Defense Sec. Mattis tells troops: 'Hold the line' until country is less divided by hate

In a surprisingly moving address to a group of U.S. soldiers serving in Jordan, Secretary of Defense Gen. Jim Mattis said that he is counting on enlisted personnel to "hold the line until our country starts respecting each other again."

The Hill said on Saturday that video surfaced on Friday night of what appeared to be impromptu remarks by the general, who is a veteran of the Marine Corps and former director of U.S. Central Command.

"The only way this great big experiment that you and I call America is going to survive," Mattis said, "is if we've got tough hombres like you."

“Our country right now, it’s got problems -- you know it and I know it -- it's got problems we don’t have in the military,” Mattis continued. “You just hold the line, my fine young soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, you hold the line until our country gets back to understanding and respecting each other and showing it -- to be friendly with one another."

"We're so doggone lucky to be Americans," he said. "It's a pleasure to be around you all. Take care of each other."

Watch the video, embedded below: