Mattis first joined Hoover as an Annenberg Distinguished Visiting Fellow in 2013 and became the Davies Family Distinguished Visiting Fellow beginning in 2015. During his time at Hoover, he applied his experience to national security issues with a focus on strategy, innovation, and the effective use of military force in the Middle East. He was also a member of Hoover’s Working Group on the Role of Military History in Contemporary Conflict and co-editor of the book Warriors and Citizens.
In December of 2016, President Donald J. Trump nominated Mattis for Secretary of Defense and he was confirmed a month later. Mattis left Hoover to apply his extraordinary knowledge and experience to help the President shape his national defense policy.
“The wealth of knowledge and experience of an already extraordinary career has been made even richer by General Mattis’ latest endeavor as Secretary of Defense, and we are fortunate to once again be beneficiaries of his acumen. One can find no one more universally respected for his honor, character, and relentless commitment to safeguarding American ideals than Jim Mattis,” said Tom Gilligan, Director of the Hoover Institution, regarding Mattis’ return to the Institution.
At Hoover, Mattis intends to focus his research and writing on domestic and international security policy. He will also participate at events and programs related to military and national security issues at Hoover’s campus in California and office in Washington DC.
Mattis said of his appointment, “I have long relied on the work of Hoover to supplement my understanding of the critical challenges facing our country and to help guide tough decisions. I believe we have an obligation to pass on the lessons we’ve learned so that future generations can study, learn and become better. Hoover has made this part of its mission, and I look forward to returning.”
Mattis commanded troops at multiple levels during his forty-three-year career as an infantry Marine. He led an assault battalion in Operation Desert Storm, served as the Department of Defense executive secretary, and as the senior military assistant to the deputy secretary of defense. Following 9/11, he commanded operations against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan, and later led the initial attack and subsequent stability operations in Iraq. As a general, he served concurrently as the commander of US Joint Forces Command and as NATO’s supreme allied commander for transformation. At US Central Command (CENTCOM), he directed military operations of more than 200,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, Coast Guardsmen, Marines, and allied forces across the Middle East.
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CONTACT INFORMATION: Jeff Marschner | Office of Public Affairs | Hoover Institution | jmarsch@stanford.edu| 202-760-3200
