USA Africa Dialogue Series - Fwd: [africanworldforum] Quote from incoming USA defense secretary - General James Mattis

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From: 'Tajudeen Raji' via AfricanWorldForum <africanworldforum@googlegroups.com>
Date: 2 December 2016 at 18:03
Subject: [africanworldforum] Quote from incoming USA defense secretary - General James Mattis

Cc: ishlawilliams@ymail.com

Edited: include list of quotes. 

Just something I put together from one of my news sources and decided to share. Enjoy.

Thanks,
Tajudeen Raji 

 Some of General James Mattis (the incoming secretary of defense under the incoming Trump administration) Quotes:

 

1)      "You cannot allow any of your people to avoid the brutal facts. If they start living in a dream world, it's going to be bad."

 

Mattis has often talked to Marine leaders about staying sharp.

The "dream world" he mentioned is a reference to a complacent attitude, and it's one that can cost lives if troops aren't vigilant.

 

2)      "If in order to kill the enemy you have to kill an innocent, don't take the shot. Don't create more enemies than you take out by some immoral act."

 

Mattis has often spoken about following the rules of engagement and being disciplined against a ruthless enemy.

3 

3)      "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."

 

After the initial Iraq invasion, "Chaos" (his radio call sign) sent home his tanks and artillery and used the "carrot and the stick" with Iraqi tribal leaders.

 

4)      "The first time you blow someone away is not an insignificant event. That said, there are some a--holes in the world that just need to be shot. There are hunters and there are victims. By your discipline, you will decide if you are a hunter or a victim."

 

Addressing his Marines at an air base in Iraq, he tried to motivate them to stay sharp and continue the mission.

 

He ended the speech, telling them, "I feel sorry for every son of a b**** that doesn't get to serve with you."

 

5)      "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."

 

After the initial Iraq invasion, "Chaos" (his radio call sign) sent home his tanks and artillery and used the "carrot and the stick" with Iraqi tribal leaders.

 

6)      "Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet."

 

One of his "words to live by" for his Marines in Iraq, which was a call for his troops to remain vigilant and never let their guard down even in the company of those who seem friendly.

In a country where insurgents would blend into the local populace with ease, it was good advice.

7)      "We've backed off in good faith to try and give you a chance to straighten this problem out. But I am going to beg with you for a minute. I'm going to plead with you, do not cross us. Because if you do, the survivors will write about what we do here for 10,000 years."

 

Mattis demonstrates that he is willing to extend an olive branch to those on the fence — while carrying the weight of Marine firepower if that doesn't work out.

 

8)      "I don't lose any sleep at night over the potential for failure. I cannot even spell the word."

 

The general has always been confident in his abilities and that of his Marines.

His success in battle and strategic genius has earned him an almost godlike status among Marines.

 

9)      "You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil. You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them. Actually it's quite fun to fight them, you know. It's a hell of a hoot. It's fun to shoot some people. I'll be right up there with you. I like brawling."

 

Mattis said this while speaking about his time on the ground in Afghanistan

 

 

10)   "The most important 6 inches on the battlefield is between your ears."

He often emphasizes to his troops that they need to be problem solvers, using firepower only as a last result. 

 

11)   "Treachery has existed as long as there's been warfare, and there's always been a few people that you couldn't trust."

 

In places such as Iraq and Afghanistan, alliances can often shift quickly. 




Sent from my iPhone

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