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True.

But it's more than that. As I read between the lines, I see the "lights on" move as a potential "straw that broke the camel's back".

After the fight at Al Kut, with Dowdy still in command, the Marines drove all night with their headlights on to make better time. The tactic, usually considered an unsafe move, came on the heels of Mattis’s demand for greater speed at a meeting of officers.

When I see a decision like this, it doesn't give me pause, it gives me comfort. This is immutable command discipline that is bold and resolute and tough. They're trying to win a War against the most brutal regime since Stalin's Soviet Union. Iraq is a dangerously powerful state, with longstanding institutions of violence and murder. This is history unfolding before our eyes, and this is a clear statement to the Officer corps going forward that THIS U.S. MILITARY does not f*** around with mission responsibility and command integrity. This Armed Forces is excellent in every facet.

These guys are the best theater commanders in the World. They've proven we can do more with less. The 4th is still getting their parade together, that institution is in trouble. If that Marine Colonel was trying to undermine a larger force strategy of speed and strength from light units ... he needs to go away.

The guys here who think this change has ANYTHING to do with politics don't take this endeavor, with it's horrible worst case scenarios coming in, seriously. Men who operate at the level of Franks do not play politics. They work as a team - but every player is entrusted to satisfy their role. They have authority AND responsibility. I think accountability was demonstrated today as well. Good.