WEBVTT 00:00.009 --> 00:02.176 The readiness subcommittee meets today 00:02.176 --> 00:04.559 to receive the testimony on the current 00:04.559 --> 00:07.559 readiness of the United States Armed 00:07.559 --> 00:11.130 Forces . I deeply appreciate our 00:11.130 --> 00:14.229 witnesses . Our esteemed witnesses from 00:14.229 --> 00:17.069 our military service services , this is 00:17.069 --> 00:20.709 an impressive photo right here of 00:20.709 --> 00:24.569 all 5 services and our excellent 00:25.149 --> 00:27.371 work from the Government Accountability 00:27.371 --> 00:30.909 Office by Diana Mora Mauer . 00:31.909 --> 00:34.076 Um , this is one of the most important 00:34.076 --> 00:36.076 hearings . Certainly this committee 00:36.076 --> 00:38.750 undertakes all year . My view is one of 00:38.750 --> 00:42.270 the most important . Hearings in the 00:42.270 --> 00:45.930 Senate for the year because of very few 00:45.930 --> 00:48.720 other issues more important than the 00:48.729 --> 00:52.049 the readiness . Of our United States 00:52.419 --> 00:54.619 military . I look forward to the 00:54.619 --> 00:58.450 valuable testimony of the witnesses 00:58.779 --> 01:00.979 as it will pertain to their services 01:00.979 --> 01:03.700 readiness . I hope we can have a really 01:03.700 --> 01:07.230 good candid discussion . We are living 01:07.230 --> 01:10.349 in a very dangerous world . Where our 01:10.349 --> 01:13.279 adversaries can and regularly do 01:13.279 --> 01:16.750 contest us across the globe , and we 01:16.750 --> 01:19.349 must remain vigilant in our pursuit of 01:19.349 --> 01:23.160 balancing readiness , modernization and 01:23.160 --> 01:25.709 training with our global commitments . 01:26.370 --> 01:28.426 In my view , for the last 4 years we 01:28.426 --> 01:30.426 have taken a holiday from history . 01:30.930 --> 01:33.041 With the Biden administration's focus 01:33.041 --> 01:35.569 on issues in the military that had 01:35.569 --> 01:38.440 nothing to do with readiness . The list 01:38.440 --> 01:41.279 is long , climate change over ship 01:41.279 --> 01:43.400 building , transgender surgery for 01:43.400 --> 01:47.000 active duty troops , DEI a lack of 01:47.000 --> 01:50.120 focus on war fighting and 01:50.120 --> 01:53.230 lethality and defeating our enemies . 01:54.199 --> 01:57.900 I appreciate Secretary Heg . Three 01:57.900 --> 02:01.500 priorities restoring the warrior 02:01.500 --> 02:04.099 ethos , rebuilding our military , and 02:04.099 --> 02:07.040 re-establishing . Our deterrent . 02:08.949 --> 02:11.060 Many of you know , and I've talked to 02:11.060 --> 02:13.179 all of you about this . I'm a big fan 02:13.179 --> 02:16.190 of the book by TR Ferrenbach , This 02:16.190 --> 02:19.080 Kind of War . Which Marines and 02:19.339 --> 02:22.539 soldiers all read , and it is about the 02:22.539 --> 02:25.789 Korean War . And how in 02:25.789 --> 02:27.940 1945 we had the most . 02:29.509 --> 02:31.710 Lethal military in world history and 5 02:31.710 --> 02:35.529 years later in 1950 . The United 02:35.529 --> 02:37.418 States military had a hard time . 02:38.479 --> 02:40.590 Stopping and defeating a peasant army 02:40.590 --> 02:43.320 from North Korea , and thousands of 02:43.320 --> 02:46.449 American troops died in the process . 02:47.350 --> 02:49.949 Because a lack of leadership from our 02:49.949 --> 02:53.619 civilian and uniformed military . 02:54.410 --> 02:58.139 This must never happen again . There 02:58.139 --> 03:00.899 must , there must never be another task 03:00.899 --> 03:03.600 force smith . That we saw in the Korean 03:03.600 --> 03:06.089 War . My view is we have a moral 03:06.089 --> 03:09.080 obligation to prepare for any future 03:09.080 --> 03:11.589 conflict . Beginning with the 03:11.589 --> 03:13.645 realization that unlike any previous 03:13.645 --> 03:16.589 conflict , our service members will be 03:16.589 --> 03:20.059 at risk from threats well beyond , well 03:20.059 --> 03:21.892 before they reach foreign soil , 03:21.892 --> 03:25.460 airspace , or waters . The world has 03:25.460 --> 03:28.580 changed dramatically as it pertains to 03:28.580 --> 03:31.529 our homeland as well . We can no longer 03:31.529 --> 03:34.419 consider ourselves safe based solely on 03:34.419 --> 03:36.660 the tyranny of distance from nations 03:36.660 --> 03:39.360 and actors that would do us harm . One 03:39.360 --> 03:41.582 of the things that we are working on in 03:41.582 --> 03:43.693 this Congress and this committee . In 03:43.693 --> 03:46.880 conjunction with the president . Is his 03:46.880 --> 03:50.490 Iron Dome , now golden dome legislation 03:50.839 --> 03:53.690 of mine with Senator Cramer . We hope 03:53.690 --> 03:56.720 to make bipartisan in this committee to 03:56.720 --> 04:00.149 bolstering our homeland defense . 04:00.880 --> 04:03.102 Suffice to say the world is a dangerous 04:03.102 --> 04:06.470 place and the facts demand a response 04:07.000 --> 04:09.240 from not just the uniformed personnel . 04:10.029 --> 04:12.820 Sitting before us , and again I respect 04:13.110 --> 04:15.630 the service decades and decades of 04:15.630 --> 04:18.989 military service from all of you , but 04:18.989 --> 04:21.848 from Congress as well . Let's look at a 04:21.848 --> 04:23.904 few facts . In the last 4 years I've 04:23.904 --> 04:26.070 done to our militaries provided by the 04:26.070 --> 04:29.339 military services and GAO . The army 04:29.339 --> 04:32.059 has done an outstanding job working to 04:32.059 --> 04:34.420 increase recruiting , but there remain 04:34.420 --> 04:36.579 significant operational demands and 04:36.579 --> 04:38.540 increasing pressures on an already 04:38.540 --> 04:42.079 understrength force . With units being 04:42.079 --> 04:45.579 manned at less than 80% . 16 of the 04:45.579 --> 04:48.459 Navy's 32 amphibious warfare ships are 04:48.459 --> 04:51.820 in unsatisfactory condition , and the 04:51.820 --> 04:53.929 Air Force of today is very different 04:54.299 --> 04:56.466 from what we saw during the global war 04:56.466 --> 04:58.660 on terror . Yes , we have more capable 04:58.660 --> 05:01.899 aircraft , and yet the KC-46 and 05:01.899 --> 05:05.820 KC-135 tanker fleets sits at 05:05.820 --> 05:08.459 an aircraft availability rate of 05:08.459 --> 05:11.779 52% and 57% . 05:12.350 --> 05:15.480 Respectively versus 66% . 05:16.260 --> 05:18.371 During the entirety of the global war 05:18.371 --> 05:20.519 on terror . While modernization will 05:20.519 --> 05:23.320 help improve these figures , at what 05:23.320 --> 05:25.098 cost will that come in terms of 05:25.098 --> 05:27.399 readiness and training ? These are the 05:27.399 --> 05:29.959 key issues that so many of you , as our 05:29.959 --> 05:32.160 leaders in the military have been 05:32.160 --> 05:34.959 focused on . There are many other 05:34.959 --> 05:38.040 issues that GAO has raised and our 05:38.369 --> 05:40.690 members here will be raising , but I 05:40.690 --> 05:42.929 want to thank the witnesses in advance 05:42.929 --> 05:45.510 again for their exceptional service to 05:45.510 --> 05:49.100 our country . And for their testimony 05:49.100 --> 05:51.109 today , I look forward to that 05:51.109 --> 05:53.350 testimony , and now I'd like to turn it 05:53.350 --> 05:56.059 over to ranking member Senator Hirono . 05:56.829 --> 05:58.996 Thank you , Senator Chairman , Senator 05:58.996 --> 06:02.359 Sullivan rather , well , you have . U2 . 06:04.100 --> 06:06.100 Gentlemen , thank you for your 06:06.100 --> 06:08.809 dedicated service to our nation , and I 06:08.809 --> 06:10.920 thank the service members and each of 06:10.920 --> 06:13.890 your respective branches as well . Ms . 06:13.899 --> 06:16.929 Moore , it's always great to , uh , 06:16.940 --> 06:18.884 have you back and to see you . The 06:18.884 --> 06:20.940 tireless work that you and your team 06:20.940 --> 06:23.107 delivered to Congress every year is an 06:23.107 --> 06:26.200 instrumental to each NDAA . In your 06:26.200 --> 06:28.422 opening statements , I ask that each of 06:28.422 --> 06:31.519 you briefly describe what impacts to 06:31.519 --> 06:34.160 readiness a full year continuing 06:34.160 --> 06:37.799 resolution CR would have , for example , 06:37.899 --> 06:40.760 billions in military construction and . 06:42.119 --> 06:44.709 Family housing projects would not occur 06:44.709 --> 06:48.260 in a full CR , so please , uh , 06:48.279 --> 06:50.549 for , uh , all of , all three of you , 06:50.760 --> 06:53.679 I would like you to briefly go over 06:53.679 --> 06:56.440 what the impacts of a full CR may be a 06:56.440 --> 06:59.510 year CR . So even without a full CR 07:00.000 --> 07:02.230 readiness challenges range from 07:02.559 --> 07:05.350 retaining a skilled civilian workforce , 07:05.369 --> 07:08.859 balancing modernization with legacy 07:08.859 --> 07:11.869 platform maintenance . And a training 07:11.869 --> 07:14.869 to core missions and yet while Congress 07:14.869 --> 07:17.670 provides ample resources to DOD every 07:17.670 --> 07:20.390 year , we still see delays in ship 07:20.390 --> 07:22.670 maintenance cost overruns in military 07:22.670 --> 07:25.700 construction projects and avoidable 07:25.700 --> 07:28.519 problems with family housing and 07:28.519 --> 07:32.140 barracks . Each of you are doing the 07:32.140 --> 07:35.029 best you can . Readiness requires the 07:35.029 --> 07:37.429 consumption of dedicated resources , 07:37.869 --> 07:41.109 time , training , and equipment , which 07:41.109 --> 07:44.160 is why deployments to the southwest 07:44.160 --> 07:47.980 border , which are all for show , 07:48.470 --> 07:51.700 mind you are stripping precious time , 07:51.950 --> 07:54.950 focus and resources away from our 07:54.950 --> 07:57.899 service members . In its request for 07:57.899 --> 08:01.209 assistance from DOD for fiscal year 25 , 08:01.420 --> 08:04.220 the Department of Homeland Security DHS 08:04.220 --> 08:06.779 acknowledged that tasks at the 08:06.779 --> 08:10.299 Southwest border require no specific 08:10.299 --> 08:12.820 military training , skill set , or 08:12.820 --> 08:15.839 specialty to perform customs and Border 08:15.839 --> 08:19.809 Protection CBP duties . Some of 08:19.809 --> 08:23.010 the DHS requests include operator level 08:23.010 --> 08:25.970 maintenance of CBP civilian vehicles 08:25.970 --> 08:27.929 which can be found in the owner's 08:27.929 --> 08:31.450 manual of an SUV . Other 08:31.450 --> 08:34.020 requests include changing tires , 08:34.090 --> 08:36.460 windshield wipers , light bulbs , oil 08:36.460 --> 08:39.169 changes , stocking warehouses , data 08:39.169 --> 08:42.929 entry , administrative support , etc . 08:43.590 --> 08:47.409 In 2019 , DOD discontinued support 08:47.409 --> 08:50.289 like this because they found units were 08:50.289 --> 08:53.250 not performing core military functions 08:53.250 --> 08:56.169 and continuing to do so would adversely 08:56.169 --> 08:59.849 impact readiness and morale , yet here 08:59.849 --> 09:03.140 we are again . Perhaps having elite war 09:03.140 --> 09:06.090 fighters from the 1011 mountain 09:06.090 --> 09:09.820 division change oil in Chevy Tahoe or 09:09.820 --> 09:11.940 mechanized infantry of a striker 09:11.940 --> 09:15.099 brigade combat team overseeing the 09:15.099 --> 09:17.340 stocking of civilian warehouses and 09:17.340 --> 09:19.940 data entry on the CBP computers are 09:19.940 --> 09:22.979 what Secretary Hicks envisions when he 09:22.979 --> 09:26.719 talks about lethality . But 09:26.719 --> 09:28.880 those non-military roles do not sound 09:28.880 --> 09:31.679 like they contribute to restoring the 09:31.679 --> 09:34.159 warrior ethics , and they certainly do 09:34.159 --> 09:38.030 not rebuild readiness . So these 09:38.030 --> 09:41.270 are slogans that Secretary Hick likes 09:41.270 --> 09:44.229 to throw out , but the reality is our 09:44.229 --> 09:46.062 troops are being deployed to the 09:46.062 --> 09:48.062 southwest border to do things which 09:48.062 --> 09:49.669 does nothing . To 09:51.869 --> 09:53.702 It does nothing to contribute to 09:53.702 --> 09:56.119 readiness . DOD has written a blank 09:56.119 --> 09:59.669 check , moreover , to DHS for its time , 09:59.799 --> 10:02.400 personnel , and resources , and its as 10:02.400 --> 10:06.080 it stands now , DOD is electing to do 10:06.080 --> 10:10.080 all of this on a non-reimbursable 10:10.080 --> 10:13.520 basis in an open ended timeline . 10:15.929 --> 10:19.080 Incredible . We're not even 2 months 10:19.369 --> 10:21.640 into this administration yet . Here are 10:21.640 --> 10:24.090 some of the opportunity costs to date . 10:24.960 --> 10:27.280 Uh , Marines are missing the chance to 10:27.280 --> 10:29.919 train in a bilateral exercise with our 10:29.919 --> 10:33.080 allies and partners . Army soldiers 10:33.080 --> 10:35.080 will miss a combat training center 10:35.080 --> 10:38.760 rotation . Air Force aircraft from the 10:38.760 --> 10:40.927 immediate response force and the space 10:40.927 --> 10:44.400 force are using limited resources to 10:44.400 --> 10:46.178 perform tactical surveillance , 10:46.178 --> 10:48.510 reconnaissance and tracking programs 10:48.510 --> 10:52.239 for DHS and CBP . Where will the 10:52.239 --> 10:55.799 readiness of our forces be 60 days from 10:55.799 --> 10:59.640 now and beyond ? During the first 10:59.640 --> 11:01.696 Trump administration , it took units 11:01.696 --> 11:04.270 from the 101st Airborne Division a year . 11:05.510 --> 11:08.340 A year to regain their readiness after 11:08.340 --> 11:10.500 being deployed to the border , we 11:10.500 --> 11:12.510 should learn from that mistake . 11:13.549 --> 11:16.710 DADD is slow to respond to the requests 11:16.710 --> 11:19.270 for information to this committee yet 11:19.270 --> 11:23.229 publishes nearly daily photo 11:23.229 --> 11:26.400 ops of troops on the border . In the 11:26.400 --> 11:28.599 meantime , immigration and Customs 11:28.599 --> 11:31.080 Enforcement agents are dressing up like 11:31.080 --> 11:33.880 they're in the military soldiers are 11:33.880 --> 11:36.760 performing data entry in uniform in the 11:36.760 --> 11:40.150 same room as CBP agents are processing 11:40.150 --> 11:42.960 migrants and airmen are removing their 11:42.960 --> 11:46.010 name tags and unit patches when they 11:46.280 --> 11:50.039 transport migrants on military 11:50.039 --> 11:53.710 aircraft . All of these actions erase 11:53.710 --> 11:56.539 the distinction between civilian and 11:56.539 --> 11:58.320 military personnel . 12:00.369 --> 12:02.570 Removing active duty forces from their 12:02.570 --> 12:04.969 units and core missions to perform 12:05.330 --> 12:08.130 support functions of law enforcement 12:08.130 --> 12:10.530 agencies does not contribute to 12:10.530 --> 12:13.929 lethality or war fighting and where is 12:13.929 --> 12:17.559 Secretary Hicks's meritocracy . When 12:17.559 --> 12:21.320 DHS and CBP asks DOD to do 12:21.320 --> 12:24.830 their jobs for them and foot the bill 12:25.150 --> 12:27.909 no less . Not only does this 12:27.909 --> 12:29.687 administration prioritize these 12:29.687 --> 12:32.140 deployments but claims with a straight 12:32.140 --> 12:35.429 face that ordering US service members 12:35.429 --> 12:39.270 to cover the jobs of DHS civilians has 12:39.270 --> 12:42.190 no impact on military readiness and 12:42.190 --> 12:45.340 resources . This is delusional , 12:45.630 --> 12:49.570 dishonest , unbelievable . The choice 12:49.570 --> 12:52.919 to burn readiness to score imagined 12:52.919 --> 12:54.808 political points , dangerous it's 12:54.808 --> 12:58.700 dangerously misguided . It is a massive 12:58.700 --> 13:01.020 waste of time , resources , and 13:01.020 --> 13:03.820 personnel when border crossings are at 13:03.820 --> 13:05.729 an all time low . 13:08.989 --> 13:12.359 In closing , Again , I wanted to thank . 13:13.460 --> 13:15.650 The vice chiefs and Ms . Morrow for 13:15.650 --> 13:17.880 their service , for being here for your 13:17.880 --> 13:19.991 hard work , insights and leadership . 13:20.700 --> 13:24.679 And I would really appreciate a frank . 13:26.090 --> 13:28.799 Discussion with you . Today , 13:30.380 --> 13:32.658 Thank you very much . Well , thank you , 13:32.700 --> 13:35.033 Senator Hirono . I appreciate your , uh , 13:35.033 --> 13:38.750 renewed found focus on readiness . Um , 13:38.780 --> 13:40.891 I'm just thrilled about that , and by 13:40.891 --> 13:43.390 the way . Uh , we've been sending 13:43.390 --> 13:45.501 troops to the border for decades . My 13:45.501 --> 13:47.501 first deployment as a United States 13:47.501 --> 13:49.501 Marine . I came back from a Westpac 13:49.501 --> 13:51.557 31st mute deployment under President 13:51.557 --> 13:53.446 Clinton after being in the Taiwan 13:53.446 --> 13:55.168 Strait , and half my battalion 13:55.168 --> 13:57.390 immediately got sent to the border . So 13:57.390 --> 13:59.501 this has been going on for quite some 13:59.501 --> 14:02.080 time and um . It's nothing new , but I 14:02.080 --> 14:04.024 appreciate Mr . Chairman , I don't 14:04.024 --> 14:06.080 think it serves our purposes because 14:06.080 --> 14:08.247 you and I have worked together for you 14:08.247 --> 14:10.136 to personally insult me . I'm not 14:10.136 --> 14:12.302 insulting you at all . Thank you . I'm 14:12.302 --> 14:12.229 not insulting you . I'm just glad 14:12.229 --> 14:14.989 you're focused on readiness , but my my 14:14.989 --> 14:17.119 Democrat colleagues and the Biden 14:17.119 --> 14:19.230 administration haven't always been so 14:19.230 --> 14:21.397 focused , but it's great that you guys 14:21.397 --> 14:23.452 are . So with that , I would like to 14:23.452 --> 14:26.919 begin our testimony and uh . 14:27.510 --> 14:29.677 Gentlemen , I'm gonna have to step out 14:29.677 --> 14:31.788 for a minute , but I will be here for 14:31.788 --> 14:34.010 the whole hearing . So General Mingus , 14:34.010 --> 14:36.232 if you can begin , sir , thank you very 14:36.232 --> 14:38.343 much . You'll have 5 minutes and your 14:38.343 --> 14:40.700 uh extended written testimony can be , 14:40.789 --> 14:42.900 uh , submitted for the record . Thank 14:42.900 --> 14:45.309 you , General . Thank you . Chairman 14:45.309 --> 14:47.420 Sullivan , ranking member of Hirono , 14:47.420 --> 14:49.253 and distinguished members of the 14:49.253 --> 14:51.087 subcommittee , thank you for the 14:51.087 --> 14:53.253 opportunity to address you today . The 14:53.253 --> 14:55.559 army stands ready to defend our nation 14:56.159 --> 14:58.869 right now over 109,000 soldiers are 14:58.869 --> 15:00.925 deployed or forward stationed across 15:00.925 --> 15:03.469 140 countries , executing missions that 15:03.469 --> 15:06.700 deter , defend , and provide immediate 15:06.700 --> 15:09.349 response options . Still , our 15:09.349 --> 15:11.869 adversaries are moving faster than we 15:11.869 --> 15:14.270 are . That is why we are reorganizing 15:14.270 --> 15:16.859 our formations , refining how we fight 15:17.109 --> 15:19.053 and modernizing faster than ever , 15:19.053 --> 15:21.276 pushing new capabilities into the force 15:21.276 --> 15:24.150 in months , not years under 15:24.150 --> 15:26.469 Transformation and Contact or TI which 15:26.469 --> 15:28.679 I will talk about throughout , we are 15:28.679 --> 15:30.568 enhancing our tactical networks , 15:30.568 --> 15:33.140 rapidly fueling UAS counter UAS , 15:33.150 --> 15:35.239 electronic warfare systems , and 15:35.239 --> 15:37.070 increasing mobility across our 15:37.070 --> 15:40.159 formations . In the last 9 months , TI 15:40.690 --> 15:42.579 delivered 11 new capabilities and 15:42.579 --> 15:44.746 technologies to warfighters across the 15:44.746 --> 15:47.770 101st , the 25th , 10th Mountain , and 15:47.770 --> 15:51.330 34th Infantry divisions , and FY 25 and 15:51.330 --> 15:55.059 26 will expand this . To tick 2.0 15:55.270 --> 15:57.326 and it'll encompass all units within 15:57.326 --> 15:59.950 the 101st , 25th , 82nd , Fourth 15:59.950 --> 16:02.172 Infantry division , and additionally it 16:02.172 --> 16:04.061 will extend to include additional 16:04.061 --> 16:06.006 armored and striker brigade combat 16:06.006 --> 16:08.830 teams . We will also scale to integrate 16:08.830 --> 16:11.200 3 multi-domain task forces and further 16:11.200 --> 16:13.719 integrate Army National Guard units . 16:14.400 --> 16:16.511 Central to the Army modernization are 16:16.511 --> 16:18.567 our command and control , integrated 16:18.567 --> 16:20.622 air missile defense , and long range 16:20.622 --> 16:22.511 precision fires . Next generation 16:22.511 --> 16:25.390 command and control or NextGen C2 will 16:25.390 --> 16:27.334 provide resilient data sharing and 16:27.334 --> 16:29.223 real-time situational awareness , 16:29.223 --> 16:31.279 enabling war fighters to synchronize 16:31.279 --> 16:34.409 combat power across all domains . We 16:34.409 --> 16:36.353 are also improving our layered air 16:36.353 --> 16:38.687 defenses , expanding Patriot formations , 16:38.687 --> 16:40.631 increasing short range air defense 16:40.631 --> 16:42.853 battalions , and adding directed energy 16:42.853 --> 16:45.000 systems capable of countering most or 16:45.000 --> 16:47.859 more sophisticated UAS threats . 16:48.210 --> 16:50.266 Additionally , the Army's long range 16:50.266 --> 16:51.988 hypersonic weapon will soon be 16:51.988 --> 16:54.099 operational by the end of this year , 16:54.099 --> 16:56.330 adding unprecedented speed and range to 16:56.330 --> 16:58.650 our arsenal both for us and the navy . 16:59.659 --> 17:01.715 At the heart of those efforts is the 17:01.715 --> 17:04.329 health and effectiveness of our organic 17:04.329 --> 17:06.290 industrial base . We continue to 17:06.290 --> 17:08.969 execute our $18 billion.15 year plan to 17:08.969 --> 17:11.729 modernize 23 depots , arsenals , and 17:11.729 --> 17:14.209 ammunition plants . Newly established 17:14.209 --> 17:16.376 facilities in Lake City , Missouri and 17:16.376 --> 17:18.930 Mesquite , Texas are expanding 6.8 17:18.930 --> 17:21.810 millimeter and 155 munition productions 17:21.810 --> 17:23.977 while for the first time in 40 years , 17:23.977 --> 17:26.088 TNT production is being reestablished 17:26.088 --> 17:28.310 in the United States to reduce reliance 17:28.310 --> 17:30.729 on foreign suppliers . However , 17:31.040 --> 17:33.040 weapons and equipment do not define 17:33.040 --> 17:35.207 readiness . Soldiers do , and the army 17:35.207 --> 17:37.096 is making targeted investments to 17:37.096 --> 17:39.096 ensure that they can focus on their 17:39.096 --> 17:41.429 mission . New barracks and construction , 17:41.429 --> 17:43.318 modernizing efforts and replacing 17:43.318 --> 17:45.373 outdated housing . Dining facilities 17:45.373 --> 17:47.262 are being updated to provide more 17:47.262 --> 17:49.484 flexible , nutritious options , and the 17:49.484 --> 17:51.596 holistic health and fitness program , 17:51.596 --> 17:53.818 or H2F embeds experts directly into our 17:53.818 --> 17:56.096 units to ensure peak human performance . 17:56.800 --> 17:58.800 Recruiting remains a priority . The 17:58.800 --> 18:01.510 army exceeded its goal in FY 24 with 18:01.510 --> 18:03.640 over 55,000 new soldiers , and we're 18:03.640 --> 18:06.560 targeting 61,000 this year , and we are 18:06.560 --> 18:09.750 currently 72.7% of that goal for this 18:09.750 --> 18:13.349 year . 44,358 as of this morning , 18:13.400 --> 18:15.560 which is 50% ahead of where we were 18:15.560 --> 18:18.199 this time last year . I'll end on 18:18.199 --> 18:20.280 budget . With no budget increases to 18:20.280 --> 18:22.336 offset inflation and reducing buying 18:22.336 --> 18:24.336 power , the continual growth in the 18:24.336 --> 18:26.447 cost of paying allowances is crowding 18:26.447 --> 18:28.669 out the army's ability to modernize its 18:28.669 --> 18:30.836 force or maintain its infrastructure . 18:30.836 --> 18:32.947 The army essentially has three levers 18:32.947 --> 18:34.891 to address top line shortfalls end 18:34.891 --> 18:36.391 strength , readiness , and 18:36.391 --> 18:38.391 modernization . Our end strength is 18:38.391 --> 18:40.391 approximately 25,000 personnel less 18:40.391 --> 18:42.502 than the improved structure resulting 18:42.502 --> 18:44.724 in undermanned formations and overtaxed 18:44.724 --> 18:46.613 high demand units such as Patriot 18:46.613 --> 18:48.669 battalions . Additionally , the army 18:48.669 --> 18:48.540 has had to slash its modernization 18:48.540 --> 18:50.699 budget by billions over the last few 18:50.699 --> 18:53.099 years . As a result , procurement is 18:53.099 --> 18:55.266 reduced to minimum sustainable rates , 18:55.266 --> 18:57.155 delaying fielding of new material 18:57.155 --> 18:58.932 deformations , and research and 18:58.932 --> 19:00.877 development has been cut , slowing 19:00.877 --> 19:02.988 technological advances . Ultimately , 19:03.140 --> 19:06.020 the army can afford a large ready or 19:06.020 --> 19:08.020 modern force , but with the current 19:08.020 --> 19:10.050 budget it cannot afford all three . 19:10.420 --> 19:12.142 Either we provide soldiers the 19:12.142 --> 19:14.198 capabilities needed to win or accept 19:14.198 --> 19:16.142 greater risks in other areas , but 19:16.142 --> 19:18.253 whatever risk we accept now , we will 19:18.253 --> 19:20.130 likely pay for it later , not in 19:20.130 --> 19:22.408 delayed projects or budget adjustments , 19:22.408 --> 19:24.074 but in real world battlefield 19:24.074 --> 19:26.297 consequences . We need to invest in the 19:26.297 --> 19:28.408 things and training our soldiers need 19:28.408 --> 19:30.741 for the next fight , not the last fight . 19:30.741 --> 19:32.630 Thank you . Thank you , General , 19:32.630 --> 19:36.579 Admiral . Chairman Sullivan , ranking 19:36.579 --> 19:39.180 member Hirono , subcommittee members , 19:39.349 --> 19:41.182 thank you for the opportunity to 19:41.182 --> 19:41.750 testify . 19:52.109 --> 19:54.331 Of the United States around the world . 19:55.390 --> 19:57.949 Your oversight and funding help us to 19:57.949 --> 20:00.790 be ready when the nation calls . In the 20:00.790 --> 20:03.270 past year alone , American sailors have 20:03.270 --> 20:05.430 defeated hundreds of drones and 20:05.430 --> 20:07.910 missiles and carried out dozens of 20:07.910 --> 20:10.229 offensive strikes in the Red Sea and 20:10.229 --> 20:12.770 the eastern Mediterranean . They have 20:12.770 --> 20:14.770 strengthened alliances and deterred 20:14.770 --> 20:16.992 aggression in the Western Pacific , and 20:16.992 --> 20:18.937 they have used unmanned systems to 20:18.937 --> 20:21.048 counter the flow of illegal narcotics 20:21.048 --> 20:23.270 across the southern border , in short . 20:26.119 --> 20:27.175 Remains postured . 20:30.130 --> 20:33.030 Resting and neither will we . 20:34.160 --> 20:37.390 To approve with urgency . I've spoken 20:37.390 --> 20:39.390 to several of you about a sustained 20:39.390 --> 20:41.989 focus on adapting the mindset , skill 20:41.989 --> 20:44.156 set , and tool set to drive meaningful 20:44.156 --> 20:46.550 process improvement . Consistent and 20:46.550 --> 20:49.290 predictable funding is foundational to 20:49.290 --> 20:51.709 our improvement efforts . The Navy will 20:51.709 --> 20:53.876 need to make hard choices this year if 20:53.876 --> 20:55.820 we are operating under a full year 20:55.820 --> 20:57.153 continuing resolution . 