Steady as She Goes

FM SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
TO ALDODACT
UNCLAS
ALDODACT 01/18
SUBJ:  GUIDANCE ON THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
ADDRESSEES PASS TO ALL SUBORDINATE COMMANDS
1. OUR GOVERNMENT WILL SHUTDOWN AT MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.  WE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE WILL CONTINUE CARRYING OUT OUR FUNDAMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY TO DEFEND OUR NATION AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
2. WE WILL CONTINUE TO EXECUTE DAILY OPERATIONS AROUND THE WORLD – SHIPS AND SUBMARINES WILL REMAIN AT SEA, OUR AIRCRAFT WILL CONTINUE TO FLY AND OUR WARFIGHTERS WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE TERRORISTS THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA, AND SOUTH ASIA.  WHILE TRAINING FOR RESERVISTS MUST BE CURTAILED, ACTIVE FORCES WILL STAY AT THEIR POSTS ADAPTING THEIR TRAINING TO ACHIEVE THE LEAST NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR READINESS TO FIGHT.
3. I RECOGNIZE THE CONSEQUENCES OF A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.  YOU HAVE MY PERSONAL COMMITMENT THAT THE DEPARTMENT’S LEADERSHIP WILL DO OUR BEST TO MITIGATE THE IMPACTS OF THE DISRUPTIONS AND ANY FINANCIAL BURDENS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.
4. STEADY AS SHE GOES – HOLD THE LINE.  I KNOW OUR NATION CAN COUNT ON YOU.
STAY ALERT! – JIM MATTIS