The Mattis Way of War: An Examination of Operational Art in Task Force 58 and 1st Marine Division

by U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Pup-E-Pub (Editor)

This thesis examines the generalship, leadership, and operational art of General James N. Mattis, US Marine Corps by using Task Force 58 in Afghanistan as a formative base and then comparing elements of operational art to the conduct of the 1st Marine Division in Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2003. Mattis draws upon many historical influences that shape his operational design in both campaigns. He puts great effort and focus on ensuring that his commander’s intent is understood by all his subordinates and uses a preference for a small staff in the planning and execution of his intent. He makes heavy use of personally selected liaison officers to form and sustain habitual relationships with higher and adjacent units. Through the use of historical examples and a refusal to be constrained by doctrine and popular thought he uses innovative approaches in his design. These innovative approaches often constitute paradigm shifts with contemporary thought and doctrine. A ‘Mattis Way of War’ is postulated in the conclusion which draws from his use of history, commander’s intent, and leadership to build up a capacity, or potential energy, for action in his unit. Once built up, he unleashes this energy utilizing explicit trust in his staff and subordinates.

Genres: Military Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published April 7, 2015

Reviews

[Benjamin Uke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This paper takes a look a General Mattis' principles and approaches during his command of Task Force 58 (2001) in Afghanistan and 1st Marine Division (2003) in Iraq (he has served at nearly all levels of command).

The case study looks at two parts. The structure and operation of task force 58(2001), and of Mattis' command of the marine division in Iraq (2003). Observing these commands, we can delve deeper into command-style leadership roles, and effectiveness.

PERSONAL CHARECTERISTICS
-Scholarly approach (love of military history means he realizes war is a human endeavor, and that the human element of war is constant throughout time). "Alexander the great would not be the least bit perplexed by the enemy we face right now in Iraq, and our leaders going into this fight do our troops a disservice by not studying- STUDYING vice just reading- the men who have gone before us." Meaning he is smart enough to tell the difference between studying and reading, too many people look at history, trying to find what they are looking for. If you read something, you know it. If you study it? You understand it. Doing this too history gives you frameworks and models to view the world that are invaluable.
-Human-centric focus: he studies enemy commanders, meaning he is not just focused on fighting the enemy troops, he just has to outfight/outsmart the enemy commander.
-Agressive focus: He didn't just demand smart officers (those are a dime-a-dozen) but aggressive ones, meaning they got things done.
-Diplomacy: in talking, there are two types of people: those who think the opposite of talking is being quiet, and those who realize the opposite of talking is listening. He is the later (modern wars are fought with coalitions, good generals are part politician). "I don't care how tactically or operationally brilliant you are, if you cannot create harmony, however vicious, on the battlefield based on trust across service lines, across coalition and national lines, you need to go home. You are obsolete.

COMMAND STYLE
-Mentor-ship: Mattis only commands about 15 minutes a day, the rest of the time is spent coaching and creating conditions where is troops could rise to the occasion. By empowering his marines, he let them know he could trust them and let them make their own judgement.
-He didn't use command and control, but command and feedback, realizing that the sheer speed of the modern battlefield means a competent commander is relatively hands off (upper-echelon cannot respond fast enough).
-He connects everything with communication. Since 1979 he kept binders and charts of quotes that have struck him, a 'toolbox' of ideas he can implement. It is important that his troops understand his intent. If he can clearly state it? He doesn't have to hold their hands, just let his commanders pursue their objectives. (Like the old German 'mission-tactic' style of combat.)

There are more specific examples of what he did, but I don't want to spoil it.

Long story short: this is an act of genius and it is awe inspiring to witness it.

[Jim Dulin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warrior Monk impliments Boyd Art of War

This study is a very good illustration of the Marine Corps successfully impliments fighter pilot and designer of the F16 John Boyd's very creative and controversial thinking on war fighting. Our countries ability to continue projecting leader of democracy status with such smallness of military force has depended very much on guys like Boyd and Mattis. His loss, as Secretary of Defense, through totally inadequate leadership will be felt by this country and the free world.

[Okechukwu Ihenacho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mattis, The Great

I have had the distinct pleasure of serving under what I call a “Mattis Disciple”, and reading this book was reflective of my time in that command. As long as I continue to serve, I will definitely try to emulate the lessons learned from one of the greatest Marines of modern times. Semper Fidelis

[P · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Mattis Way of War feedback

This is a short military journal written by an officer outlining the key points but does not go into a lot of detail about how Mattis came about these concepts which would have been nice. An interesting read none the less.

[Don G. Linford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Brief Philosophy

Great high-level presentation of Mattis’ philosophy that left me pondering how I can apply this to “industry” - some being applicable. it did not go into detail on any adjustments, if any, at the execution phase.

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captured the Commander's intent

Most strongly recommend to any serious student of how to obtain the best of American fighting forces. This great leader will be studied and emulated for decades to come.

[C. J. Pappas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mattis writes better

While there were a lot or references, this seemed sophomoric. Mattis writes better about Mattis. After a few pages, I skimmed thrugh it, for the most part

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small book which gives you a flavour of some ideas and achievements of Mattis. It's an excellent introduction and if you want to read more, read Call sign Chaos

[Henry Chavez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very concise, but complete review of our new Secretary of Defense's command style during the Afghan and Iraq engagements. Much of his style continues to show through as he speaks around the country. The book is intended for soldiers and people like me that are interested in how great leaders think. It is an easy read, but be forewarned there a lot of military acronyms that can be difficult for the layman to keep up with. I was pleased to read it as it gives me a perspective from someone who was in the mix that was not Mattis, but a subordinate to him.

[Timothy D. Cook, Jr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting thesis but ...

Very interesting read, but the formatting on Kindle is atrocious. It's so bad, that at several points I considered giving it up altogether.
That being said , Gen. Mattis is a revolutionary military thinker and I hope a similar study is done in the form of a book properly formatted for Kindle.