Defense Secretary James Mattis Named to 2018 Wash100 for his Leadership in Promoting International Cooperation in Military Affairs
Executive Mosaic is honored to introduce Defense Secretary James Mattis as an inductee into the 2018 edition of the Wash100 — Executive Mosaic’s annual selection of influential leaders in the government contracting arena–for his work on increasing military collaboration with our international allies in-theater and around the world.
Mattis assumed leadership of the Defense Department in January 2017 after being exempted by Congress from a law that requires the defense secretary to have been retired from the military for at least seven years.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for more than 40 years and held various leadership roles at all levels across the service branch and the joint force.
Mattis was also recognized in the 2017 edition of Wash100 for his efforts to boost military collaboration and procurement.
The Pentagon chief told reporters earlier this month that he expects the Syria-based operations of the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State militant group to reduce the number of recruits joining the terror organization.
Mattis noted that DoD’s new approach to fight ISIS in 2018 involves the elimination of the group’s remaining members and working with Iraqi troops and police to locate and address potential threats facing the Middle Eastern country.
U.S. forces will also shift its efforts from terrain-seizing operations in Iraq and Syria to stabilization activities such as the development of water and electrical systems, reopening of schools and elimination of improvised explosive devices.
DoD expects general purpose forces to take over missions currently performed by special operations teams, including activities in Iraq and Syria, due to policy changes and efforts to advance general purpose forces’ capacities, according to Mattis.
He stated in December 2017 that DoD currently works to show U.S. commitment to allies and partners in the Middle East as well as help them “build their own capability to reject Iranian influence.”
Mattis told service members and their families at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba that the U.S. military should set an example for the country and show “an organization that can work together.”
Executive Mosaic congratulates Secretary Mattis and the Department of Defense for their selection to receive this award.