James Mattis Quotes
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There are going to be good days and bad days. Bottom line.
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I don't worry about stress. I create it.
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Prime Minister Maliki, released from American restraint, acted on his worst instincts, creating enormous distrust in Iraq's Kurdish population and deeply embittering Sunnis in western Iraq's Al Anbar, who lost any confidence in a Baghdad government they saw as adversarial.
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I don't lose any sleep at night over the potential for failure. I cannot even spell the word.
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I don't have the best track record with quotes.
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I was a Marine for 41 years, and it wasn't long enough. We enjoy putting on that uniform.
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The fundamental question I believe is, 'Is political Islam in our best interest?' If not, what is our policy to authoritatively support the countervailing forces?
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The Corps is in good hands, and it's been a privilege to serve with the Leathernecks. Now it's time to go.
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Wherever the enemy wants to fight, we will follow him to the ends of the Earth. We'll adapt, we'll train, we'll advise, we'll mentor, and we'll fight, and we'll fight well.
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I would storm the gates of Hell if Third Marine Air Wing was overhead.
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Gains achieved at great cost against our enemy in Afghanistan are reversible.
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I'm on record that it didn't really traumatize me to do away with some people.
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I like the enemy knowing there are a few guys like me around.
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I've had some 'riotous excursions of the human spirit' alongside the young Sailors and Marines, and it's time to leave the stage to the young leaders who got their rank the old-fashioned way - they earned their stripes in combat.
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It's not an easy course. It's not designed to be. We're not here to get you in touch with your inner child.
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You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil. You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway.
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While victimhood in America is exalted, I don't think our veterans should join those ranks.
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We all recognize that the Mid-east is dissolving into crises, and we know terrorism did not start with 9-11.
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The military can buy our diplomats some time.
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Engage your brain before you engage your weapon.
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I don't write policy for my government.
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The Army was always big on Clausewitz, the Prussian; the Navy on Alfred Thayer Mahan, the American; and the Air Force on Giulio Douhet, the Italian. But the Marine Corps has always been more Eastern-oriented. I am much more comfortable with Sun-tzu and his approach to warfare.
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Basically, Islamic State is a combined al Qaeda and Lebanese Hezbollah on steroids, destabilizing the region, dissolving borders/changing the political geography in the Mid-east, and hardening political positions that make Mid-east peace-building more remote by the day.
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Perhaps if you are in support functions waiting on the warfighters to spell out the specifics of what you are to do, you can avoid the consequences of not reading. Those who must adapt to overcoming an independent enemy's will are not allowed that luxury.