Gen. James Mattis Reflects on War, Leadership, and Serving Under Trump

In a recent interview, retired Marine General James Mattis, who also served as Secretary of Defense, provided a comprehensive look at his distinguished career. Mattis reflected on his time commanding troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, offering perspective on the challenges and complexities of those conflicts. He spoke about the difficulties of interpreting and executing orders from the Bush administration, which he described as sometimes lacking coherence.

Mattis also discussed his tenure as Secretary of Defense under President Donald Trump, offering insights into their working relationship and the policy decisions made during that period. He touched on the importance of strong leadership and the lessons he learned throughout his career, which are detailed in his book, 'Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead.'

Addressing his public image, Mattis expressed his discomfort with the nickname 'Mad Dog,' preferring to be recognized for his strategic thinking and intellectual approach to warfare. He emphasized the importance of continuous learning and showcased his personal library, which contains thousands of books on military history, leadership, and strategy.