The American Spectator

p> A FIGHTING FORCE br> Re: John R. Guardiano’s Breaking the Warrior Code : /p>

I read with great interest Mr. John Guardiano’s article on the reaction to Gen. James N. Mattis that have received such attention of late. Mr. Guardiano’s writing of the General and how he commands was very informative. His take on how wildly uninformed the opinions on the Right & Left on the General were also spot on.

p>All of which I understood the moment I heard the General’s sound bite on the radio. A Great man speaks to you. He doesn’t need explanations. br> — Jon W. Taliaferro br> Reston, Virginia /p>

While I agree wholeheartedly with John Guardiano’s defending General Mattis from the silly accusations made by the chattering class, I do find odd this comment made by the General and Mr. Guardiano’s interpretation of it:

“I don’t give a damn about the officers. If they don’t like what they’re doing, they can get on a plane and leave the Corps — go back where they came from. But I do care deeply about those 18- and 19-year-old Lance Corporals out on the front lines.” The General was telling me that, as an officer, I better be concerned with helping younger, junior Marines, not advancing my own career.

p>Certainly the sentiment of looking out for the younger Marines is correct, but does caring about 18- and 19-year-old lance corporals preclude having the same regard for 21- or 22-year-old second lieutenants? I can’t imagine any senior officer of field grade or flag rank not being concerned with both the general welfare and career development of his or her junior officers.