Posted on Mar 29, 2019
Is Trump risking national security by failing to appoint a permanent SECDEF?
6.04K
12
13
3
3
0
In the 70 years before 2019, the Department of Defense had never gone more than two months without a permanent leader. Now, President Donald Trump’s administration is poised to double that wait.
The post formerly filled by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has been open since Jan. 1, a leadership void that has drawn increasing concern among lawmakers.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., has pressed the Trump administration repeatedly for quicker action on the vacancy, and he was among lawmakers of both parties who expressed frustration this week that no solution appears to be in sight.
The post formerly filled by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has been open since Jan. 1, a leadership void that has drawn increasing concern among lawmakers.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., has pressed the Trump administration repeatedly for quicker action on the vacancy, and he was among lawmakers of both parties who expressed frustration this week that no solution appears to be in sight.
National Security
Geopolitics / International Relations
Leadership
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 6
2
2
0
I agree that the position should be filled as quickly as possible, but it seems that filling it with the correct person may be more important. At first blush I believed that Mattis was the perfect choice. Sadly, he wasn't as he clearly demonstrated. Although he functioned well as SecDef he too often wandered off the tracks into areas that were not his purview. Of course, after the President makes his selection, we'll see how long Congress takes to make a circus out of the confirmation process
(2)
(0)
CPT Jack Durish
Capt Gregory Prickett - Still leading with personal insults I see. I had hoped that we could be more respectful. I was trying and I thought you were too. How sad for you...
(0)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
Capt Gregory Prickett - CPT Jack Durish if ‘drunk the koolaid’ is a ‘personal insult’ and ‘how sad’, how on earth is our President anything other than a sad sad man who hurls insults?
Fake indignation is a weak response. Always.
Fake indignation is a weak response. Always.
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
SPC Margaret Higgins
LTC Stephen Conway: I do too, Stephen. I have a certificate signed by General Mattis.
(1)
(0)
SPC Margaret Higgins
LTC Stephen Conway - WOW! I KNOW! I am exceedingly proud; of that Cold War Certificate!
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
Perhaps Trump is having a hard time finding some lackey that would do exactly what he says regardless the consequences. No sane person would accept such a position.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
I miss General Mattis. But, would appointing one and going through the fight not divide the country more. POTUS needs to prioritize. We need better focus.
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
A very wise 1st Sgt took me under his wing when I was a company XO, and then became the acting Company commander for at least three months. He had a unique way of using visual aids.
He stuck his index finger in a cup of coffee and said "This is a Rifle Company with a great leader." He then pulled his index finger out, and then put his ring finger in." He then said This is the same Rifle Company, where the index finger properly trained his subordinates, not much difference is there lieutenant?" I said "I get your point 1stSgt, but please tell me that this analogy does not include include you licking your fingers." He snorted a laugh and said "#@*%!&& Lieutenants. Get out of my office pup."
He stuck his index finger in a cup of coffee and said "This is a Rifle Company with a great leader." He then pulled his index finger out, and then put his ring finger in." He then said This is the same Rifle Company, where the index finger properly trained his subordinates, not much difference is there lieutenant?" I said "I get your point 1stSgt, but please tell me that this analogy does not include include you licking your fingers." He snorted a laugh and said "#@*%!&& Lieutenants. Get out of my office pup."
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
No matter how good or flawed the candidate for Defense Secretary, how long do you believe it will take Congress to confirm him/her?
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
Sgt Jerry Genesio - Capt Gregory Prickett or maybe as long as it took the Senate to confirm James Mattis as Secretary of Defense.
He managed to only squeak by at a 98-1 vote.
He managed to only squeak by at a 98-1 vote.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google