Who is General James ‘Mad Dog’ Mattis? Donald Trump’s Secretary of Defense and Iraq war veteran – all you need to know
Meet the former Marine Corps General who led the battle for Fallujah in Iraq
JAMES 'Mad Dog' Mattis is Donald Trump's Secretary of Defense - a retired US Marine Corps General who earned a tough reputation during the gruelling wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
His nomination for the high-ranking role in the President's administration was confirmed by the Senate on January 20.
Who is Secretary of Defense James Mattis?
The veteran Marine, who joined the military aged 19, is held in high regard by leading armed forces figures.
The 66-year-old is a seasoned commander who served in the armed forces for 44 years - leading troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Mattis was appointed head of the US Joint Forces Command and Nato Supreme Allied Commander Transformation in 2007.
In 2010, he was given the prestigious role of Central Command – overseeing America’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
After meeting with the President-elect in November, Trump tweeted: "General James "Mad Dog" Mattis, who is being considered for Secretary of Defense, was very impressive yesterday. A true General's General!"
Trump nominated Mattis for Secretary of Defense at a rally in December 2016.
But his nomination needed a waiver as military veterans normally require a seven year wait before being able to take the role.
On January 20, 2017, he received a resounding confirmation by the Senate who voted in his favour 98-1.
Why is he called 'Mad Dog'?
General Mattis earned his nickname after the bloody battle of Fallujah - which was one of the hardest-fought campaigns following the Iraq invasion in 2003.
He was one of four commanders leading British/US troops to take back the city from Iraqi insurgents after the fall of Saddam Hussein.
But he has courted controversy with several off-the-cuff remarks appearing to trivialise war and death.
In a 2005 panel discussion he told an audience in San Diego "it's fun to shoot people".
He has also been quoted joking that the girlfriends of war protesters think their partners "are pussies".
Mattis has never married and his dedication to the military has also earned him the nickname 'Warrior Monk'.
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