A very special leader, patriot, statesman and gentlemen that our nation’s Secretary of Defense James Mattis reflects to the core of his character and sacrifice of service to our nation throughout his lifetime. The Secretary of Defense has led stability and peace through the past two years with vision, credibility and respect that is earned and given to our Nation’s leaders, our Allies and our Competitors. We thank him for the steady hand, the emotionless leadership and way forward to adhere to our values and democracy to make not only our nation but also the world a safer place.
“We are in era of great power competition, but as President Trump has said, competition does not mean hostility, nor does it inevitably lead to conflict. It won’t if we continue to invest in strength.” – Secretary of Defense James Mattis, Reagan National Defense Forum, December 01, 2018
It is of deep loss and deep respect that he has chosen to resign his position. In self-sacrificing this position in his vast experience to provide the Department of Defense in better alignment to the Commander and Chief. As a mark of his character, devotion, his love of this country and the ultimate team player, he will help guide the transition of the next Secretary of Defense for stability and strength of our nation. Secretary Mattis has built a tremendous team of leaders and has had a positive and powerful impact on the culture of the Department of Defense, more so than most of his predecessors.
We have all been very fortunate to have his outstanding leadership shelter us, protect us and defend us through the past two years. Great leadership is rare, and all leaders come and go through their command, their time of greatest influence and power to better the overall mission. We must as a nation accept this transition, be grateful for what has been done and look forward to our next Secretary of Defense and our next leader that will shape the Department of Defense to reflect their leadership.
“We are Americans. We are not spectators in the arc of history. We make history. –Secretary of Defense James Mattis, Reagan National Defense Forum, December 01, 2018