With a (retired) Marine as SECDEF & a Marine as JCS Chairman, it's a historic first. What does the RP community think?

MSgt George Cater — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 23:46:39 -0500

Response by SFC George Smith made Dec 6 at 2016 11:51 PM

SFC George Smith — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 23:51:17 -0500

Looks Good For Our Marine Brothers... Maybe they Can Tighten up Some of the Lax Conduct in the Military And Reserve Components... And National Guard

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2016 11:56 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 23:56:04 -0500

Maybe you guys will actually get enough funding to purchase equipment that was actually made in this century for once.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Dec 7 at 2016 12:01 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 00:01:22 -0500

Looks like some good staffing to Me !

Response by SN Greg Wright made Dec 7 at 2016 12:03 AM

SN Greg Wright — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 00:03:13 -0500

I'm a Sailor. I live to make fun of The Passengers. I've seen a Marine vomit pizza, then bend over and eat a piece of the pepperoni. I came to blows with a particular Marine several times in the Bosun locker of my ship...and I had that very same Marine prevent a local in Phuket from stabbing me.

I can't imagine better picks for the Marines, for Sailors. For Soldiers. For Airmen. CNO Richardson is a pandering toady that let Mabus gut Naval tradition. And the other service chiefs simply don't have the gravitas that Mattis does. Trump did this right.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Dec 7 at 2016 12:29 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 00:29:08 -0500

They get the Seabee support any day. I spent some time at the War College at Quantico. The Marines deeply study and innovate warfare thinking and execution. They don't have time for sidebar stuff. So I wish them both well in their critical service to this Nation.

Response by TSgt David L. made Dec 7 at 2016 1:09 AM

TSgt David L. — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 01:09:29 -0500

Great post @MSgt George Cater! I think that our world standing is a up a few notches and they aren't even in charge yet. Come f%ck with us NOW!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2016 1:23 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 01:23:45 -0500

MSgt George Cater Both Marines will do what Marines do. They will carry out their duties to the best of their abilities. Great choices for our country!

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Dec 7 at 2016 6:25 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 06:25:04 -0500

If you all don't watch it the Marine Corps will be running the entire show before too long.

Response by SCPO Jason McLaughlin made Dec 7 at 2016 6:57 AM

SCPO Jason McLaughlin — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 06:57:39 -0500

Something tells me that the Navy's Amphibious Fleet will be growing over the next few years......

Response by COL David Turk made Dec 7 at 2016 7:29 AM

COL David Turk — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 07:29:26 -0500

I hope the navy didn't piss these guys off on their way up the ladder!
(That's suppose to pass for humor.)

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2016 7:48 AM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 07:48:03 -0500

At that level I doubt their service component means much. It's a point of pride for the USMC and that's fine. During my career CJCS has been tapped from every service and SecDef has been a mix of veterans and civilians. I never perceived anything was better or worse because one was from one service or another. At the tactical level I doubt the average Joe will experience any difference due to these guys albeit impressive Marine service.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Dec 7 at 2016 8:27 AM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 08:27:09 -0500

Being an Air Force guy whose background was primarily SAC I hadn't really been exposed to Marines until I was assigned to HQUSCENTCOM. At this assignment I learned that Marines were extremely dedicated professionals and also learned a lot from those who worked for me. When after about a year, Gen. George Crist was assigned as CENTCOM Commander I learned what it was like to work for a Marine. He was an extremely demanding individual, and his entire focus was on accomplishing the mission. For good or bad, I was one of the individuals that Gen Crist had confidence in and this fact allowed me some insight into his leadership style. Give a Marine a mission and the job will get done, may not always be pretty, but mission gets accomplished. Have no doubt that this will be the case with these two!

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2016 9:36 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 09:36:52 -0500

If Gen Mattis makes it and Gen Dunford stays in place we should have some good things for military. Less incursion without clear objectives. Less social engineering. Smarter procurement. More cash for O&M with emphasis on M (especially aviation and depot). Improved morale. Less PC and more straight talk.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2016 9:44 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 09:44:14 -0500

Mattis isn't SECDEF yet. He still has to be confirmed by the Senate, and he still needs Congress to pass a law giving him a waiver of the seven year mandatory waiting period.

