United States Secretary of Defense Gen. James Mattis was once introduced at his Senate confirmation hearings as “a humble man with very little to be humble about,” according to The Associated Press.
Apparently life at the top has not changed him.
Known as “the Warrior Monk” for his academic and unassuming lifestyle, he recently showed something that sets him apart from the Washington elite.
As Mattis boarded a pre-dawn flight to South Korea on Wednesday for his first official overseas visit, he was spotted lugging his own suitcase to the plane, according to the Independent Journal Review.
Mark Knoller
✔@markknollerCarrying his own bags, DefSec James Mattis boarded E-4B Airborne Command Post for his first foreign trip: 18½ hours to South Korea.
And it’s not a new practice:
From Afghanistan to the Pentagon to the White House, this humble servant leader has always been clear that he serves the people, not vice versa.
In his first letter to the troops after his confirmation, Mattis made his servant-leadership philosophy clear.
“It’s good to be back and I’m grateful to serve alongside you as secretary of defense,” he said, according to Business Insider. Not manage, not direct. Serve. Alongside.
“He’s a leader by example,” said retired Marine Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent. “He’s not the type that’s ‘Do as I say, not as I do.’ He’s out there doing it.”
Mattis’ humble attitude belies the fact that he’s tough as nails. Even former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who opposed having a military officer in the traditionally civilian post, said, “He’s a tough general, spoke the truth, was a good adviser. I trusted his defense judgment. And so I think he’s got, you know, a lot of qualities that are important to a secretary of defense job,” CBS News reported.