General Jim Mattis brings insight and clarity to the nature of war

In this episode, Uncommon Knowledge is honored to have retired four-star General James Mattis. General Mattis retired from the Marine Corps as a full general in 2013, where he served as the eleventh commander of the United States Central Command. He also served as the commander for NATO supreme allied transformation, and as commander of the United States Joint Forces Command. Mattis is now an Annenberg Distinguished Visiting Fellow fellow at the Hoover Institution.

[@raythompson5087]

He was my Battalion Commander (1/7) 29 Palms, CA, when I reported aboard in mid-1989. He was TDY, and I actually met him at the summer mountain package, at Pickle Meadows. We cut our training short, a C-130 landed in a ranchers field, and we went back to "the stumps" to prepare to deploy to South West Asia (SWA). A more generous and intelligent man than I have ever met. Absolutely the best read gentleman I have ever met. More than anything, he was a life coach, and very interested in setting junior leaders up for success. A great Marine!

[@RockStarBig50]

Agreed, thanks for sharing. One of the greatest sport coaches of all time was the Late John Wooden who was also renowned as a Life Coach though I disagree with one of his understudies on most everything. Men like Mattis take that saying of What goes TDY, stays TDY to the woodshed since they are mission oriented and not in good conscience going to be constrained by failed policy wonks or diplomatic suicide.

[@russpottenger4674]

Ray Thompson Thanks for sharing your story and thank you for your service

[@JeffreyGillespie]

Thank you for your service, and what an amazing thing to have met him!

[@zacharybaum9714]

"Loyalty only matters when there's a hundred reasons not to be"

[@mariojorge9529]

Thank you very much!

[@johndemello8802]

We are blessed to have Gen Mattis as a leader in our country!!!i Semper Fi general!!!!

[@johndemello8802]

Semper FI!!!

[@TheDegraderReturns]

I never get tired of General Mattis and his interviews and speeches...He is an incredibly intelligent and a very rare breed of Leader who actually leads from the front.

[@ZeBlessedZouls]

+The Ranting Brony Neither do I. He is the only Leader the world would respect and admire. No Nation would mock America. Like no nation mocked America when Eisenhower was leading.

[@MylesKillis]

The Ranting Brony he's a Marine. What did you except?

[@jamesforeman4368]

This is a man who takes himself seriously and thinks deeply. These are traits that we can all aspire to.

[@yuripantyhose4973]

+Adam Jacobs It is good poets are not made Generals, both are needed but what make a good playwright does not make a good General. At least not judging from Oscar Wilde statement. Nero was a poet, and we saw what kind of statesman he was.

[@farche2]

+Adam Jacobs Wilde was wrong about some things.

[@jimbob1427]

Best leader in the western world at the moment

[@RightCenterBack321]

He doesn't take himself seriously. He takes his work seriously.

[@MySiamesedreams]

Mattis is the man. He's wise, real and tough. I sincerely hope he becomes our Secretary of Defense.

[@misterjoey3384]

Amber Chaib update. he is!!!

[@jensdanbolt6953]

Mad respect to the interviewer! Interesting, well articulated questions. He has clearly done his homework beforehand!

[@daxdigitalus]

God bless Gen. James Mattis

[@edchevalier269]

Several years after this was recorded, it is priceless. OUR warrior monk. A true rarity. A true gem. Thank God for men such as this.

[@webe6170]

Impressive thought process. Mr. Mattis illustrates the importance of knowing history, for all of us.

[@bobxfromtexas6276]

If you give a man a fire you keep him warm for a few hours. If you light a man on fire you keep him warm the rest of his life.

[@RightWingNutter]

A superb pick for SecDef. It reflects well on Trump and increases my confidence in the President-Elect.

[@OmmerSyssel]

Still satisfied or corresponding with Mattis?

[@lylenagy5776]

Love this dude. I love a clear and ethical thinker at the helm of our military.

[@stephengarfield4691]

This man is brilliant. Unlike those who have done nothing but dare to criticize him here.

[@tommythompsonsurfer]

THANK YOU USMC...GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!

[@KodaGSD-uf3hg]

He s a God to us Marines

[@daphnethurlow5388]

A hero and a great guy..could listen to him talk forever. His knowledge is immense .