21:03.619 --> 21:06.930 In this It's cute . 21:12.119 --> 21:14.650 Will slow our progress to get weapons 21:14.650 --> 21:16.880 and equipment we need to modernize our 21:16.880 --> 21:19.560 fleet , and we will also slow ship 21:19.560 --> 21:21.920 building including our amphibious 21:21.920 --> 21:24.839 warships . And with the Navy exceeding 21:24.839 --> 21:26.839 recruiting and retention goals last 21:26.839 --> 21:28.890 year and on track to do so again we 21:28.890 --> 21:31.112 will need additional funding to sustain 21:31.112 --> 21:33.334 our momentum . Our priority remains our 21:33.334 --> 21:35.770 readiness accounts which are most 21:35.770 --> 21:38.760 vulnerable under a CR or sequestration . 21:39.089 --> 21:41.145 We are optimistic that Congress will 21:41.145 --> 21:43.200 grant us the flexibility to allocate 21:43.200 --> 21:45.949 funds to our top priorities . Despite 21:45.949 --> 21:48.050 these challenges , your navy will 21:48.050 --> 21:50.329 maintain ready platforms , people , and 21:50.329 --> 21:52.569 infrastructure . We set a goal to make 21:52.569 --> 21:54.660 80% of our ships , submarines , and 21:54.660 --> 21:56.827 aircraft combat surge ready by January 21:56.827 --> 22:00.380 1 , 2027 . To do that , we are reducing 22:00.380 --> 22:02.260 maintenance delays and improving 22:02.260 --> 22:04.489 manning , training , modernization , 22:04.540 --> 22:06.859 and sustainment . We are seeing 22:06.859 --> 22:08.581 progress in the last year . We 22:08.581 --> 22:10.415 increased our surface ship depot 22:10.415 --> 22:13.099 maintenance from 41% on time completion 22:13.099 --> 22:16.540 to 68% . Unfortunately this progress is 22:16.540 --> 22:19.180 not consistent across all platforms . I 22:19.180 --> 22:21.500 am not satisfied with amphibious ship 22:21.500 --> 22:23.722 maintenance . Our Navy and Marine Corps 22:23.722 --> 22:25.889 operate as a lethal integrated force , 22:25.889 --> 22:27.939 and we have work to do here . To 22:27.939 --> 22:30.106 improve , we are procuring spare parts 22:30.106 --> 22:32.550 earlier , refining , partnering with 22:32.550 --> 22:34.439 planning with industry partners , 22:34.439 --> 22:36.920 acquiring diesel engine repair kits , 22:37.189 --> 22:39.459 and building steam plant expertise . 22:39.989 --> 22:41.878 Our second goal is recruiting and 22:41.878 --> 22:44.430 retention . The Navy is committed to 22:44.430 --> 22:46.709 attracting and developing Americans who 22:46.709 --> 22:48.910 can innovate , solve hard problems , 22:48.930 --> 22:51.430 and dominate in combat . Thanks to 22:51.430 --> 22:53.599 process improvements , our targeted 22:53.599 --> 22:56.310 investments , we contracted over 40,000 22:56.310 --> 22:59.619 sailors last year , the most since 2003 , 22:59.819 --> 23:01.986 and we are currently on pace to exceed 23:01.986 --> 23:04.569 our recruiting goals in 25 . We are 23:04.569 --> 23:06.640 committed to improving quality of 23:06.640 --> 23:08.800 service . We reduced the waitlist for 23:08.800 --> 23:11.280 child development centers from 3400 , 23:11.400 --> 23:14.489 uh , uh , children in 2024 to 23:14.489 --> 23:18.280 2500 as of January , January 31st , 23:18.400 --> 23:21.079 2025 . We have reduced poor 23:21.079 --> 23:23.301 unaccompanied housing . We have reduced 23:23.301 --> 23:25.523 our pool of unaccompanied housing rooms 23:25.523 --> 23:29.310 rated as poor from 25% to 21% , 23:29.479 --> 23:31.368 and we'll continue to reduce this 23:31.368 --> 23:33.469 through focused and investments . We 23:33.469 --> 23:35.358 are focusing on the investment of 23:35.358 --> 23:37.080 critical infrastructure in the 23:37.080 --> 23:39.302 Indo-Pacific , targeting it to where it 23:39.302 --> 23:41.636 has the most impact on our war fighters . 23:41.636 --> 23:43.191 The shipyard infrastructure 23:43.191 --> 23:45.191 optimization program is a once in a 23:45.191 --> 23:47.339 century opportunity for us to improve 23:47.339 --> 23:49.450 the effectiveness of our public yards 23:49.450 --> 23:51.699 through PIAP we have completed over 40 23:51.699 --> 23:53.989 projects and invested $1 billion in 23:53.989 --> 23:56.100 getting ship maintenance completed on 23:56.100 --> 23:58.280 time . The budget you are reviewing 23:58.280 --> 24:00.670 today includes an additional $6.3 24:00.670 --> 24:03.630 billion for the next 40 projects . I'm 24:03.630 --> 24:05.797 proud of the Navy's accomplishments in 24:05.797 --> 24:07.908 the past year . We still have work to 24:07.908 --> 24:10.130 do to ensure that we remain the world's 24:10.130 --> 24:12.463 most premier navy for another 250 years . 24:12.680 --> 24:14.709 Your leadership and support are 24:14.709 --> 24:17.119 critical to Navy readiness on behalf of 24:17.119 --> 24:19.286 our sailors , civilians , and families 24:19.286 --> 24:21.397 around the world , thank you . I look 24:21.397 --> 24:25.229 forward to your questions . Thank you , 24:25.270 --> 24:28.630 Admiral General . Good morning , 24:28.709 --> 24:31.042 Chairman Sullivan ranking member Hirono , 24:31.042 --> 24:33.042 Senator Kaine , uh , thanks for the 24:33.042 --> 24:35.098 opportunity to appear this morning . 24:35.098 --> 24:37.098 I'm honored to represent the Marine 24:37.098 --> 24:38.987 Corps and discuss our current war 24:38.987 --> 24:41.209 fighting readiness . Since my testimony 24:41.209 --> 24:43.098 last year , your Marine Corps has 24:43.098 --> 24:45.153 continued to progress and refine our 24:45.153 --> 24:47.265 force design implementation through a 24:47.265 --> 24:48.959 campaign of learning . We're 24:48.959 --> 24:50.848 modernizing our force to meet the 24:50.848 --> 24:53.070 challenges of the modern battlefield as 24:53.070 --> 24:55.292 directed by our commandant , we balance 24:55.292 --> 24:57.680 that modernization with our ability to 24:57.680 --> 25:00.000 respond to crises . This balance 25:00.000 --> 25:02.310 ensures that over 32,000 Marines 25:02.310 --> 25:04.359 forward postured and deployed are 25:04.359 --> 25:06.192 trained and ready to support the 25:06.192 --> 25:08.410 combatant commander's competition 25:08.410 --> 25:11.040 campaign deter global threats and when 25:11.040 --> 25:13.318 necessary , fight our nation's battles . 25:14.109 --> 25:16.331 Well they're acting as the forward eyes 25:16.331 --> 25:18.331 and ears in the Southwest Islands . 25:18.331 --> 25:20.109 We're expanding maritime domain 25:20.109 --> 25:22.220 awareness in a unified high north and 25:22.220 --> 25:23.887 across the Baltic Sea . We're 25:23.887 --> 25:26.650 supporting the defense support of civil 25:26.650 --> 25:30.260 authorities by constructing obstacles . 25:31.569 --> 25:33.479 In intel analysis on the southern 25:33.479 --> 25:35.423 border , your Marines are ready to 25:35.423 --> 25:37.423 operate in any climate place as our 25:37.423 --> 25:39.699 song says . The main external 25:39.699 --> 25:41.810 challenges though to our war fighting 25:41.810 --> 25:43.866 readiness , the most acute readiness 25:43.866 --> 25:45.921 detractors of the lack of amphibious 25:45.921 --> 25:47.755 ship availability which has been 25:47.755 --> 25:49.810 brought up already by my shipmate in 25:49.810 --> 25:51.660 the absence of organic littoral 25:51.660 --> 25:54.900 mobility to marry up with our MLR 25:54.900 --> 25:58.270 capabilities . The gap in these 25:58.270 --> 26:00.819 capabilities creates significant risk 26:01.109 --> 26:03.276 and degrade force readiness across the 26:03.276 --> 26:05.469 competition spectrum toward conflict . 26:06.239 --> 26:08.239 Yet despite these challenges , your 26:08.239 --> 26:10.410 Marine Corps remains ready . Our 26:10.410 --> 26:12.609 personnel , our maintenance , supply 26:12.609 --> 26:14.831 and training readiness remain high just 26:14.831 --> 26:17.140 as all of you would expect . In both 26:17.140 --> 26:19.362 recruiting and retention , Marine Corps 26:19.362 --> 26:21.979 made mission and exceeded expectations . 26:22.859 --> 26:25.050 In fiscal year 2024 and you heard it 26:25.050 --> 26:27.280 here first , we'll make our numbers 26:27.280 --> 26:29.447 this year and in fact we'll be able to 26:29.447 --> 26:31.650 push contracts on the order of 1000 26:31.650 --> 26:34.880 into the next fiscal year . I remain 26:34.880 --> 26:36.936 completely humbled by the quality of 26:36.936 --> 26:38.991 our recruits and the Marines we make 26:39.489 --> 26:41.930 fleetwide cannot say enough about the 26:41.930 --> 26:43.763 excellence and discipline of our 26:43.763 --> 26:45.930 recruiting force . Continue to do what 26:45.930 --> 26:47.969 others say is not possible . Making 26:47.969 --> 26:50.025 mission without lowering standards , 26:50.025 --> 26:52.136 which is something we will never do . 26:52.420 --> 26:54.087 That discipline together with 26:54.087 --> 26:55.864 consistent funding remained key 26:55.864 --> 26:57.642 ingredients for a high state of 26:57.642 --> 27:00.199 readiness . Our unprecedented 2nd 27:00.199 --> 27:02.920 unmodified audit opinion is evidence of 27:02.920 --> 27:05.142 that discipline . Our books are clean . 27:05.319 --> 27:08.069 Our books are open . The Marine Corps 27:08.069 --> 27:10.099 is appreciative of the continued 27:10.099 --> 27:13.030 support from Congress , support for the 27:13.030 --> 27:14.919 common House priorities which are 27:14.919 --> 27:16.752 creating an enduring total force 27:16.752 --> 27:18.919 readiness . With your advocacy , we'll 27:18.919 --> 27:20.974 sustain our current and future force 27:20.974 --> 27:22.919 readiness to maintain the honor of 27:22.919 --> 27:25.086 being the first to fight when called . 27:25.086 --> 27:26.919 With your support for additional 27:26.919 --> 27:29.086 resources , we'll restore the state of 27:29.086 --> 27:30.974 our infrastructure readiness in a 27:30.974 --> 27:32.530 manner consistent with your 27:32.530 --> 27:34.086 expectations as well as the 27:34.086 --> 27:36.252 expectations of our common . Thank you 27:36.252 --> 27:38.308 for the opportunity to speak , and I 27:38.308 --> 27:40.474 look forward to your questions , Sever 27:40.474 --> 27:42.697 Filas . Thank you , General . I call on 27:42.697 --> 27:45.750 General Gut line . Please proceed . 27:48.020 --> 27:50.131 Thank you , Chairman Sullivan ranking 27:50.131 --> 27:52.242 member Hirono , and the distinguished 27:52.242 --> 27:54.020 members of the subcommittee for 27:54.020 --> 27:56.187 allowing me the opportunity to discuss 27:56.187 --> 27:58.353 the United States Space Force with you 27:58.353 --> 28:00.409 and with the American people today . 28:00.409 --> 28:02.576 The space force underpins our nation's 28:02.576 --> 28:02.359 capabilities within the joint force , 28:02.609 --> 28:04.609 within our economy , and within the 28:04.609 --> 28:06.920 society as a whole . In our 1st 5 years 28:06.920 --> 28:08.698 of existence , we validated the 28:08.698 --> 28:10.642 importance of the space force as a 28:10.642 --> 28:12.890 service and made remarkable progress in 28:12.890 --> 28:15.199 building an agile mission focused 28:15.199 --> 28:17.366 organization that grasps the magnitude 28:17.366 --> 28:19.310 of the space threat . We delivered 28:19.310 --> 28:21.199 critical capabilities , developed 28:21.199 --> 28:23.310 doctrine , and took significant steps 28:23.310 --> 28:25.310 to integrate space power into joint 28:25.310 --> 28:27.366 operations . We are now comprised of 28:27.366 --> 28:29.250 approximately 15,000 guardians , 28:29.530 --> 28:31.530 including officers , enlisted , and 28:31.530 --> 28:33.308 civilian personnel , and we are 28:33.308 --> 28:35.474 integrated into other DOD components , 28:35.474 --> 28:37.808 the intelligence community , our allies , 28:37.808 --> 28:39.919 and commercial partners , maintaining 28:39.919 --> 28:41.863 maximum readiness and securing our 28:41.863 --> 28:44.170 advantages in space . Our military is 28:44.170 --> 28:46.130 faster , better connected , more 28:46.130 --> 28:48.839 informed , precise , and lethal . Based 28:48.839 --> 28:51.719 on our ability to harness space , the 28:51.719 --> 28:53.830 world's use of space is growing at an 28:53.830 --> 28:55.830 accelerating rate demonstrated by a 28:55.830 --> 28:57.886 significant growth in space launches 28:57.886 --> 29:00.239 and an increase in active spacecraft in 29:00.239 --> 29:03.560 orbit . As access to and the use of 29:03.560 --> 29:05.671 space grows , the strategic landscape 29:05.671 --> 29:07.650 in space is becoming increasingly 29:07.650 --> 29:10.239 complex and perilous . We were once 29:10.239 --> 29:12.406 what were once theoretical threats are 29:12.406 --> 29:14.739 now daily occurrences . I have observed 29:14.739 --> 29:16.961 our adversaries' actions , and they are 29:16.961 --> 29:19.072 employing new capabilities to counter 29:19.072 --> 29:21.128 our advantages . Our competitors are 29:21.128 --> 29:23.072 jamming GPS signals , spoofing and 29:23.072 --> 29:25.183 disrupting satellite communications , 29:25.183 --> 29:27.350 and developing advanced anti-satellite 29:27.350 --> 29:29.461 weapons . Unfortunately this behavior 29:29.461 --> 29:31.461 has become the norm rather than the 29:31.461 --> 29:33.517 exception , creating an increasingly 29:33.517 --> 29:35.739 hostile environment and putting at risk 29:35.739 --> 29:37.683 our continued freedom in the space 29:37.683 --> 29:39.906 domain . To meet these challenges , the 29:39.906 --> 29:41.683 space force is accelerating our 29:41.683 --> 29:43.517 transformation as a war fighting 29:43.517 --> 29:45.628 service through our theory of success 29:45.628 --> 29:47.350 called competitive endurance . 29:47.350 --> 29:49.572 Competitive endurance is the bedrock of 29:49.572 --> 29:51.683 our ability to deter and if necessary 29:51.683 --> 29:53.906 defeat our adversaries . It deters them 29:53.906 --> 29:56.072 from extending conflict into the space 29:56.072 --> 29:58.183 domain and enables the joint force to 29:58.183 --> 30:00.017 achieve space super purity while 30:00.017 --> 30:01.906 preserving the long term safety , 30:01.906 --> 30:04.183 security , and sustainability of space . 30:04.183 --> 30:05.906 This approach ensures we avoid 30:05.906 --> 30:08.128 operational surprise , deny first mover 30:08.128 --> 30:10.239 advantage , and engage in responsible 30:10.239 --> 30:12.183 counter space campaigning , all of 30:12.183 --> 30:14.239 which result in deterring aggression 30:14.239 --> 30:16.709 and if necessary , decisively defeating 30:16.709 --> 30:19.150 challenges to our way of life . An 30:19.150 --> 30:20.983 essential requirement supporting 30:20.983 --> 30:22.872 competitive endurance is guardian 30:22.872 --> 30:24.699 development . We are focused on 30:24.699 --> 30:26.643 purpose-built training to meet the 30:26.643 --> 30:28.755 unique needs of the space force . Our 30:28.755 --> 30:30.810 guardians are dedicated war fighters 30:30.810 --> 30:32.699 who understand the gravity of the 30:32.699 --> 30:34.810 threats that we face . We must ensure 30:34.810 --> 30:37.032 that they have the necessary training , 30:37.032 --> 30:39.143 resources , and unwavering commitment 30:39.143 --> 30:41.310 to continue to face these threats head 30:41.310 --> 30:43.366 on . Also essential is our continued 30:43.366 --> 30:45.532 integration as a critical component of 30:45.532 --> 30:47.699 the joint force and fostering enduring 30:47.699 --> 30:49.921 partnerships with the commercial sector 30:49.921 --> 30:52.143 and our allies around the world , which 30:52.143 --> 30:54.088 will allow us to overcome resource 30:54.088 --> 30:55.977 constraints and build a resilient 30:55.977 --> 30:58.088 hybrid space architecture forging the 30:58.088 --> 31:00.520 space force we need at only 3% of the 31:00.520 --> 31:03.469 DOD budget , the space force offers an 31:03.469 --> 31:06.079 immense value proposition for the joint 31:06.079 --> 31:08.810 force and for our nation . However , it 31:08.810 --> 31:11.032 is woefully under-resourced to meet the 31:11.032 --> 31:13.310 nation's demand for space capabilities . 31:13.310 --> 31:15.366 We must increase investment to deter 31:15.366 --> 31:17.088 the threat and if necessary to 31:17.088 --> 31:19.770 decisively defeat challenges to US 31:19.770 --> 31:22.430 space security . The strategic choices 31:22.430 --> 31:24.486 we make today will determine whether 31:24.486 --> 31:26.829 space remains a domain for peace and 31:26.829 --> 31:28.607 progress or becomes a contested 31:28.607 --> 31:30.496 battlegro battleground for future 31:30.496 --> 31:32.718 conflict . The space force is committed 31:32.718 --> 31:34.551 to ensuring a future where space 31:34.551 --> 31:36.662 remains a source of American strength 31:36.662 --> 31:38.829 and a foundation for global security . 31:38.829 --> 31:41.051 Achieving this vision requires a shared 31:41.051 --> 31:43.273 commitment to providing the space force 31:43.273 --> 31:45.440 with the resources , the authorities , 31:45.440 --> 31:47.551 and the support necessary to meet the 31:47.551 --> 31:49.551 growing challenges of the space war 31:49.551 --> 31:51.496 fighting domain . On behalf of all 31:51.496 --> 31:53.551 guardians and their families , thank 31:53.551 --> 31:55.718 you for your support and commitment to 31:55.718 --> 31:57.885 ensuring the United States Space Force 31:57.885 --> 31:57.699 remains a cornerstone of the joint 31:57.699 --> 31:59.810 force and protecting the American way 31:59.810 --> 32:01.810 of life . I look forward to working 32:01.810 --> 32:03.921 with all of you and I look forward to 32:03.921 --> 32:03.859 taking your questions . Thank you . 32:03.959 --> 32:06.126 Thank you , General Lieutenant General 32:06.126 --> 32:09.939 Spain . Chairman Sullivan , 32:09.979 --> 32:12.146 ranking member of Hirono , and members 32:12.146 --> 32:14.368 of the subcommittee , thank you for the 32:14.368 --> 32:16.423 opportunity this hearing provides to 32:16.423 --> 32:16.060 talk about the elements of readiness 32:16.060 --> 32:18.300 for the Air Force , the four primary 32:18.300 --> 32:20.810 pillars being parts and supply , people 32:21.140 --> 32:23.029 flying and training , and current 32:23.029 --> 32:25.251 infrastructure . To these , I would add 32:25.251 --> 32:27.029 elements for future readiness , 32:27.029 --> 32:29.029 rebuilding acquisitions , long term 32:29.029 --> 32:30.751 sustainment and recruiting and 32:30.751 --> 32:33.029 retention at a relevant pace and scale , 32:33.029 --> 32:35.140 all in a way that reflects our shared 32:35.140 --> 32:37.307 purpose . Senators , I can confidently 32:37.307 --> 32:39.529 state that your United States Air Force 32:39.529 --> 32:41.307 stands ready and able to defend 32:41.307 --> 32:43.251 America's homeland , ensure robust 32:43.251 --> 32:45.362 nuclear deterrent via our two legs of 32:45.362 --> 32:47.418 the triad , and project power around 32:47.418 --> 32:49.307 the world to deter and win as the 32:49.307 --> 32:51.529 nation requires . It is our solemn duty 32:51.529 --> 32:53.751 and your airmen are ready . It's also a 32:53.751 --> 32:55.751 fact that today's airmen will do so 32:55.751 --> 32:57.529 with the oldest airplanes , the 32:57.529 --> 32:59.751 smallest force , and with fewer monthly 32:59.751 --> 33:01.862 flying hours than at any point in our 33:01.862 --> 33:03.973 history . Airmen have and always will 33:03.973 --> 33:06.196 get the job done , but today they do so 33:06.196 --> 33:08.362 at elevated risk . Meanwhile , China's 33:08.362 --> 33:10.251 military forces are expanding and 33:10.251 --> 33:12.584 modernizing their nuclear modernization , 33:12.584 --> 33:14.751 long range missile proliferation , and 33:14.751 --> 33:16.973 recent test flights of 2 6-gen aircraft 33:16.973 --> 33:18.862 is simply further evidence of the 33:18.862 --> 33:18.780 elevated threat in the strategic 33:18.780 --> 33:21.119 environment . Conflict is certainly not 33:21.119 --> 33:23.520 desirable , nor is it inevitable . It 33:23.520 --> 33:25.576 is our responsibility to be prepared 33:25.576 --> 33:27.687 should diplomacy or deterrence fail . 33:28.150 --> 33:30.372 Often we have focused on the individual 33:30.372 --> 33:32.539 elements of readiness and not how they 33:32.539 --> 33:34.594 must be synchronized to create a war 33:34.594 --> 33:36.706 fighting capability over time even in 33:36.706 --> 33:38.872 this hearing we will likely talk about 33:38.872 --> 33:40.817 individual programs and individual 33:40.817 --> 33:42.650 projects , all of which are very 33:42.650 --> 33:44.817 important . But the previous strategic 33:44.817 --> 33:46.817 environment , mostly permissive and 33:46.817 --> 33:48.650 without a significant challenger 33:48.650 --> 33:50.594 allowed us the luxury of segmented 33:50.594 --> 33:52.817 attention , priority and risk . Today's 33:52.817 --> 33:54.650 strategic environment does not . 33:54.650 --> 33:56.261 Today's readiness requires a 33:56.261 --> 33:58.729 synchronized approach the right parts 33:58.979 --> 34:01.300 and the right maintainers and the right 34:01.300 --> 34:03.356 support infrastructure and the right 34:03.356 --> 34:05.578 qualified air crew and all in the right 34:05.578 --> 34:09.188 balance and not or . Many of our past 34:09.188 --> 34:11.244 decisions were appropriate given the 34:11.244 --> 34:13.355 previous strategic environment but no 34:13.355 --> 34:15.521 longer so we've taken deliberate steps 34:15.521 --> 34:17.410 to see this for what it is and do 34:17.410 --> 34:19.632 something about it . We've specifically 34:19.632 --> 34:21.632 prioritized parts and supply in the 34:21.632 --> 34:23.466 flying hour program . We've also 34:23.466 --> 34:25.077 reconnected our manpower and 34:25.077 --> 34:27.188 infrastructure priorities directly to 34:27.188 --> 34:29.410 our core readiness outcomes in both our 34:29.410 --> 34:31.299 processes and our data . It's our 34:31.299 --> 34:33.410 intent to maintain focus and priority 34:33.410 --> 34:35.355 on these pillars to strengthen our 34:35.355 --> 34:37.466 readiness and improve our lethality , 34:37.466 --> 34:39.688 and we're moving out . I'm grateful for 34:39.688 --> 34:41.410 this committee and the broader 34:41.410 --> 34:43.521 Congress' support and look forward to 34:43.521 --> 34:43.168 working with you to deliberately 34:43.168 --> 34:44.890 improve our current and future 34:44.890 --> 34:47.112 readiness posture and undeniably retain 34:47.112 --> 34:49.168 our position as the world's greatest 34:49.168 --> 34:51.968 air force with respect to the CR , uh , 34:52.089 --> 34:54.729 without anomalies , the CR clearly has 34:54.729 --> 34:57.378 indic uh has impact on our readiness , 34:57.718 --> 35:01.310 um . Up to the tune of about $4 billion 35:01.850 --> 35:03.906 anomalies without anomalies and with 35:03.906 --> 35:06.017 the fiscal responsibility Act kicking 35:06.017 --> 35:08.128 in , it's closer to $14 billion which 35:08.128 --> 35:10.310 we cannot afford . Uh , however , we 35:10.310 --> 35:12.532 expect and , and , uh , look forward to 35:12.532 --> 35:15.290 the final version of this CR if it were 35:15.290 --> 35:17.969 to pass with flexibility and agility . 35:18.669 --> 35:21.219 And anomalies to spend uh as required 35:21.219 --> 35:23.379 to retain readiness to the maximum uh 35:23.379 --> 35:25.379 possible level . Thank you and look 35:25.379 --> 35:28.080 forward to your questions . Thank you , 35:28.090 --> 35:30.146 General , for your very , uh , frank 35:30.146 --> 35:32.479 testimony . I very much appreciate that . 35:32.530 --> 35:35.330 Um , finally , Ms . Maurer , uh , from 35:35.330 --> 35:38.409 GAO , thank you for your great work on 35:38.409 --> 35:39.209 many issues . 35:44.090 --> 35:46.257 All right , well , good morning , uh , 35:46.257 --> 35:48.201 Chairman Sullivan , ranking member 35:48.201 --> 35:48.070 Hirono and other members . 35:56.360 --> 35:58.229 Be here today to discuss GEO's 35:58.229 --> 36:00.285 recommendations to help the military 36:00.285 --> 36:02.120 address long-standing readiness 36:02.120 --> 36:04.590 challenges that span several 36:04.590 --> 36:06.760 administrations . I'd like to in 36:06.760 --> 36:08.427 particular to highlight three 36:08.427 --> 36:10.260 cross-cutting challenges that we 36:10.260 --> 36:12.590 continue to find across the services . 36:12.919 --> 36:15.719 First , DOD faces growing gaps between 36:15.719 --> 36:18.679 mission and resources . In many areas , 36:18.719 --> 36:20.850 the services assume risk because of 36:20.850 --> 36:23.040 imbalances between what they've been 36:23.040 --> 36:25.879 tasked to do and the people parts and 36:25.879 --> 36:27.350 facilities they have . 36:29.560 --> 36:31.909 Pentagon needs to focus more on 36:31.909 --> 36:35.030 sustainment . Buying new systems is 36:35.030 --> 36:37.629 just the beginning . Ensuring combat 36:37.629 --> 36:39.750 ready units can operate and sustain 36:39.750 --> 36:42.030 those systems is the hard part , and 36:42.030 --> 36:44.469 all too often a host of sustainment 36:44.469 --> 36:47.229 problems means planes , ships , and 36:47.229 --> 36:49.870 vehicles are not available when needed . 36:50.800 --> 36:53.909 And third , DoD's ability to move and 36:53.909 --> 36:56.510 support forces lags behind operational 36:56.510 --> 36:59.810 needs . The services face potential 36:59.810 --> 37:02.169 adversaries who will contest the 37:02.169 --> 37:04.379 movement of people , material and 37:04.379 --> 37:07.570 information . DOD needs to adapt its 37:07.570 --> 37:09.770 decades long reliance on uncontested 37:09.770 --> 37:12.169 logistics just in time distribution . 37:18.239 --> 37:20.461 My written statement summarizes reports 37:20.461 --> 37:23.280 with over 100 recommendations to help 37:23.280 --> 37:25.169 address these challenges . So for 37:25.169 --> 37:27.159 example , the Navy needs an 37:27.159 --> 37:29.800 industrial-based strategy to help get 37:29.800 --> 37:31.578 better results from the private 37:31.578 --> 37:34.040 companies that repair and build ships . 37:34.729 --> 37:36.951 The navy , the army should ensure units 37:36.951 --> 37:39.118 have the necessary training facilities 37:39.118 --> 37:41.189 and support before fielding new 37:41.189 --> 37:43.899 equipment . The space force needs to 37:43.899 --> 37:45.899 refine its plans for training and 37:45.899 --> 37:49.449 exercising its squadrons . The navy 37:49.449 --> 37:51.560 should coordinate with the marines to 37:51.560 --> 37:54.330 fix amphibious ships and reach 37:54.330 --> 37:56.552 agreement on what it means to make what 37:56.552 --> 37:58.663 it means for a ship to be available . 