PRESIDENT TRUMP'S J3

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S J3
by Andy Weddington
Sunday, 06 August 2017

Every Marine is, first and foremost, a rifleman. All other conditions are secondary. General A. M. Gray, USMC (29th Commandant of the Marine Corps)

For the benefit of readers not familiar with military unit organization, numbers are used to designate staff sections (e.g., 1 for manpower; 2 for intelligence; et al.) and a letter prefix indicates type or level (e.g., S for units commanded by field grade officers; G for units commanded by generals; et al.). 

Of course it's more involved (more numbers and letters) depending on branch of service and type of unit but that's the gist for the purpose of today's commentary.

J3?

Joint Operations.

As a broad brush stroke, it's the 3 that runs the show - carrying out the commander's intent and guidance.

A strong 3 matters. 

President Trump has a J3.

He has a strong 3.

That is ...

John, Jim, and Joe. 

As in Marine Generals Kelly, Mattis, and Dunford. 

Has there been such a strong triumvirate advising the President? And carrying out intent and guidance?

Three combat hardened Marines, with an aggregate of well over a hundred years of uniformed service, sworn to do their best for the President and our country.

Alas, there's a fourth Marine. 

Too sworn to do his best for our country. But not so much for the President as the presidency.  

That combat hardened Marine's name does not begin with the letter J nor is he in the 3. 

Mueller is the surname. Robert (coincidentally, the first name of General Kelly's Marine son killed in combat). And the man now attacking President Trump.

This is likely Mr. Mueller's last professional public appearance before retiring. 

His middle initial is S - for Swan; and as in song. 

There are no coincidences. 

To wrap this up ...

Though President Trump has plenty of skilled lawyers advising he'd be wise to rely on his J3.

With four Marine riflemen engaged ugly is practically a certainty. 

Bloody. 

Honor, medals not, is at stake.