WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A three-star Marine general who said it was "fun to shoot some people" should have chosen his words more carefully, the Marine Corps commandant said Thursday.

Lt. Gen. James Mattis, who commanded Marine expeditions in Afghanistan and Iraq, made the comments Tuesday during a panel discussion in San Diego, California.

"Actually it's quite fun to fight them, you know. It's a hell of a hoot," Mattis said, prompting laughter from some military members in the audience. "It's fun to shoot some people. I'll be right up there with you. I like brawling.

"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil," Mattis said. "You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them."

Mattis' press office has not yet responded to a request to answer questions about his comments.

However, the Marine commandant, Gen. Michael Hagee, defended Mattis, calling him "one of this country's bravest and most experienced military leaders."

"While I understand that some people may take issue with the comments made by him, I also know he intended to reflect the unfortunate and harsh realities of war," he said in a written statement. "Lt. Gen. Mattis often speaks with a great deal of candor."

Hagee said he had counseled Mattis regarding the remarks and that Mattis "agrees he should have chosen his words more carefully."

"Throughout our history, Marines have given their lives in the defense of this nation and human rights around the globe," Hagee's statement read. "When necessary, this commitment helps to provide us the fortitude to take the lives of those who oppress others or threaten this nation's security. This is not something we relish, yet we accept it as a reality in our profession of arms."

"Lt. Gen. Mattis is a superb leader and one of the Corps' most courageous and experienced warriors," Hagee wrote. "I remain confident that he will continue to serve this nation with dedication and distinction."

Added Marine Gen. Peter Pace, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, "The last three times that that general has been in combat, when he was leading Marines in Afghanistan and the two times that he led his division in Iraq, his actions and those of his troops clearly show that he understands the value of proper leadership and the value of human life."

Pace spoke Thursday during a Pentagon briefing. He declined to comment directly on Mattis' comments.

Early in his career, Mattis served as a rifle and weapons platoon commander as a lieutenant and later a captain. He also commanded assault battalions in Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He was the commander of the 1st Marine Division for the initial attack on Iraq.

San Diego television station KNSD, which calls itself NBC 7/39, captured Mattis' Tuesday comments on video and interviewed a retired military man afterward who said the general's remarks were "flippant."

"I was a little surprised," said retired Vice Adm. Edward H. Martin. "I don't think any of us who have ever fought in wars liked to kill anybody."

He is a Marine. Anyone who is currently a Marine or a former Marine will understand the mentality that went into these comments. I don't take these comments seriously. It's an attitude.

I would have condemned this guy vehemently a few days ago...but...

I learned this lesson when I spoke about animal testing.

When you do something for a long time, or do something as part of what you do for a living, that to others may seem terrible or offensive but to you feels normal or part of everyday life......misunderstandings take place.

It was the wrong time and place, and he needed to realize that his words were going to come off as cold and terrible when heard by those not actively engaged in warfare. To another marine fighting there with him, it made perfect sense and was not something to be concerned about.

For those of us on the outside, it looks terrible.

Like I said, I know what he is going through and he needs to be more careful with how he speaks in the presense of those outside of his field.

His comments can be shrugged off here in America easily, but it's how the rest of the world (especially the middle east) views the comments that worries me. Here we are trying to democratize a very anti-american region of the world and this guy spills a bunch of crap out of his mouth that will cement alot of anti-american sentiment among people in that region. He's an idiot and quite frankly just should have kept his mouth shut.

I agree that he should not have said it publicly. However, he is exactly the type of person we want leading marines into combat wherever that may be.

Americans should really just stop talking altogether.

I wish Zombies were real so I would have an excuse to buy a gun and shoot it.
I probably would agree with him. Although I couldn't bring myself to shoot a sentient being.

Wherefrom does he have the authorization to say they ain't got no manhood left?
And why has anyone the right to take their lifes?

What a shithead.

His position of superior manhood is located directly behind the ironsights of his weapon. Hes a marine, as was previously stated this kind of mentality befits an individual of his stature, but it shouldn't be broadcast around the world because we know how to interpret his words (most of us).

Yeah, because Americans never beat their wives.

http://archives.cnn.com/2002/US/07/26/army.wives/

just a bit hypocritical

WTF?

Forgive me but I never said I supported that assertion, I was simply stating what his rationale is.

Fuck's sake, listen to yourselves.

This is the kind of guy I want killing bad guys. Quit acting so victimized, you giant pussies.

Seriously.

I don't think it leaves any space for misinterpretation

You see, this is exactly why I stopped posting in this fucking forum. Go fuck yourself James. Seriously. If I'm a pussy because I think war and killing people is bad, then so be it, but I'd certainly not attack you on this level for your belief that all of the aforementioned behavior is perfectly acceptable. Some might say you're a fucking victimized pussy because you saw some porn on your co-worker's computer, and then went around behind his back to the boss instead of talking to the guy face to face, like a fucking man should.

ElPhantasmo, back out of this motherfucker.

i once stabbed a man to watch him bleed. it was pretty fun

I enjoy checking this forum for the news related commentary. Peeps has ruined it for me.

See, you were in a superior position of manhood.