The creative, unpredictable, and terrifying (to enemies) genius that is mad dog.

• Position: National Affairs - Gen. James N. Mattis as Secretary of Defense

Failure is not a word in the vocabulary of Gen. James N. "Mad Dog" Mattis, Preselect Donald Trump's pick for Secretary of Defense. "I don't lose any sleep at night over the potential for failure. I cannot even spell the word," says the general.

At a time when we desperately need to reverse the half-hearted efforts of the Obama Administration to combat radical Islamists (who Pres. Barack Obama dares not mention by name), rebuild the military, and expunge those enemies of the U.S. from the planet Earth, there is no better person for leading the effort than the heavily decorated, battle-hardened scholar, tactician, and strategist who is loved by Marine Corps officers and noncommissioned officers alike.

He is said to be a "Marine's Marine," dedicating his life to serving the U.S., climbing the ranks during a military career that has spanned four decades. He has embraced direct and material involvement in the Persian Gulf War, the Afghanistan War, and the Iraqi War. He went from serving as Rifle and Weapons Platoon Commander in the Third Marine Division up the ranks to becoming Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, Commander of the U.S. Joint Forces Command, and, before his retirement, Commander of the U.S. Central Command.

He holds himself and those who serve under him to a very high standard of performance. He is selfless, a true patriot, a brilliant tactician and warrior, and, most importantly, like Ulysses S. Grant, committed to victory and accepting of nothing but victory. He understands deeply the problems confronting American servicemen and Special Forces as they endeavor to destroy the terrorists and their infrastructures.

He is well versed in the peculiar tribal customs, doctrines of Islamic radicalism, sources of support, and means of recruitment used by the Western world's most ardent terrorist...