Response by PO1 Dallas Shewmaker made Dec 7 at 2016 10:43 AM

PO1 Dallas Shewmaker — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 10:43:16 -0500

Marine, Navy, Army, Air Force... doesn't matter. Mattis is a true warrior with our entire military in his capable hands. He's a true Marine and for this, I thank God that we have a man like him in charge. It's good to see a battle tested warrior whose memory is still fresh on the needs of the fellow warriors he is tasked to lead.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 7 at 2016 11:07 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 11:07:05 -0500

Works for me, MSgt George Cater. I think Sgt Private RallyPoint Member expressed it well.

Response by LCpl Donald Faucett made Dec 7 at 2016 12:27 PM

LCpl Donald Faucett — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 12:27:18 -0500

The General will give it to you straight, expect every body do your job, and the standards, lol, well expect the bar to rise

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2016 1:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 13:55:42 -0500

There's also this development as well.

http://www.militarytimes.com/articles/kelly-dhs-trump-report

Report: Retired Gen. John Kelly is Trump's pick for Homeland Security secretary

The former U.S. Southern Command head is the third high-profile military name picked for a Trump Cabinet post.

Response by SGT Damaso V Santana made Dec 7 at 2016 3:30 PM

SGT Damaso V Santana — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 15:30:37 -0500

You left out Retired Marine General John Kelly as head of Homeland Security.
All 3 great choices!

Response by LTC Stephen B. made Dec 7 at 2016 4:20 PM

LTC Stephen B. — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 16:20:00 -0500

And Marine in charge of Homeland Security... Ooh-RAH!!!

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made Dec 7 at 2016 5:26 PM

Cpl Mark A. Morris — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 17:26:45 -0500

MSgt,

This is great news for our country and our allies across the globe.

M. Morris RVT

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2016 5:40 PM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 17:40:32 -0500

I think it's about time a soon to be CiNC surrounds himself with warriors and Acadamians vs just Ivy League nerds.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2016 8:12 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 20:12:27 -0500

President-Elect Trump's Military Cabinet

Secretary of Defense - General James N. Mattis, USMC
Secretary of Homeland Security - General John F. Kelly, USMC
National Security Adviser - Lieutenant General Michael T. Flynn, USA
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff - General Joseph F. Dunford, USMC
CIA Director - Captain Mike Pompeo, USA
Attorney General - Captain Jeff Sessions, USAR
UN Ambassador - Governor Nikki Haley (Husband is an ARNG Captain)
Chief Strategist & Senior Counsel - Steve K. Bannon, Officer USN (Can't find rank)

The rest of his cabinet is primarily business focused so far, which is to be expected.

Response by 1stSgt Matthew Olivolo made Dec 9 at 2016 4:14 PM

1stSgt Matthew Olivolo — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 16:14:57 -0500

I've never been more confident in a Presidential Cabinet than I am today! Semper Fidelis!

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Dec 12 at 2016 12:24 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 12:24:16 -0500

As far as SECDEF...not too happy about it...now wait before you lambast me. The man noiminated is extremely qualified but too close from the fight. I am for it if they meet the mandatory whatever year gap prior to taking the position. That way, budget priorities have changed, leadership priorities have changed, and a myriad of old boy networking has been adjusted. I have nothing against the choice but I do think the civilian positions should have to wait. As far as two Marines in those positions (extremely qualified by the way)...could care less as long as they are qualified...don't care what service they come from at that level. JCS...may the best man win!!! Not bad picks for Trump.

Response by CPT Kurk Harris made Dec 12 at 2016 1:01 PM

CPT Kurk Harris — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 13:01:21 -0500

Awesome choices. My experience with Marines has been that they are generally consummate professionals. Never had problems with any except once in a bar in Pusan...but that's a different story.

Response by SSG Alfonso Pagan made Feb 8 at 2017 2:41 PM

SSG Alfonso Pagan — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 14:41:04 -0500

That this is a great time for Marines to ask for money and equipment.