James Mattis

I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect [Donald Trump], or then-president [Barack Obama]. But it's - I'm…

— James Mattis

An untrained or uneducated Marine ... deployed to the combat zone is a bigger threat to mission accomplishment ... than the enemy.

— James Mattis

The first time you blow someone away is not an insignificant event. That said, there are some *******s in the world that…

— James Mattis

With respect to the outlines of what's in the Army Field Manual, there's no doubt in my mind about the limitations it…

— James Mattis

We can kill lots of people. We do kill lots of people. We can destroy virtually anything we choose to destroy.

— James Mattis

I just hope we can find our way back to engaging with one another, arguing strongly with one another, and then going…

— James Mattis

We've backed off in good faith to try and give you a chance to straighten this problem out. But I am going…

— James Mattis

You've been told that you're broken. That you're damaged goods ... there is also Post-Traumatic Growth. You come back from war stronger…

— James Mattis

It's quite fun to fight them, you know. It's a hell of a hoot. It's fun to shoot some people. I'll be…

— James Mattis

You cannot allow any of your people to avoid the brutal facts. If they start living in a dream world, it's going…

— James Mattis

You can overcome wrong technology. Your people have the initiative, they see the problem, no big deal ... you can't overcome bad…

— James Mattis

You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil. You know,…

— James Mattis

We have the most skillful, firecest, and certainly the most ethical ground forces in the world... I'm not saying we have to…

— James Mattis

I don't see lethality as the problem. I mean, the lethality of US forces is quite remarkable.

— James Mattis

The United States has been essentially engaged in an ongoing war that most people date from 2001. That war has taken us…

— James Mattis

In this age, I dont care how tactically or operationally brilliant you are, if you cannot create harmony even vicious harmony on…

— James Mattis

You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil. You know,…

— James Mattis

Anyone who kills women and children is not devout. ISIS cannot dress themselves up in false religious garb and say that somehow…

— James Mattis

We do everything humanly possible, consistent with military necessity, taking many chances to avoid civilian casualties, at all costs.

— James Mattis

I would consider the principal threats to start with Russia, and it would certainly include any nations that are looking to intimidate…

— James Mattis

The destruction that we have wreaked in the various theaters in which we've been engaged is really quite astonishing. But again, lethality,…

— James Mattis

I think, broadly speaking, the US military's role - US military activism in various parts of the Islamic world over the past…

— James Mattis

None of the widely touted new technologies and weapons systems 'would have helped me in the last three years in Iraq and…

— James Mattis

There is no corporation in the world that would, in a competitive environment, try and concentrate all decisions at the corporate level.

— James Mattis

I would consider the principal threats to start with Russia. And it would certainly include any nations that are looking to intimidate…

— James Mattis