37:59.810 --> 38:02.050 DOD should decide when and how various 38:02.050 --> 38:04.530 services will assume sustainment 38:04.530 --> 38:06.586 responsibilities for missile defense 38:06.586 --> 38:10.209 systems and for the F-35 program , DOD 38:10.209 --> 38:12.169 needs to reassess the balance of 38:12.169 --> 38:14.290 sustainment responsibilities between 38:14.290 --> 38:17.290 contractors and services and ensure 38:17.290 --> 38:19.040 maintainers have access to the 38:19.040 --> 38:21.399 technical data they need to meet 38:21.399 --> 38:25.219 operational mission needs . Uh , GEO's 38:25.219 --> 38:27.540 recommendations will help improve 38:27.540 --> 38:29.707 military readiness and that's , that's 38:29.707 --> 38:32.699 the heart of what we do at GAO . We 38:32.699 --> 38:35.889 help improve the government . Now we're 38:35.889 --> 38:38.580 currently in the midst of a vigorous 38:38.580 --> 38:41.209 national debate about improving the 38:41.209 --> 38:43.209 effectiveness and efficiency of the 38:43.209 --> 38:46.810 federal government . GAO's independent 38:46.810 --> 38:48.810 nonpartisan role in the legislative 38:48.810 --> 38:51.560 branch is as important now as it has 38:51.560 --> 38:54.449 ever been . We will continue to provide 38:54.449 --> 38:57.570 facts , analysis , and recommendations 38:57.570 --> 39:00.729 to this committee and to all 535 39:00.729 --> 39:03.149 members so you can execute your 39:03.149 --> 39:05.290 congressional oversight of executive 39:05.770 --> 39:08.010 executive branch programs and 39:08.010 --> 39:10.129 activities . Thank you for the 39:10.129 --> 39:12.240 opportunity to testify this morning , 39:12.240 --> 39:14.407 and I look forward to your questions . 39:14.407 --> 39:14.129 Thank you , Ms . Mauer , and I agree 39:14.129 --> 39:16.129 with you that you guys do excellent 39:16.129 --> 39:18.300 work . I , uh , recently . had the 39:18.300 --> 39:22.209 opportunity to Uh , highlight your 39:22.209 --> 39:25.870 work on the Navy industrial base issues 39:25.870 --> 39:28.092 to our incoming secretary of the Navy , 39:28.092 --> 39:29.981 and I think that was an excellent 39:29.981 --> 39:32.500 report . So I'm gonna begin with just a , 39:32.860 --> 39:34.971 a line of questions by the way , it's 39:34.971 --> 39:37.138 great to have our chairman of the full 39:37.138 --> 39:39.304 committee here shows the importance of 39:39.304 --> 39:41.527 this , uh , subcommittee and the topics 39:41.527 --> 39:43.693 we're tackling today . I will begin my 39:43.693 --> 39:47.669 questioning for all 6 witnesses . So 39:47.669 --> 39:50.300 please try to be brief . It's gonna 39:50.689 --> 39:54.179 focus on . Bad news , good news , and 39:54.179 --> 39:56.068 flexibility . So what do I mean ? 39:56.068 --> 39:58.235 You've already touched on it , General 39:58.235 --> 40:00.346 Spain , you did a good job . The CR . 40:01.000 --> 40:04.989 Right , um , uh , I think , uh . From a 40:04.989 --> 40:07.211 readiness standpoint , none of us think 40:07.211 --> 40:09.322 this is helpful . What would be worse 40:09.322 --> 40:11.545 in my view , is a government shutdown . 40:12.239 --> 40:14.659 So the impact of the CR and then very 40:14.659 --> 40:16.826 importantly and General Mingus you and 40:16.826 --> 40:18.826 I had the opportunity to talk about 40:18.826 --> 40:21.120 this yesterday , um , flexibilities 40:21.489 --> 40:24.610 that you would like us to provide you 40:24.610 --> 40:27.370 in the future NDAA's on budgeting . 40:28.540 --> 40:30.651 That's a topic that when we deal with 40:30.651 --> 40:33.090 these CRs . Unfortunately it's been a 40:33.090 --> 40:35.201 way of life for our military for many 40:35.201 --> 40:37.312 years . It's a failure on the part of 40:37.312 --> 40:39.090 Congress , but what kind of 40:39.090 --> 40:41.360 flexibilities do you need to be more 40:41.360 --> 40:45.020 ready that you could uh use 40:45.409 --> 40:47.929 and this could be very broad or very 40:47.929 --> 40:50.689 specific and then the good news very 40:50.689 --> 40:53.199 quickly we've had a turn around and . 40:53.969 --> 40:56.580 Recruiting I think it has a lot to do 40:56.580 --> 40:58.747 with some of the comments I made in my 40:58.747 --> 41:00.691 opening statement where the last 4 41:00.691 --> 41:02.802 years our military was not focused on 41:02.802 --> 41:04.747 lethality and war fighting and why 41:04.747 --> 41:06.969 young men and women joined to fight and 41:06.969 --> 41:08.969 defend their country was focused on 41:08.969 --> 41:12.060 other stuff , irrelevant stuff , and it 41:12.060 --> 41:14.409 hurt recruiting . Why do you think , 41:14.620 --> 41:16.731 where are you on recruiting ? And why 41:16.731 --> 41:18.564 do you think there's been such a 41:18.564 --> 41:20.731 dramatic turnaround ? So those are the 41:20.731 --> 41:22.620 questions I'd like each of you to 41:22.620 --> 41:24.953 answer . We'll start in the lineup here , 41:24.979 --> 41:27.459 General Mingus , if you can . I hit on 41:27.459 --> 41:28.626 all three of those . 41:31.770 --> 41:35.090 Thank you , Chairman . A full year 41:35.090 --> 41:38.280 long continuing resolution impact , yes , 41:38.689 --> 41:40.745 to the degree and the severity is is 41:40.745 --> 41:42.770 unknown as was kind of talked about 41:42.770 --> 41:44.770 earlier based on the anomalies that 41:44.770 --> 41:46.881 come out of this , the puts and takes 41:46.881 --> 41:49.214 in the various lines in the budget , uh , 41:49.214 --> 41:51.492 what , what is plussed up and not , uh , 41:51.492 --> 41:53.659 we'll have to take a couple of days to 41:53.659 --> 41:55.714 kind of fully . If if it is actually 41:55.714 --> 41:58.048 enacted before the end of the week , uh , 41:58.048 --> 42:00.214 the , the true impact , but new starts 42:00.214 --> 42:02.326 spending limits , uh , spending power 42:02.326 --> 42:04.548 and buying power , those are critically 42:04.548 --> 42:06.714 the , the ones that always rise to the 42:06.714 --> 42:06.250 top , and it , and we've never had a 42:06.250 --> 42:08.528 year long , uh , continuing resolution . 42:08.528 --> 42:10.250 This will be the first for the 42:10.250 --> 42:12.472 Department of Defense , so , uh , a lot 42:12.472 --> 42:12.449 to be determined in terms of what those 42:12.449 --> 42:14.560 impacts are gonna be flexibility , so 42:14.560 --> 42:16.838 you and I talked about this last night . 42:16.838 --> 42:19.060 We all submitted a J book in a budget , 42:19.060 --> 42:21.171 um , almost 18 to 20 months before we 42:21.171 --> 42:22.949 actually see an enactment in an 42:22.949 --> 42:24.949 appropriation . A lot can happen in 42:24.949 --> 42:27.116 that 18 to 20 months . Um , every line 42:27.116 --> 42:29.171 of of of accounting , every piece of 42:29.171 --> 42:31.250 equipment , every radio has its own 42:31.250 --> 42:33.472 individual line within the J books that 42:33.472 --> 42:35.583 come back in our budget line items on 42:35.583 --> 42:38.330 the back end of appropriations . For 42:38.330 --> 42:41.639 high tech things , UAS counter UAS , 42:41.929 --> 42:44.040 high tech command and control systems 42:44.040 --> 42:46.151 that evolve at a rate faster than our 42:46.151 --> 42:47.929 budget cycle , we would like to 42:47.929 --> 42:49.929 compress those lines to allow us to 42:49.929 --> 42:52.096 move in year of execution those monies 42:52.096 --> 42:54.262 to new things that come online in year 42:54.262 --> 42:56.540 of execution . If you can work with us , 42:56.540 --> 42:56.409 all the services with regard to 42:56.409 --> 42:58.850 language on the flex those kind of 42:58.850 --> 43:01.017 flexibilities are really important , I 43:01.017 --> 43:03.250 think needed and something that we 43:03.250 --> 43:05.800 could work on and get the NDAA , sir . 43:06.500 --> 43:08.667 Um , and I , um , yield my time to the 43:08.667 --> 43:10.722 others because I went pretty deep in 43:10.722 --> 43:12.444 recruiting , uh , just for the 43:12.444 --> 43:14.778 committee's sake real quick here , just , 43:14.778 --> 43:14.550 I mean we talked about it , but I , uh , 43:14.560 --> 43:16.671 just for the , on , on the record , I 43:16.671 --> 43:18.504 think it's important for lessons 43:18.504 --> 43:21.280 learned on recruiting . Who you recruit , 43:21.360 --> 43:23.416 where you recruit , how we recruit , 43:23.639 --> 43:25.417 more professionalization of our 43:25.417 --> 43:27.250 recruiting force , expanding the 43:27.250 --> 43:29.195 population , all those things that 43:29.195 --> 43:31.306 we've been working for the last 18 to 43:31.306 --> 43:33.250 24 months we believe are coming to 43:33.250 --> 43:32.840 fruition this year . We've seen 43:32.840 --> 43:34.618 momentum unlike we have seen in 43:34.618 --> 43:37.350 probably a decade . We're at , uh , 50% 43:37.350 --> 43:39.572 ahead of where we were last year , uh , 43:39.572 --> 43:41.959 73% of emissions . So as I said in my 43:41.959 --> 43:43.903 opening statement , uh , just over 43:43.903 --> 43:47.129 44,000 of a mission of 61,000 . Um , I 43:47.129 --> 43:49.185 think as you and I talked last night 43:49.185 --> 43:51.296 we're gonna have the opposite problem 43:51.296 --> 43:53.462 we did a couple years ago where , uh , 43:53.462 --> 43:53.070 come this summer we may have an end 43:53.070 --> 43:55.126 strength that's actually bigger than 43:55.126 --> 43:57.237 what we , uh , have an appropriations 43:57.237 --> 43:59.292 for well maybe we can work on that , 43:59.292 --> 44:01.514 Admiral , uh , and again , um , in , in 44:01.514 --> 44:03.348 I'll yield time back . These are 44:03.348 --> 44:06.620 important questions , but , um . Uh , 44:06.709 --> 44:08.653 we'll get through all of them . Go 44:08.653 --> 44:10.765 ahead , Admiral . Sir , hey , two bit 44:10.765 --> 44:13.042 buckets . One is CR major impact on us . 44:13.042 --> 44:15.350 We've gotten used to partial CRs as , 44:15.459 --> 44:17.681 as , uh , General Mingus says , this is 44:17.681 --> 44:19.848 our first full year CR , so we'll have 44:19.848 --> 44:21.903 to figure that out and we're looking 44:21.903 --> 44:24.149 forward to flexibility , anomalies , 44:24.389 --> 44:26.333 authorities to address the kind of 44:26.333 --> 44:28.222 things that , uh , General Mingus 44:28.222 --> 44:30.167 talked about . Let me just use one 44:30.167 --> 44:32.389 specific example . Uh , 2 years ago , 44:32.520 --> 44:34.853 probably a little more than 2 years ago , 44:34.853 --> 44:36.853 we weren't , we were thinking about 44:36.853 --> 44:39.020 counter US , we weren't thinking about 44:39.020 --> 44:40.964 counterS from the perspective that 44:40.964 --> 44:43.020 we've grown to appreciate in the Red 44:43.020 --> 44:45.076 Sea , so the ability to turn quickly 44:45.076 --> 44:47.242 and use money and have the flexibility 44:47.242 --> 44:49.187 to address . Those things as we're 44:49.187 --> 44:51.409 trying to do with the Ford strike group 44:51.409 --> 44:53.631 where we're bolting on systems that are 44:53.631 --> 44:55.576 more effective for counter US like 44:55.576 --> 44:57.687 Coyote and Roadrunner , those are all 44:57.687 --> 45:00.020 appreciated and hard to do in a CR so I , 45:00.020 --> 45:02.076 I , I'd give you that piece that the 45:02.076 --> 45:03.909 flexibilities and for us to work 45:03.909 --> 45:05.853 through it . There's a , there's a 45:05.853 --> 45:08.076 merge with the next next topic which is 45:08.076 --> 45:10.187 recruiting . We've made some progress 45:10.187 --> 45:12.464 in the Navy as the other services have . 45:12.464 --> 45:14.298 We have stormed the problem . We 45:14.298 --> 45:16.464 understand and you and I went over and 45:16.464 --> 45:18.464 and ranking member uh Harrono and I 45:18.464 --> 45:20.520 discussed what we did in the Navy to 45:20.520 --> 45:22.631 break down the problem and understand 45:22.631 --> 45:24.576 what it takes to make a productive 45:24.576 --> 45:26.742 recruiter . So I think there's renewed 45:26.742 --> 45:28.909 focus and clarity on that . We've done 45:28.909 --> 45:28.766 the things . General Mingus has 45:28.766 --> 45:30.933 described where we spread to zip codes 45:30.933 --> 45:33.099 to get every available person into the 45:33.099 --> 45:35.686 Navy and we're ahead of goal right now 45:35.686 --> 45:38.315 uh we would our our projection was 45:38.666 --> 45:42.226 12,000 contracted we've contracted 45:42.226 --> 45:44.885 14,000 . We're supposed to have 45:44.885 --> 45:48.206 12.2,000 shipped . We've shipped 12.7 . 45:48.291 --> 45:50.552 1000 , so we're ahead of goal . I'm 45:50.552 --> 45:52.672 very concerned about the CR and the 45:52.672 --> 45:54.783 impact on that machine and slowing it 45:54.783 --> 45:56.872 down . So for us we want to maintain 45:56.872 --> 45:58.872 course and speed , accelerate , and 45:58.872 --> 46:00.816 bring in all the people we need to 46:00.816 --> 46:02.928 close down our gaps at sea . CR makes 46:02.928 --> 46:05.205 that a little more challenging . Great , 46:05.205 --> 46:07.372 I'm gonna , uh , yield back to Senator 46:07.372 --> 46:09.483 Hirono . I'll , I'll get through this 46:09.483 --> 46:11.594 line of questioning . Um , I do wanna 46:11.594 --> 46:14.592 do uh a recognition , Admiral , to the 46:14.592 --> 46:17.459 sailors . And Marines who have been 46:17.459 --> 46:19.681 deploying all over the world and in the 46:19.681 --> 46:21.626 Red Sea in particular , you know , 46:21.626 --> 46:23.979 remarkable performance in terms of 46:23.979 --> 46:26.201 shooting down all the incoming missiles 46:26.201 --> 46:30.020 and drones at your ships , uh , my 46:30.020 --> 46:32.419 understanding it's the most combat that 46:32.419 --> 46:34.459 the Navy's undertaken in terms of 46:34.459 --> 46:37.300 serious missile threats to our ships 46:37.300 --> 46:39.522 since World War II , and you've done it 46:39.780 --> 46:42.540 incredibly well , so . To all the 46:42.540 --> 46:44.651 sailors and marines on those deployed 46:44.651 --> 46:46.818 ships for the great job they've done , 46:46.818 --> 46:48.929 uh , thank you from the entire United 46:48.929 --> 46:51.820 States Senate , Senator Hirono . Thank 46:51.820 --> 46:54.620 you Mr . Chairman . I , I , I get that 46:54.620 --> 46:57.850 a full year CR is uh going to present 46:57.850 --> 47:00.060 some very unique challenges for all of 47:00.060 --> 47:02.699 our services , including our space 47:02.699 --> 47:05.969 force , so we will do what we can to . 47:06.610 --> 47:09.399 Help you all , Admiral Kilby , I 47:09.399 --> 47:12.399 recognize the need to build a larger 47:12.399 --> 47:14.455 fleet . However , I have significant 47:14.455 --> 47:16.919 concerns about the Navy's basically 47:16.919 --> 47:19.070 dismal track record of maintaining 47:19.070 --> 47:21.270 ships and submarines in the current 47:21.270 --> 47:24.360 fleet . We consistently see delays , 47:24.679 --> 47:26.840 increased costs , ships without 47:26.840 --> 47:29.340 adequate crew , a lack of spare parts , 47:29.350 --> 47:32.879 and other issues . General Mahoney , it 47:32.879 --> 47:35.409 seems clear that maintaining amphibious 47:35.409 --> 47:38.600 ships is not a top Navy priority , and 47:38.600 --> 47:40.711 I do understand Ms . Morrow said that 47:40.711 --> 47:42.822 the Navy and the Marines need to come 47:42.822 --> 47:45.110 to an agreement on how these amphibious 47:45.110 --> 47:47.520 ships will be , uh , maintained , but 47:47.520 --> 47:49.576 how do , how do delays in the Marine 47:49.576 --> 47:51.464 Corps amphibious ship maintenance 47:51.464 --> 47:55.080 impact your ability to train and deploy 47:55.080 --> 47:58.360 Marines and how would you . Be better 47:58.360 --> 48:00.729 supported by and how could you be 48:00.729 --> 48:03.879 better supported by the navy ? Senator , 48:03.929 --> 48:05.985 thank you for the question . We , we 48:05.985 --> 48:08.810 are very concerned with the condition 48:08.810 --> 48:10.588 of the amphibious fleet and the 48:10.588 --> 48:12.643 availability of the amphibious fleet 48:12.643 --> 48:14.643 out this morning . I check it every 48:14.643 --> 48:16.310 morning . There were 13 of 32 48:16.310 --> 48:18.610 amphibious ships available in order to 48:18.610 --> 48:22.389 get to a goal of 3.0 48:22.389 --> 48:24.830 muse , that is heel to toe muse . 48:25.570 --> 48:27.792 Combined with their amphibious shipping 48:27.792 --> 48:29.903 off the east coast , one off the east 48:29.903 --> 48:31.959 coast , one off the west coast , and 48:31.959 --> 48:34.260 one in the FDNF , that number is not 48:34.260 --> 48:37.949 going to do it . I look at it in , uh , 48:37.959 --> 48:40.219 short , medium , and kind of longer 48:40.219 --> 48:42.386 term perhaps solution sets , and we're 48:42.386 --> 48:44.739 working closely with the navy . Of 48:44.739 --> 48:46.628 course we have to get to terms of 48:46.628 --> 48:48.683 reference . We can't classify a ship 48:48.683 --> 48:50.628 that hasn't sailed in 10 years and 48:50.628 --> 48:52.350 probably never will sail as an 48:52.350 --> 48:54.739 available ship of any class , much less . 48:55.090 --> 48:58.679 And afib , but what I would say is we 48:58.679 --> 49:01.840 need to resource amphibious shipping to 49:01.840 --> 49:04.007 make it to their service lives and not 49:04.007 --> 49:06.229 decommission them early . Secondly , we 49:06.229 --> 49:08.284 have to get ahead of the maintenance 49:08.284 --> 49:10.840 curve that means years ahead of port 49:10.840 --> 49:13.159 loading of availability sequences , 49:13.199 --> 49:15.479 getting the avails in on time , making 49:15.479 --> 49:17.479 sure that we have the parts and the 49:17.479 --> 49:19.646 maintenance crews to maintain them and 49:19.646 --> 49:21.868 get them out of the avails on time more 49:21.868 --> 49:23.923 toward the midterm . Uh , we need to 49:23.923 --> 49:27.100 make every ship count with service life 49:27.100 --> 49:30.100 extensions and midlife upgrades . Thank 49:30.100 --> 49:32.322 you . I , uh , you know , I , I'm sorry 49:32.322 --> 49:34.433 to interrupt , but , um , I , I think 49:34.433 --> 49:36.489 that uh your needs are being clearly 49:36.489 --> 49:38.860 articulated and as Ms . Morris just 49:38.860 --> 49:41.082 said , we need to have , uh , it sounds 49:41.082 --> 49:43.860 like a good suggestion to me that the 49:43.860 --> 49:45.971 Navy and the Marine Corps need to get 49:45.971 --> 49:48.510 to uh um uh uh an agreement . On what 49:48.510 --> 49:50.677 we're gonna do with the maintenance of 49:50.677 --> 49:52.989 these amphibious ships to have only 13 49:53.229 --> 49:56.909 out of 32 available is uh what we say 49:56.909 --> 49:59.379 unacceptable . So as we sit here . 50:01.040 --> 50:04.479 Can we have a commitment from uh 50:05.149 --> 50:08.520 the navy that you are gonna get into an 50:08.520 --> 50:10.600 agreement on on this issue with the 50:10.600 --> 50:13.320 Marine Corps . Uh , ranking member 50:13.320 --> 50:15.669 Hirono , you have my commitment to that . 50:16.080 --> 50:18.360 We do brief off the same data , which 50:18.360 --> 50:20.471 is an improvement in the Navy and the 50:20.471 --> 50:22.249 Marine Corps . We have the same 50:22.249 --> 50:24.582 database so we look at the , the things , 50:24.582 --> 50:26.749 uh , similarly from big deck amphis to 50:26.749 --> 50:29.027 LPDs to LSDs . So to me that's a start , 50:29.027 --> 50:31.193 but we have to do better . Thank you . 50:31.193 --> 50:33.416 I , I agree you need to do better . Let 50:33.416 --> 50:35.527 me move on to General Mingo . Several 50:35.527 --> 50:37.749 of the critical training areas the Army 50:37.749 --> 50:39.749 uses in Hawaii , the main one being 50:39.749 --> 50:41.916 Pohakaloa on the Big Island , uh , and 50:41.916 --> 50:44.229 the leases are set to expire in 2029 , 50:44.250 --> 50:46.830 and these are , um , vital . These 50:46.830 --> 50:49.350 leases are vital to ensure military 50:49.350 --> 50:51.350 forces can adequately train in the 50:51.350 --> 50:53.406 Pacific . And when we talk about the 50:53.406 --> 50:55.517 importance of the Indo Pacific . Area 50:55.517 --> 50:57.629 we obviously need our people to be 50:57.629 --> 51:00.229 trained and so I would like to ask you , 51:00.310 --> 51:03.669 will you commit to continue engaging in 51:03.669 --> 51:06.270 good faith with state officials because 51:06.270 --> 51:08.389 that's who you're negotiating these 51:08.389 --> 51:10.939 important leases with and the community 51:11.189 --> 51:15.189 to ensure land , uh , retention 51:15.189 --> 51:16.949 is renegotiated in a way lease 51:16.949 --> 51:20.750 negotiation is done in a way that 51:20.750 --> 51:23.610 is fair . To the state , the people of 51:23.610 --> 51:27.520 Hawaii , and the military . General 51:27.520 --> 51:29.540 Mingus , absolutely ma'am , we are 51:29.540 --> 51:31.762 committed to that since 2017 we've been 51:31.762 --> 51:33.818 working this as you are well aware , 51:33.889 --> 51:36.050 over 500 town halls , meetings , 51:36.169 --> 51:38.447 various engagements that are out there . 51:38.447 --> 51:40.613 2029 seems like a long ways away , but 51:40.613 --> 51:42.613 it'll be here tomorrow . I , I know 51:42.613 --> 51:44.836 that it's not . And so we will continue 51:44.836 --> 51:47.058 to and are committed to to work in this 51:47.058 --> 51:49.225 with you and to the extent that a land 51:49.225 --> 51:51.058 swap may be in the offing , I do 51:51.058 --> 51:53.058 believe that we need to provide the 51:53.058 --> 51:54.780 secretary of the army with the 51:54.780 --> 51:56.947 authority for that . Is that correct ? 51:56.947 --> 51:59.113 Yes ma'am . Mr . Chairman , like you , 51:59.113 --> 52:01.169 I have a number of other questions . 52:01.169 --> 52:03.447 Could I just go over one minute ? Sure , 52:03.447 --> 52:05.613 thanks , thank you . So , um , General 52:05.613 --> 52:07.669 Mingusz , last year we spoke at this 52:07.669 --> 52:09.613 hearing about the Army's crumbling 52:09.613 --> 52:11.669 infrastructure in the In the Pacific 52:11.669 --> 52:13.391 region in Hawaii , 50% of Army 52:13.391 --> 52:16.070 facilities are currently classified as 52:16.070 --> 52:18.550 failing or failed , and the cost to 52:18.550 --> 52:21.969 repair or replace them is over $5 52:21.969 --> 52:24.469 billion . However , The army and other 52:24.469 --> 52:28.060 services are not using non DOD funded 52:28.629 --> 52:30.573 contracting mechanisms like energy 52:30.573 --> 52:32.570 savings performance contracts to 52:32.570 --> 52:35.429 upgrade its infrastructure and lock in 52:35.429 --> 52:37.750 lower utility bills . What is the 52:37.750 --> 52:39.669 Army's plan to repair or replace 52:39.669 --> 52:41.891 infrastructure in Hawaii and the in the 52:41.891 --> 52:44.949 in the Pacific ? Ma'am , as we talked 52:44.949 --> 52:46.838 last year , there are significant 52:46.838 --> 52:48.560 investments in 23 , 24 . We're 52:48.560 --> 52:50.838 committed to that for uh 25 and beyond . 52:50.838 --> 52:53.060 Uh , we know that the water and some of 52:53.060 --> 52:54.949 the critical infrastructure under 52:54.949 --> 52:57.171 underneath a lot of these locations are 52:57.171 --> 52:59.282 failing . Um , we actually think it's 52:59.282 --> 53:01.338 maybe in excess of $5 billion . Uh , 53:01.338 --> 53:03.505 we've committed over a billion dollars 53:03.505 --> 53:05.171 for this next year , so we're 53:05.171 --> 53:07.282 absolutely , uh , wanna work with you 53:07.282 --> 53:09.560 on those infrastructure to include the , 53:09.560 --> 53:08.949 the leadership that goes with this as 53:08.949 --> 53:11.350 well . Quadin is an example where that 53:11.350 --> 53:13.239 was largely paid for with RDT and 53:13.239 --> 53:15.590 dollars . We've actually put a garrison 53:15.590 --> 53:17.701 commander there to make sure that the 53:17.701 --> 53:20.034 leadership in addition to the resources , 53:20.034 --> 53:21.979 is there to fix these problems . I 53:21.979 --> 53:24.034 think that the energy projects , for 53:24.034 --> 53:26.034 example , are important because the 53:26.034 --> 53:27.812 army is the biggest user of the 53:27.812 --> 53:30.100 military DOD , uh , army in particular , 53:30.270 --> 53:32.270 is the biggest user of energy , and 53:32.270 --> 53:34.550 whatever sums you can save on energy 53:34.550 --> 53:37.070 costs as well it can go to other needed . 53:37.639 --> 53:40.350 Um , necessary projects . So would you 53:40.350 --> 53:42.919 commit to clear the logjam on 53:42.919 --> 53:45.189 installation of energy projects funded 53:45.479 --> 53:49.080 through non DOD contract mechanisms . 53:50.270 --> 53:52.548 Absolutely take a look at that , ma'am . 53:52.548 --> 53:54.548 Yes , yes , thank you , thank you , 53:54.560 --> 53:56.393 Senator Chairman Wicker . Well , 53:56.393 --> 53:58.939 Chairman , I surely am glad you gave 53:59.389 --> 54:02.469 Senator Hirono , a few extra moments . 54:02.709 --> 54:05.030 You offered me , um , an opening 54:05.030 --> 54:08.189 statement . And so I may take those few 54:08.189 --> 54:10.411 extra moments . You are the chairman of 54:10.411 --> 54:12.633 the committee . You can do whatever you 54:12.633 --> 54:12.489 want . Thank you , but I , I also want 54:12.489 --> 54:14.267 to congratulate , uh , Chairman 54:14.267 --> 54:17.000 Sullivan and Senator Hirono for , uh , 54:17.010 --> 54:18.843 their leadership in calling this 54:18.843 --> 54:20.899 hearing . It , it's a terrific panel 54:20.899 --> 54:23.121 and , uh , and it's been great so far . 54:23.121 --> 54:26.810 Let me say this about the CR . We , we 54:26.810 --> 54:28.810 repeatedly say , House and Senate , 54:28.889 --> 54:31.222 Republican and Democrat , that we never . 54:31.739 --> 54:34.419 Need to do this again and for some 54:34.419 --> 54:38.090 reason something comes up uh some group 54:38.090 --> 54:41.340 is uh unwilling to compromise and look 54:41.340 --> 54:43.179 at the long picture and we find 54:43.179 --> 54:45.540 ourselves in in this position . I will 54:45.540 --> 54:47.596 say this about the fact that this is 54:47.596 --> 54:51.340 the first . A year-long CR 54:51.810 --> 54:54.870 for the Department of Defense . I , I 54:54.870 --> 54:56.981 guess we could at least admit that it 54:56.981 --> 55:00.790 is a hybrid CR in the sense that that 55:00.790 --> 55:03.110 um there are the anomalies that our 55:03.110 --> 55:06.189 witnesses uh have mentioned and and the 55:06.189 --> 55:09.110 numbers have been plussed up just a 55:09.110 --> 55:11.221 little bit but but this is a shame on 55:11.221 --> 55:15.030 our process and and um and . 55:15.610 --> 55:17.554 It is not in keeping with what the 55:17.554 --> 55:20.340 founders intended . They intended , uh , 55:20.350 --> 55:22.840 for for , um , legislation to be 55:22.840 --> 55:25.320 difficult , but they intended for the 55:25.320 --> 55:28.159 parties and the houses to compromise 55:28.159 --> 55:30.381 and have some give and take and finally 55:30.381 --> 55:33.350 get in the right direction . In my view , 55:33.520 --> 55:36.790 uh , Mr . Chairman and , uh , Ms . uh , 55:36.800 --> 55:40.040 ranking member , the real flaw in the 55:40.040 --> 55:43.320 in the CR that we'll be voting on later 55:43.320 --> 55:45.479 this week is that it doesn't provide 55:45.479 --> 55:47.679 enough money , uh , regardless of the 55:47.679 --> 55:51.479 anomalies and uh and the the tiny plus 55:51.479 --> 55:53.959 ups here and there . Uh , regardless of 55:53.959 --> 55:56.520 that , it does not provide adequate 55:56.520 --> 55:59.750 support for the , uh , for the military 55:59.750 --> 56:02.189 and for the challenges we have from for , 56:02.520 --> 56:05.649 uh , uh . Adversary 56:05.649 --> 56:09.340 nations uh facing challenges plus 56:09.340 --> 56:13.320 Russia uh plus North Korea plus Iran 56:13.780 --> 56:16.820 that that like never before have worked 56:16.820 --> 56:20.540 together to bring us ill and uh and it 56:20.540 --> 56:23.340 is contrary , uh , Mr . Chairman and 56:23.340 --> 56:26.290 madam ranking member . Uh , to the 56:26.290 --> 56:28.649 voice of the Senate in the National 56:28.649 --> 56:30.538 Defense Authorization Act , which 56:30.538 --> 56:34.139 plussed up National Defense out of the , 56:34.149 --> 56:36.959 um , Armed Services Committee and from 56:36.959 --> 56:39.129 a , a bipartisan vote on the floor 56:39.129 --> 56:43.000 about $25 billion we , we couldn't get 56:43.000 --> 56:45.530 that done in conference and so uh we 56:45.530 --> 56:48.280 are where we are on the authorization , 56:48.370 --> 56:52.129 but were it not . Uh , for the , the 56:52.129 --> 56:55.000 prospect of a reconciliation bill that , 56:55.169 --> 56:58.479 uh , that adds $150 billion for 56:58.770 --> 57:01.770 vital national security purposes , uh , 57:01.969 --> 57:05.129 I could not vote for the continuing 57:05.129 --> 57:07.129 resolution as it is . I've , I've . 