Defense Secretary Jim Mattis sent a strongly worded letter to those who serve under him at the Department of Defense Friday as the government was shutting down.
In the letter, Mattis told the military to stand their post, “Steady as she goes – hold the line.”
The government shut down Friday when Democrats refused to vote for a GOP budget bill that kept the government funded. A shutdown means all “non-essential” government workers get furloughed and the rest go without pay, including active-duty members of the military.
Mattis told the armed forces that they would continue to serve during the shutdown in spite of resource constraints.
Mattis said the “daily operations” of the military would continue:
“You have my personal commitment that the department’s leadership will do our best to mitigate the impacts of the disruptions and any financial burdens to you and your families.”
“Steady as she goes – hold the line. I know our nation can count on you,” the letter concludes.
Then Mattis hand wrote the words “Stay alert” before his signature.
Classic Mattis.