[@billleontaritis7638]

what a great interview of a great man. respect from Canada.

[@Orangelemonblue]

Always phenomenal interviews... Thanks for sharing these

[@ride0RgetR0DE0n]

I came expecting to learn about war, I left with valuable life lessons.

[@karl-heinzvonscharnhorst546]

What a great man. Honourable, truthful and a warrior first class. MAGA.

[@lkjh00on89]

Many fantastic quotes in this interview, but "I grew to hate minefields when I was twenty-one years old." made me LOL. As an American citizen, I feel safer and more hopeful for the future knowing General James Mattis is our Secretary of Defense.

[@onlydogontheleft]

An incredibly well-spoken and insightful mind.

[@marcuscorder]

James Mattis for president!

[@ZeBlessedZouls]

I Wish General Mattis an Exceptional Birthday. May the Lord listen to all those voices here that Know America can only be Saved by a Warrior Humble enough to learn from the Warriors that preceded him. The Fallen's Spirits are Powerful. They never die. They Transform. In times of special Urgency, they Condense in one human like a Flux of Electrical Energy would do, feeding Eloquence and Intelligence of another Soul, Transmitting Courage, Igniting the ones whose nature is same Voltage.

[@mauser8515]

My best friends are people that I served beside. I feel like I contributed something to my community, to my country, and to my fellow human beings. Hooah!

[@zchmrrs]

“Sometimes in this world, the best ambassador you can have is a Man O’ War” Legend

[@freytheviking]

What a badass. Warrior Philosopher.

[@daneershen4138]

Amen to never regretting serving in the Armed Forces of your country. I learned lessons their that have nothing to do with combat. About leadership. About hating someone’s guts, but knowing if the chips were down, they had your back. A learned respect, for authority, and for myself. Best thing I ever did. And now my grandson is the 4th generation. My Dad was USMC, Iwo Jima, among others. My son, a mustang O-4 in the Navy, 19 years. My short 4 years. Everyone in my family born here (Dad was the son of two immigrants from Prussia), has served. And I hope my great-grandchildren serve as well. God Bless America.

[@jackjones3657]

Gen. Mattis seems to be a genuinely humble leader, which seems all too rare a trait in leaders.

[@payamism]

Extremely brilliant. Just perfect.

[@johnoconnor3939]

A great thinker and a great Marine. Mad Dog Mattis. A leader.

[@CharlesvanDijk-ir6bl]

Same as Patton was also a historian and believed history always repeats.

[@BrijeshJanardhanan]

Inspirational my dear Sir. Respects.

[@MrWolynski]

Cut down the processes that get in the way of great leadership. Spot on! Good job Mr. Trump. General Mattis was a wise choice.

[@kargs5krun]

Key moment/Time saver: @13:46 with the follow up, golden quote of, _"....loyalty only counts is when there are 100 reasons not to be."_ A sobering moment comes @18:05 re: debt & WHOM holds our "paper." Yet i still wonder, seeing/hearing how intelligent, experienced he is and having served with/for POTUS Trump, "Where did he go wrong?" (in re: to resignation now)

[@TastyBurgerFilms]

I like the music at the very beginning of these videos, makes me feel like I'm the club discussing the nature of war with Peter Robinson and General Jim Mattis

[@JakeJustIs]

Thank you, General Mattis

[@nalcow]

the general says something extremly important. Getting clear of the military objectives is tied to the polítical objectives. that was not the case in vietnam, korea, afganistan iraq. The US happily went to war in those instances and it came up that it didnt know how to end the wars. are you clear in your objetives? do you know what it entails to achieve them? are military and polítical objectives align? those are basic strategic questions. this man is a true strategist.

[@MagicSteel1]

Mattis: War.. war never changes

[@bugatti5566]

Perfect choice for secdef!!!! Trump picked the right man for the job

[@zeropoint4151]

Enlightening. God bless the good people with good intentions of the world.

[@JeffreyGillespie]

He really is an extraordinarily brilliant person.

