David Jackson

USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — Unveiling retired Gen. James Mattis as his defense secretary nominee, President-elect Donald Trump said Tuesday that the Marine known as "Mad Dog" will lead "the rebuilding of our military," ranging from better health care for veterans to fewer engagements in conflicts overseas.

"We're not going to be a depleted military anymore," Trump said during a "Thank You Tour" stop in Fayetteville, N.C., one of the states he narrowly won in his Electoral College victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Appearing briefly before the crowd, Mattis thanked Trump for giving him "the opportunity to return to our troops."

The North Carolina rally capped a day in which Trump interviewed prospects for diplomatic posts, touted new investments in the U.S. by a Japanese bank, and bashed Boeing over what he called cost overruns for an Air Force One upgrade project.

"The plane is totally out of control," Trump told reporters before another series of meetings at his Manhattan office tower. "It's going to be over $4 billion for Air Force One program and I think it’s ridiculous. I think Boeing is doing a little bit of a number. We want Boeing to make a lot of money, but not that much money."

Earlier, Trump tweeted: "Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!"

Trump slams Boeing deal for new Air Force One

Later in the day, Trump made a return visit to the lobby to speak with reporters, telling them he had just met with SoftBank of Japan CEO Masayoshi Son and discussed the bank's agreement to invest $50 billion in U.S. start-up businesses that could generate up to 50,000 new jobs — an announcement SoftBank made back in October.

"One of the great men of industry," Trump said of the Japanese CEO, who told reporters he visited the president-elect "to celebrate his new job."

The Trump transition team also confirmed that the president-elect will attend the Army-Navy football game on Saturday in Baltimore. Like presidents who have attended the contest in previous years, Trump will sit on the Navy side of the stadium for one half and the Army half for the other.

As Trump pledged more appointments in the days ahead, aides said he is considering another military person — retired Gen. John Kelly — for secretary of homeland security.

In addition to confirmation by the Senate, Mattis will need a waiver from both the House and Senate in order to claim the Pentagon job. The law says former officers must be out of the military for at least seven years before they can become defense secretary, which is a civilian post.

"It is worth having bipartisan hearings and debate before taking any action that could unintentionally disrupt the long established principle of civilian control of the military," said Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Congressional Republicans say they back a waiver for Mattis.

During the rally in North Carolina, Trump said Mattis better get a waiver, or "there will be a lot of angry people."

While vowing to defeat the Islamic State and other terrorist groups, Trump said the military has been bogged down by unnecessary conflicts in the Middle East. He vowed to strengthen the military to the point where the nation doesn't have to use it.

The North Carolina stop was part of Trump's "Thank You Tour" of states that gave him his election victory over Hillary Clinton. Trump kicked off the tour Thursday in Cincinnati, where he broadcast his plan to nominate Mattis.

Trump picks Mattis for Defense secretary

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Back in New York, Trump has interviews lined up for the secretary of State job and other positions.

"We’re talking about a lot of things to a lot of people," Trump said. "We have a lot of people coming up. Great group of people. Doing very well.”

Among his interviews Tuesday: ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, a relatively new candidate for secretary of State.

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Trump expanded his State Department search while considering such candidates as 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, ex-New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani and Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker.

The president-elect is taking his time with the secretary of State position and wants to "make sure he gets this important pick right," said transition spokesman Jason Miller.

Trump also plans to meet with Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, a possible nominee for ambassador to China. That conversation takes place shortly after China protested Trump's phone call with the president of Taiwan, a country that China regards as a renegade province.

Radio talk show host Laura Ingraham, a possible press secretary appointment, also spoke with Trump on Tuesday, aides said.

"A lot of things are going to be announced," Trump told supporters in North Carolina. "Stay tuned, folks."

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