57:07.659 --> 57:10.050 Unless something changes I'll have to 57:10.250 --> 57:12.969 to swallow my words again this year and 57:13.060 --> 57:15.116 and go ahead and pass it because the 57:15.116 --> 57:17.860 alternative is , uh , is so unpalatable 57:17.860 --> 57:20.330 and so dangerous , but I will say this 57:20.820 --> 57:23.330 based on what we based on what we see 57:23.330 --> 57:26.760 and based on um on what is in . This 57:26.760 --> 57:30.629 continuing resolution . $150 billion 57:31.120 --> 57:33.231 in the reconciliation bill may not be 57:33.231 --> 57:36.719 enough and , and I'm hearing uh some 57:36.719 --> 57:38.949 comforting words , Mr . Chairman from 57:38.949 --> 57:41.005 the administration that they realize 57:41.005 --> 57:43.227 that too and I realized they're they're 57:43.227 --> 57:45.620 the budget hawks , um , in this city 57:45.620 --> 57:47.676 and they're the defense hawks in the 57:47.676 --> 57:49.564 city and , and we all want fiscal 57:49.564 --> 57:52.360 responsibility . But I'm telling you 57:52.360 --> 57:54.959 $150 billion in the reconciliation bill 57:54.959 --> 57:57.840 may not be enough based on the way we 57:57.840 --> 58:00.669 have treated uh defense over the past 58:00.919 --> 58:03.141 few years and based on what we're about 58:03.141 --> 58:05.959 to do this week . So , um , thank you 58:05.959 --> 58:09.239 all for doing what you can with uh with 58:09.239 --> 58:11.679 the authorities anomalies and little 58:11.679 --> 58:14.199 plus ups that we give you , uh , in the 58:14.199 --> 58:17.600 time I , I have to ask questions , um , 58:17.840 --> 58:20.639 let's talk about uh . 58:21.590 --> 58:24.399 The ability and and um I'll I'll direct 58:24.399 --> 58:26.343 this to you , General Mingus , the 58:26.343 --> 58:30.300 ability of our reserve component . To 58:30.300 --> 58:33.899 be ready for potential conflicts 58:33.899 --> 58:36.820 with near peer adversaries , um , if a 58:36.820 --> 58:39.659 conflict began today , General , is the 58:39.659 --> 58:41.826 Army Reserve component man trained and 58:41.826 --> 58:45.739 equipped appropriately to be successful . 58:49.929 --> 58:52.151 I would say it would depend on the type 58:52.151 --> 58:54.262 of organization within the garden and 58:54.262 --> 58:57.770 the reserve , um , sir . They we meet 58:57.770 --> 58:59.770 our directed readiness tables 58:59.770 --> 59:01.770 requirements in terms of the active 59:01.770 --> 59:03.881 component , the guard and the reserve 59:03.881 --> 59:06.103 in terms of what uh are required inside 59:06.103 --> 59:08.048 those uh immediate forces that are 59:08.048 --> 59:10.103 needed inside of 10 days , 30 days , 59:10.103 --> 59:11.992 and 45 days . Once you get , uh , 59:11.992 --> 59:14.159 beyond that , uh , then it , it , uh , 59:14.159 --> 59:16.159 is not as pretty as you would see . 59:16.800 --> 59:18.800 This last year we did have to bring 59:18.800 --> 59:20.856 down um in the up tempo accounts for 59:20.856 --> 59:23.078 the Garden Reserve we typically like to 59:23.078 --> 59:25.040 keep them at 85% of their training 59:25.040 --> 59:27.040 requirements . We had to bring that 59:27.040 --> 59:29.207 down a little bit this year because of 59:29.207 --> 59:31.429 uh the top line that uh we were we were 59:31.429 --> 59:33.879 at um , so there is concern now as a 59:33.879 --> 59:36.101 result of that , uh , the secretary and 59:36.101 --> 59:38.157 the chief and all of us are taking a 59:38.157 --> 59:40.046 look at what is the right balance 59:40.046 --> 59:42.101 between the active guard and and the 59:42.101 --> 59:44.323 reserve and what mission sets should be 59:44.323 --> 59:44.030 in those and there's an active , uh , 59:44.040 --> 59:46.530 look at all of that . Well , don't you 59:46.530 --> 59:48.474 wish you didn't have to begin your 59:48.474 --> 59:50.474 answer with it depends . I wish you 59:50.474 --> 59:52.697 didn't have to , um , begin your answer 59:52.697 --> 59:55.010 with depends with , with , with it 59:55.010 --> 59:58.510 depends , um . You talked about the the 59:58.510 --> 01:00:00.732 balance . How about the balance between 01:00:00.732 --> 01:00:02.909 the types of reserve and that's what I 01:00:02.909 --> 01:00:05.149 mean , sir . So for example , um , our 01:00:05.149 --> 01:00:08.629 petroleum capacity is almost all in the 01:00:08.629 --> 01:00:10.740 reserve component . Um , we know that 01:00:10.740 --> 01:00:12.407 we're gonna need some of that 01:00:12.407 --> 01:00:14.518 capability early on in a fight and so 01:00:14.518 --> 01:00:16.573 do we need to move some of that from 01:00:16.573 --> 01:00:18.685 our reserve component into the active 01:00:18.685 --> 01:00:18.000 components so that's some of the 01:00:18.000 --> 01:00:20.111 analysis that that we're looking at . 01:00:20.330 --> 01:00:22.441 OK , let's , uh , let's go to Admiral 01:00:22.441 --> 01:00:24.840 Kilby . It seems that we're picking on 01:00:24.840 --> 01:00:27.320 that end of the table so far today . 01:00:27.439 --> 01:00:29.217 Admiral Kilby , the Navy spends 01:00:29.217 --> 01:00:31.310 billions of dollars each year to 01:00:31.310 --> 01:00:33.750 operate and maintain its combat surface 01:00:33.750 --> 01:00:37.429 ships . Um , those surface ships are 01:00:37.429 --> 01:00:40.620 vital , uh , to , uh , combat , 01:00:40.790 --> 01:00:42.957 deterrence , defense of the homeland , 01:00:43.110 --> 01:00:45.070 yet year after year we hear about 01:00:45.070 --> 01:00:47.292 significant challenges to the readiness 01:00:47.292 --> 01:00:50.270 of our navy's surface fleet . How's the 01:00:50.270 --> 01:00:54.169 navy changing ? And modernizing in this 01:00:54.169 --> 01:00:57.050 regard and also in the way they attack 01:00:57.050 --> 01:01:00.179 ship maintenance to get problems under 01:01:00.179 --> 01:01:02.510 control . 22 general areas here , sir . 01:01:02.620 --> 01:01:04.580 Thanks for that question . One was 01:01:04.580 --> 01:01:07.580 addressed by General Mahoney . Uh , one , 01:01:07.659 --> 01:01:09.939 locking down that planning in advance 01:01:09.939 --> 01:01:12.179 of that availability is key . That 01:01:12.179 --> 01:01:14.570 requires the funding and the contract , 01:01:14.739 --> 01:01:16.899 uh , closed about 4 months before we 01:01:16.899 --> 01:01:19.010 start the availability , which allows 01:01:19.010 --> 01:01:21.232 the contractor to order those long lead 01:01:21.232 --> 01:01:23.177 parts and develop those teams , in 01:01:23.177 --> 01:01:25.010 particular for amphibs , steam . 01:01:25.010 --> 01:01:26.955 Maintainers and diesel maintainers 01:01:26.955 --> 01:01:28.843 which are a shrinking pool in our 01:01:28.843 --> 01:01:31.205 nation so lock down the uh lock down 01:01:31.205 --> 01:01:32.927 that project ahead of time and 01:01:32.927 --> 01:01:35.094 understand the condition of the ship , 01:01:35.094 --> 01:01:37.261 which means you have to do inspections 01:01:37.261 --> 01:01:39.427 and and really understand vice opening 01:01:39.427 --> 01:01:41.538 things and inspecting them during the 01:01:41.538 --> 01:01:43.705 avail . So that's the first part about 01:01:43.705 --> 01:01:45.927 that . The second part is , uh , this , 01:01:45.927 --> 01:01:47.927 this , uh , piece I mentioned in my 01:01:47.927 --> 01:01:49.872 opening statement . Uh , which you 01:01:49.872 --> 01:01:51.927 didn't hear , but getting the 80% of 01:01:51.927 --> 01:01:54.038 combat surge ready ships , aircraft , 01:01:54.038 --> 01:01:56.261 and submarines . We've had some success 01:01:56.261 --> 01:01:58.483 in the navy doing that with our fighter 01:01:58.483 --> 01:02:00.594 fleet and our spreading it to all our 01:02:00.594 --> 01:02:02.816 aircraft . We want to do the same thing 01:02:02.816 --> 01:02:04.872 with our ships , same thing with our 01:02:04.872 --> 01:02:07.038 submarines . That's a bigger challenge 01:02:07.038 --> 01:02:06.354 because of the complexity of it , but 01:02:06.354 --> 01:02:08.834 that's the goal we're after that 01:02:08.834 --> 01:02:11.001 requires some focus and some effort to 01:02:11.001 --> 01:02:13.167 do that , but it also requires looking 01:02:13.167 --> 01:02:15.278 at processes which may not be helpful 01:02:15.278 --> 01:02:17.278 now in changing those processes and 01:02:17.278 --> 01:02:19.556 that's what we did with aviation , sir . 01:02:19.556 --> 01:02:21.667 OK , and then let me just ask General 01:02:21.667 --> 01:02:23.725 Mingus and Admiral Kilby on the 01:02:23.725 --> 01:02:27.679 recruiting , um . Is is part 01:02:27.679 --> 01:02:30.850 of uh making this more successful long 01:02:30.850 --> 01:02:34.010 term a better career path for the 01:02:34.010 --> 01:02:36.066 people we place in these positions , 01:02:36.066 --> 01:02:37.066 general . 01:02:39.760 --> 01:02:43.110 Yes sir , I mean , most come in the 01:02:43.110 --> 01:02:46.790 military for to serve to make a better 01:02:46.790 --> 01:02:49.429 way for themselves in terms of um their 01:02:49.429 --> 01:02:52.310 lifestyle , so it's uh to get college 01:02:52.310 --> 01:02:55.100 benefits on a better career path for 01:02:55.149 --> 01:02:57.350 for the people we put in recruiting 01:02:57.350 --> 01:03:00.060 position . Oh yes sir , absolutely . I 01:03:00.060 --> 01:03:02.227 misunderstood the question . Um , that 01:03:02.227 --> 01:03:04.449 is one of the things we've talked about 01:03:04.449 --> 01:03:06.560 similar to what the Marine Corps have 01:03:06.560 --> 01:03:08.782 been doing for decades , if we're gonna 01:03:08.782 --> 01:03:08.600 put talent out in our recruiting 01:03:08.600 --> 01:03:10.600 formations , we have to reward that 01:03:10.600 --> 01:03:12.878 talent on the back end , so absolutely . 01:03:14.610 --> 01:03:16.969 Same applies for the navy , uh , focus 01:03:16.969 --> 01:03:18.889 on those recruiters teach it one 01:03:18.889 --> 01:03:21.840 telling their story to a potential 01:03:21.840 --> 01:03:24.689 recruit is what sells it identifying 01:03:24.689 --> 01:03:27.409 with that individual and and connecting 01:03:27.409 --> 01:03:29.850 with them on a very personal level and 01:03:29.850 --> 01:03:31.961 having them see their future and that 01:03:31.961 --> 01:03:35.080 is what we need . So focus on that , uh , 01:03:35.090 --> 01:03:37.620 that process for us we had uh 01:03:37.620 --> 01:03:39.889 incentivized structure which was which 01:03:39.889 --> 01:03:42.830 was not . To get the max people in , it 01:03:42.830 --> 01:03:44.774 was to recruit a certain number of 01:03:44.774 --> 01:03:46.830 people per month . We've taken those 01:03:46.830 --> 01:03:48.989 limits off bring everybody in . Don't 01:03:48.989 --> 01:03:51.211 save up recruits for next month . Bring 01:03:51.211 --> 01:03:53.267 them all in as soon as you can , and 01:03:53.267 --> 01:03:55.322 that will either fill up our delayed 01:03:55.322 --> 01:03:57.433 entry program or get those sailors to 01:03:57.433 --> 01:03:59.600 boot camp as soon as possible . That's 01:03:59.600 --> 01:04:01.822 been our success , OK , Mr . Chairman , 01:04:01.822 --> 01:04:05.310 uh , I , I want people in the military . 01:04:06.139 --> 01:04:09.820 Uh , who are assigned to our recruiting 01:04:09.820 --> 01:04:13.540 programs to say thank gosh I got 01:04:13.540 --> 01:04:16.649 this great position . My career path 01:04:17.129 --> 01:04:20.100 looks bright because I've been put on a 01:04:20.100 --> 01:04:21.989 fast track by being a recruiter . 01:04:22.020 --> 01:04:23.853 That's my point . Well , General 01:04:23.853 --> 01:04:25.853 Mahoney , do you want to comment on 01:04:25.853 --> 01:04:28.020 that because the Marine Corps has been 01:04:28.020 --> 01:04:30.298 doing that for decades . Yes , I would . 01:04:30.298 --> 01:04:32.353 Of the three things that I think are 01:04:32.353 --> 01:04:34.409 the , uh , pillars of our success in 01:04:34.409 --> 01:04:36.810 recruiting , the one main one is a 01:04:36.810 --> 01:04:38.969 professional recruiting force . These 01:04:38.969 --> 01:04:40.691 people are screened , slated , 01:04:40.810 --> 01:04:43.032 handpicked , incentivized while they're 01:04:43.032 --> 01:04:44.866 in the job . Typically we'll get 01:04:44.866 --> 01:04:46.921 meritorious promotions and when they 01:04:46.921 --> 01:04:48.921 get out , what we find is when they 01:04:48.921 --> 01:04:51.088 return to the fleet , they are some of 01:04:51.088 --> 01:04:53.310 our strongest officers and staff NCOs . 01:04:53.310 --> 01:04:55.590 The commanant was a recruiter . Most 01:04:55.590 --> 01:04:57.701 ants most ants have been recruiters . 01:04:57.750 --> 01:04:59.917 Uh , most of our general officers have 01:04:59.917 --> 01:05:01.750 been recruiters . Among our most 01:05:01.750 --> 01:05:03.528 successful staff and CEOs , the 01:05:03.528 --> 01:05:05.694 Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps was 01:05:05.694 --> 01:05:07.639 a recruiter . So as far as Senator 01:05:07.639 --> 01:05:09.806 Wicker seeing a path , that's baked in 01:05:09.806 --> 01:05:12.028 to how we make our recruiters and their 01:05:12.028 --> 01:05:14.250 breed apart . Thank you Mr . Chairman . 01:05:14.250 --> 01:05:16.472 Thank you , Mr . Chairman and Admiral , 01:05:16.472 --> 01:05:18.694 just real quick , uh , 80% you hit that 01:05:18.694 --> 01:05:20.750 with naval aviation on maintenance , 01:05:20.750 --> 01:05:22.861 right , or not on readiness . We , we 01:05:22.861 --> 01:05:25.028 certainly hit it with fighters . I get 01:05:25.028 --> 01:05:26.917 a report every week on every type 01:05:26.917 --> 01:05:29.139 Marvel series of aircraft in the United 01:05:29.139 --> 01:05:31.250 States Navy . We're not hitting it in 01:05:31.250 --> 01:05:33.417 CMV . That's another story we got it , 01:05:33.417 --> 01:05:35.417 but that's our goal is to get there 01:05:35.417 --> 01:05:37.528 across the board for every type model 01:05:37.528 --> 01:05:39.694 series . It requires a different level 01:05:39.694 --> 01:05:41.361 of attention and daily visual 01:05:41.361 --> 01:05:43.417 management by the air forces and the 01:05:43.417 --> 01:05:45.528 navy to make that happen . We want to 01:05:45.528 --> 01:05:47.639 apply that same level of focus to our 01:05:47.639 --> 01:05:49.583 surface ships and our submarines . 01:05:49.583 --> 01:05:51.806 Great , good , Senator King . Thank you 01:05:51.806 --> 01:05:53.917 Mr . Chair and like others , I'm just 01:05:53.917 --> 01:05:56.083 gonna talk about the uh CR first . You 01:05:56.083 --> 01:05:58.028 know , I came on this committee in 01:05:58.028 --> 01:05:59.972 January of 2013 , and every year . 01:06:00.649 --> 01:06:02.816 Y'all and your predecessors sit before 01:06:02.816 --> 01:06:04.816 us and tell us that the CR is a bad 01:06:04.816 --> 01:06:08.250 thing and we don't listen to you . You 01:06:08.250 --> 01:06:10.472 know , I mean , at some point you gotta 01:06:10.472 --> 01:06:12.417 measure by the action , not by the 01:06:12.417 --> 01:06:14.649 words that we say um we've we've 01:06:14.649 --> 01:06:17.409 allowed uh a CR to be normal from 01:06:17.409 --> 01:06:19.530 October 1 to the end of the calendar 01:06:19.530 --> 01:06:21.641 year . That's just kind of the norm , 01:06:22.090 --> 01:06:24.570 but we've often gone beyond that into 01:06:24.570 --> 01:06:27.189 the next calendar year and we stand on 01:06:27.189 --> 01:06:29.300 the threshold of the first time where 01:06:29.300 --> 01:06:31.356 we've just gone to CR for the entire 01:06:31.356 --> 01:06:33.360 year . And I agree with what the 01:06:33.360 --> 01:06:35.582 chairman said earlier , the chairman of 01:06:35.582 --> 01:06:37.749 the subcommittee , that a CR is better 01:06:37.749 --> 01:06:40.027 than a shutdown . I do agree with that , 01:06:40.027 --> 01:06:42.360 but why do we have to accept . You know , 01:06:42.360 --> 01:06:44.582 half-assed over catastrophic . I mean , 01:06:44.582 --> 01:06:46.638 the , the , the , the House voted on 01:06:46.638 --> 01:06:48.749 the CR yesterday and they left town . 01:06:51.870 --> 01:06:54.419 They're out they adjourned this this 01:06:54.419 --> 01:06:56.530 was not and now we're gonna hear what 01:06:56.530 --> 01:06:58.641 the Senate has to say and then try to 01:06:58.641 --> 01:07:00.586 do the right thing for the country 01:07:00.586 --> 01:07:02.697 they're gone . Because they're like , 01:07:02.697 --> 01:07:05.629 OK , we can jam you to vote for a CR 01:07:05.629 --> 01:07:07.629 that is bad for the defense of this 01:07:07.629 --> 01:07:10.000 nation by skipping town on a Tuesday . 01:07:11.260 --> 01:07:15.040 I mean , This 01:07:15.040 --> 01:07:17.262 speaks very loudly about the priorities 01:07:17.262 --> 01:07:19.373 of this nation , and this is all done 01:07:19.373 --> 01:07:21.707 in public with our adversaries watching . 01:07:22.260 --> 01:07:24.371 Admiral Kilby , I think you testified 01:07:24.371 --> 01:07:28.320 in your opening testimony that uh under 01:07:28.320 --> 01:07:31.169 a CR 15% of our ships will miss their 01:07:31.169 --> 01:07:33.336 maintenance schedule . Did I hear that 01:07:33.336 --> 01:07:35.919 right ? 11 specifically 11 ships , 01:07:36.370 --> 01:07:38.592 those maintenance availabilities are at 01:07:38.592 --> 01:07:41.879 risk . OK , so we wanna get to 80% 01:07:42.370 --> 01:07:45.000 ready on ships and subs . What , what , 01:07:45.250 --> 01:07:49.209 where are we now ? Depending 01:07:49.209 --> 01:07:52.610 on the day , around 67% on both ships 01:07:52.610 --> 01:07:54.499 and subs kind of riding ships and 01:07:54.499 --> 01:07:56.499 submarines are a little less . OK , 01:07:56.889 --> 01:08:00.610 what , what will 1/5 of our 01:08:00.610 --> 01:08:02.409 ships missing their maintenance 01:08:02.409 --> 01:08:05.290 schedule under the CR , what , what 01:08:05.290 --> 01:08:07.659 will that do to the quest to get to 80% 01:08:07.659 --> 01:08:09.881 readiness for ships and it'll certainly 01:08:09.881 --> 01:08:12.409 be a setback . We'll take a penalty 01:08:12.409 --> 01:08:14.465 there . We'll have to bow waive that 01:08:14.465 --> 01:08:16.631 maintenance to the next year depending 01:08:16.631 --> 01:08:18.742 on the availability and scheduling of 01:08:18.742 --> 01:08:20.798 that ship . Worse off , we skip that 01:08:20.798 --> 01:08:23.020 availability , which means it's doubled 01:08:23.020 --> 01:08:25.020 down for the next one , which means 01:08:25.020 --> 01:08:27.020 we'll have growth work and a lot of 01:08:27.020 --> 01:08:27.000 things we didn't anticipate . All right , 01:08:27.049 --> 01:08:29.439 so , so we're being told that this is 01:08:29.439 --> 01:08:31.890 the public we're we're being told in 01:08:31.890 --> 01:08:34.890 public this is the impact of voting yes 01:08:34.890 --> 01:08:37.099 on this CR that's coming to us . That 01:08:37.099 --> 01:08:39.298 we're just accepting that the quest to 01:08:39.298 --> 01:08:42.168 get to 80% is gonna be set back because 01:08:42.778 --> 01:08:45.979 maintenance availabilities for 1/5 of 01:08:45.979 --> 01:08:48.139 the ships under CR are not gonna be 01:08:48.139 --> 01:08:52.019 according to protocol . The only , and 01:08:52.019 --> 01:08:54.241 I don't wanna say silver lining in that 01:08:54.241 --> 01:08:56.241 because I don't see a lot of silver 01:08:56.241 --> 01:08:58.241 lining . If we get a flexibility to 01:08:58.241 --> 01:09:00.408 move money , we may be able to address 01:09:00.408 --> 01:09:02.575 that , but it'll pack something else . 01:09:02.575 --> 01:09:04.686 Yeah , you'll , you'll pull it out of 01:09:04.686 --> 01:09:06.963 something else , of course . But , but , 01:09:06.963 --> 01:09:09.130 you know , we're , we're told , well , 01:09:09.130 --> 01:09:11.130 it's better than a shutdown . Hey , 01:09:11.130 --> 01:09:13.297 it's Wednesday morning . I mean , we , 01:09:13.297 --> 01:09:14.852 we on the Senate side , the 01:09:14.852 --> 01:09:16.963 appropriators basically had a deal at 01:09:16.963 --> 01:09:20.899 the end of last year . And 01:09:20.899 --> 01:09:22.899 that deal is still basically on the 01:09:22.899 --> 01:09:25.121 table . My , my hope is that there will 01:09:25.121 --> 01:09:28.419 at least be a vote in the Senate to do 01:09:28.419 --> 01:09:30.530 a short term CR and then actually get 01:09:30.530 --> 01:09:32.863 an omnibus for the rest of you . I mean , 01:09:32.863 --> 01:09:34.863 an omnibus is kind of a funny thing 01:09:34.863 --> 01:09:37.086 word to apply to a budget for less than 01:09:37.086 --> 01:09:39.252 half of the year , but it would be far 01:09:39.252 --> 01:09:41.363 preferable to a CR because you'd have 01:09:41.363 --> 01:09:43.030 new starts , you'd have other 01:09:43.030 --> 01:09:44.975 authorities within an omnibus that 01:09:44.975 --> 01:09:47.197 you're not gonna get in the CR , and we 01:09:47.197 --> 01:09:49.308 ought to be able to do that . And the 01:09:49.308 --> 01:09:51.419 House deciding on Tuesday night we're 01:09:51.419 --> 01:09:53.641 splitting so we can force the Senate to 01:09:53.641 --> 01:09:56.140 accept a substandard CR that will hurt 01:09:56.140 --> 01:10:00.120 the military great week , man , great , 01:10:00.379 --> 01:10:02.379 great week of work to leave town on 01:10:02.379 --> 01:10:04.270 Tuesday night feeling good about 01:10:04.270 --> 01:10:06.437 yourself because you forced the Senate 01:10:06.437 --> 01:10:08.437 to try to accept a substandard work 01:10:08.437 --> 01:10:12.350 product . Year after year after year 01:10:12.350 --> 01:10:13.350 after year . 01:10:16.089 --> 01:10:18.145 General Mingus , I wanna ask you one 01:10:18.145 --> 01:10:20.200 question about counter UAS readiness 01:10:20.200 --> 01:10:22.422 because the Army is the DOD's executive 01:10:22.422 --> 01:10:24.422 agent . Talk to me about how you're 01:10:24.422 --> 01:10:26.311 ensuring coordination between the 01:10:26.311 --> 01:10:28.533 services and developing a joint counter 01:10:28.533 --> 01:10:30.533 small UAS doctrine and solutions to 01:10:30.533 --> 01:10:33.529 addressing the UAS threat . Thank you 01:10:33.529 --> 01:10:35.649 sir . as the executive agent , you're 01:10:35.649 --> 01:10:37.649 well aware of the joint counter UAS 01:10:37.649 --> 01:10:40.169 officer , the JCO that is uh run by the 01:10:40.169 --> 01:10:42.649 but it is a joint entity and everybody 01:10:42.649 --> 01:10:44.649 that's sitting at this table , um , 01:10:45.129 --> 01:10:47.185 there's probably very few weeks that 01:10:47.185 --> 01:10:48.962 don't go by where we don't come 01:10:48.962 --> 01:10:51.296 together to talk about this problem set , 01:10:51.296 --> 01:10:53.462 uh , whether it's in the venue of what 01:10:53.462 --> 01:10:53.200 Replicator 2.0 is gonna bring across 01:10:53.200 --> 01:10:55.879 100+ sites across the country . Uh , to 01:10:55.879 --> 01:10:57.990 now what is part of the gonna be part 01:10:57.990 --> 01:10:59.935 of the golden dome , uh , but this 01:10:59.935 --> 01:11:02.157 conversation on the counter UAS side is 01:11:02.157 --> 01:11:04.268 absolutely a joint problem . Yes , we 01:11:04.268 --> 01:11:06.435 have an army officer in charge of it , 01:11:06.435 --> 01:11:08.712 but he is in a joint billet , and , uh , 01:11:08.712 --> 01:11:10.879 he is speaking for and trying to solve 01:11:10.879 --> 01:11:13.046 this problem for the joint force , and 01:11:13.046 --> 01:11:15.268 I , I collectively think this team is , 01:11:15.268 --> 01:11:17.435 uh , trying to get after that . Give , 01:11:17.435 --> 01:11:17.240 give your effort a grade . That'll be 01:11:17.240 --> 01:11:19.573 my last question . Give your , give the , 01:11:19.573 --> 01:11:22.779 the joint effort a grade right now . Um 01:11:24.509 --> 01:11:26.620 I would give it a grade in two ways . 01:11:26.620 --> 01:11:28.620 One , compared to where we were two 01:11:28.620 --> 01:11:30.565 years ago in the B2B plus category 01:11:30.565 --> 01:11:32.731 compared to where we need to be , it's 01:11:32.731 --> 01:11:34.953 probably in the sea . But given the the 01:11:34.953 --> 01:11:36.898 rate of technology changes in this 01:11:36.898 --> 01:11:38.898 space and where our adversaries are 01:11:38.898 --> 01:11:41.120 going in this space , we cannot go fast 01:11:41.120 --> 01:11:41.009 enough when it comes to counter UAS . 01:11:41.430 --> 01:11:43.520 Thank you very much . Thanks . Thank 01:11:43.520 --> 01:11:46.479 you , Senator King , Senator Scott . So 01:11:46.479 --> 01:11:48.701 my Democrat colleagues don't like CRs , 01:11:48.701 --> 01:11:51.229 but the uh the prior majority leader , 01:11:51.689 --> 01:11:53.800 a Democrat , wouldn't even bring up a 01:11:53.800 --> 01:11:56.022 spending bill , uh , that we could have 01:11:56.022 --> 01:11:58.133 done last uh last summer to make sure 01:11:58.133 --> 01:12:00.356 we didn't ever have to do a CR at all . 