General Mattis discusses risk at Slate
04.22.2010 at 02:34pm
In a multi-part series on the subject of risk, John Dickerson of Slate interviews General James Mattis, USMC. Dickerson’s essay, with themes familiar to the SWJ audience, discusses the paradoxes of risk management in irregular warfare.
Click here to read Dickerson’s essay.
Was NOT expecting such a good article from the otherwise hyper-partisan Slate. Good read. And his quote about commanders needing to protect the “mavericks,” in his speech to new one-stars, is now in my e-mail signature.
Have liked Mattis since I read the sadly underwhelming “Fiasco.” He spoke at the EOD Memorial ceremony last year and it may be the best speech I’ve ever heard.
Like Ryan, I, too, am impressed. I’ve never considered Slate a magazine that presents an “even-keeled” view of topics, especially when addressing the military.
Regarding the position GEN Mattis advocates, I find it a bit amusing. While I agree 100% with his view, I wonder when it will get down to lower-level commanders. Generals talk but no one listens…..or they listen then ignore.
I suspect GEN McChrystal, with his SOF background, is inclined to apply the “less force, greater risk” technique, as are a few others. But overall, Army leaders (and I suspect military leaders in general) are far too risk-averse to ever think that GEN Mattis’ ideas are the way to go, at least not in their command. Whenever I have mentioned to my fellow STTs that we need to be prepared to dump the body-armor and walk the streets of Kandahar/ Ramadi/ Qalat/ etc….they look at me like I have a new appendage growing from my forehead.
I hope GEN Mattis and other like-minded leaders can convince our officers (O3 and up) that “less force, smaller footprint, greater risk” can be the best COA, certainly in a COIN fight.