Hmmm. I hadn't heard of General Mattis. This being a folk music forum and all, I thought of the Métis from Gordon Bok's recording of the Bill Gallaher song The Last Battle.

I don't trust military people in civilian leadership, but I'd make an exception for Ike and for Colin Powell. But I admit that Mattis sounds interesting. There's an interesting article about Mattis here (click). Here's an excerpt:

Mattis is a battle hardened warrior, renowned for his humble leadership style and aggressive pursuit of America's enemies. Nicknamed the "Warrior Monk," Mattis is something of a cult figure in the Marines. One such tale had the general relieving a young Marine captain of sentry duty on Christmas Day, taking up the post himself so the young officer could be with his family. He's known for his excellence in both the arts of combat and diplomacy alike. Mattis led the First Marine Division in an aggressive thrust into the Euphrates River Valley in 2003, but also skillfully managed the kaleidoscope of conflicting diplomatic relationships as Commander of U.S. Central Command.

Mattis is a student of both history and economics, known for quoting Greek sophists but unafraid to dabble in some occasional profanity—though his famous blunt talk, famously known as Mattisisms, would seem mild in a year laced with Trump's vulgarities.

He neuters both party frontrunners' perceived strengths. Trump's faux-tough guy act would crumble when met with an actual warrior, and Hillary Clinton's foreign policy chops would seem like an 100-level International Relations course next to Mattis's experience and expertise…

He's a man who has always answered the trumpet's blast of flag and freedom. He knows, as do many voters, the ugly prospect of a Trump presidency and what it would mean for the rule of law, the sacredness of the office, and the integrity of the Constitution. He also knows how tough things have grown oversees, with America's special role in the world slipping away each day.