01:12:00.356 --> 01:12:01.856 After 4 years of the Biden 01:12:01.856 --> 01:12:03.967 administration , peace in our enemies 01:12:03.967 --> 01:12:06.189 and making our forces lethal , I'm glad 01:12:06.189 --> 01:12:05.640 President Trump's back and restoring 01:12:05.640 --> 01:12:07.890 peace through strength . He's been 01:12:07.890 --> 01:12:10.089 clear that he is he takes the threat 01:12:10.089 --> 01:12:12.145 posed by communist China seriously , 01:12:12.209 --> 01:12:14.376 ensuring the United States is posed to 01:12:14.376 --> 01:12:16.320 combat these threats . Uh , I look 01:12:16.320 --> 01:12:18.542 forward to hearing , hearing how you're 01:12:18.542 --> 01:12:20.765 doing with that . But my first question 01:12:20.765 --> 01:12:23.042 for , uh , General Minguez and Admiral , 01:12:23.042 --> 01:12:25.209 uh , Kilby , since President Trump was 01:12:25.209 --> 01:12:27.153 elected , uh , recruitments , uh , 01:12:27.153 --> 01:12:29.042 numbers are way up . So is that a 01:12:29.042 --> 01:12:30.987 result of , uh , President Trump's 01:12:30.987 --> 01:12:33.970 election ? I think it's a combination 01:12:33.970 --> 01:12:36.081 of things , sir . I think it's , uh , 01:12:36.081 --> 01:12:38.081 the efforts as I talked about in my 01:12:38.081 --> 01:12:40.248 opening statement that have been being 01:12:40.248 --> 01:12:42.303 put into place for the last 18 to 24 01:12:42.303 --> 01:12:44.248 months , but we have seen a , uh , 01:12:44.248 --> 01:12:44.220 momentum over the last couple of months 01:12:44.220 --> 01:12:46.220 that is , uh , that has been pretty 01:12:46.220 --> 01:12:49.990 remarkable . I agree with General 01:12:49.990 --> 01:12:52.120 Mingus . Uh , we really took a round 01:12:52.120 --> 01:12:55.490 turn on this last year . We had 01:12:55.490 --> 01:12:59.020 373 more sailors than we predicted to 01:12:59.020 --> 01:13:00.798 get it last year , so we had an 01:13:00.798 --> 01:13:02.853 apparatus that was aligned to try to 01:13:02.853 --> 01:13:06.020 get after this . I'll take any win to 01:13:06.020 --> 01:13:08.076 get sailors in the navy that want to 01:13:08.076 --> 01:13:10.076 serve our country , so I don't know 01:13:10.076 --> 01:13:12.242 that I can map that to uh the election 01:13:12.242 --> 01:13:14.353 or not , but I'm gonna ride that wave 01:13:14.353 --> 01:13:17.750 as long as I can . So my background 01:13:17.750 --> 01:13:19.806 before I got into politics was I ran 01:13:19.806 --> 01:13:22.028 businesses and you know the expectation 01:13:22.028 --> 01:13:24.250 was you had to beat your competition by 01:13:24.250 --> 01:13:26.361 by improving every day . Um , you had 01:13:26.361 --> 01:13:28.417 to get your cost better . You had to 01:13:28.417 --> 01:13:30.139 get your quality better . Um , 01:13:30.139 --> 01:13:32.139 everything you did , you had to get 01:13:32.139 --> 01:13:34.417 better . So General Mingus and Admiral , 01:13:34.417 --> 01:13:36.639 can we , can you tell me in the last 12 01:13:36.639 --> 01:13:38.806 months , what would you say , uh , for 01:13:38.806 --> 01:13:40.750 what you're responsible for ? What 01:13:40.750 --> 01:13:40.390 would you say is the big improvements ? 01:13:42.839 --> 01:13:44.950 So I would say our transformation and 01:13:44.950 --> 01:13:47.172 contact effort we've infused the latest 01:13:47.172 --> 01:13:49.283 and greatest technology when it comes 01:13:49.283 --> 01:13:51.919 to mobility , firepower our network , 01:13:52.009 --> 01:13:55.330 our UAS uh counter UAS efforts into 01:13:55.330 --> 01:13:57.720 multiple formations infuse that 01:13:57.720 --> 01:13:59.887 technology technology at a rate faster 01:13:59.887 --> 01:14:01.553 than we typically would do in 01:14:01.553 --> 01:14:03.498 quantities that is greater than we 01:14:03.498 --> 01:14:05.609 would typically do because we want to 01:14:05.609 --> 01:14:07.887 learn from them bottom up uh to refine . 01:14:08.100 --> 01:14:10.100 The decisions that we're gonna make 01:14:10.100 --> 01:14:12.156 programmatically uh down the road so 01:14:12.156 --> 01:14:14.100 that that's gonna expand into more 01:14:14.100 --> 01:14:15.600 formations as part of tick 01:14:15.600 --> 01:14:17.600 transformation and contact 2.0 this 01:14:17.600 --> 01:14:19.656 year and next year , but that's been 01:14:19.656 --> 01:14:19.490 over the last 12 months what I would 01:14:19.490 --> 01:14:22.540 say this has been our biggest win . Uh , 01:14:22.680 --> 01:14:24.930 two things , one , coming from the same 01:14:24.930 --> 01:14:27.097 type of thinking we're trying to build 01:14:27.097 --> 01:14:29.041 in the navy . Uh , focused mindset 01:14:29.041 --> 01:14:31.041 skill set and tool set to get after 01:14:31.041 --> 01:14:33.263 that continuous improvement . There are 01:14:33.263 --> 01:14:35.208 some common themes here that we've 01:14:35.208 --> 01:14:37.486 applied across the board from aviation , 01:14:37.486 --> 01:14:39.597 so the recruiting is an improvement , 01:14:39.597 --> 01:14:42.009 and I'd say on time completion of ship 01:14:42.009 --> 01:14:44.529 availabilities as well as some success 01:14:44.529 --> 01:14:46.751 in submarine availabilities , but we've 01:14:46.751 --> 01:14:48.862 got a long way to go there , sir , to 01:14:48.862 --> 01:14:50.862 apply that model consistently every 01:14:50.862 --> 01:14:54.189 single day . Thanks . And we've seen 01:14:54.189 --> 01:14:56.356 the Pentagon failing to recruit , pass 01:14:56.356 --> 01:14:58.689 an audit , or deliver ships , equipment , 01:14:58.689 --> 01:15:00.967 missiles , etc . on time and on budget . 01:15:00.967 --> 01:15:03.189 On top of that , while the Marine Corps 01:15:03.189 --> 01:15:05.411 and Air Force are 100% recapitalized on 01:15:05.411 --> 01:15:07.522 their C-130s , the Navy needs over 30 01:15:07.522 --> 01:15:09.633 C-130s and is yet to program for this 01:15:09.633 --> 01:15:11.689 critical tactical airlift platform . 01:15:11.879 --> 01:15:14.212 Today the Navy only has one on contract , 01:15:14.212 --> 01:15:17.839 so can you explain why that is ? Uh , 01:15:17.890 --> 01:15:19.890 sir , we try to balance our program 01:15:19.890 --> 01:15:22.089 across the board , all aircraft , all 01:15:22.089 --> 01:15:24.770 ships , all submarines . I'll take that 01:15:24.770 --> 01:15:26.881 question for the record and come back 01:15:26.881 --> 01:15:29.103 to you with specifics about C-130 , but 01:15:29.103 --> 01:15:31.103 again it's , it's building the most 01:15:31.103 --> 01:15:33.680 lethal program we can afford . J 01:15:33.680 --> 01:15:35.847 Mahoney , what would you say as far as 01:15:35.847 --> 01:15:37.902 if you take the last 12 months , how 01:15:37.902 --> 01:15:39.958 are you in a better position and and 01:15:39.958 --> 01:15:42.180 individuals you're responsible for in a 01:15:42.180 --> 01:15:44.236 better position than you were a year 01:15:44.236 --> 01:15:46.458 ago ? Senator , two things . First is , 01:15:46.458 --> 01:15:48.680 uh , the second clean audit opinion two 01:15:48.680 --> 01:15:50.791 years in a row , and I think we're in 01:15:50.791 --> 01:15:52.902 the midst of having a hat trick . Why 01:15:52.902 --> 01:15:55.069 do I say that ? Uh , one of the things 01:15:55.069 --> 01:15:57.124 I call it the audit dividend we know 01:15:57.124 --> 01:15:59.291 exactly what we own , exactly where it 01:15:59.291 --> 01:16:01.402 is , exactly who takes care of it and 01:16:01.402 --> 01:16:03.624 what it is worth in that audit we can . 01:16:03.669 --> 01:16:05.780 Tell the condition of those pieces of 01:16:05.780 --> 01:16:07.669 equipment so we have an increased 01:16:07.669 --> 01:16:09.447 visibility into the operational 01:16:09.447 --> 01:16:11.502 readiness as a result of the audit . 01:16:11.502 --> 01:16:13.990 The second thing is our 3rd marine 01:16:13.990 --> 01:16:16.270 littoral regiment has just undergone a 01:16:16.270 --> 01:16:18.326 Certex . Uh , they've been delivered 01:16:18.326 --> 01:16:20.270 their long range precision fires , 01:16:20.270 --> 01:16:22.381 their air defense . So the concept of 01:16:22.381 --> 01:16:24.548 force design has gone forward . I wish 01:16:24.548 --> 01:16:26.659 we could accelerate it and deepen the 01:16:26.659 --> 01:16:28.826 magazine , but we've seen that success 01:16:28.826 --> 01:16:30.826 on time . Now we need to marry that 01:16:30.826 --> 01:16:32.770 capability up with organic litoral 01:16:32.770 --> 01:16:34.659 maneuver in the form of the light 01:16:34.659 --> 01:16:36.826 amphibious warship , but those are the 01:16:36.826 --> 01:16:38.826 two things force design and audit . 01:16:38.826 --> 01:16:40.770 Thank you , Chairman . Thank you , 01:16:40.770 --> 01:16:44.479 Senator Scott . Senator Sheehy . Uh , 01:16:44.560 --> 01:16:46.393 General Mahoney , I , uh , might 01:16:46.393 --> 01:16:48.616 understand the Marine Corps is the only 01:16:48.616 --> 01:16:50.838 branch to have passed an audit . That's 01:16:50.838 --> 01:16:53.004 correct , Senator . I get really tired 01:16:53.004 --> 01:16:55.116 of the only , the only DOD branches , 01:16:55.116 --> 01:16:57.116 sir . I get really tired of Marines 01:16:57.116 --> 01:16:59.227 lecturing me how much better they are 01:16:59.227 --> 01:17:01.338 than I am . My wife's a Marine , so I 01:17:01.338 --> 01:17:03.504 already get it every day . So I'm glad 01:17:03.504 --> 01:17:05.671 your wife has wisdom . Well , I was in 01:17:05.671 --> 01:17:08.004 the Navy , so I had to marry up , right ? 01:17:08.004 --> 01:17:10.060 Um , how do you ask General Mingus , 01:17:10.060 --> 01:17:12.282 you brought it up . Um , General Mingus 01:17:12.282 --> 01:17:12.250 was my boss actually back in the day 01:17:12.250 --> 01:17:14.430 when I went to Ranger school . Uh , 01:17:14.549 --> 01:17:16.759 County US , what branch , uh , what , 01:17:16.790 --> 01:17:18.990 uh , functional branch of the army do 01:17:18.990 --> 01:17:20.601 you guys place the county US 01:17:20.601 --> 01:17:24.560 responsibility in ? We have 6 01:17:24.560 --> 01:17:26.838 war fighting functions inside the army , 01:17:26.838 --> 01:17:29.080 so intel command and control , maneuver 01:17:29.080 --> 01:17:31.899 fires protection is where counter UAS 01:17:31.899 --> 01:17:34.066 sits right now . But as we think about 01:17:34.066 --> 01:17:36.399 the future , um , in the army , the 01:17:36.399 --> 01:17:38.288 land force , the vast majority of 01:17:38.288 --> 01:17:40.455 casualties that occur on a battlefield 01:17:40.455 --> 01:17:42.510 is direct fire . I think that future 01:17:42.510 --> 01:17:44.621 battlefield , the most casualties are 01:17:44.621 --> 01:17:46.879 gonna occur from the air and so the . 01:17:47.330 --> 01:17:49.163 The notion of the convergence of 01:17:49.163 --> 01:17:51.479 offensive and defensive fires taking it 01:17:51.479 --> 01:17:53.479 out of that protection war fighting 01:17:53.479 --> 01:17:55.479 function and making it part of that 01:17:55.479 --> 01:17:57.701 scheme of fires and scheme maneuver , I 01:17:57.701 --> 01:17:57.399 think is the way of the future . But 01:17:57.399 --> 01:17:59.621 today to answer your question , it's in 01:17:59.621 --> 01:18:01.788 the protection function , uh , Admiral 01:18:01.788 --> 01:18:03.899 Kilby , where does the navy view . US 01:18:03.899 --> 01:18:05.899 is a functional area because of our 01:18:05.899 --> 01:18:08.010 platform center we keep them owned by 01:18:08.010 --> 01:18:09.899 the resource sponsors , so it's a 01:18:09.899 --> 01:18:12.066 division of labor between the N9 which 01:18:12.066 --> 01:18:14.288 owns all our war fighting platforms and 01:18:14.288 --> 01:18:15.955 the N4 , which owns our shore 01:18:15.955 --> 01:18:17.788 installations . So there's a mix 01:18:17.788 --> 01:18:20.121 between those two . And General Mahoney , 01:18:20.121 --> 01:18:19.930 where is the Marine Corps placed that ? 01:18:20.290 --> 01:18:23.169 There are kind of small UAS , uh , two 01:18:23.169 --> 01:18:26.080 parts operational units with , uh , two 01:18:26.080 --> 01:18:28.302 programs of record , uh , Mattis and LM 01:18:28.302 --> 01:18:30.191 Mattis and our installations with 01:18:30.191 --> 01:18:32.247 installations count of UAS just as a 01:18:32.247 --> 01:18:34.524 comment . As General Mingus brought up , 01:18:34.524 --> 01:18:36.580 we are part of Project Convergence , 01:18:36.580 --> 01:18:38.691 which has a kind of small UAS element 01:18:38.691 --> 01:18:40.636 to it in R&D and experimentation . 01:18:40.636 --> 01:18:42.691 We're a big part of Replicator 2.0 , 01:18:42.691 --> 01:18:44.913 which also invests in kind of small UAS 01:18:44.913 --> 01:18:46.802 and we're invested in the program 01:18:46.802 --> 01:18:48.913 office as well . And uh General Spain 01:18:48.913 --> 01:18:50.913 and Space Force Air Force , where , 01:18:50.913 --> 01:18:52.802 where do you guys place um you at 01:18:52.802 --> 01:18:54.969 counter US as a functional area from a 01:18:54.969 --> 01:18:56.858 space force perspective it's very 01:18:56.858 --> 01:18:56.370 limited . We have very limited 01:18:56.370 --> 01:18:57.370 involvement . 01:19:00.430 --> 01:19:02.541 Senator , we put it in the protection 01:19:02.541 --> 01:19:04.374 function as well . It's with our 01:19:04.374 --> 01:19:06.486 defenders , uh , but as was mentioned 01:19:06.486 --> 01:19:08.652 by one , by the other panelists , uh , 01:19:08.652 --> 01:19:10.763 we're in the process of evolving that 01:19:10.763 --> 01:19:12.986 to the operational function and so it's 01:19:12.986 --> 01:19:14.986 a blend of our , uh , both defender 01:19:14.986 --> 01:19:17.097 force and our operational force as we 01:19:17.097 --> 01:19:19.629 go forward . Well , uh , I asked that 01:19:19.629 --> 01:19:21.851 because , um , I , I actually was , was 01:19:21.851 --> 01:19:24.018 one of the manufacturers of the Mattis 01:19:24.018 --> 01:19:26.240 program back in , in my former life for 01:19:26.240 --> 01:19:28.462 came here , so I spent a lot of time on 01:19:28.462 --> 01:19:28.259 the range with your air defense lab 01:19:28.259 --> 01:19:30.537 platoon Marines working with that . Um , 01:19:30.560 --> 01:19:32.560 and , and what I found as we worked 01:19:32.560 --> 01:19:34.616 with all the branches is each branch 01:19:34.616 --> 01:19:36.616 understandably had a very different 01:19:36.616 --> 01:19:38.671 view of where the COAS function fell 01:19:38.671 --> 01:19:40.893 and how they viewed it , you know , the 01:19:40.893 --> 01:19:43.004 Air Force was very much looking at it 01:19:43.004 --> 01:19:42.830 from a security forces perspective , 01:19:43.040 --> 01:19:45.160 fixed installation defense . Uh , the 01:19:45.160 --> 01:19:47.382 Navy , of course , was , was focused on 01:19:47.382 --> 01:19:49.549 it from a shipboard when the boxer had 01:19:49.549 --> 01:19:51.660 its incident with Iran in 2019 . Um , 01:19:51.660 --> 01:19:53.827 the army , of course , had more of a , 01:19:53.827 --> 01:19:56.049 uh , EW . They really viewed it kind of 01:19:56.049 --> 01:19:58.104 an electronic warfare , uh , issue , 01:19:58.229 --> 01:20:00.229 and what I found was as each branch 01:20:00.229 --> 01:20:02.340 looked at it through their own lens , 01:20:02.340 --> 01:20:04.285 uh , the Joint Cape Billy's office 01:20:04.285 --> 01:20:06.451 really struggled to coalesce that into 01:20:06.451 --> 01:20:08.451 an acquisition vision that actually 01:20:08.451 --> 01:20:08.350 worked , and they ended up just buying 01:20:08.350 --> 01:20:10.406 any shiny object that was dangled in 01:20:10.406 --> 01:20:12.406 front of their face , and it led to 01:20:12.406 --> 01:20:14.739 kind of the schizophrenic approach , uh , 01:20:14.739 --> 01:20:14.259 to it . Um , it's not a criticism , 01:20:14.310 --> 01:20:16.770 it's just a reality that as that 01:20:16.770 --> 01:20:19.048 technology was developing quickly . Um , 01:20:19.048 --> 01:20:21.159 it , it was hard to , to meet all the 01:20:21.159 --> 01:20:23.381 needs . So , um , I , I think trying to 01:20:23.381 --> 01:20:25.492 determine whether it's a specific MOS 01:20:25.492 --> 01:20:27.714 or actually assigning a functional area 01:20:27.714 --> 01:20:29.881 within the branch that's a this , this 01:20:29.881 --> 01:20:32.048 is a fundamental change in battlefield 01:20:32.048 --> 01:20:34.326 tactic technology as we see in Ukraine . 01:20:34.326 --> 01:20:36.492 I mean , every single day whether it's 01:20:36.492 --> 01:20:38.603 FPVs or beyond line of sight drones , 01:20:38.603 --> 01:20:40.770 um , it's not transforming warfare but 01:20:40.770 --> 01:20:42.770 it is functionally transforming how 01:20:42.770 --> 01:20:44.659 maneuver units will behave on the 01:20:44.659 --> 01:20:46.770 ground . And I think treating it as a 01:20:46.770 --> 01:20:48.937 as a subspecialty that's branching off 01:20:48.937 --> 01:20:51.103 whatever convenient , you know , areas 01:20:51.103 --> 01:20:53.214 there vice focusing on what it really 01:20:53.214 --> 01:20:55.103 is a core capability , uh , in my 01:20:55.103 --> 01:20:55.049 opinion would help coalesce the 01:20:55.049 --> 01:20:57.049 operational vision for what counter 01:20:57.049 --> 01:20:59.216 drone looks like , uh , it also help , 01:20:59.216 --> 01:21:01.438 uh , streamline the acquisition process 01:21:01.438 --> 01:21:03.438 so we can find that good technology 01:21:03.438 --> 01:21:05.660 quickly and field it quickly , but then 01:21:05.660 --> 01:21:07.882 also there's the offensive aspect where 01:21:07.882 --> 01:21:09.827 you know we think of all offensive 01:21:09.827 --> 01:21:09.779 drones as reapers and predators 01:21:09.779 --> 01:21:12.189 dropping hellfires , um . And that 01:21:12.189 --> 01:21:14.356 we're defending against small drones , 01:21:14.356 --> 01:21:16.578 but we are not , as far as I can tell , 01:21:16.578 --> 01:21:18.430 adopting small US organic to our 01:21:18.430 --> 01:21:21.029 maneuver elements just like every 01:21:21.029 --> 01:21:23.307 infantry squad has an automatic weapon , 01:21:23.307 --> 01:21:25.307 every infantry squad should have an 01:21:25.307 --> 01:21:27.839 organic . SUAS offensive capability , a 01:21:27.839 --> 01:21:30.061 backpack full of FPVs that they can fly 01:21:30.061 --> 01:21:32.117 at and into the enemy maneuver units 01:21:32.117 --> 01:21:34.339 and disrupt them just like we're seeing 01:21:34.339 --> 01:21:36.561 all over the world in battlefields from 01:21:36.561 --> 01:21:38.117 Iranian proxy groups to the 01:21:38.117 --> 01:21:40.228 Russia-Ukraine war . Um , from my old 01:21:40.228 --> 01:21:42.395 buddy still in uniform , uh , I do not 01:21:42.395 --> 01:21:44.561 hear that we have an organic offensive 01:21:44.561 --> 01:21:46.783 small US capability within our maneuver 01:21:46.783 --> 01:21:48.895 units , and I think that's gonna be a 01:21:48.895 --> 01:21:51.006 great disservice to our young men and 01:21:51.006 --> 01:21:50.399 women when the next conflicts arises , 01:21:50.439 --> 01:21:53.379 so . you're back , thank you . Thank 01:21:53.379 --> 01:21:55.620 you , Senator Sheehy . Um , I'm gonna 01:21:55.620 --> 01:21:57.859 continue my line of questioning that I 01:21:57.859 --> 01:22:00.250 started with , uh , General Mahoney to 01:22:00.250 --> 01:22:02.459 you just again on the we've already 01:22:02.459 --> 01:22:04.737 touched on it a lot but it's OK to , I , 01:22:04.737 --> 01:22:06.792 I wanna hear from all the services . 01:22:07.759 --> 01:22:09.950 The negative impact on the CR , the 01:22:09.950 --> 01:22:12.700 budget flexibility that you would want 01:22:12.990 --> 01:22:15.910 or request as part of uh this year's 01:22:15.910 --> 01:22:19.390 NDAA , and then , uh , any lessons 01:22:19.390 --> 01:22:21.750 learned on the good news that we're all 01:22:21.750 --> 01:22:23.790 starting to see I think across the 01:22:23.790 --> 01:22:26.540 services on recruiting and the kind of . 01:22:27.270 --> 01:22:31.080 You know , um , Um Make sure 01:22:31.080 --> 01:22:33.779 we're learning across services on that 01:22:33.779 --> 01:22:36.649 because . I don't think you got enough 01:22:36.649 --> 01:22:38.371 press , but if you have an all 01:22:38.371 --> 01:22:40.538 volunteer force and we we're hitting a 01:22:40.538 --> 01:22:42.705 recruiting crisis of tens of thousands 01:22:42.705 --> 01:22:46.319 of Americans who we were short , that's 01:22:46.319 --> 01:22:48.541 an existential threat to our military . 01:22:48.541 --> 01:22:50.708 Fortunately it looks like we're beyond 01:22:50.708 --> 01:22:52.652 that , but we need to , we need to 01:22:52.652 --> 01:22:54.819 embed the lessons learned from all the 01:22:54.819 --> 01:22:56.763 services on how we got out of that 01:22:56.763 --> 01:22:58.708 danger zone . So general do you on 01:22:58.708 --> 01:23:01.609 those three questions . Senator , as 01:23:01.609 --> 01:23:03.689 far as , as far as the CR , we've 01:23:03.689 --> 01:23:05.856 canvassed pretty much all the negative 01:23:05.856 --> 01:23:08.022 things . I just like to hammer down on 01:23:08.022 --> 01:23:10.129 one , we talked about anomalies and 01:23:10.129 --> 01:23:12.910 flexibility in order to move , uh , 01:23:12.930 --> 01:23:15.890 between appropriations or accounts . We 01:23:15.890 --> 01:23:18.112 also need to be mindful of what the top 01:23:18.112 --> 01:23:20.279 line is . If there is only so much top 01:23:20.279 --> 01:23:23.290 line from which to flex or with them to 01:23:23.290 --> 01:23:25.529 move , we're gonna rob , uh , from one 01:23:25.529 --> 01:23:28.189 account . To pay for another examples 01:23:28.189 --> 01:23:30.990 might be inflation that outpaces the 01:23:30.990 --> 01:23:33.310 plus up pay raises that were not 01:23:33.310 --> 01:23:35.366 planned for or budgeted but are must 01:23:35.366 --> 01:23:37.366 pay bills that money will come from 01:23:37.366 --> 01:23:39.790 somewhere and uh non-budgeted 01:23:39.790 --> 01:23:41.846 contingencies that we pay out of our 01:23:41.846 --> 01:23:44.012 own primarily OM accounts will have to 01:23:44.012 --> 01:23:46.350 be accounted for somewhere in the rules 01:23:46.350 --> 01:23:49.069 of that continuing resolution . um , a 01:23:49.069 --> 01:23:51.339 knock on effect specific to the Marine 01:23:51.339 --> 01:23:53.339 Corps is if , and it's already been 01:23:53.339 --> 01:23:55.729 touched on by Admiral Kilby . If ship 01:23:55.729 --> 01:23:58.169 maintenance or ship building or 01:23:58.169 --> 01:24:00.770 procurement or anything uh that that 01:24:00.770 --> 01:24:02.770 touches amphibious shipping it will 01:24:02.770 --> 01:24:04.826 have a knock on effect to the Marine 01:24:04.826 --> 01:24:06.850 Corps as I spoke with about with . 01:24:08.080 --> 01:24:10.330 Senator Hirono earlier as far as 01:24:10.330 --> 01:24:13.419 flexibility goes , I would reference 01:24:13.419 --> 01:24:16.160 the the Lord Hale study on PPB reform 01:24:16.160 --> 01:24:18.160 and I'll just bring up three things 01:24:18.359 --> 01:24:20.581 that come to mind immediately . I think 01:24:20.581 --> 01:24:22.839 they have 16 recommendations in there 01:24:22.839 --> 01:24:25.609 which are all really good . Uh , 01:24:25.979 --> 01:24:27.979 multi-year availability of one year 01:24:27.979 --> 01:24:30.060 accounts so that you are not forced 01:24:30.060 --> 01:24:32.282 into making bad decisions at the end of 01:24:32.282 --> 01:24:34.282 the year and buying things that you 01:24:34.282 --> 01:24:36.449 really don't need but have a period of 01:24:36.449 --> 01:24:38.393 availability to where you can make 01:24:38.393 --> 01:24:40.560 better better executive and managerial 01:24:40.560 --> 01:24:42.116 decisions against that that 01:24:42.116 --> 01:24:44.227 appropriation , uh , greater transfer 01:24:44.227 --> 01:24:46.350 authority so that we can move between 01:24:46.350 --> 01:24:48.072 appropriations or move between 01:24:48.072 --> 01:24:50.239 subactivity groups in order to solve a 01:24:50.239 --> 01:24:52.406 problem early so that we don't have to 01:24:52.406 --> 01:24:54.700 come . To Congress for an above 01:24:54.700 --> 01:24:58.020 threshold massive uh reprogramming late 01:24:58.020 --> 01:25:00.242 in the year that may be late to need or 01:25:00.242 --> 01:25:03.910 not solve the problem and uh lastly and 01:25:03.919 --> 01:25:07.100 and I'll let it go is uh multi-year 01:25:07.100 --> 01:25:09.709 colorless appropriations to have 01:25:10.020 --> 01:25:12.979 flexibility within a portfolio to 01:25:12.979 --> 01:25:15.090 strengthen where you're weak and move 01:25:15.090 --> 01:25:17.689 money around to make sure that you can 01:25:18.250 --> 01:25:21.419 get your objectives attained within an 01:25:21.419 --> 01:25:24.069 account . So multi-year availability , 01:25:24.319 --> 01:25:26.399 greater transfer authority , and 01:25:26.399 --> 01:25:28.566 multi-year call list appropriation and 01:25:28.566 --> 01:25:30.788 we did the last one and if you think of 01:25:30.788 --> 01:25:32.899 MRAP and you think of JAO back in the 01:25:32.899 --> 01:25:35.010 day , uh , that worked pretty well to 01:25:35.010 --> 01:25:37.288 get things done at an accelerated pace . 01:25:38.540 --> 01:25:41.290 Uh , and I'm running on here , but 01:25:41.500 --> 01:25:45.310 recruiting , uh , for us . Three things 01:25:45.660 --> 01:25:47.771 we have a brand that we will not back 01:25:47.771 --> 01:25:49.930 off from . We believe that that brand 01:25:49.930 --> 01:25:51.874 is attractive . We believe it is a 01:25:51.874 --> 01:25:54.859 magnet to a wide demographic of young 01:25:54.859 --> 01:25:56.859 Americans who will prove themselves 01:25:56.859 --> 01:25:58.859 physically , mentally , and morally 01:25:58.859 --> 01:26:01.081 qualified . We will not back off of the 01:26:01.081 --> 01:26:03.415 standard and counter counterintuitively . 01:26:03.609 --> 01:26:06.000 You maintain a standard at a high level 01:26:06.000 --> 01:26:08.399 that attracts people who want to 01:26:08.399 --> 01:26:10.566 perform uh to that standard . That's a 01:26:10.566 --> 01:26:12.589 great lesson and I think we have to 01:26:12.589 --> 01:26:15.970 have to always keep that in mind . All 01:26:15.970 --> 01:26:17.859 the services , no matter what our 01:26:17.859 --> 01:26:20.419 recruiting challenges are . It is 01:26:20.419 --> 01:26:22.779 counterintuitive , but it works , so 01:26:22.779 --> 01:26:25.001 thank you for that . And , and lastly , 01:26:25.001 --> 01:26:27.168 Senator , I already talked about it in 01:26:27.168 --> 01:26:29.057 detail and that's the that is our 01:26:29.057 --> 01:26:31.330 recruiting force , a breed apart , uh , 01:26:31.339 --> 01:26:34.569 who are hand screened , selected , 01:26:34.779 --> 01:26:37.720 incentivized , promoted , and as I said , 01:26:38.020 --> 01:26:40.076 when they get back in the fleet , as 01:26:40.076 --> 01:26:42.187 you know , there are some of the best 01:26:42.187 --> 01:26:44.298 staff NCOs and officers we have , and 01:26:44.298 --> 01:26:46.520 they become sergeant Major Marine Corps 01:26:46.520 --> 01:26:48.853 and common on Marines . Uh , real quick , 01:26:48.853 --> 01:26:51.131 general , uh , gut line , can you , uh , 01:26:51.131 --> 01:26:52.853 just hit on these , uh , three 01:26:52.853 --> 01:26:55.187 questions , uh , uh , try to be concise . 01:26:55.187 --> 01:26:57.298 I'm going over my time here . I wanna 01:26:57.298 --> 01:26:59.576 be respectful to my colleagues , but I , 01:26:59.576 --> 01:27:01.798 I do wanna get through this issue of CR 01:27:01.798 --> 01:27:03.909 budget flexibilities and recruiting . 01:27:05.299 --> 01:27:07.466 Yes , Chairman , I can go pretty quick 01:27:07.466 --> 01:27:09.919 from a CR uh it is uh very , it's a 01:27:09.919 --> 01:27:11.808 huge challenge . It's very , very 01:27:11.808 --> 01:27:14.319 inefficient , um , it does impact us 01:27:14.319 --> 01:27:16.486 especially because we are the smallest 01:27:16.486 --> 01:27:18.879 force with the smallest budget , so any 01:27:18.879 --> 01:27:21.101 churn in our budget is is a huge hit to 01:27:21.101 --> 01:27:23.470 us as far as what we would ask , uh , 01:27:23.479 --> 01:27:25.535 for flexibilities . I agree with the 01:27:25.535 --> 01:27:27.757 the rest of the the staff new starts we 01:27:27.757 --> 01:27:29.590 are seeing an enormous amount of 01:27:29.590 --> 01:27:31.646 threats emerging every single year . 