General James "Mad Dog" Mattis for Pentagon top job

At a "Thank You" rally last night in Cincinnati, Donald Trump got a campaign-style reception and made news by announcing a major cabinet nominee, "We are going to appoint Mad Dog Mattis as our Secretary of Defense.” The retired general is loved by fellow Marines and he has respect on Capitol Hill -- where he'll need it. To win confirmation, he must be exempted from a requirement designed to assure civilian control of the military.

President-elect Donald Trump (L) greets retired Marine Gen. James Mattis

for a meeting at the main clubhouse at Trump National Golf Club

in Bedminster, New Jersey, November 19, 2016.

Photo by Mike Segar/Reuters

National security consultant Erin Simpson, who taught Marines at Quantico and advised commanders in Afghanistan, says she loves Mattis -- but not as Secretary of Defense.