Defense Secretary Jim Mattis attended the Army-Navy pep rally at the Pentagon in advance of the big rivalry game on Saturday, along with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford and Vice President Mike Pence.
Mattis, a retired Marine Corps general, looked like he was in excellent spirits.
Jim Mattis (DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jette Carr)
He met the Army Black Knights football mascot, the Mule.
Jim Mattis (DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jette Carr)
Who also looked quite excited to meet the Defense Secretary.
Jim Mattis (DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jette Carr)
Mattis met the Army’s cheerleaders, the Rabble Rousers.
Army cheerleaders (DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jette Carr)
He also met the Navy cheerleaders, who are part of the branch’s Spirit Squad.
Jim Mattis (DoD photo by Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)
Bill the Goat, the Navy’s mascot, was there, too.
Jim Mattis (DoD photo by Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)
Bill and the cheerleaders also had the pleasure of meeting Vice President Pence.
Mike Pence (DoD photo by Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)
Marine General Dunford was not to be left out of the fun.
Gen. Dunford (DoD photo by Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)
Mattis and Pence clearly enjoyed themselves.
Mike Pence (DoD photo by Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)
But it was Mattis who appeared to have the most “pep” at this rally.
Jim Mattis (DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jette Carr)