01:27:31.646 --> 01:27:33.812 And it is very hard to get after those 01:27:33.812 --> 01:27:35.868 threats when you have to wait 2 to 4 01:27:35.868 --> 01:27:35.560 years to get the budget to get after 01:27:35.560 --> 01:27:37.727 those threats . So anything you can do 01:27:37.727 --> 01:27:39.504 budget flexibility for Newstart 01:27:39.504 --> 01:27:41.449 Authority , PE consolidation , the 01:27:41.449 --> 01:27:43.560 ability to to move money between 01:27:43.560 --> 01:27:46.029 programs would be hugely uh beneficial , 01:27:46.399 --> 01:27:48.010 uh , and then the multi-year 01:27:48.010 --> 01:27:49.788 procurement , multi-year , uh , 01:27:49.788 --> 01:27:51.843 execution authority that , uh , John 01:27:51.843 --> 01:27:53.677 Mahoney talked about . As far as 01:27:53.677 --> 01:27:53.140 recruiting and retention , we've 01:27:53.140 --> 01:27:55.084 actually got a much easier problem 01:27:55.084 --> 01:27:57.251 because we have a much smaller force , 01:27:57.251 --> 01:27:59.418 but we are seeing two , recruits , 2 , 01:27:59.459 --> 01:28:01.515 volunteers for every recruit that we 01:28:01.515 --> 01:28:03.848 take into the United States Space Force , 01:28:03.848 --> 01:28:06.015 so we're able to be very , very , very 01:28:06.015 --> 01:28:08.237 selective for high quality 15% , almost 01:28:08.237 --> 01:28:10.292 nearly 15% of our recruits have some 01:28:10.292 --> 01:28:12.403 college level of education to include 01:28:12.403 --> 01:28:14.515 all the way up to master's and PhDs . 01:28:14.515 --> 01:28:16.459 Uh , we are recruiting , uh , uh , 01:28:16.459 --> 01:28:18.570 objectives were met , uh , the last 4 01:28:18.570 --> 01:28:20.848 years in a row , 104% for our enlisted , 01:28:20.848 --> 01:28:23.500 101% for our officers , uh , and we're 01:28:23.500 --> 01:28:25.500 looking at continuing growth in the 01:28:25.500 --> 01:28:27.500 future , and our retention rate has 01:28:27.500 --> 01:28:29.611 been in excess of 98% . Wow , great . 01:28:29.611 --> 01:28:31.833 That's great news , great job , General 01:28:31.833 --> 01:28:34.056 Senator Schmidt , uh , thank you , Mr . 01:28:34.056 --> 01:28:36.810 Chairman , um . And Admiral Kilby , I 01:28:36.810 --> 01:28:38.921 wanna direct this . I , I question to 01:28:38.921 --> 01:28:41.032 you . I feel like the fever has broke 01:28:41.032 --> 01:28:43.143 finally on , um , this obsession that 01:28:43.143 --> 01:28:45.199 the previous administration had with 01:28:45.199 --> 01:28:47.199 with DEI . That's a good , that's a 01:28:47.199 --> 01:28:48.921 good thing . Um , the previous 01:28:48.921 --> 01:28:50.921 administration also treated climate 01:28:50.921 --> 01:28:53.199 change as a national security priority . 01:28:53.199 --> 01:28:54.921 I actually had one of the more 01:28:54.921 --> 01:28:57.143 ridiculous exchanges in my first couple 01:28:57.143 --> 01:28:59.254 of years here with with Secretary Del 01:28:59.254 --> 01:29:01.421 Toro who told me Admiral Nimitz , uh , 01:29:01.421 --> 01:29:03.532 would have cared about climate change 01:29:03.532 --> 01:29:05.366 too , um , this sort of like the 01:29:05.366 --> 01:29:07.477 Twilight zone . But we have , we have 01:29:07.477 --> 01:29:09.430 issues , right , um , in , in ship 01:29:09.430 --> 01:29:12.140 building now that we're focused , uh , 01:29:12.149 --> 01:29:14.350 refocused on war fighting capability , 01:29:14.509 --> 01:29:17.109 what should Congress do , uh , to 01:29:17.109 --> 01:29:19.709 prioritize modernizing the fleet as 01:29:19.709 --> 01:29:22.549 opposed to this political stuff ? 22 01:29:22.549 --> 01:29:24.771 things , sir , uh , super important for 01:29:24.771 --> 01:29:27.069 us is to keep our maintenance going . 01:29:27.729 --> 01:29:29.951 Gotta get our ships available . I'm not 01:29:29.951 --> 01:29:32.062 gonna build a whole mess of new ships 01:29:32.062 --> 01:29:34.062 in 2 years , so I've got to get the 01:29:34.062 --> 01:29:36.340 ships I have up to speed and available . 01:29:36.340 --> 01:29:38.340 The other thing we can do is , uh , 01:29:38.340 --> 01:29:40.340 continue to invest in munitions . I 01:29:40.340 --> 01:29:42.451 think the , the lead time for them is 01:29:42.451 --> 01:29:44.673 shorter than a ship , so we must , uh , 01:29:44.673 --> 01:29:46.785 renew our magazines so we're ready to 01:29:46.785 --> 01:29:48.840 fight if called , OK , um , and then 01:29:48.840 --> 01:29:51.007 for , uh , sticking with you , Admiral 01:29:51.007 --> 01:29:53.062 Kilby , and then also for uh General 01:29:53.062 --> 01:29:55.649 Spain . Um , if we had to fight a pure 01:29:55.649 --> 01:29:58.540 war . In the next 2 years . 01:29:59.620 --> 01:30:02.180 What would be our greatest uh 01:30:02.180 --> 01:30:05.040 capability gap ? And what should 01:30:05.040 --> 01:30:07.919 Congress do to address that ? Uh , I'll 01:30:07.919 --> 01:30:10.086 start first , uh , again , munitions , 01:30:10.120 --> 01:30:11.953 long range munitions , preferred 01:30:11.953 --> 01:30:14.120 munitions are an area where we , we 01:30:14.120 --> 01:30:16.560 need to increase our productivity as a 01:30:16.560 --> 01:30:19.359 nation and then , uh , from a just a 01:30:19.359 --> 01:30:21.799 general sense our capabilities are 01:30:21.799 --> 01:30:23.966 pretty good with the exception of that 01:30:23.966 --> 01:30:26.359 munitions quantity , but our capacity 01:30:26.359 --> 01:30:28.959 is a problem so getting those ships and 01:30:28.959 --> 01:30:31.600 funding available out on time will what 01:30:31.600 --> 01:30:33.799 will result in in a greater capability 01:30:33.799 --> 01:30:37.709 overall . Senator , thanks for the 01:30:37.709 --> 01:30:39.931 question . Uh , uh , to your point , in 01:30:39.931 --> 01:30:41.950 the next 2 years , the greatest 01:30:41.950 --> 01:30:44.500 challenge for us is gonna be , uh , 01:30:44.509 --> 01:30:47.270 regaining the sustainment edge in our 01:30:47.270 --> 01:30:49.437 current fleet , the lead time required 01:30:49.437 --> 01:30:51.990 for parts and supply . Uh , over within 01:30:51.990 --> 01:30:54.310 that time frame required would require 01:30:54.310 --> 01:30:56.459 an infusion to help us with our 01:30:56.459 --> 01:30:58.459 aircraft availability , our mission 01:30:58.459 --> 01:31:00.626 capable rates , and training our , our 01:31:00.626 --> 01:31:02.700 flying force to be ready within that 01:31:02.700 --> 01:31:05.379 within that window . In addition , uh , 01:31:05.500 --> 01:31:08.220 some flexibility on , uh , new 01:31:08.220 --> 01:31:10.387 opportunities with technology in terms 01:31:10.387 --> 01:31:12.498 of asymmetric capabilities that would 01:31:12.498 --> 01:31:14.720 enable us to , uh , uh , to , to , uh , 01:31:14.720 --> 01:31:16.776 uh , to actually inculcate our force 01:31:16.776 --> 01:31:18.831 design which calls for both high-end 01:31:18.831 --> 01:31:21.080 exquisite capability paired . Uh , with 01:31:21.129 --> 01:31:23.959 low end , low cost per effect , uh , 01:31:23.970 --> 01:31:26.410 massive capability that can augment the 01:31:26.410 --> 01:31:28.632 air component commanders who are in the 01:31:28.632 --> 01:31:31.660 field . Sounds like NAD . The exquisite 01:31:31.660 --> 01:31:33.882 would be , uh , NAD would be an example 01:31:33.882 --> 01:31:36.339 of the exquisite , yes sir , um , I , I 01:31:36.339 --> 01:31:38.117 guess with the time that I have 01:31:38.117 --> 01:31:40.228 remaining , general , uh , Mingus and 01:31:40.228 --> 01:31:42.339 uh Mahoney just wanted to ask if sort 01:31:42.339 --> 01:31:44.450 of the similar theme of flexibility . 01:31:44.450 --> 01:31:46.339 If , uh , if you had unrestricted 01:31:46.339 --> 01:31:49.379 funding for readiness , uh , how should 01:31:49.379 --> 01:31:52.529 that be spent ? Um , first . 01:31:53.279 --> 01:31:57.129 And um . To in 01:31:57.129 --> 01:31:59.351 order to get that high end capability , 01:31:59.351 --> 01:32:01.462 what , what would we be doing like if 01:32:01.462 --> 01:32:03.518 we're , if we're in a if we're in an 01:32:03.518 --> 01:32:05.629 era of scarcity right that we have to 01:32:05.629 --> 01:32:05.450 accept at some level , what is the what 01:32:05.450 --> 01:32:07.689 is the level of priority or what are 01:32:07.689 --> 01:32:10.529 the priorities ? For for us I would say , 01:32:10.660 --> 01:32:12.660 well , the second one would be just 01:32:12.660 --> 01:32:14.660 what Admiral Kilby talked about our 01:32:14.660 --> 01:32:16.660 magazine depth , uh , precision gut 01:32:16.660 --> 01:32:18.938 munitions , long range precision fires , 01:32:18.938 --> 01:32:21.049 and the ability to scalele rapidly at 01:32:21.049 --> 01:32:20.939 time of crisis and conflict . So it's 01:32:20.939 --> 01:32:23.217 one thing to bring production rates up , 01:32:23.217 --> 01:32:25.439 but it's another to have the ability to 01:32:25.439 --> 01:32:27.606 to rapidly scale at time of crisis and 01:32:27.606 --> 01:32:29.717 conflict . And the other would be and 01:32:29.717 --> 01:32:31.772 let me just how would you rate where 01:32:31.772 --> 01:32:31.379 we're at right now on that front 01:32:31.379 --> 01:32:33.435 because I , I've , I've heard that I 01:32:33.435 --> 01:32:35.601 agree with that . Where , where do you 01:32:35.601 --> 01:32:35.290 think we're at with that ? Well , just 01:32:35.290 --> 01:32:38.209 using 155 as an example before the 01:32:38.209 --> 01:32:40.520 Russian-Ukraine conflict we were , um , 01:32:40.770 --> 01:32:42.826 producing at 14,000 rounds a month . 01:32:42.826 --> 01:32:45.159 We're now at , we had a high water mark . 01:32:45.159 --> 01:32:47.549 In November of 42,000 ramping to 70 , 01:32:47.720 --> 01:32:50.160 uh , by this summer and 1000 a month by 01:32:50.160 --> 01:32:51.993 this fall , so that's a two year 01:32:51.993 --> 01:32:54.216 journey we've got to be able to do that 01:32:54.216 --> 01:32:56.438 in months , not years , and it's , it's 01:32:56.438 --> 01:32:58.549 about automation or robotics . People 01:32:58.549 --> 01:33:00.604 are hard to , to bring in , let go , 01:33:00.680 --> 01:33:03.120 bring in , let go , and so the , the 01:33:03.120 --> 01:33:05.810 key to all this is automating those 01:33:06.080 --> 01:33:08.240 both organic and defense industrial 01:33:08.240 --> 01:33:10.351 systems and bases to to be able to do 01:33:10.351 --> 01:33:12.819 that . And then the , the second , uh , 01:33:12.830 --> 01:33:15.052 place that I would put that money is in 01:33:15.052 --> 01:33:16.941 our transformation efforts that I 01:33:16.941 --> 01:33:19.052 described earlier , uh , our tick 1.0 01:33:19.052 --> 01:33:21.549 and 2.0 . The , the end result of that 01:33:21.549 --> 01:33:23.327 infuse of technology into those 01:33:23.327 --> 01:33:25.327 formations is they're more lethal , 01:33:25.327 --> 01:33:27.493 they're more agile , they're lighter , 01:33:27.493 --> 01:33:29.827 they can get to places much faster , um , 01:33:29.827 --> 01:33:32.049 and they're just better formations that 01:33:32.049 --> 01:33:34.271 are designed purpose built for the next 01:33:34.271 --> 01:33:35.882 fight , not the last fight . 01:33:37.419 --> 01:33:41.080 Senator , um , if I had a 33 part wish 01:33:41.080 --> 01:33:43.191 list , uh , the first one would be to 01:33:43.191 --> 01:33:45.740 accelerate our force design to ensure 01:33:45.740 --> 01:33:47.899 victory and more killing power in the 01:33:47.899 --> 01:33:50.270 contact layer . Uh , I agree completely 01:33:50.270 --> 01:33:52.326 with depth of magazine across people 01:33:52.326 --> 01:33:54.548 parts programs . There's several things 01:33:54.548 --> 01:33:56.603 that we don't have enough of that we 01:33:56.603 --> 01:33:58.826 need to build more and deepen that . If 01:33:58.826 --> 01:34:00.770 anything , what Ukraine , what the 01:34:00.770 --> 01:34:02.826 Levant , what the Houthis show us is 01:34:02.826 --> 01:34:04.937 that the short sharp illusion is just 01:34:04.937 --> 01:34:07.048 that , a short sharp illusion we need 01:34:07.048 --> 01:34:09.270 to shoot . We need to be able to take a 01:34:09.270 --> 01:34:11.437 hit . We need to reset and get back in 01:34:11.437 --> 01:34:13.548 the fight . Secondly . Uh , our force 01:34:13.548 --> 01:34:15.890 gen platforms are in specifically our 01:34:15.890 --> 01:34:17.890 barracks for our Marines . If we're 01:34:17.890 --> 01:34:19.779 gonna count on them to generate a 01:34:19.779 --> 01:34:21.779 lethal force , we've got to provide 01:34:21.779 --> 01:34:24.001 them , uh , the quality of life and the 01:34:24.001 --> 01:34:26.001 and the living conditions that they 01:34:26.001 --> 01:34:28.168 rate . And thirdly , and we've already 01:34:28.168 --> 01:34:30.223 talked about it extensively , is the 01:34:30.223 --> 01:34:32.446 ability for us to move , maneuver , and 01:34:32.446 --> 01:34:34.557 sustain on 73% of the Earth's surface 01:34:34.557 --> 01:34:36.723 that's amphibious shipping and project 01:34:36.723 --> 01:34:38.946 power from sovereign American soil when 01:34:38.946 --> 01:34:41.057 we do that as well as organic litoral 01:34:41.057 --> 01:34:43.500 maneuver in order to move shore to 01:34:43.500 --> 01:34:45.970 shore in order to maneuver to a 01:34:45.970 --> 01:34:47.859 position of advantage in order to 01:34:47.859 --> 01:34:49.914 sustain in the contact layer . Thank 01:34:49.914 --> 01:34:51.859 you , thank you , Mr . Thank you , 01:34:51.859 --> 01:34:53.803 Senator Schmidt , Senator Hirono . 01:34:54.649 --> 01:34:56.930 Thank you Mr . Chairman . I would say 01:34:56.930 --> 01:34:59.330 that as our services with the exception 01:34:59.330 --> 01:35:01.839 of Space Force , uh , are facing 01:35:01.839 --> 01:35:04.729 recruiting challenges , why should we 01:35:04.729 --> 01:35:06.890 discourage or why would we be 01:35:06.890 --> 01:35:09.160 discouraging women and minorities from 01:35:09.160 --> 01:35:12.890 enlisting with all this anti-DEI stuff . 01:35:13.680 --> 01:35:16.589 Admiral Kilby , the Navy's Shipyard 01:35:16.589 --> 01:35:18.919 Infrastructure Optimization Program , 01:35:18.979 --> 01:35:21.060 or SIOP . Uh , projects were 01:35:21.060 --> 01:35:23.859 unfortunately not included in Secretary 01:35:23.859 --> 01:35:25.700 Hecka's list of protected and 01:35:25.700 --> 01:35:28.339 prioritized programs following his 01:35:28.339 --> 01:35:31.419 directive to implement an 8% budget cut 01:35:31.419 --> 01:35:33.660 across the board at the Pentagon . You 01:35:33.660 --> 01:35:36.379 testified today on the importance of 01:35:36.379 --> 01:35:39.890 CIA and of course if we clearly we need 01:35:39.890 --> 01:35:42.859 to do a better job of uh repair and 01:35:42.859 --> 01:35:46.194 maintaining our uh . Our ships , so 01:35:46.194 --> 01:35:48.395 with the flexibility that you are 01:35:48.395 --> 01:35:52.314 requesting in the CR , even if PIO is 01:35:52.314 --> 01:35:54.834 not on the Secretary Hicks's list of 01:35:54.834 --> 01:35:56.875 priorities , are you planning to 01:35:56.875 --> 01:35:59.305 prioritize critical pyop projects 01:35:59.754 --> 01:36:02.165 across the fleet , including , for 01:36:02.165 --> 01:36:04.221 example , completion of the dry dock 01:36:04.221 --> 01:36:05.887 and planning and design for a 01:36:05.887 --> 01:36:08.109 waterfront production facility at Pearl 01:36:08.109 --> 01:36:10.169 Harbor . Uh , indeed , you know , we 01:36:10.169 --> 01:36:12.930 need to get on with , um , continue to 01:36:12.930 --> 01:36:15.529 modernize our four public shipyards so 01:36:15.529 --> 01:36:18.089 that you will have available ships to 01:36:18.089 --> 01:36:20.529 do what you need to do . So would you 01:36:20.529 --> 01:36:23.870 use the flexibility that you request in 01:36:23.870 --> 01:36:27.529 the CR to prioritize CIO ? We want to 01:36:27.529 --> 01:36:30.100 continue on our Pyop program , ma'am . 01:36:30.450 --> 01:36:32.779 Uh , I've , I've talked about the 40 01:36:32.779 --> 01:36:34.835 projects we've done . The additional 01:36:34.835 --> 01:36:37.057 6.3 billion that are in the budget that 01:36:37.057 --> 01:36:39.020 we want to continue on and the 01:36:39.020 --> 01:36:41.131 remaining projects we need to execute 01:36:41.131 --> 01:36:43.339 so we're committed to . Good . I'm 01:36:43.339 --> 01:36:45.870 looking to you for that because of uh 01:36:46.140 --> 01:36:48.729 of uh what is the point in , uh , 01:36:48.740 --> 01:36:50.851 enabling us to build more ships if we 01:36:50.851 --> 01:36:52.573 can maintain the fleet that we 01:36:52.573 --> 01:36:56.270 currently have . A skilled workforce is 01:36:56.270 --> 01:36:59.479 uh foundational to military readiness . 01:36:59.629 --> 01:37:01.518 However , this administration has 01:37:01.518 --> 01:37:03.950 implemented a DOD hiring freeze and is 01:37:03.950 --> 01:37:07.109 planning to fire up to 60,000 DOD 01:37:07.109 --> 01:37:10.680 employees . DOD is eliminating people 01:37:10.680 --> 01:37:13.509 across the spectrum from firing general 01:37:13.509 --> 01:37:15.790 and flag officers without cause to 01:37:15.790 --> 01:37:17.990 removing new and motivated employees . 01:37:18.069 --> 01:37:21.709 These would be the employees on uh who 01:37:21.709 --> 01:37:24.080 had just gotten hired . And are being 01:37:24.080 --> 01:37:26.080 trained and you would think that we 01:37:26.080 --> 01:37:28.302 would want to keep those folks , but uh 01:37:28.302 --> 01:37:30.413 the people in probationary status are 01:37:30.413 --> 01:37:32.191 among the first to go , uh , as 01:37:32.191 --> 01:37:34.870 happened across the administration . Uh , 01:37:35.009 --> 01:37:37.231 for example , the VA , which is already 01:37:37.231 --> 01:37:39.453 strapped with the need to hire people , 01:37:39.453 --> 01:37:42.479 they just eliminated , uh , some 2400 01:37:42.479 --> 01:37:45.479 employees and about to eliminate 83,000 01:37:45.479 --> 01:37:48.310 employees , um , going forward . So , 01:37:48.560 --> 01:37:50.671 uh , gentlemen , and Ms . Moore , how 01:37:50.671 --> 01:37:53.109 are these personnel actions impacting 01:37:53.319 --> 01:37:55.959 the hiring , training , and retaining 01:37:55.959 --> 01:37:57.959 of a skilled national security 01:37:57.959 --> 01:38:00.979 workforce ? Briefly , 01:38:02.890 --> 01:38:04.612 You can say it's not helping . 01:38:07.490 --> 01:38:10.729 I'm , I'll , I'll start , uh , specific 01:38:10.729 --> 01:38:12.819 to the Marine Corps , we started our 01:38:12.819 --> 01:38:15.479 leaning out process 6 budget cycles ago , 01:38:16.129 --> 01:38:18.229 uh , in accordance with force design 01:38:18.229 --> 01:38:20.396 and talent management . So we're start 01:38:20.396 --> 01:38:22.451 game of this exercise for us . We're 01:38:22.451 --> 01:38:24.810 pretty lean , so any cut is gonna have 01:38:24.810 --> 01:38:27.209 some impacts . However , uh , of the 01:38:27.209 --> 01:38:29.560 2300 employees that we've , uh , 01:38:29.609 --> 01:38:31.498 identified , we've got protection 01:38:31.498 --> 01:38:33.665 either exemption , um , or exclusion . 01:38:34.180 --> 01:38:37.180 Down to a number south of 75 , uh , not 01:38:37.180 --> 01:38:40.779 without impact but manageable from the 01:38:40.779 --> 01:38:43.939 Marine Corps standpoint . What I'm also 01:38:43.939 --> 01:38:47.299 concerned about is the exclusions or 01:38:47.299 --> 01:38:50.330 exemptions for a hiring freeze . Um , 01:38:50.580 --> 01:38:53.740 we lose about 7 to 10% of our civilian 01:38:53.740 --> 01:38:55.462 workforce just through natural 01:38:55.462 --> 01:38:57.462 attrition each year , so we have to 01:38:57.462 --> 01:38:59.573 figure out a way to replenish that or 01:38:59.573 --> 01:39:01.796 the number would just keep going down . 01:39:01.796 --> 01:39:04.018 Well , hundreds of thousands of federal 01:39:04.018 --> 01:39:06.184 employees are being fired . Uh , these 01:39:06.184 --> 01:39:08.240 songs are not based on any kind of a 01:39:08.240 --> 01:39:10.296 job performance evaluation . So it's 01:39:10.296 --> 01:39:12.518 gonna happen to the DOD I would say and 01:39:12.518 --> 01:39:14.750 so anybody else wants to I'll just 01:39:14.750 --> 01:39:17.939 connect to our last exchange , um , 01:39:17.950 --> 01:39:21.299 ranking member , uh , the shipyards 01:39:21.709 --> 01:39:24.750 are exempt from the probationary 01:39:24.750 --> 01:39:26.861 employees and they're exempt from the 01:39:26.861 --> 01:39:28.806 hiring freeze , so we're trying to 01:39:28.806 --> 01:39:31.149 shape this in a manner that allows us 01:39:31.149 --> 01:39:33.205 to continue the , the most important 01:39:33.205 --> 01:39:35.790 work as we work through , uh , uh , 01:39:35.799 --> 01:39:38.180 guidance from the administration . Also 01:39:38.180 --> 01:39:40.347 exempted from the hiring freeze is the 01:39:40.347 --> 01:39:42.569 military sealift command , an important 01:39:42.569 --> 01:39:44.791 force for us to maintain our fleet . So 01:39:44.791 --> 01:39:46.624 I think those are efforts on the 01:39:46.624 --> 01:39:48.736 services part to manage basically all 01:39:48.736 --> 01:39:50.513 all three of you are needing to 01:39:50.513 --> 01:39:52.736 identify some very critical people that 01:39:52.736 --> 01:39:54.847 you wanna make sure that these , uh , 01:39:55.109 --> 01:39:58.259 uh , firings do not hit is that what 01:39:58.259 --> 01:40:01.479 you're doing ? Yes , Senator . 01:40:03.120 --> 01:40:05.490 Thank you , Mr . Chairman . Thank you , 01:40:05.549 --> 01:40:08.680 Senator Hirono . I'm gonna um . Finish 01:40:08.680 --> 01:40:10.680 this line of questioning with you , 01:40:10.680 --> 01:40:14.029 General Spain on . The CR budget 01:40:14.029 --> 01:40:16.470 flexibilities and specific if you can 01:40:16.470 --> 01:40:19.609 get there and then . Air Force , um . 01:40:20.439 --> 01:40:22.759 Recruiting and lessons learned and then 01:40:22.759 --> 01:40:25.240 uh Miss Maer I'd like you to answer the . 01:40:26.140 --> 01:40:28.362 Same question as well , Mr . Chairman , 01:40:28.362 --> 01:40:30.251 thanks for the question . uh , we 01:40:30.251 --> 01:40:32.196 talked a little bit in the opening 01:40:32.196 --> 01:40:34.307 statement about the , the bad , but I 01:40:34.307 --> 01:40:36.418 echo the the comments from across the 01:40:36.418 --> 01:40:38.529 table on top line restrictions , uh , 01:40:38.529 --> 01:40:40.584 flexibility , uh , in my mind really 01:40:40.584 --> 01:40:42.640 comes down to treating our readiness 01:40:42.640 --> 01:40:44.862 accounts and quality of life accounts , 01:40:44.862 --> 01:40:47.370 uh , in terms of Milon , uh , and , and , 01:40:47.379 --> 01:40:50.120 uh , FSRM . Uh , with the same 01:40:50.120 --> 01:40:52.330 flexibility as operations , uh , the 01:40:52.330 --> 01:40:54.640 readiness impacts within those accounts 01:40:54.640 --> 01:40:57.799 have the same , uh , deleterious effect 01:40:57.799 --> 01:41:01.000 across the force as , uh , as stopping 01:41:01.000 --> 01:41:03.439 current operations and so by allowing 01:41:03.439 --> 01:41:06.200 flexibility across the pillars of those 01:41:06.200 --> 01:41:08.367 readiness accounts , that's manpower , 01:41:08.367 --> 01:41:10.533 infrastructure , flying and training , 01:41:10.600 --> 01:41:13.040 uh , and parts and supply , uh , we can 01:41:13.040 --> 01:41:15.151 mitigate some of that risk that comes 01:41:15.151 --> 01:41:17.495 along with the . The CR , um , from a 01:41:17.495 --> 01:41:19.606 recruiting standpoint , the Air Force 01:41:19.606 --> 01:41:21.564 is , uh , above Glide slope on our 01:41:21.564 --> 01:41:23.731 recruiting , uh , goals for the year . 01:41:23.731 --> 01:41:25.897 We increased the number , uh , uh , by 01:41:25.897 --> 01:41:28.120 20% , and in fact we're still above the 01:41:28.120 --> 01:41:31.404 20% increase , and we have the largest , 01:41:31.504 --> 01:41:33.671 uh , delayed entry pool that we've had 01:41:33.671 --> 01:41:35.671 in 10 years and the most recruiting 01:41:35.671 --> 01:41:37.726 that we've done at this point in the 01:41:37.726 --> 01:41:39.837 year , uh , in the last 15 years , so 01:41:39.837 --> 01:41:41.893 we're in a good position . Are there 01:41:41.893 --> 01:41:43.948 lessons learned from what you did to 01:41:43.948 --> 01:41:46.115 get over that hump ? Yes sir , so we , 01:41:46.115 --> 01:41:46.029 we have , uh , increased the number of 01:41:46.029 --> 01:41:47.862 recruiters . We've increased the 01:41:47.862 --> 01:41:49.862 training which reflects some of the 01:41:49.862 --> 01:41:52.029 things that were said before . I don't 01:41:52.029 --> 01:41:54.085 know if I , I was a recruiter when I 01:41:54.085 --> 01:41:53.390 first started out in the Air Force 01:41:53.390 --> 01:41:55.557 waiting to go to pilot training . Uh , 01:41:55.557 --> 01:41:57.779 it is a , it's a , it's a tough job and 01:41:57.779 --> 01:41:59.946 you need , uh , the right people doing 01:41:59.946 --> 01:42:02.112 that work and we're bringing the right 01:42:02.112 --> 01:42:04.390 people in and we're training them , uh , 01:42:04.390 --> 01:42:06.501 uh , even better than we had before . 01:42:06.501 --> 01:42:08.612 Great , um , Ms . Mayer , do you have 01:42:08.612 --> 01:42:10.723 any views on the . In general , the , 01:42:10.723 --> 01:42:12.890 the line of questioning that I've been 01:42:12.890 --> 01:42:14.723 going through on CR but in uh in 01:42:14.723 --> 01:42:16.668 particular we've , we've heard the 01:42:16.668 --> 01:42:18.668 challenges that , but in particular 01:42:18.668 --> 01:42:20.723 what I wanna hear from you is , um , 01:42:20.723 --> 01:42:22.946 your sense on flexibilities , uh , that 01:42:22.946 --> 01:42:25.120 I know that we could provide more in 01:42:25.120 --> 01:42:28.259 the budget to give our services the 01:42:28.259 --> 01:42:30.200 ability to address some of the 01:42:30.200 --> 01:42:32.879 challenges that you put in your report 01:42:32.879 --> 01:42:36.439 but also give them flexibility that if 01:42:36.439 --> 01:42:38.772 we have to . You know , and certainly I , 01:42:38.772 --> 01:42:40.720 I wouldn't advocate for it , but 01:42:40.720 --> 01:42:43.600 another CR , another kind of budgetary 01:42:43.600 --> 01:42:45.656 constraint issue that they have more 01:42:45.656 --> 01:42:47.767 flexibility to direct to address them 01:42:47.767 --> 01:42:50.350 and then also if GAO's looked at 01:42:50.350 --> 01:42:52.479 lessons learned from the recruiting 01:42:53.120 --> 01:42:55.287 kind of challenge that we had over the 01:42:55.287 --> 01:42:57.970 last 3 or 4 years and how that's come 01:42:57.970 --> 01:43:01.040 about , what are those ? Sure , thank 01:43:01.040 --> 01:43:02.873 you for the question , uh , Mr . 01:43:02.873 --> 01:43:06.859 Chairman on the issue of CR um . You 01:43:06.859 --> 01:43:08.970 know , talking about a full UCR makes 01:43:08.970 --> 01:43:11.137 me think back to work that we did over 01:43:11.137 --> 01:43:13.303 a decade ago looking at the impacts on 01:43:13.303 --> 01:43:15.526 sequestration . Obviously it's a little 01:43:15.526 --> 01:43:17.748 bit apples to oranges , but we issued a 01:43:17.748 --> 01:43:19.637 report 2015ish that looked at how 01:43:19.637 --> 01:43:21.803 sequestration impacted DOD and at that 01:43:21.803 --> 01:43:24.500 time we had a recommendation that DOD 01:43:24.500 --> 01:43:26.333 collect the lessons learned from 01:43:26.333 --> 01:43:28.339 sequestration and stockpile them in 01:43:28.339 --> 01:43:30.561 case they needed those lessons later on 01:43:30.561 --> 01:43:32.910 down the road . 