When Lt. Gen. Mattis requested that the I.G. look into this case back at the beginning of the year, I would have put my money down on this exact outcome. LtGen Mattis is widely respected by Marines on the ground. They know he’s a leader by old-school standards and that he will protect the Marines in his charge. He’s never been known as a pc type, which makes him even better (if you’re a Marine). The media might not like him, but his subordinates do — and that’s what matters most to him. He’s a fair, straight shooter, and a rarity it seems, since the clinton era.
Regardless, I thank you, Lt. Gen Mattis! My husband respects the heck out of you.
Some of my favorite Mattis moments:
“The first time they [Taliban and Al Qaeda] run into U.S. Marines, I want it to be the most traumatic experience of their miserable lives,” Mattis told his Marines. “I want them to fear us and never want to engage us again.”
“For the missions sake, and the
sake of the men who carried the division’s colors in
past battles - who fought for life and never lost their
nerve - carry out your mission and keep your honor
clean. Demonstrate to the world there is ‘No Better
Friend, No Worse Enemy’ than a U.S. Marine.”
-Major General James N. Mattis
Commanding General, First Marine Division
...my personal favorite...
“I’m not a great general. I was just up against other generals who don’t know shit.”
Major General James Mattis, 1st Marine Division, Iraq 2003