Posted on 12/21/2018 8:39:00 PM PST by robowombat
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE 3000 DEFENSE PENTAGON WASHINGTON, DC 2030i 41060
December 20, 2018
Dear Mr. President:
I have been privileged to serve as our country?s 26th Secretary of Defense which has allowed me to serve alongside our men and women of the Department in defense of our citizens and our ideals.
I am proud of the progress that has been made over the past two years on some of the key goals articulated in our National Defense Strategy: putting the Department on a more sound budgetary footing, improving readiness and lethality in our forces, and reforming the Department?s business practices for greater performance. Our troops continue to provide the capabilities needed to prevail in con?ict and sustain strong U.S. global in?uence.
One core belief I have always held is that our strength as a nation is inextricably linked to the strength of our unique and comprehensive system of alliances and partnerships. While the US remains the indispensable nation in the free world, we cannot protect our interests or serve that role effectively without maintaining strong alliances and showing respect to those allies. Like you, I have said from the beginning that the armed forces of the United States should not be the policeman of the world. Instead, we must use all tools of American power to provide for the common defense, including providing effective leadership to our alliances. 29 democracies demonstrated that strength in their commitment to fighting alongside us following the 9-11 attack on America. The Defeat?ISIS coalition of 74 nations is ?irther proof.
Similarly, I believe we must be resolute and unambiguous in our approach to those countries whose strategic interests are increasingly in tension with ours. It is clear that China and Russia, for example, want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model gaining veto authority over other nations? economic, diplomatic, and security decisions to promote their own interests at the expense of their neighbors, America and our allies. That is why we must use all the tools of American power to provide for the common defense.
My views on treating allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about both malign actors and strategic competitors are strongly held and informed by over four decades of immersion in these issues. We must do everything possible to advance an international order that is most conducive to our security, prosperity and values, and we are strengthened in this effort by the solidarity of our alliances.
Because you?have the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects, I believe it is right for me to step down from my position. The end date for my tenure is February 28, 2019, a date that should allow suf?cient time for a successor to be nominated and con?rmed as well as to make sure the Department?s interests are properly articulated and protected at upcoming events to include Congressional
The childish weakling.
He was too immature to understand that his job was to execute policy. Not to SET national policy that the President must follow.
When this baby didn’t like the president’s decision, he abandoned his men. A real leader would have stayed and executed the new policy to his best capability and in the manner best for his men.
They can’t walk away. This never married, childless, overly dramatic general is a typical globalist neocon.
Dear globalist, insubordinate, ball-gargler mattis:
Take a hike, goron.
“One core belief I have always held is that our strength as a nation is inextricably linked to the strength of our unique and comprehensive system of alliances and partnerships. While the US remains the indispensable nation in the free world, we cannot protect our interests or serve that role effectively without maintaining strong alliances and showing respect to those allies.”
This is the precise opposite of the wise counsel of George Washington for America. But I doubt they study the founders or US Constitution these days.
“And apparently, a backstabbing egomaniac.”
Sgt Wuterich agrees. His squad actually did what Mattis said in that “tears in my eyes” speech. And he sent in the FBI and had them arrested.
Chesty Puller would have led the entire Pentagon doing calisthenics at 0600, followed by close order drill at 0700. Resignations and retirements accepted 0900-1200.
Best post of the thread
Thanks. Your thoughts this are in line with what I am thinking too. I’ve noticed that Trump can get under people’s skin like few others. What isn’t noticed as much is how he gets people to reveal much about their true character, more than any politician I’ve seen before. Over the last two years that has been a real eye opener for me.
Somebody tell Mattis that we elected Trump, not him.
As Trump said a couple of months ago, Mattis is sort of a Democrat.
Around six years ago, I was in a conversation with a Army vet who used the term ‘the forever wars’...which meant that the US military had turned into a policing organization, and the only way for an officer to advance....was to participate and get noted for Operation-such-and-such. I think a lot of the junior officers who went through the 1990s fell for the concept and Mattis is just one of those left over from that era.
I can’t think of a single situation other than the Korean peninsula where US military operations should be deployed outside of the fifty states. Even in NATO...there’s no threat and we should just shut down and bring the forces back home. If Kim could reach some agreeable peace arrangement...I could even see US forces returning from South Korea.
While I’ve always been a fan of Mattis, and agree with much of what he said, it was petty, unprofessional and insubordinate to publicly air his dissension with the CINC. He is basically saying he can’t work for a CINC who doesn’t provide effective leadership to our alliances, nor treat our allies with respect, then goes on to lecture the President about the geopolitical ambitions of Russia and China. This is the kind of stuff you say, very bluntly but respectfully, behind a closed door; not in your public resignation letter. This was a bit of a knife in the back.
...
Agreed, and it’s an indicator that his leaving is a good thing.
Back in Queen Vicki’s day, many British officers toasted “Here’s to a bloody war and quick promotion.”
One also has to question whether there’s any future strategic need for the US to worry with Middle Eastern affairs, now that we are approaching energy independence.
Mattis did appear to slow walk the transsexual changes Trump claimed to want. To me, a case is easily made that sex changes are incompatible with military service. Gender dysphoria is a mental illness still, right? People with it have a much higher rate of suicides and require expensive surgeries to change to their perceived gender. They also require continued medical care, like hormones, after the surgeries. Why in the world would the military hire someone with those issues?
I used to respect Mattis. Now I think he may be a whiny primary donna. Disappointing and weak letter.
I believe it may have been Churchill that stated, “war is too important to leave to the generals”. Paraphrasing.
It's only been two years but can anyone name the SecDefs that served under obummer?
How many were there?
Who cares?
not only that but I did not like his lisp. I imagine the GI’s had a ball imitating his speech patterns....LOL
Most of the military at that level are all egomaniacs....a lot like the politicians we elect. That’s why DJT seems like such a breath of fresh air.
As far as our dependence on our allies is a fundamental requirement per Mattis then why in Afghanistan are front line operations only performed by US military? At least what I have been told by some who have served there, the Canadians and Nato military serve in the background but not on the front. If that is true it is a ridiculous arrangement with all or most of the risk on US soldiers.
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