2017 we reached out to 01:43:32.910 --> 01:43:35.021 the comptroller shop . They said they 01:43:35.021 --> 01:43:36.966 had taken action to implement that 01:43:36.966 --> 01:43:39.021 recommendation , so that's sort of a 01:43:39.021 --> 01:43:41.188 takeaway item for the department is to 01:43:41.188 --> 01:43:43.419 look back at what DOD did back in 2017 01:43:43.709 --> 01:43:45.431 in terms of lessons learned on 01:43:45.431 --> 01:43:47.487 sequestration and see what if any of 01:43:47.487 --> 01:43:49.598 those lessons can be applied to today 01:43:49.629 --> 01:43:52.189 in terms of flexibilities , um , we've 01:43:52.189 --> 01:43:54.411 heard a lot in in my teams have heard a 01:43:54.411 --> 01:43:56.700 lot about uh the types of flexibilities 01:43:56.700 --> 01:43:58.756 uh that the uh that the generals and 01:43:58.756 --> 01:44:00.870 the admiral talked about today , um . 01:44:01.430 --> 01:44:03.486 Obviously Geo tries to stay a little 01:44:03.486 --> 01:44:05.374 bit agnostic in terms of specific 01:44:05.374 --> 01:44:07.541 flexibilities , but what I will say is 01:44:07.541 --> 01:44:09.763 that whatever flexibilities are offered 01:44:09.919 --> 01:44:12.141 should be directed towards ensuring the 01:44:12.141 --> 01:44:14.310 ability of the services to meet the 01:44:14.310 --> 01:44:16.740 readiness challenges that they face um 01:44:16.740 --> 01:44:18.796 I talked about earlier in my opening 01:44:18.796 --> 01:44:20.740 statement , there is a significant 01:44:20.740 --> 01:44:22.962 imbalance between resources and mission 01:44:22.962 --> 01:44:25.184 and so that anything that we've done to 01:44:25.184 --> 01:44:27.184 help bring that into better balance 01:44:27.184 --> 01:44:29.184 would be very helpful . In terms of 01:44:29.184 --> 01:44:31.407 recruiting we're very encouraged to see 01:44:31.407 --> 01:44:33.518 that the recruiting numbers have come 01:44:33.518 --> 01:44:35.518 up . We've issued a whole series of 01:44:35.518 --> 01:44:37.518 reports in areas where the services 01:44:37.518 --> 01:44:39.684 have critical shortfalls in the number 01:44:39.684 --> 01:44:41.907 of people they need . So for example at 01:44:41.907 --> 01:44:44.073 the Navy for every 6 sailors that they 01:44:44.073 --> 01:44:46.296 had that they need for the fleet , they 01:44:46.296 --> 01:44:48.073 only have 5 assigned . We found 01:44:48.073 --> 01:44:49.962 deficiencies in the number of air 01:44:49.962 --> 01:44:52.018 defenders that the space force has a 01:44:52.018 --> 01:44:54.470 really good uh force generation model , 01:44:54.479 --> 01:44:56.701 but they don't have enough guardians to 01:44:56.701 --> 01:44:58.701 actually . Carry that out much less 01:44:58.701 --> 01:45:00.757 than the civilian and the contractor 01:45:00.757 --> 01:45:02.923 side so that the improvements and that 01:45:02.923 --> 01:45:04.757 the change in the trend line and 01:45:04.757 --> 01:45:06.646 recruiting can be helpful in that 01:45:06.646 --> 01:45:08.368 regard and some of our work on 01:45:08.368 --> 01:45:10.535 recruiting we think it's important for 01:45:10.535 --> 01:45:12.701 the different programs , the different 01:45:12.701 --> 01:45:14.701 services to get an understanding of 01:45:14.701 --> 01:45:16.868 what is working , what isn't working . 01:45:16.868 --> 01:45:19.090 And then double down on the things that 01:45:19.090 --> 01:45:18.660 are working and then share those 01:45:18.660 --> 01:45:20.882 lessons with each other that way you'll 01:45:20.882 --> 01:45:23.069 get a better outcome . No , I'm gonna 01:45:23.069 --> 01:45:26.580 submit , OK , great , thank you on that , 01:45:26.629 --> 01:45:29.390 and , um , I , I still have , uh , a 01:45:29.390 --> 01:45:31.557 number of questions . Senator , do you 01:45:31.557 --> 01:45:33.668 wanna , do you wanna do another round 01:45:33.668 --> 01:45:35.946 or do you wanna submit questions but I , 01:45:36.069 --> 01:45:38.509 I'm gonna stay for a while since I have 01:45:38.509 --> 01:45:40.740 all these , uh , very important . 01:45:41.490 --> 01:45:44.020 Members of our military , I think . I 01:45:44.020 --> 01:45:46.419 will be submitting I'll be submitting 01:45:46.419 --> 01:45:48.475 questions for the record . Thank you 01:45:48.475 --> 01:45:50.641 very much , Mr . Chairman . Well , let 01:45:50.641 --> 01:45:52.363 me , let me continue with some 01:45:52.363 --> 01:45:54.363 additional questions . Um , General 01:45:54.363 --> 01:45:56.641 Mingus , uh , one of the things that I , 01:45:56.641 --> 01:45:59.859 I wanna try to nail down is my 01:45:59.859 --> 01:46:03.649 understanding is the top line number 01:46:03.979 --> 01:46:06.035 for the end strength of the army was 01:46:06.035 --> 01:46:08.879 reduced because of the . Recruiting 01:46:08.879 --> 01:46:12.229 challenges we almost had to do it in a 01:46:12.720 --> 01:46:16.120 forced way um now that we've met these 01:46:16.120 --> 01:46:19.029 numbers again and you have almost a 01:46:19.029 --> 01:46:22.950 surplus will you be requesting um 01:46:23.359 --> 01:46:27.069 from us and you have the flexibility to , 01:46:27.240 --> 01:46:30.029 to increase your top line to a certain 01:46:30.029 --> 01:46:32.209 number ? What's your flexibility on 01:46:32.209 --> 01:46:35.279 that ? Because I'd like to see it . If 01:46:35.279 --> 01:46:38.439 you need more funding to get to that 01:46:38.439 --> 01:46:41.529 higher top line , I think we'd all be 01:46:41.529 --> 01:46:44.640 certainly willing to provide it . But 01:46:44.640 --> 01:46:47.240 what kind of authorities do you need to 01:46:47.240 --> 01:46:50.410 get back to a higher end strength when 01:46:50.720 --> 01:46:53.040 the reduction in your end strength was 01:46:53.040 --> 01:46:56.399 actually a resultant function of the 01:46:56.399 --> 01:46:58.621 recruiting challenges now that you're . 01:46:58.950 --> 01:47:00.894 Going in the positive direction we 01:47:00.894 --> 01:47:02.672 wanna take advantage of that to 01:47:02.672 --> 01:47:04.728 increase your end strength . What do 01:47:04.728 --> 01:47:08.020 you need ? Money , authorities , both ? 01:47:09.259 --> 01:47:12.379 Thank you , Chairman , um . Money , yes , 01:47:12.410 --> 01:47:14.577 in the Milper's account , uh , because 01:47:14.577 --> 01:47:16.799 what we asked for in this year's budget 01:47:16.799 --> 01:47:18.632 was an appropriations for an end 01:47:18.632 --> 01:47:22.270 strength of 442,000 . What I 01:47:22.270 --> 01:47:24.549 believe will happen if the trajectories 01:47:24.549 --> 01:47:26.771 remain consistent with where they're at 01:47:26.771 --> 01:47:28.950 today , we're gonna end uh this year 01:47:28.950 --> 01:47:31.430 somewhere between 449,000 and 01:47:31.430 --> 01:47:35.169 452,000 , so almost . 10,000 01:47:35.169 --> 01:47:36.780 over what we believe will be 01:47:36.780 --> 01:47:39.049 appropriated from a military pay and 01:47:39.049 --> 01:47:41.271 allowance account standpoint , so there 01:47:41.271 --> 01:47:43.327 will be a deficit there that we will 01:47:43.327 --> 01:47:45.438 have to come back and ask for help on 01:47:45.438 --> 01:47:47.271 the authority . I would strongly 01:47:47.271 --> 01:47:49.493 encourage you to do that . Nobody wants 01:47:49.493 --> 01:47:51.549 a smaller army and the fact that you 01:47:51.549 --> 01:47:53.438 had to shrink . Due to recruiting 01:47:53.438 --> 01:47:56.390 challenges . Nobody wanted that and now 01:47:56.390 --> 01:47:58.709 that you're fixing it , we need to 01:47:58.709 --> 01:48:00.990 reward you in my view to get back to a 01:48:00.990 --> 01:48:03.750 higher end strength sir and for 01:48:03.750 --> 01:48:06.083 authorities , the secretary of the army , 01:48:06.083 --> 01:48:07.861 all the service secretaries can 01:48:07.861 --> 01:48:10.028 authorize a 2% deviation from what the 01:48:10.028 --> 01:48:12.139 NDAs , so that would put you at about 01:48:12.139 --> 01:48:14.306 451 . So we think unless it goes above 01:48:14.306 --> 01:48:15.917 that , uh , we will be OK on 01:48:15.917 --> 01:48:18.509 authorities . OK , great , um , General 01:48:18.509 --> 01:48:20.669 Mahoney , I wanna , I wanna go to a 01:48:20.669 --> 01:48:23.580 topic you and I and . Common have 01:48:23.580 --> 01:48:25.636 discussed a lot . That's uh where we 01:48:25.636 --> 01:48:28.569 are in force design and you know , very 01:48:28.569 --> 01:48:31.649 innovative Marine Corps initiative 01:48:32.020 --> 01:48:34.259 started with General Berger , um , but 01:48:34.259 --> 01:48:36.819 not without criticism and anytime you 01:48:36.819 --> 01:48:38.986 innovate you're gonna get criticized . 01:48:38.986 --> 01:48:41.620 There's no doubt about that . um , I 01:48:41.620 --> 01:48:43.842 think the Marine Corps has gotten ahead 01:48:43.842 --> 01:48:45.620 of the curve on a lot of issues 01:48:45.620 --> 01:48:48.540 relating to drones and loitering 01:48:48.540 --> 01:48:51.700 munitions and , uh , you know . 01:48:52.870 --> 01:48:55.750 Light flexible forces that can move 01:48:55.750 --> 01:48:58.549 with uh weapon systems that can take 01:48:58.549 --> 01:49:01.390 out Chinese shipping um all very 01:49:01.390 --> 01:49:04.390 innovative uh however , one of the 01:49:04.390 --> 01:49:08.390 criticisms was that uh the divest to 01:49:08.390 --> 01:49:11.790 invest strategy divested too much 01:49:11.790 --> 01:49:14.149 combat power in the Marine Corps's 01:49:14.149 --> 01:49:17.830 primary mission of a 911 force with 01:49:17.830 --> 01:49:20.819 amphibs to go anywhere in the world . 01:49:21.419 --> 01:49:23.586 At a moment's notice , the kick in the 01:49:23.586 --> 01:49:26.580 door with sufficient combat power was 01:49:26.580 --> 01:49:29.569 reduced , and a lot of criticisms came 01:49:29.569 --> 01:49:31.740 from . You know , within the family , 01:49:31.770 --> 01:49:34.319 retired 4 stars and retired commandants 01:49:34.319 --> 01:49:37.799 and retired , uh , very well respected 01:49:37.799 --> 01:49:40.132 Marines , so that's a difficult balance . 01:49:40.132 --> 01:49:43.229 I remember . A hearing that we had a 01:49:43.229 --> 01:49:45.229 couple of years ago on force design 01:49:45.229 --> 01:49:47.340 where , you know , I asked one of the 01:49:47.340 --> 01:49:49.819 top Marine Corps officers . Hey , look , 01:49:49.939 --> 01:49:52.106 you do an amphibious invasion and then 01:49:52.106 --> 01:49:55.419 you get 3 miles in wherever you are and 01:49:55.419 --> 01:49:57.890 you have to cross a river . Wait a 01:49:57.890 --> 01:49:59.946 minute . Marine Corps got rid of all 01:49:59.946 --> 01:50:01.946 its bridging equipment . How are we 01:50:01.946 --> 01:50:04.720 gonna cross a river ? The answer I 01:50:04.720 --> 01:50:06.720 think if I remember was we're gonna 01:50:06.720 --> 01:50:08.998 call in the army . Now I love the army , 01:50:08.998 --> 01:50:11.200 but in the Marine Corps uh tradition 01:50:11.200 --> 01:50:13.311 calling on the army was not something 01:50:13.311 --> 01:50:15.478 that we typically have done . So where 01:50:15.478 --> 01:50:17.700 are we on the balance ? Where are we on 01:50:17.700 --> 01:50:20.033 things like bridging and route clearing ? 01:50:20.033 --> 01:50:21.867 Where are we on things like um . 01:50:21.890 --> 01:50:24.700 Artillery , uh , infantry which we , we 01:50:24.700 --> 01:50:27.580 cut the Marine Corps cut a lot and do 01:50:27.580 --> 01:50:29.747 you still think this criticism , which 01:50:29.747 --> 01:50:32.689 came from some very , very well 01:50:32.689 --> 01:50:36.209 respected Marines . Um , Is 01:50:36.209 --> 01:50:39.609 legit . Are we recalibrating a little 01:50:39.609 --> 01:50:42.669 bit in terms of we want an innovative 01:50:42.669 --> 01:50:44.725 Marine Corps , but we do not want to 01:50:44.725 --> 01:50:46.836 get rid of our 911 capability kick in 01:50:46.836 --> 01:50:48.780 the door anywhere in the world and 01:50:48.780 --> 01:50:52.189 bring significant combat power 01:50:52.689 --> 01:50:56.450 to bear . Anywhere and 01:50:56.680 --> 01:50:58.902 what's the balance and how are we doing 01:50:58.902 --> 01:51:01.399 on all those things , general ? Senator , 01:51:01.560 --> 01:51:03.810 we've talked extensively about this and 01:51:03.810 --> 01:51:06.839 if you remember where uh the the force 01:51:06.839 --> 01:51:09.979 design . Journey started and that was 01:51:09.979 --> 01:51:11.923 with the statement that we are not 01:51:11.923 --> 01:51:14.060 manned , trained or equipped for the 01:51:14.060 --> 01:51:16.282 future fight that's something tough for 01:51:16.282 --> 01:51:18.171 a marine to swallow . That's what 01:51:18.171 --> 01:51:20.379 generated the shift in some of the 01:51:20.379 --> 01:51:23.350 design elements of our force uh we 01:51:23.350 --> 01:51:25.517 believe that we're on the right course 01:51:25.517 --> 01:51:28.259 based on operations Xtan today based on 01:51:28.259 --> 01:51:30.370 experimentation that we've done based 01:51:30.370 --> 01:51:32.700 on what the COOs , uh , demand that 01:51:32.700 --> 01:51:35.660 having said , our commandant is very . 01:51:37.109 --> 01:51:40.020 His top priority in fact is to balance 01:51:40.310 --> 01:51:42.366 that modernization if we put that in 01:51:42.366 --> 01:51:44.532 the modernization bin , although force 01:51:44.532 --> 01:51:46.366 design is modernization , talent 01:51:46.366 --> 01:51:48.588 management , training , education , and 01:51:48.588 --> 01:51:50.366 logistics , we'll put it in the 01:51:50.366 --> 01:51:52.509 modernization bin with the ability to 01:51:52.509 --> 01:51:54.565 respond to crises we've talked about 01:51:54.565 --> 01:51:56.509 the dearth of afib shipping that's 01:51:56.509 --> 01:51:58.676 significant . I believe it's strategic 01:51:58.676 --> 01:52:00.842 to the nation as far as organic combat 01:52:00.842 --> 01:52:03.919 power goes . We divested of heavy armor . 01:52:04.560 --> 01:52:06.560 We do not believe in the situations 01:52:06.560 --> 01:52:08.950 that we were faced that we need organic 01:52:08.950 --> 01:52:11.149 heavy armor for maneuver or maneuver 01:52:11.149 --> 01:52:13.149 support . We believe we have enough 01:52:13.149 --> 01:52:15.419 artillery , both rocket artillery and 01:52:15.419 --> 01:52:17.419 cannon artillery , for the problems 01:52:17.419 --> 01:52:19.586 that we will face . We believe that we 01:52:19.586 --> 01:52:21.790 have enough um enough engineering and 01:52:21.790 --> 01:52:23.846 engineering support . You brought up 01:52:23.846 --> 01:52:25.901 bridging what we have found that gap 01:52:25.901 --> 01:52:29.620 negotiation gap crossing , uh . Is a 01:52:29.620 --> 01:52:31.540 shortfall and we have divested of 01:52:31.540 --> 01:52:33.651 bridging equipment , frankly that was 01:52:33.651 --> 01:52:35.589 too heavy and logistically 01:52:35.589 --> 01:52:37.645 unsupportable . So can marines cross 01:52:37.645 --> 01:52:39.756 the river if they uh do an amphibious 01:52:39.756 --> 01:52:41.859 invasion and find themselves 3 miles 01:52:41.859 --> 01:52:44.060 inland and have to cross a river ? So 01:52:44.060 --> 01:52:46.459 there are other ways to negotiate a gap 01:52:46.459 --> 01:52:48.681 and you , you know that , but as far as 01:52:48.681 --> 01:52:50.792 bridging goes , we're looking at more 01:52:50.792 --> 01:52:52.737 expeditionary solutions , and this 01:52:52.737 --> 01:52:54.403 circles back to your point of 01:52:54.403 --> 01:52:57.979 recalibration . One of the things about 01:52:57.979 --> 01:53:00.090 Forest design , I'll try to keep this 01:53:00.090 --> 01:53:01.868 short , was that it immediately 01:53:01.868 --> 01:53:04.229 admitted to being wrong . We were to 01:53:04.229 --> 01:53:06.451 challenge all the assumptions along the 01:53:06.451 --> 01:53:08.562 way if we found an assumption wanting 01:53:08.562 --> 01:53:10.673 or invalid , then we had to adjust to 01:53:10.673 --> 01:53:14.310 satisfy uh and verify that assumption . 01:53:15.149 --> 01:53:17.339 We have looked very closely through 01:53:17.339 --> 01:53:19.450 what we call the campaign of learning 01:53:19.450 --> 01:53:21.561 at those assumptions we have adjusted 01:53:21.561 --> 01:53:23.339 the size of a battalion we have 01:53:23.339 --> 01:53:25.006 adjusted some of the aviation 01:53:25.006 --> 01:53:27.117 capabilities we have we have adjusted 01:53:27.117 --> 01:53:29.339 some of the weapons that we have either 01:53:29.339 --> 01:53:31.561 bought or not bought , uh , and to your 01:53:31.561 --> 01:53:31.500 point we're looking hard at 01:53:31.500 --> 01:53:33.611 expeditionary solutions to bridging . 01:53:34.180 --> 01:53:36.939 As far as joint support , I'm frankly , 01:53:36.979 --> 01:53:39.220 I'm less concerned about the army 01:53:39.220 --> 01:53:43.180 providing an M1A2 , uh , for us as I 01:53:43.180 --> 01:53:45.700 am about us as a joint force being able 01:53:45.700 --> 01:53:48.959 to project set a theater and sustain a 01:53:48.959 --> 01:53:50.939 theater from a joint perspective . 01:53:52.180 --> 01:53:54.236 Great , thank you , Senator Hirono . 01:53:54.720 --> 01:53:57.129 Thank you Mr . Chairman . In 2019 , the 01:53:57.129 --> 01:53:59.089 Secretary of Defense discontinued 01:53:59.089 --> 01:54:01.330 certain tasks at the border after 01:54:01.330 --> 01:54:03.689 determining that service members were 01:54:03.689 --> 01:54:06.770 not performing military functions and 01:54:06.770 --> 01:54:09.290 the continued support would negatively 01:54:09.290 --> 01:54:11.799 affect military readiness and morale . 01:54:11.959 --> 01:54:14.279 I think that is an important aspect of , 01:54:14.529 --> 01:54:16.585 uh , what is happening the impact on 01:54:16.585 --> 01:54:18.689 morale . General Mingusz and General 01:54:18.689 --> 01:54:22.490 Mahoney , how is this deployment . 01:54:23.270 --> 01:54:25.810 The current deployment , uh , any 01:54:25.810 --> 01:54:29.700 different from 2019 when DHS was asking 01:54:29.700 --> 01:54:32.220 your units to perform the same non DOD 01:54:32.220 --> 01:54:36.189 tasks . Thank you ma'am . Um , we've 01:54:36.189 --> 01:54:38.189 been asked to defend and secure the 01:54:38.189 --> 01:54:40.411 border and we're gonna , we're gonna do 01:54:40.411 --> 01:54:42.689 that . That's , that's a priority , uh , 01:54:42.689 --> 01:54:44.800 for this administration . We're gonna 01:54:44.800 --> 01:54:44.729 execute that mission as we've been 01:54:44.729 --> 01:54:48.649 asked to do over time as we build any 01:54:48.649 --> 01:54:50.705 time you're asked to defend , it has 01:54:50.705 --> 01:54:52.899 three critical components a physical , 01:54:53.040 --> 01:54:55.089 a technical , and a human . And as 01:54:55.089 --> 01:54:57.089 those physical and technical things 01:54:57.089 --> 01:54:59.399 come online as our secretary testified , 01:54:59.689 --> 01:55:01.689 the human resources associated with 01:55:01.689 --> 01:55:03.800 this mission set will come down . But 01:55:03.800 --> 01:55:05.911 to answer your specific question that 01:55:05.911 --> 01:55:08.450 the lessons we learned from 2019 is the 01:55:08.450 --> 01:55:11.089 troop to task as we like to use was a 01:55:11.089 --> 01:55:13.609 one for one detection and monitoring 01:55:13.609 --> 01:55:16.569 POE support , admin support , data 01:55:16.569 --> 01:55:19.689 entry , etc . And so there was no time 01:55:19.689 --> 01:55:21.745 to come offline to continue to train 01:55:21.745 --> 01:55:23.800 and do their mission . So it doesn't 01:55:23.800 --> 01:55:25.856 sound much different from what we're 01:55:25.856 --> 01:55:28.022 gonna make sure that the troop to task 01:55:28.022 --> 01:55:29.856 allows for rotations so that the 01:55:29.856 --> 01:55:31.800 degradation in readiness is not as 01:55:31.800 --> 01:55:33.856 substantial as what we saw in 2019 . 01:55:34.310 --> 01:55:35.754 That remains to be seen . 01:55:39.560 --> 01:55:41.671 And center similar but not the same , 01:55:41.671 --> 01:55:43.782 uh , we've been on the border as it's 01:55:43.782 --> 01:55:45.893 been stated for a while . The mission 01:55:45.893 --> 01:55:47.893 has changed with this , uh , recent 01:55:47.893 --> 01:55:50.689 evolution where we're primary primarily 01:55:50.689 --> 01:55:52.467 executing engineering tasks and 01:55:52.467 --> 01:55:54.689 engineering support tasks think barrier 01:55:54.689 --> 01:55:56.689 and placement , uh , but we're also 01:55:56.689 --> 01:55:59.250 executing intelligence tasks and in 01:55:59.250 --> 01:56:01.930 both of those , uh , there is training 01:56:01.930 --> 01:56:04.152 value , especially for the intelligence 01:56:04.152 --> 01:56:06.374 analysts to collect and analyze what is 01:56:06.374 --> 01:56:09.169 a very complex situation . But as 01:56:09.169 --> 01:56:11.319 General Mingus brought up , any time 01:56:11.319 --> 01:56:13.486 you have 10 essential tasks and you're 01:56:13.486 --> 01:56:15.597 only training to one or two of them , 01:56:15.597 --> 01:56:17.763 you have to figure out a way to either 01:56:17.763 --> 01:56:19.986 accept risk in the task that you're not 01:56:19.986 --> 01:56:22.208 training to or to figure out a training 01:56:22.208 --> 01:56:24.430 plan and , and maybe unlike the army we 01:56:24.430 --> 01:56:26.589 even before we had a rotational uh 01:56:26.589 --> 01:56:28.850 basis where we could , uh , plus up the 01:56:28.850 --> 01:56:31.072 skills and the tasks that weren't being 01:56:31.072 --> 01:56:33.128 performed and we'll we'll manage the 01:56:33.128 --> 01:56:35.660 same way . There's actually from what 01:56:35.660 --> 01:56:37.938 you're testifying , you're needing you , 01:56:37.938 --> 01:56:41.609 you are needing to find some tasks 01:56:41.850 --> 01:56:44.020 that our military people are doing on 01:56:44.020 --> 01:56:45.939 the border that somehow has more 01:56:45.939 --> 01:56:48.580 relevance to what they should be doing 01:56:48.580 --> 01:56:50.802 in the military and that perhaps if you 01:56:50.802 --> 01:56:52.858 had your druthers , uh , your people 01:56:52.858 --> 01:56:54.858 would not be in the border at all , 01:56:54.858 --> 01:56:56.969 especially as border crossings are at 01:56:56.969 --> 01:56:58.209 an all time low . 01:57:00.759 --> 01:57:03.779 During the Northcom posture hearing , 01:57:04.049 --> 01:57:06.640 General Gillo said that uh units 01:57:06.640 --> 01:57:08.696 deployed to the southwest border get 01:57:08.696 --> 01:57:11.069 only one dedicated training days per 01:57:11.069 --> 01:57:13.200 week . General Mingus and General 01:57:13.200 --> 01:57:15.399 Mahoney and Ms . Moore is one day a 01:57:15.399 --> 01:57:17.799 week normal for military training ? 01:57:19.520 --> 01:57:21.576 Depending on which cycle you're in , 01:57:21.576 --> 01:57:23.742 ma'am , um , it , it could be normal , 01:57:23.742 --> 01:57:25.687 but I'll go back to where I talked 01:57:25.687 --> 01:57:27.687 about before is it's the ability to 01:57:27.687 --> 01:57:29.853 cycle people in and out of their tasks 01:57:29.853 --> 01:57:31.798 associated with the border mission 01:57:31.798 --> 01:57:33.798 versus going back in the ability to 01:57:33.798 --> 01:57:36.076 train on their mission in central task . 01:57:36.076 --> 01:57:38.131 The the other thing I would offer in 01:57:38.131 --> 01:57:37.689 this kind of expand on General Mahoney 01:57:37.689 --> 01:57:39.689 is that at the highest level of our 01:57:39.689 --> 01:57:41.856 doctrine , uh , the joint force has to 01:57:41.856 --> 01:57:44.022 be able to execute offense , defense , 01:57:44.022 --> 01:57:46.356 and stability operations simultaneously . 01:57:46.356 --> 01:57:48.411 This is a defensive operation and so 01:57:48.411 --> 01:57:48.299 there is training value associated with 01:57:48.299 --> 01:57:50.355 that . Is it gonna be the same as if 01:57:50.355 --> 01:57:52.299 they went to the National Training 01:57:52.299 --> 01:57:54.410 Center ? Absolutely not , but there's 01:57:54.410 --> 01:57:56.632 still value to be had if the leadership 01:57:56.632 --> 01:57:59.120 takes the right approach to it . And 01:57:59.120 --> 01:58:01.176 Senator , I'm not , I'm not familiar 01:58:01.176 --> 01:58:03.509 with exactly what Northcom said , but I , 01:58:03.509 --> 01:58:05.731 I would maintain that our engineers and 01:58:05.731 --> 01:58:07.790 our intel analysts have had far more 01:58:07.790 --> 01:58:10.040 than one day of training to train for 01:58:10.040 --> 01:58:12.240 this mission , uh , for obstacle and 01:58:12.240 --> 01:58:15.959 placement for intelligence analysts 01:58:15.959 --> 01:58:19.520 they undergo a whole battery of 01:58:19.520 --> 01:58:21.839 training to prepare them for just this 01:58:21.839 --> 01:58:23.919 support . So you're saying that that 01:58:23.919 --> 01:58:26.030 our troops on the border are actually 01:58:26.030 --> 01:58:28.259 getting equivalent . Uh , something 01:58:28.259 --> 01:58:31.459 that is equivalent to more than , uh , 01:58:31.740 --> 01:58:34.589 one day a week in training . 01:58:35.680 --> 01:58:37.847 So , uh , you , you know what I mean I 01:58:38.779 --> 01:58:41.549 I would like . I think that you're 01:58:41.549 --> 01:58:44.790 doing your best to be very 01:58:44.790 --> 01:58:48.189 forthcoming in your assessment of your 01:58:48.189 --> 01:58:51.939 troops being deployed to the border and 01:58:52.029 --> 01:58:55.390 clearly you can do all you 01:58:55.899 --> 01:58:59.069 you're doing your best to enable your 01:58:59.069 --> 01:59:01.350 uh these people to be getting the kind 01:59:01.350 --> 01:59:03.629 of some sort of equivalent . Training , 01:59:03.720 --> 01:59:07.669 but it , it is hard to , uh , frankly 01:59:07.959 --> 01:59:10.181 it kind of stretches the imagination to 01:59:10.181 --> 01:59:12.292 think that that that is happening and 01:59:12.292 --> 01:59:14.348 that they are not losing the kind of 01:59:14.348 --> 01:59:16.850 training and and and opportunities to 01:59:16.850 --> 01:59:19.072 train that uh would be the case if they 01:59:19.072 --> 01:59:21.759 were not , uh , Senator from a from a 01:59:21.759 --> 01:59:24.470 GAO perspective , um , I'll say real 01:59:24.479 --> 01:59:27.240 real briefly that , um , I think back 01:59:27.240 --> 01:59:29.450 to one of my previous jobs at GAO was 01:59:29.450 --> 01:59:31.672 at GEO's Homeland Security justice team 01:59:32.080 --> 01:59:35.029 and . We obviously that team continues 01:59:35.029 --> 01:59:37.790 to do oversight of the of the uh of DHS 01:59:38.129 --> 01:59:40.018 and I think about all the the the 01:59:40.018 --> 01:59:41.907 capabilities that currently exist 01:59:41.907 --> 01:59:43.950 within CBP and ICE and and other 01:59:43.950 --> 01:59:46.629 federal law enforcement agencies on the 01:59:46.629 --> 01:59:49.149 border . um I think from an oversight 01:59:49.149 --> 01:59:51.316 perspective it would be interesting to 01:59:51.316 --> 01:59:53.620 pursue what those agents . are doing 01:59:53.620 --> 01:59:55.176 and at what point are their 01:59:55.176 --> 01:59:57.287 capabilities insufficient to meet the 01:59:57.287 --> 01:59:59.398 mission needs on the southwest border 01:59:59.398 --> 02:00:01.287 and we're not , we're not looking 02:00:01.287 --> 02:00:03.453 specifically at that topic right now , 02:00:03.453 --> 02:00:05.564 but I think that's something valuable 02:00:05.564 --> 02:00:07.342 to think about from a readiness 02:00:07.342 --> 02:00:09.453 perspective , one of the trends we've 02:00:09.453 --> 02:00:09.220 seen over the years is there is there 02:00:09.220 --> 02:00:11.939 can sometimes be a tendency to look to 02:00:11.939 --> 02:00:14.910 DOD . To perform functions that can 02:00:14.910 --> 02:00:17.830 also be performed by uh by the domestic 02:00:17.830 --> 02:00:20.270 and civilian agencies in many cases 02:00:20.270 --> 02:00:22.720 that's definitely warranted but DUD 02:00:22.720 --> 02:00:24.887 comes in with a heavier footprint . It 02:00:24.887 --> 02:00:27.310 costs bigger dollars and it does have a 02:00:27.310 --> 02:00:30.109 readiness and a mission and a resource 02:00:30.109 --> 02:00:32.331 uh trade off for the department as well 02:00:32.331 --> 02:00:34.109 yeah of course . A flight using 02:00:34.109 --> 02:00:36.845 military aircraft to take only about 02:00:36.845 --> 02:00:40.444 100 people to another country . It 02:00:40.444 --> 02:00:42.955 costs over $2 million . That is not a 02:00:42.955 --> 02:00:45.564 very efficient use of military 02:00:45.564 --> 02:00:47.897 resources . You raise a good point , Ms . 