One Final "Mattis Sends" Memo

Outgoing SecDef Mattis and his replacement, former DepSecDef Shanahan.
Photo: Democracy Now

On the last day of 2018, Secretary of Defense, GEN (Ret) James Mattis turned over the mantle of leadership to his former Deputy, HON Patrick Shanahan. Shanahan is most well-known as a Boeing executive with no military service. However, I know him from his monthly update memos. I enjoy reading these concise summaries of Department priorities and action plans. I always feel informed and inspired after reading the view from his perch. I am sorry to see Mattis depart, and I wish Shanahan well. We live in tumultuous times. I have a nephew in Afghanistan, and a friend preparing for his 9th (count them--NINE!) deployment since the wars began in 2001. I want a capable leader in the office of SecDef.

On December 20, the day after President Trump announced plans to remove U.S. military personnel from Syria, despite the contrary recommendations of his military advisers, Secretary of Defense James Mattis tendered his resignation, to be effective at the end of February 2019--the culmination of 2 years of service in the position. Mattis' resignation letter has been widely disseminated.

Themes in the concise letter echoed themes that are also found in Mattis' December 19 Christmas letter to the troops, and in his final transition note: holding the line, serving the Nation, defending the Constitution, and keeping the American people safe at home.  

President Trump accepted the resignation, agreeing that their values were not aligned, and selected DepSecDef Shanahan to be the interim SecDef. Subsequently, Trump moved up the transition date to December 31. This move signals that Shanahan will likely be confirmed by the Senate to permanently fill the position. It also deprives Mattis of the opportunity to attend the NATO ministerial meetings and to testify before Congress in the posture hearings.

Below, printed in its entirety, appears Mattis' transition message as it was transmitted through official channels across the U.S. Department of Defense. You may have seen edited versions on the major news media outlets. I wanted to share the ALLCAPS version that we see in official distribution. Note: ALDODACT means All Department of Defense Activities.  

FM SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
TO ALDODACT
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC//SECDEF COMMS// BT UNCLAS 

SUBJ/FAREWELL MESSAGE ALDODACT 28/18

ADDRESSEES PASS TO ALL SUBORDINATE COMMANDS

1. ON FEBRUARY 1, 1865, PRESIDENT LINCOLN SENT TO GENERAL ULYSSES S. GRANT A ONE SENTENCE TELEGRAM. IT READ: "LET NOTHING WHICH IS TRANSPIRING, CHANGE, HINDER, OR DELAY YOUR MILITARY MOVEMENTS, OR PLANS."

2. OUR DEPARTMENT'S LEADERSHIP, CIVILIAN AND MILITARY, REMAINS IN THE BEST POSSIBLE HANDS. I AM CONFIDENT THAT EACH OF US REMAINS UNDISTRACTED FROM OUR SWORN MISSION TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION WHILE PROTECTING OUR WAY OF LIFE. OUR DEPARTMENT IS PROVEN TO BE AT ITS BEST WHEN THE TIMES ARE MOST DIFFICULT. SO KEEP THE FAITH IN OUR COUNTRY AND HOLD FAST, ALONGSIDE OUR ALLIES, ALIGNED AGAINST OUR FOES.

3. IT HAS BEEN MY HIGH HONOR TO SERVE AT YOUR SIDE. MAY GOD HOLD YOU SAFE IN THE AIR, ON LAND, AND AT SEA. 

MATTIS SENDS.

Without distracting fanfare, the era of the Warrior Monk has ended. Nothing more needs to be said. After 40 years of service, call-sign Chaos has signed off of the net.