General Mattis will be the next Commander of US Central Command, CENTCOM.Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he wants Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis to take over U.S. Central Command.Outstanding. There is no better commander for Gen Petraeus. More to follow, but know that you cannot ask for a better team.
Mattis would replace Gen. David Petraeus, who is now in Afghanistan as the top U.S. and NATO military officer there.
This is the varsity team.
Gates, Mattis, Petraeus. Give them your support and get out of their way.
36 comments:
w00t!
Freakin' sweet.
That sound you are hearing are harassed CENTCOM staff desperately trying to shed weight from their monster-sized PowerPoint briefs.
BTDT. The sigh of relief you hear is from the overworked J6 staff who were always behind the eight ball trying to keep the RAID arrays running under the deadweight of said PP briefs... :)
That should be good for magical quotes! Makes my brain smile.
Whoo hoo! Great news! Now let's get this thing done.
2 out of 3 ain't bad. We may even be 3 for 3. Let's see how SECDEF reacts to the Barney Frank Report calling for the DoD to resemble the size of the Sri Lankan defense force.
Definitely agree with Sal, this is the Varsity Team. Motivating.
Favorite Mattis quote to Iraqi Tribal Leaders: "I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes, if you F*** with me, I'LL KILL YOU ALL."
I'm wondering if he'll have any trouble getting confirmed given his propensity for saying what he's thinking.
nah. Marines speak to congress better than any other service. "command presence." Mattis, for all his bluntness in combat, is as wicked smart as Patreus. He's not just some Spartan with a sword and a propensity to let fly.
Mattis will not have a McChrystal episode. SECDEF took care of that and further he is just too disciplined.
Sri Lanka may not have a large defense force, but they do have some firm (and effective) ideas on COIN.
With these guys, the last place I want to be is in their way!
"On my command. Unleash Hell."
You gotta admit Obama while no military man whatsoever has sense to pick right men for the job.
Nice choice. Wonder how they got him to drink the repeal the DADT kool aid though?
Only know of him through the back porch here, but how refreshing to know the Marine Warrior Monk is in place with CENTCOM. Yeah. let's get 'er done soon.
hmm Petraeus with a demotion... I know he will get it done... I smell politics... He will run.. trust me
I'm not so big on Gates because of the F-22 cancelation. I just saw the F-22 fly at The Great Minnesota Air Show, and obviously I'm not an expert, but something about only 187 copies just ain't right.
That said - Mattis and Patreaus - A+ team. (and I'm not single issue on Gates - I know he's done good things)
Are you saying GEN P will run 1. Out of Afghanistan? or 2. For high elected office after retirement?
I'll put a steak dinner on 1. He doesn't run for office after retirement & 2. If he does, he doesn't win.
A posting as NSA, in a future administration (Dem or Rep) or Ambadassadorship is likely, however. Standby for news...
How do you know he is against DA/DT repeal?
Having met the man, I wil say this: SHIT HOT!!!!!
Forget Petreaus for POTUS, I want the Warrior Monk!
Don't forget who will be USJFCOM - fellow Army buddy and Iraq commander - Gen Odierno. How does he fit in? Hummm... He will technically, although no one likes to say it, own all joint forces as the "joint provider". Seems like a dream team to some.
Support AF for how much longer CDR? It has been ten years; allow one generation longer, two more generations?
Not with my vote.
From a Vet who served in the latter years of our SEA Adventure ('71-'74), though not at the tip of the spear as so many here have or are. Yes, I do see emotion evoking, strong emotion, similarities between the situations then and now, both politically and militarily.
AF is not a "Nation", it is a loose collection of tribes. I do NOT give a frack about AF as a "Nation or Country", only that they do not support our enemys.
Regards,
I know Gen. Mattis was looking forward to retirement this Fall. Although perhaps not embracing it, he was getting his mind around it. But the beel rings and as a man who has lived a lifestyle of service, he answered. A true Patriot!
I recall hearing once Major Mattis (long ago) tell a joke to a large gathering of sailors and Marines: what do you call a homosexual in a wheelchair? Answer: rolaids.
I don't think he's swallowing the DADT kool aid.
Guest,
A lot of the senior level Marines are opposed to DADT since they are ACTUALLY at war and can not afford the time, money or effort to deal w/ the procedural, logistical and judicial woes that an openly gay force will bring. The Navy, on the other hand has the senior officers swallowing more than just Kool-Aid on this one. They have become political whores from Clark down to Roughhead. Since they are not really embroiled in the war, and are trying to play by forcing the Narmy into the battlespace they are hedging their bets and sucking off the political left to stay budgetarily viable. Based on the last report, we have sold our souls and it has bought us a desire for an 8 carrier Fleet. Good job Admirals. BTW, Barney Fwank says Gary gives good Roughhead. :)
I think he will get the ship righted in Afghan, the fact that Gen Mattis is now CENTCOM, supports the theory that Petraeus will be free to fix this and with his track record, I doubt it will take long.
Ike had "ambitions" either, yet he did run. Gen Petraeus could be the "one man in that moment of history"... we'll see.
Amend to "Ike had "no ambitions" ....
Andrew, touche. I should have said Bahrain.
Not 3rd hand - I was in the audience. Granted, this was back in 1983. GEN Mattis is absolutely the best pick for CENTCOM in my opinion.
No insults intended at you or anyone else.
Out.
JGish, I'd hate to have to account for some of the jokes I told back in those days when I was an O-4. I grew up as I got older. I'm assuming that GEN Mattis, who's a heck of a lot smarter than I am, did too.
I'm not certain that all the statues of limitations have expired on my many pecadilloes from younger, stupider years.
But, I suspect the good General will be the epitome of Marine decorum during his tenure....
Unless he comes out of Afghanistan at least as successfully as Iraq he can't run. Personally, I think Afghanistan is a doomed effort no matter who is in charge, so I don't think we'll ever see any Petraeus for President stickers.
No, nooo I do not ewok40k.
BHO picked the best men for HIS political needs.
Just look at the comments around various blogs. BHO has done a great job of minimizing the political damage for the mid-term elections.
You really don't think BHO cares about the troops or our military do you?
My theory is Gen. Petraeus, as a condition of taking the job, got to pick who he worked with and the choice was his.
I know my statute of limitations has not run out. Least-wise not in the Global Force for Good.
I dont care about motives of Obama, as long as he does do the right things (and he does sometimes) - comrade Deng and his black/white cat doctrine etc...
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