Politics

Stop What You’re Doing And Read Mattis’ Letter To The Military After The Government Shutdown

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Benny Johnson Columnist, Viral Politics
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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.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Mattis said the “daily operations” of the military would continue:

“We will continue to execute daily operations around the world – ships and submarines will remain at sea, our aircraft will continue to fly and our warfighters will continue to pursue terrorists throughout the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. While training for reservists must be curtailed, active forces will stay at their posts adapting their training to achieve the least negative impact on our readiness to fight.”
Mattis also promised in the letter that he would “mitigate the impacts” for the “financial burdens” of the shutdown.

“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.

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Benny Johnson