[@curtismes]

at 10:15 he states something that still makes me mad but is true...you have to have personal relationships at the highest levels...what happened to a president and his advisors recognizing when someone is right regardless if they like them or not?...when general shinseki said WERE GONNA NEED 500,000 troops...he was right, rumsfeild says we can do it with 120,000....maybe politicians should heed generals more often...regardless if they like them or not....when Colin Powell said If you break it your going to have to fix it...he was right...we broke it...its still not fixed...I wish Bush jr had heeded that....that one warning would have saved us all alot of trouble...God bless those who serve....and God help those whom are elected.

[@youkouncoun6533]

You are a the best militart stratege the World has ever knowned you are a Hero Thank you for your service

[@ionthegravity2]

this man is my Presidential choice in 2016!!

[@st3wi3D]

26:51 - I am SOLD!!!!!!!! Excellent pick Mr. Trump

[@sunshinebee3040]

battles of annihilation with ISIS 🙌

[@CbrigBear87]

Be over in 10 mins...

[@sandrafleming6729]

This reflection of moral and well as knowedge he shows in his experience of mankind causes me to wonder how these intellectuals powers can be provided to America's youth.

[@harrytd]

I have watched this interview three times over the last year or two. Wonderful stuff. General Mattis' clarity is compelling. The USA should be proud to have produced such a man and count yourself lucky to have him. We have no one of his stature here in the U.K. or indeed anywhere in Western Europe.

[@scottm9011]

I came away from this video with a better understanding of relationship between the military leadership & the civilian leadership in America. General Mattis is well educated & extremely intelligent. He is an amazing leader of men who puts a great deal of thought into everything he says & does. Our country is truly blessed to have such a dedicated professional serving as Secretary of Defense and I rest easy in the certain knowledge that he is giving President Trump the best counsel on the optimal use of or military forces.

[@Jesse1997Earth]

AMAZING MAN!!

[@SturgisThunder]

Brilliant General!!! Great Day to be an American!!!

[@albertbrennaman5605]

17:10 amazing clarity of human social behaviour

[@EnyavduM]

Service is a privilege in it's own right. Thank you Sir, for explaining it perfectly.

[@TheJagjr4450]

Thank God we have someone who understands clearly defined goals and objectives and why effective successful strategy is entirely dependent upon their being provided.

[@conniehanley2059]

I love you sir, Gen. Mattis, I will work for you for free, I too will shine your shoes. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@vatonage1599]

Patton would be proud

[@bomieboda6775]

Joachim Murat stop comparing Mattis to Patton. Patton was a terrible man Mattis isn’t

[@OmmerSyssel]

@@bomieboda6775 My thoughts as well. Hardly anything respect worthy connects them

[@lpw9610]

US troops are the best to women and children. Thank you!

[@NequeNon]

The pic of the bust at the beginning of this interview isn't Marcus Aurelius but Antoninus Pius.

[@bjarnetollevsen2163]

Correct.

[@123epicdude13]

equitem All Italian guys look the same to me

[@fredthemanish]

roman.

[@armchairrockstar186]

"At the highest levels it all depends on personal relationships." General Mattis

[@phantompherret]

great man!

[@whiff1962]

If ever I made a moral and right decision, it would have been when I realized that I could never attain the respect of my men and fellow officers, knowing the person I was at the time. So I dropped myself from my university ROTC program, the year I was to be commission.

[@Mike383HK]

Wonderful man!! Understands the military, life and histories role in modern life!! Extremely intelligent!!

[@mrberry7950]

15:16 This is a sort of classyness completely lost upon Democrats.

[@russpottenger4674]

Mr Berry couldn't agree more. Class act

[@fu2hong2]

Wonderful and insightful

[@benjaminglaser4626]

Semper Fi!

[@cjsandoval]

Great interview.

[@lisahyyppa3360]

Correct: too much rigidity in the military budget eliminates the ability for wisely chosen leaders to utilize the creativity & ingenuity of his/her people to surpass expectations with less cost for greatest achievement opportunities. Once a competent leader is chosen, one must grant the trust and favor to achieve greatness. The mere trust and favor accelerates achievement of desired goal. Constant impediments of progress are accomplished by monitoring too closely the most minuscule of decisions. A wisely chosen leader MUST be given the freedom to achieve said goals!

[@Orvtrebor]

brilliant man

[@rakashaagain]

Why does Hooverinstitution doesn'T have million of subscribed?? They have the best interview ever.

[@jonb77]

Marcus Aurelius - the purity of military might will always trump the weakness of human nature and free will. The USA today!

