If we know these guys, they will always be prepared for what is coming.
as for why he was treated so disrespectfully...
“In another post, Ricks says Mattis was fired because:
Pentagon insiders say that he rubbed civilian officials the wrong way — not because he went all “mad dog,” which is his public image, and the view at the White House, but rather because he pushed the civilians so hard on considering the second- and third-order consequences of military action against Iran. Some of those questions apparently were uncomfortable. Like, what do you do with Iran once the nuclear issue is resolved and it remains a foe? What do you do if Iran then develops conventional capabilities that could make it hazardous for U.S. Navy ships to operate in the Persian Gulf? He kept saying, “And then what?”
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-fires-top-general-without-even-phone-call_697744.html
The article you posted says he was not even notified by phone call- an advisor just passed him a note saying he was being relieved of command.