There’s been a lot of speculation about how Defense Secretary Mattis got the nickname “Mad Dog.” I’ve definitely wondered! Well, the mystery is solved!

According to IJR:

During a Pentagon briefing on January 26, Mattis put the rumors to rest.

 

Captain Jeff Davis, the Pentagon’s director of Press Operations called for an “off-the-record” continuation of the meeting after a surprise appearance by the defense secretary.

 

According to the Washington Examiner, after a three-minute showcase of Mattis’s “folksy charm,” reporters were allowed to go back on-the-record for one question.

 

A writer from the paper asked what name the general preferred, and if he would continue to use his “Mad Dog” nickname.

 

Mattis addressed who was really responsible for the nickname.

He said:

“It’s you guys that came up with Mad Dog.”

 

He claimed his troops wondered where “Mad Dog” came from and laughed about the nickname since his real call sign is “Chaos.”

WHHAAAAAAAAT?! All this time Mad Dog has been a LIE!

Turns out Chaos stands for “Colonel Has An Outstanding Solution,” which is also pretty great, but I have to be honest. I like Mad Dog!

After being referred to “Mad Dog” for most of his nomination process, reporters may have been shocked to learn the Pentagon chief didn’t want to continue to be addressed by his catchphrase. Instead, he’d like to go by a much more common name.

 

Andrew deGrandpre, a senior editor for the Military Times, tweeted that the Defense Secretary told reporters he preferred the name, “Jim.”

 

According to the Washington Examiner, Mattis said:

 

“I go by Jim. I was born Jim, I am from the West, Jim is fine, OK? How’s that?”… read more here