I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: n nIf you f*** with me, n nI'll kill you all. n—James Mattis, Message to the Iraqi leaders[29] n
1949 redux, which meant the Korean War would then become one of the longest frozen conflicts in history.
Obama nominated Hagel as Sec. of Defense – that is a clear signal that Obama has chosen the containment of Iran (i.e. – Obama is letting Iran have the bomb as well as the means to deliver it.) From what I have read about Obama, he does not tolerate dissent – so it is logical that he would out someone who would say “what if” about Iran as well as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Arab Spring.
Mattis has been at CENTCOM since 2010. He was the JFCOM commander before that.
To maguro: That is right. And he didn’t follow the unspoken rules to keep his mouth shut and not ask “what if” – that is why he is out.