United States Secretary of Defense Gen. James Mattis was once introduced at his Senate confirmation hearings as “a humble man with very little to be humble about,” according to The Associated Press.

Apparently life at the top has not changed him.

Known as “the Warrior Monk” for his academic and unassuming lifestyle, he recently showed something that sets him apart from the Washington elite.

As Mattis boarded a pre-dawn flight to South Korea on Wednesday for his first official overseas visit, he was spotted lugging his own suitcase to the plane, according to the Independent Journal Review.

Mark Knoller ✔ @markknoller Carrying his own bags, DefSec James Mattis boarded E-4B Airborne Command Post for his first foreign trip: 18½ hours to South Korea.