Posted on Dec 6, 2016
Some Call This Mattis' One Mistake In Battle — A Legendary Marine Says Otherwise
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We asked legendary Marine Bing West about a tragic day in Afghanistan, and what it says about leadership in combat.
There are decisions that military leaders must make in times of war that live with them forever. Recently, a 15-year-old combat decision made by retired Marine Gen. James Mattis, who has been selected to served as Secretary of Defense in the Trump Administration, has drawn scrutiny. But at least one legendary Marine spoke to us about the complexities of such decisions, and the life-and-death nature of combat leadership.
There are decisions that military leaders must make in times of war that live with them forever. Recently, a 15-year-old combat decision made by retired Marine Gen. James Mattis, who has been selected to served as Secretary of Defense in the Trump Administration, has drawn scrutiny. But at least one legendary Marine spoke to us about the complexities of such decisions, and the life-and-death nature of combat leadership.
Some Call This Mattis' One Mistake In Battle — A Legendary Marine Says Otherwise
Posted from taskandpurpose.com
Marines
Afghanistan
Combat
Leadership
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 8
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Everything is perfect on paper. Sometimes, even when expecting the unexpected, you may suffer some type of loss. War is a horrible, nasty thing that unfortunately we must do. It'd be nice if our safety could be guaranteed, but we all no, there are no guarantees .....
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Hindsight is 20-20... and it's easy to play armchair quarterback. Then there's envy, greed, and grudges...
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SGT (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see), And then there is being an idiot, trying to ruin an honorable persons life.
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SSG (Join to see)
There's that too. I saw mention made of "the golden hour". If the base was 45 mins away by helicopter then that golden hour was already out the window because that other 15 mins would be eaten up by requests, approvals, and getting in the air.
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I think this is the stuff Task and Purpose knew would come to light when Gen. Mattis was nominated SECDEF that could hurt his legacy. There was also the recent re-revelation that in 2005 he did not fill requests for MRAPS which contributed to the delay getting them to Iraq.
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SSG (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) - Here's the MRAP story. https://www.google.com/amp/amp.usatoday.com/story/94226468/?client=ms-android-sprint-us
Mattis, Marines balked on lifesaving MRAP vehicles
WASHINGTON Retired Marine Corps General James Mattis, currently under consideration for Defense Secretary in the new Trump administration, oversaw a key command in 2005 that failed to field urgently needed combat vehicles to Iraq to protect Marines
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SGT (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) - Since it's a news item and part of the complaints, he should explain his decision and get it out in the open so those lefties will get off his back. Funny how this stuff doesn't get much attention until your nominated for a position in Government. I had never heard about it before now.
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SSG (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) - Exactly. It's an amazing amount of scrutiny. Probably why we see so few military veterans in politics.
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SGT (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) - 32 out of 45 of our Presidents have been prior Military, and I'll bet each one had their own cross to bear. War's hell and some decisions are made off the cuff. Everything on paper isn't the right way to do it. It takes skill, guts, and determination to be a leader in the class of General Mattis..
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