Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead

For many Americans, Mattis included, the Vietnam War is the lens through which foreign policy and regime change are analyzed. What lessons from Vietnam does Mattis apply on the battlefield and in his diplomatic relations?

What are some of the salient critiques that Mattis offers with regard to the Iraq War? What decisions would Mattis have made differently? What might have been the possible consequences of those different choices?

Mattis explains his reasoning for firing a battalion commander in the middle of the fight for Baghdad. Do you agree or disagree with his reasoning and analysis? Why or why not?

Mattis repeatedly emphasizes the importance of keeping “likeminded” allies in the fight against terror while respecting cultural differences. Which allies do you think Mattis is concerned about losing, and why? How do you think Mattis is defining “likeminded”?

Mattis does not discuss President Trump directly, as he was a sitting president at the time of writing, but in view of this memoir, what do you anticipate would be some of the criticisms and/or accolades that Mattis would have for Trump?

Mattis sends a number of communiques to his troops in the field underlining the importance of treating the local populace with respect and not being quick to shoot. However, he is unapologetic about his speech to Marines in which he talks about it being “fun” to kill the enemy in Afghanistan. How does Mattis square this seeming contradiction? Do you agree with his explanation? Why or why not?

After reading Call Sign Chaos, would you want Mattis as a commanding officer if you were a Marine? Why or why not?

Mattis’s antipathy toward Iran is well known and comes through in the book as well. What are some of the reasons he gives for view? Do you agree with Mattis that Iran is a threat to security in the Middle East? If no, why? If yes, what actions, if any, do you feel the United States should take?