SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: A CAPABLE AMERICAN WILL ANSWER OUR PRESIDENT'S CALL

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: A CAPABLE AMERICAN WILL ANSWER OUR PRESIDENT'S CALL
By Andy Weddington
Friday, 21 December 2018

Do all the good you can and make as little fuss about it as possible. Charles Dickens 

Dear Mr. President:

I have been privileged to serve as our country's 26th Secretary of Defense.

I believe it is right for me to step down from my position. The end date for my tenure is February 28, 2019, a date that should allow sufficient time for a successor to be nominated and confirmed as well as to make sure the Department's interests are properly articulated and protected at upcoming events to include Congressional posture hearings and the NATO Defense Ministerial meeting in February. Further, that a full transition to a new Secretary of Defense occurs well in advance of the transition of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in September in order to ensure stability within the Department.

I pledge my full effort to a smooth transition that ensures the needs and interests of the 2.15 million Service Members and 732,079 DoD civilians receive undistracted attention of the Department at all times so that they can fulfill their critical, round-the-clock mission to protect the American people.

I very much appreciate the opportunity to serve the nation and our men and women in uniform.   /s/ James N. Mattis

https://media.defense.gov/2018/Dec/20/2002075156/-1/-1/1/LETTER-FROM-SECRETARY-JAMES-N-MATTIS.PDF


That is the letter, less (superfluous) politics and opinion, that should have been delivered to our President.  

The Defense Secretary is appointed, not elected, and advises. 

Circumstances of departure irrelevant. 

When an(y) advisor believes (or is believed) they no longer add value then time to go - with humble professionalism.

Politics and opinions counter to the President's are not productive. Such is best aired privately (and follows the basic leadership tenet of praise in public, reprimand in private). 

Thank you, Secretary Mattis, for dedicated service to country. 

A capable American will answer our President's call. 

As vowed in your letter, Sir, set that new Secretary, our President, and most importantly our country up for success. 

In the end, "Merry Christmas!," came from the heart of Ebenezer Scrooge. And he did good.