New Acting SecDef Shanahan Pledges to Carry Out Trump's Policy Agenda

This man has the opportunity to gain the respect of the world. It is in this that we will see

I never bought into the cult of Mattis. He is a jarhead leg GO that was co-opted/corrupted long ago by the DC Beltway. Mattis is no longer relevant. He should go quietly into the night and take the cake job waiting for him on some corporate board of directors.

When Mattis came to the job of SecDef, he had already established his reputation on the world stage, and with the members of the military. This served him well, and it served the country well in his dealings with other countries. The man replacing him doesn't have that advantage. He needs to build a reputation in the world, and with our own military, and he'll need to build it from scratch. He may or may not be able to do that successfully. When Mattis was named as SecDef, it was widely applauded by both sides of the aisle, and by the military. I considered it to be Trump's best cabinet pick. Losing a man of that stature, especially in the manner it went down, is a loss for all of us IMHO. Our POTUS, after singing this man's praises for the past two years, will now start tearing him down (it has already begun)......because that's the kind of man he is. If it comes down to a pissing contest between Mattis and Trump.......I'll cast my lot with Mattis.

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Agreed!

Based on what? If you are unwilling to accept stated policies, best not take the job. Long ago I was told a good officer Intuit’s his senior’s wishes and acts as he/she believes supports their policies.

MCPO Roger Collins True, but Mattis told Trump no and/or bucked policy on several occasions, based on what I've read about him, I don't see Shanahan doing that. He will be a yes sir, whatever you say sir SECDEF.

Douglas McArthur learned the lesson of do not publicly criticize your boss when he tangled with Harry Truman. Mattis needed to go a long time ago. He was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. The fact Obama ran him off should have been a sign to POTUS Trump. Mattis had long ago been corrupted/co-opted by the DC Beltway establishment. He was nothing more than a cheerleader for the perpetual war military industrial complex.