Opinion | If China believes the US has grown soft, its military leaders should read James ‘Mad Dog’ Mattis’ book
- Trump’s former defence secretary has co-authored a narrative that, in detailing the philosophy and capabilities of the US marines, reveals a willingness within the military establishment to take the fight to the enemy. China should take note
A book currently taking the reading American public as if by desert storm has a strange title and pairs an odd couple of authors: US marines, now both retired. Call Sign Chaos is by James Mattis and his long-time colleague Bing West, and of the two, West must be the better writer because Mattis is the more famous.
Until February 28, for about two years, General Mattis was secretary of defence in the Trump administration, after decades as a star marine careerist widely known as the toughest of the tough. Not for nothing was his famous moniker “Mad Dog Mattis”. High praise in marine circles.
Mad Dog may have been too much of an individualistic militarist even for President Donald Trump, which would be interesting; and while his predecessor President Barack (“No Drama”) Obama respected him, his tendency to express exactly what he thought, whether in public or at a private meeting, would put Mad Dog in No Drama’s doghouse.
His style and reputation as a commander of troops was exemplary. But few expected that he and his pal West would put together an unputdownable narrative of marine training and doctrine that looks set to become an instant classic.
Their work, begun years ago, is relevant to Chinese readers. Those who do not need a translated edition will be astonished by the level of detail about Marine Corps operational philosophy and doctrine, and its candour about the disturbing disconnect between the hefty war capacity of the US and its declining mental capacity.