[@dyingalive]

Impressive man and mind

[@CatsAgainstCommunism]

Mattis 2016!!!

[@motorcop505]

Love Maddog 2020!

[@jpereira9843]

What an honorable man.

[@josephroberts7445]

What's the best situation for war? Meanwhile keeping peace and support.

[@TheLastName138]

What a guy. Good job Trump!

[@c3aloha]

Bad job for causing Saint Mattis to resign.

[@MortiCarthago]

"Iran" "Ah... yes" Mattis is the MAN

[@scapegoatbuddy180]

Useful and interesting to hear Mr. Mattis's wisdom. Side issue: Please clean the layer of dust off the interview table! It's distracting...

[@markteague8889]

I find myself wondering if General Mattis knows the parable of the Roman Ride? About riding astride the two horses named Honesty and Kindness?

[@cosmasindico]

I hate to break this to you (Oh who am I kidding? I'm an art historian. I love pointing out stuff like this!) But the bust portrait you showed was NOT Marcus Aurelius. It was Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius' predecessor. THIS, is M. Aurelius. upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/Marcus_Aurelius_Metropolitan_Museum.png Otherwise, great show as always.

[@jamespretlow3028]

Travis Clark do you have a photograph or video to prove it?

[@cosmasindico]

Here's a bust of Marcus Aurelius from the Vatican. As you can see, it's entirely different. www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/bust-of-marcus-aurelius-work-preserved-in-the-hall-of-busts-news-photo/137406797

[@cosmasindico]

And here's a bust of Antoninus Pius for comparison. upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/Antoninus_Pius_Glyptothek_Munich_337_cropped.jpg

[@Mishn0]

Kudos to you, sir. Not that it makes a bit of difference, but still...

[@BecomeAWebDev]

nice! ... great comment ... one of the few useful/informed ones i've seen in quite a while!

[@RyanLeesheik]

True soldier

[@xpressvisa4720]

He is advocating wars and more wars. Wars are not the solutions for worlds disparity, and exploitation.

[@akbarrauf2741]

maddog mattis!what a great man

[@bensdadfrank]

Shows the same Marine Corps values as any Private. Great to see that the Marines lead from the top down. You don't see many senior military, that are not republicans, but this man's show of respect for President Obama is admirable. Why can't we elect a man like this? Hint: He ain't Trump. Trump/ Jenner. There would be a team for president! Sad, but it would bring out voters! God help us.

[@barahng]

Well you get the next best thing, looks like Mattis is gonna be SecDef. Trump wasn't bullshitting when he said he hires the best.

[@relentlessburrito]

As Mattis talks about debt, I wonder how he feels about the trillions we just spent on 2020.

[@jamesjohnston928]

I've been sleeping better lately. Knowing that Gen Mattis, and President Trump are watching out for us.

[@wadayaduin5517]

Yes.

[@xanderl9049]

Gen. Jim M. is another reason for me to be proud to be an American...

[@snippletrap]

Not every people is fit for democracy. Let other countries go their own way.

[@5kehhn]

Mattis: definitely not a snowflake.

[@99IronDuke]

Think he might well make a first rate US Secretary of Defense.

[@Jwnorton]

He is gonna make one hell of a SecDef....

[@Federico1685]

Not the bust of Marcus Aurelius, but of Antoninus Pius. Shame on you, Hoover! By the way, excellent interview, as always.

[@josephmagalhaes5445]

Trump was right to get rid of mattis Trumps the president not the general And when trump did not take his advice Mattis had a hissy fit

[@politicswitha5780]

7:25 Value of each soldier.

[@Larry-ct5mg]

If it's a military matter and you want to get something done you'll need a US Marine.

[@c3aloha]

MATTIS 2020!!! Time for a real warrior and intelligent moral leader. Semper Fi oorah!!!

[@FrankGutowski-ls8jt]

His book is out! Not one word about his disastrous glowing endorsement of fraudster Elizabeth Holmes and participation in her fraudulent activities as a board member of Theranos. No doubt, that’s something he’d prefer not be remembered...

[@benben071]

Those ears!!!

[@123epicdude13]

TheBraveOne it's called Buddha's ears in Asia, symbolize wisdom and longevity.