02:00:47.897 --> 02:00:49.897 Maurer , and you know up to date we 02:00:49.897 --> 02:00:51.953 have not received information from . 02:00:52.359 --> 02:00:56.040 Either the Homeland Security or the DOD 02:00:56.040 --> 02:00:59.799 as to the need asserted for the 02:00:59.799 --> 02:01:02.350 troops to go to the border and we await 02:01:02.350 --> 02:01:04.406 that kind of information , but until 02:01:04.406 --> 02:01:07.029 then highly questionable . Thank you , 02:01:07.040 --> 02:01:09.151 Mr . Chairman . Thank you , Senator . 02:01:09.151 --> 02:01:11.262 I'm gonna wrap up here uh with just a 02:01:11.262 --> 02:01:13.484 few more questions again thanks for the 02:01:13.484 --> 02:01:15.890 patience . This has been really good 02:01:15.890 --> 02:01:18.001 enlightening hearing and I appreciate 02:01:18.001 --> 02:01:21.859 all the uh uh witnesses testimony and 02:01:21.859 --> 02:01:24.180 frank discussion of our readiness 02:01:24.180 --> 02:01:26.890 challenges . General Spain I'm gonna uh 02:01:26.890 --> 02:01:29.001 turn to you a little bit on contested 02:01:29.001 --> 02:01:31.168 logistics . uh Ms . Mauer talked about 02:01:31.168 --> 02:01:33.580 it . Uh , we all deal with it , all the 02:01:33.580 --> 02:01:36.060 services , but the Air Force think in 02:01:36.060 --> 02:01:38.700 particular with its , uh , tanker fleet . 02:01:39.120 --> 02:01:41.600 Is particularly challenged because 02:01:42.040 --> 02:01:45.149 tankers are so important , um . Uh , 02:01:45.229 --> 02:01:47.750 the , the previous secretary of the Air 02:01:47.750 --> 02:01:50.470 Force committed after the chief of 02:01:50.470 --> 02:01:52.589 staff of the Air Force and , and many 02:01:52.589 --> 02:01:54.533 others over the last several years 02:01:54.533 --> 02:01:56.645 we're gonna be moving more KC-135s to 02:01:56.645 --> 02:02:00.220 Iselson , but , um , what is the sense 02:02:00.220 --> 02:02:03.939 of your tanker fleet , uh , writ large 02:02:04.109 --> 02:02:07.310 and um how can we be addressing that 02:02:07.310 --> 02:02:09.470 and can you commit to me to keeping 02:02:09.470 --> 02:02:11.600 that timeline and getting those uh 4 02:02:11.600 --> 02:02:14.310 tankers I think . One has already uh 02:02:14.310 --> 02:02:16.750 been um moved to Iselson , but we need 02:02:16.750 --> 02:02:20.589 a . 3 more with um . Over 02:02:20.589 --> 02:02:23.470 100 5th gen fighters in Alaska , as you 02:02:23.470 --> 02:02:25.589 know , our Air Force is doing a 02:02:25.589 --> 02:02:28.479 fantastic job , real world missions 02:02:28.879 --> 02:02:31.000 very regularly intercepting Russian 02:02:31.000 --> 02:02:34.109 Bear bombers and our aid is Chinese and 02:02:34.109 --> 02:02:36.220 Russian strategic bombers and our aid 02:02:36.220 --> 02:02:38.750 is , our military , our air force has 02:02:38.750 --> 02:02:40.917 done a great job up there , but as you 02:02:40.917 --> 02:02:43.139 know , those intercept missions are not 02:02:43.139 --> 02:02:45.306 easy and we need tankers . Um , but we 02:02:45.306 --> 02:02:47.472 need tankers throughout the world , so 02:02:47.740 --> 02:02:50.279 what's the situation there ? Thanks , 02:02:50.359 --> 02:02:52.470 Senator . I appreciate the question . 02:02:52.470 --> 02:02:54.470 Uh , as you are fully aware , we're 02:02:54.470 --> 02:02:56.790 committed to the KC 46 program 89 . 02:02:57.040 --> 02:03:00.069 Aircraft on the ramp today uh and 02:03:00.069 --> 02:03:02.069 recent deployments have been wildly 02:03:02.069 --> 02:03:04.236 successful in their ability to offload 02:03:04.236 --> 02:03:06.458 gas to a multitude of receivers both in 02:03:06.458 --> 02:03:08.680 theater and around the world uh for the 02:03:08.680 --> 02:03:10.700 KC-135 , uh , obviously we did some 02:03:10.700 --> 02:03:13.149 reengineing and service life extension 02:03:13.149 --> 02:03:15.260 in the 80s and the 90s that will keep 02:03:15.260 --> 02:03:17.593 the platform flying for decades to come , 02:03:17.593 --> 02:03:19.700 but we are also fully committed to 02:03:19.870 --> 02:03:22.430 tanker recapitalization post the case . 02:03:22.555 --> 02:03:26.064 C46 uh program uh right now we're on 02:03:26.064 --> 02:03:29.254 track to continue to procure 15 KC 46s 02:03:29.254 --> 02:03:31.476 a year and we're continuing to move the 02:03:31.476 --> 02:03:34.145 tanker recap , uh , uh , acquisition 02:03:34.145 --> 02:03:36.484 strategy forward , uh , and we'll 02:03:36.484 --> 02:03:38.665 continue to do so and , and to your 02:03:38.665 --> 02:03:40.904 point we are , uh , continuing to move 02:03:40.904 --> 02:03:43.126 down the path to bringing the remaining 02:03:43.126 --> 02:03:45.825 3 KC-135s to Ilson for the reasons that 02:03:45.825 --> 02:03:47.936 you mentioned we have some work to do 02:03:47.936 --> 02:03:49.881 with the department . Uh , on some 02:03:49.881 --> 02:03:51.992 notifications , but beyond that we'll 02:03:51.992 --> 02:03:54.214 be able to move relatively great , keep 02:03:54.214 --> 02:03:53.819 me posted on that . That's very 02:03:53.819 --> 02:03:55.939 important . Uh , General Mingus , we 02:03:55.939 --> 02:03:58.459 talked about the , uh , 11th Airborne 02:03:58.459 --> 02:04:01.020 Division , Arctic Angels . um , I'd 02:04:01.020 --> 02:04:03.580 like you just to get an update from 02:04:03.580 --> 02:04:06.299 your perspective on how that unit's 02:04:06.299 --> 02:04:09.419 doing . Um , I , I try to touch base 02:04:09.419 --> 02:04:12.740 with them a lot , um , from what I can 02:04:12.740 --> 02:04:15.700 tell they seem to be very motivated and 02:04:15.700 --> 02:04:18.270 um . Now that that's a war fighting 02:04:18.270 --> 02:04:21.310 headquarters , uh , any other 02:04:21.310 --> 02:04:23.310 additional personnel that we talked 02:04:23.310 --> 02:04:25.669 about coming to that unit in Alaska and 02:04:25.669 --> 02:04:27.725 then any other thoughts about , uh , 02:04:27.950 --> 02:04:30.172 additional multi-domain task force that 02:04:30.172 --> 02:04:32.669 you're looking at , um , placing , I 02:04:32.669 --> 02:04:34.836 know that you're looking at Alaska for 02:04:34.836 --> 02:04:37.113 a multi-domain task force at one point , 02:04:37.113 --> 02:04:39.589 but just to update on really the uh 02:04:39.589 --> 02:04:41.569 operations and morale of the 11th 02:04:41.569 --> 02:04:44.299 Airborne Division , uh , who do a great 02:04:44.299 --> 02:04:46.577 job in my state . Yeah thanks Chairman . 02:04:46.577 --> 02:04:48.743 I , I know you're proud of them and we 02:04:48.743 --> 02:04:50.743 are as well , uh , their trajectory 02:04:50.743 --> 02:04:52.632 still continues to move in a very 02:04:52.632 --> 02:04:54.743 positive direction both on , uh , the 02:04:54.743 --> 02:04:56.799 suicide front and also on the people 02:04:56.799 --> 02:04:58.577 side that that you and I talked 02:04:58.577 --> 02:05:00.799 yesterday , but also on the operational 02:05:00.799 --> 02:05:02.966 side , multiple warfighter exercises , 02:05:02.966 --> 02:05:02.330 uh , they just demonstrated their 02:05:02.330 --> 02:05:04.770 ability to , uh , self deploy in-flight 02:05:04.770 --> 02:05:06.992 rig all the way from Alaska to Hawaii , 02:05:06.992 --> 02:05:09.450 jump in and participate in a high scale 02:05:09.450 --> 02:05:11.561 war fighter exercise on island , uh , 02:05:11.569 --> 02:05:13.720 just a couple months ago . So from an 02:05:13.720 --> 02:05:15.831 operational perspective they continue 02:05:15.831 --> 02:05:18.164 to improve and and get better every day . 02:05:18.164 --> 02:05:20.220 The other fundamental change that we 02:05:20.220 --> 02:05:22.109 made in Alaska was converting the 02:05:22.109 --> 02:05:24.276 brigade in Alaska from a striker to an 02:05:24.276 --> 02:05:26.442 infantry brigade combat team . So that 02:05:26.442 --> 02:05:28.387 climate , culture and the identity 02:05:28.387 --> 02:05:30.553 associated with being light fighters , 02:05:30.553 --> 02:05:32.442 Arctic light fighters , uh , they 02:05:32.442 --> 02:05:32.359 absolutely have embraced that . Uh , 02:05:32.370 --> 02:05:34.426 it's turned the turned the corner in 02:05:34.426 --> 02:05:36.648 that organization , and they're often a 02:05:36.648 --> 02:05:38.870 great start , uh , so very , very proud 02:05:38.870 --> 02:05:40.703 of where they're headed . On the 02:05:40.703 --> 02:05:42.870 multi-domain task forces , uh , we did 02:05:42.870 --> 02:05:44.981 consider , uh , but in the end , uh , 02:05:44.981 --> 02:05:46.703 sir , we did not , uh , make a 02:05:46.703 --> 02:05:48.926 selection to go to Alaska for the , for 02:05:48.926 --> 02:05:51.037 the 5th uh uh multi domain task force 02:05:51.037 --> 02:05:53.979 gonna be home ported . Uh , Fort Lewis , 02:05:54.430 --> 02:05:58.089 Fort Carson , Hawaii , uh , Fort Bragg 02:05:58.089 --> 02:06:01.290 in Europe . OK , great , thank you , um , 02:06:01.620 --> 02:06:03.620 Admiral , uh , you and I had a good 02:06:03.620 --> 02:06:05.953 discussion on ADAC , uh , the other day . 02:06:05.953 --> 02:06:08.009 That's , uh , if you look at a map , 02:06:08.009 --> 02:06:10.120 it's incredibly strategic base . It's 02:06:10.120 --> 02:06:12.231 the gateway to the Arctic . It's much 02:06:12.231 --> 02:06:14.453 further west than Hawaii . It's kind of 02:06:14.453 --> 02:06:18.259 a dagger in the flank of China , um . 02:06:18.830 --> 02:06:20.719 Can you give me your sense on the 02:06:20.719 --> 02:06:22.790 strategic value of ADDAC and any 02:06:22.790 --> 02:06:24.846 updates since you and I talked about 02:06:24.846 --> 02:06:27.179 that ? Well , just for , for the record , 02:06:27.229 --> 02:06:30.750 sir , we went to look at , uh , AAC 02:06:30.750 --> 02:06:32.972 from kind of a small , medium and large 02:06:32.972 --> 02:06:35.470 warm basing perspective on what we 02:06:35.470 --> 02:06:37.692 could do in the future , uh , with your 02:06:37.692 --> 02:06:39.790 support and uh we're gonna send up a 02:06:39.790 --> 02:06:42.012 team to engage with the Corporation and 02:06:42.012 --> 02:06:44.123 the Department of Transportation from 02:06:44.123 --> 02:06:46.234 Alaska to really understand that to a 02:06:46.234 --> 02:06:48.939 greater level . Uh , we sent 14 ships 02:06:48.939 --> 02:06:51.290 to Dutch Harbor last year , 2 from , uh , 02:06:51.299 --> 02:06:54.700 the FDNF 12 from San Diego , so there's 02:06:54.700 --> 02:06:56.922 a need . I happened to speak to Admiral 02:06:56.922 --> 02:06:58.811 Paparro last night on a number of 02:06:58.811 --> 02:07:01.033 issues . This came up . We talked about 02:07:01.033 --> 02:07:03.259 the increased activity by China and 02:07:03.259 --> 02:07:05.979 Russia in that area . So to me that 02:07:05.979 --> 02:07:09.490 lends itself to address , uh , those , 02:07:09.770 --> 02:07:12.020 those types of activities so we're not 02:07:12.020 --> 02:07:14.100 having to sail so far to get there . 02:07:14.509 --> 02:07:16.453 Well , I appreciate that and again 02:07:16.453 --> 02:07:18.398 that's uh it's not just aircraft , 02:07:18.398 --> 02:07:20.509 strategic bombers and our aid is that 02:07:20.509 --> 02:07:22.509 our great air force is doing such a 02:07:22.509 --> 02:07:24.890 good job of addressing it's , uh , to 02:07:24.890 --> 02:07:26.946 your point , it's , uh , Chinese and 02:07:26.946 --> 02:07:29.112 Russian joint naval task forces in our 02:07:29.112 --> 02:07:31.979 EEZ up in Alaska . This is happening on 02:07:31.979 --> 02:07:34.129 a regular basis . The rest of the 02:07:34.129 --> 02:07:36.296 country doesn't uh really notice , but 02:07:36.296 --> 02:07:38.462 we notice in Alaska we're on the front 02:07:38.462 --> 02:07:40.850 lines and we appreciate the great work 02:07:40.850 --> 02:07:42.961 our service members are doing there , 02:07:43.009 --> 02:07:45.759 um . And so I wanna , I wanna thank you 02:07:45.759 --> 02:07:47.759 on that and look forward to working 02:07:47.759 --> 02:07:50.890 with you on that , um . Can we get to a 02:07:50.890 --> 02:07:53.112 point , I know it was already discussed 02:07:53.112 --> 02:07:55.112 in depth , uh , but on the , on the 02:07:55.112 --> 02:07:57.810 amphibs between the navy and the Marine 02:07:57.810 --> 02:08:00.032 Corps , you know , General Mahoney , we 02:08:00.032 --> 02:08:02.959 talked about the Marines kind of 9/11 02:08:02.959 --> 02:08:05.069 kick in the door capability , but 02:08:05.629 --> 02:08:07.851 essentially that goes away if you don't 02:08:07.851 --> 02:08:10.018 have a MAG that you can rely on . So , 02:08:10.410 --> 02:08:12.577 Admiral , can you commit to us to work 02:08:12.577 --> 02:08:14.299 with us in the Marine Corps on 02:08:14.299 --> 02:08:18.189 prioritizing amphibs . You know , 02:08:18.319 --> 02:08:20.430 I'm just being frank here , you don't 02:08:20.430 --> 02:08:22.430 get the sense that if it was a Ford 02:08:22.430 --> 02:08:24.597 class carrier or something like that , 02:08:24.597 --> 02:08:26.729 that the maintenance numbers that GAO 02:08:26.729 --> 02:08:30.310 has reported , um , would be so 02:08:30.509 --> 02:08:34.180 um . Challenge right now the recent GAO 02:08:34.180 --> 02:08:36.459 report stated roughly 50% of the amphib 02:08:36.819 --> 02:08:39.700 fleet was in poor condition , poor 02:08:39.700 --> 02:08:42.020 material condition , including 5 out of 02:08:42.020 --> 02:08:44.819 the 9 LHA LHD carriers , and 02:08:44.819 --> 02:08:48.770 90% of the LSDs . Those are 02:08:48.770 --> 02:08:50.759 numbers that are shocking and they 02:08:51.250 --> 02:08:53.250 really undermine the Marine Corps's 02:08:53.250 --> 02:08:55.583 ability to do its job and . It's a team , 02:08:55.583 --> 02:08:57.861 one team , one fight Navy Marine Corps , 02:08:57.861 --> 02:09:00.379 but that's uh that's a real detriment , 02:09:00.990 --> 02:09:03.109 sir , thanks for that question . I'm 02:09:03.109 --> 02:09:05.339 not satisfied with amphibious , uh , 02:09:05.350 --> 02:09:07.930 maintenance or readiness . Uh , we are 02:09:07.930 --> 02:09:11.000 committed to the 80% combat surge ready 02:09:11.000 --> 02:09:12.944 and so that's gonna be all surface 02:09:12.944 --> 02:09:15.649 warships , the 80% yes sir , but as a 02:09:15.649 --> 02:09:17.899 subset , I've asked Admiral McLean , 02:09:18.129 --> 02:09:20.850 who is the swell boss , to really do a 02:09:20.850 --> 02:09:23.250 deep dive on amphibious ships in 02:09:23.250 --> 02:09:25.689 particular , and there's some things I 02:09:25.689 --> 02:09:27.800 discussed that we can do better there 02:09:27.800 --> 02:09:30.022 but uh you have my commitment . To meet 02:09:30.022 --> 02:09:32.779 that uh goal to exceed that goal , and 02:09:32.779 --> 02:09:34.979 to ensure that we have uh a three 02:09:34.979 --> 02:09:37.146 shipar ready for the Marine Corps when 02:09:37.146 --> 02:09:39.419 they embark as a result of the boxer 02:09:39.419 --> 02:09:42.660 and WASP uh challenges LHDs that you 02:09:42.660 --> 02:09:45.790 mentioned . I , uh , directed a study 02:09:45.790 --> 02:09:48.779 in last April and I reviewed that study 02:09:48.779 --> 02:09:50.990 in November and there's some actions 02:09:50.990 --> 02:09:53.157 were taken to get after that splitting 02:09:53.157 --> 02:09:55.910 up the flag responsibilities of CN C 02:09:55.910 --> 02:09:57.743 and MRC , which is a maintenance 02:09:57.743 --> 02:10:00.620 command as of today , and C-21 . 02:10:00.910 --> 02:10:03.132 Admiral Bill Green will give command to 02:10:03.132 --> 02:10:05.799 Admiral Lanaman . And , and he will be 02:10:05.799 --> 02:10:09.250 C21 and Admiral Laman will be CNC and 02:10:09.250 --> 02:10:12.569 RMC . So focusing on that with that 02:10:12.569 --> 02:10:14.625 effort and leadership , I think will 02:10:14.625 --> 02:10:16.850 help us there . But as a subset of our 02:10:16.850 --> 02:10:19.169 perform to plan for surface ships , I'm 02:10:19.169 --> 02:10:21.280 gonna focus on amphibious ships . You 02:10:21.280 --> 02:10:23.447 have my commitment . Great , thank you 02:10:23.447 --> 02:10:25.613 very much for that . And General , how 02:10:25.613 --> 02:10:27.836 many MAGs did we deploy out of the West 02:10:27.836 --> 02:10:31.310 Coast last year ? 15thm 02:10:31.310 --> 02:10:34.009 uh was it a full compliment it was not , 02:10:34.140 --> 02:10:36.379 uh , it , it was , uh , due to the 02:10:36.379 --> 02:10:39.950 issues with boxer , um . Somerset 02:10:39.950 --> 02:10:42.439 sailed as a single . Uh , she was 02:10:42.439 --> 02:10:44.550 joined by Harper's Ferry boxer had to 02:10:44.550 --> 02:10:47.439 go back for maintenance and so it was a 02:10:47.439 --> 02:10:49.606 conga line of 3 ships . I believe they 02:10:49.606 --> 02:10:51.828 only operated as a 3 ship for less than 02:10:51.828 --> 02:10:54.359 2 months . And we need to fix that . Um , 02:10:54.399 --> 02:10:56.680 my final question , it's a bit of a 02:10:56.680 --> 02:10:59.939 complicated one , so , um . Uh 02:11:04.169 --> 02:11:06.336 General Gutwein , I'm gonna give it to 02:11:06.336 --> 02:11:08.336 you since it seems to make the most 02:11:08.336 --> 02:11:10.640 sense , but it's . It's an issue that 02:11:10.640 --> 02:11:12.640 I'm I'm trying to figure out how we 02:11:12.640 --> 02:11:14.529 work this , and it relates to the 02:11:14.529 --> 02:11:16.696 president's vision for a golden dome . 02:11:17.149 --> 02:11:20.189 Uh , I , as I mentioned , have drafted 02:11:20.189 --> 02:11:23.029 legislation with Senator Cramer that 02:11:23.029 --> 02:11:25.251 we're hoping it's gonna be bipartisan . 02:11:25.251 --> 02:11:28.339 It's very comprehensive in terms of , 02:11:28.750 --> 02:11:30.917 uh , missile defense for the country , 02:11:31.270 --> 02:11:33.103 but I think most people would be 02:11:33.103 --> 02:11:35.048 surprised that missile defense for 02:11:35.048 --> 02:11:37.109 America really , really strongly 02:11:37.109 --> 02:11:40.629 entails pretty much every service right 02:11:40.629 --> 02:11:42.685 here of course there's a space-based 02:11:42.685 --> 02:11:45.379 component that's in my bill . There's 02:11:45.379 --> 02:11:48.049 an Army component . General Mingus is , 02:11:48.500 --> 02:11:51.970 you certainly know the uh 49th Missile 02:11:51.970 --> 02:11:54.100 Defense Battalion is a US Army 02:11:54.100 --> 02:11:56.156 battalion at Fort Greely that really 02:11:56.156 --> 02:11:58.322 protects the whole country right now . 02:11:58.322 --> 02:12:00.544 I love their motto , the 300 protecting 02:12:00.544 --> 02:12:02.378 the 300 million , but uh all the 02:12:02.378 --> 02:12:04.267 ground-based missile interceptors 02:12:04.267 --> 02:12:06.489 protecting our country at Fort Greely . 02:12:06.569 --> 02:12:08.850 This bill would dramatically plus that 02:12:08.850 --> 02:12:12.740 up , uh , Admiral . This bill has a 02:12:12.740 --> 02:12:16.339 lot of ages ashore , uh , focus in 02:12:16.339 --> 02:12:19.209 Hawaii , for example , and other places . 02:12:19.259 --> 02:12:22.370 So and then of course , uh , uh , 02:12:22.379 --> 02:12:24.620 General Spain , the Air Force plays a 02:12:24.620 --> 02:12:27.819 huge role in missile defense . So my 02:12:27.819 --> 02:12:30.097 question is , is we're working on this , 02:12:30.097 --> 02:12:32.500 I brief Mike Waltz on our bill . I 02:12:32.500 --> 02:12:34.899 brief Secretary Hegseth on our bill . 02:12:34.939 --> 02:12:37.106 I've even briefed President Trump . On 02:12:37.106 --> 02:12:39.161 the legislation that we put together 02:12:39.161 --> 02:12:42.459 after the executive order came out , so 02:12:42.459 --> 02:12:44.681 I know the Pentagon's really getting on 02:12:44.681 --> 02:12:46.515 this , but how do we , how do we 02:12:46.515 --> 02:12:48.403 coordinate ? What's your sense in 02:12:48.403 --> 02:12:50.570 general I'll start with you as a space 02:12:50.570 --> 02:12:53.700 force , uh , uh , service here what's 02:12:53.700 --> 02:12:56.580 the best way to try to integrate and 02:12:56.580 --> 02:12:58.691 work together this committee wants to 02:12:58.691 --> 02:13:00.858 work with all the services , but it is 02:13:00.858 --> 02:13:03.080 an integrated effort . It literally is 02:13:03.080 --> 02:13:05.560 Space Force , Air Force , Army , Navy , 02:13:05.600 --> 02:13:07.656 the Marine Corps , I'm sure has some 02:13:07.656 --> 02:13:09.830 tactical element to it , General uh 02:13:09.830 --> 02:13:13.109 Mahoney , but this is a full service 02:13:13.109 --> 02:13:16.279 approach . What's the best way that we 02:13:16.279 --> 02:13:19.120 can work together legislatively of 02:13:19.120 --> 02:13:21.520 course with the president's executive 02:13:21.520 --> 02:13:23.200 order , but the full Pentagon 02:13:23.200 --> 02:13:25.580 integrating the different services , 02:13:25.589 --> 02:13:27.959 all of whom play a important role I 02:13:27.959 --> 02:13:29.848 think a lot of Americans would be 02:13:29.848 --> 02:13:31.626 surprised that . You know , the 02:13:31.626 --> 02:13:33.792 cornerstone of missile defense , which 02:13:33.792 --> 02:13:35.792 is in Alaska . All the ground-based 02:13:35.792 --> 02:13:38.209 missile interceptors . Commanded by the 02:13:38.209 --> 02:13:40.370 army , all the major radar sites , 02:13:40.569 --> 02:13:43.529 particularly the clear uh Space Force 02:13:43.529 --> 02:13:45.585 Air Station with the new , uh , long 02:13:45.585 --> 02:13:48.379 range discrimination radar . How do we 02:13:48.379 --> 02:13:51.339 integrate that , General , and if 02:13:51.339 --> 02:13:53.339 anyone else has a thought on that , 02:13:53.339 --> 02:13:55.395 it's a really important issue it's a 02:13:55.395 --> 02:13:57.506 really good vision that the president 02:13:57.506 --> 02:13:59.930 has put forward we just need to 02:13:59.930 --> 02:14:02.220 operationalize it between the Pentagon . 02:14:03.339 --> 02:14:07.209 The Congress , um , and , uh , we 02:14:07.209 --> 02:14:09.098 need to get on it and , uh , Ms . 02:14:09.098 --> 02:14:11.265 Maurer , if you have a view on this as 02:14:11.265 --> 02:14:13.431 well , I'd welcome that . So General , 02:14:13.431 --> 02:14:15.431 why don't we start with you ? Final 02:14:15.431 --> 02:14:17.598 question , um , I promise , but , uh , 02:14:17.598 --> 02:14:19.487 it's an important one . Thank you 02:14:19.487 --> 02:14:21.487 Senator . It is , uh , let me start 02:14:21.487 --> 02:14:25.240 with it is a very bold vision that's 02:14:25.240 --> 02:14:27.560 gonna have a lot of complexity to it as 02:14:27.560 --> 02:14:30.279 you said . Good news is we just met 02:14:30.279 --> 02:14:32.501 with the vice chairman yesterday in the 02:14:32.501 --> 02:14:34.612 Joint Requirements oversight councils 02:14:34.612 --> 02:14:36.779 we had all the combatant commands . We 02:14:36.779 --> 02:14:39.001 had the OSD staffs , we had the service 02:14:39.001 --> 02:14:41.057 staffs , we had NGA , we had MDA and 02:14:41.057 --> 02:14:40.839 the Nationalconnaissance Office all 02:14:40.839 --> 02:14:43.061 present in that room talking about what 02:14:43.061 --> 02:14:45.283 is it gonna take to get after something 02:14:45.283 --> 02:14:47.283 of this magnitude . I would compare 02:14:47.283 --> 02:14:49.450 this the only time that I can think of 02:14:49.450 --> 02:14:51.450 in the history of the United States 02:14:51.450 --> 02:14:53.672 where we have gone after something this 02:14:53.672 --> 02:14:55.672 complex was the Manhattan Project . 02:14:55.672 --> 02:14:57.895 That's how complex this this capability 02:14:57.895 --> 02:15:00.117 is gonna be , but I wanna tell you it's 02:15:00.117 --> 02:15:02.228 not complex because the technology is 02:15:02.228 --> 02:15:02.080 gonna be hard . It's complex because of 02:15:02.080 --> 02:15:04.080 the number of organizations and the 02:15:04.080 --> 02:15:06.024 number of agencies that need to be 02:15:06.024 --> 02:15:08.191 involved , as you said is where you're 02:15:08.191 --> 02:15:07.750 going around through your question . 02:15:08.410 --> 02:15:10.632 Organizational behavior and culture are 02:15:10.632 --> 02:15:12.743 gonna be our two biggest challenges . 02:15:12.743 --> 02:15:14.854 The way to get through organizational 02:15:14.854 --> 02:15:16.910 behavior and challenges is we got to 02:15:16.910 --> 02:15:18.966 make sure first and foremost that we 02:15:18.966 --> 02:15:21.132 have one entity in charge that has the 02:15:21.132 --> 02:15:23.132 full support of the nation from the 02:15:23.132 --> 02:15:25.188 president , from the hill , and from 02:15:25.188 --> 02:15:27.132 the American people on down . That 02:15:27.132 --> 02:15:29.299 person or that that entity needs to be 02:15:29.299 --> 02:15:31.870 empowered and resourced to make 02:15:31.870 --> 02:15:33.648 decisions across organizational 02:15:33.648 --> 02:15:35.814 boundaries and is that do we have that 02:15:35.814 --> 02:15:38.037 yet ? We do not have that yet . That is 02:15:38.037 --> 02:15:40.148 what was in discussion that's what we 02:15:40.148 --> 02:15:42.314 talked about yesterday . Uh , with the 02:15:42.314 --> 02:15:44.537 vice chairman we're gonna talk about it 02:15:44.537 --> 02:15:43.990 next week with the deputy secretary of 02:15:43.990 --> 02:15:46.046 defense and the Secretary of Defense 02:15:46.046 --> 02:15:48.268 owes an answer back to the president by 02:15:48.268 --> 02:15:50.379 the end of March and we're on path to 02:15:50.379 --> 02:15:52.430 do that but not only is it an 02:15:52.430 --> 02:15:54.263 organizational challenge between 02:15:54.263 --> 02:15:56.589 agencies and services but we also need . 02:15:56.714 --> 02:15:58.714 Need to bring the full blunt of our 02:15:58.714 --> 02:16:00.825 industrial base into the equation and 02:16:00.825 --> 02:16:03.047 empower them to be successful , harness 02:16:03.047 --> 02:16:05.158 their innovation . That means we need 02:16:05.158 --> 02:16:06.881 to embrace the non-traditional 02:16:06.881 --> 02:16:09.103 contractors and get their ideas and get 02:16:09.103 --> 02:16:11.158 their capabilities on the table . By 02:16:11.158 --> 02:16:11.015 the way , they're really motivated , 02:16:11.024 --> 02:16:13.705 those non-traditional contractors to 02:16:13.705 --> 02:16:15.761 play an important role here . So I'm 02:16:15.761 --> 02:16:17.927 really glad you're highlighting that . 02:16:17.927 --> 02:16:20.038 Yes sir , we've had numerous industry 02:16:20.038 --> 02:16:22.149 days . I've taken numerous meetings . 02:16:22.149 --> 02:16:21.944 The missile defense agency had an 02:16:21.944 --> 02:16:24.055 industry day . Uh , trying to look at 02:16:24.055 --> 02:16:26.000 the whole of the US , not just the 02:16:26.000 --> 02:16:28.222 government , but the whole of the US to 02:16:28.222 --> 02:16:30.222 get after this problem . We're also 02:16:30.222 --> 02:16:32.388 having conversations with our allies . 02:16:32.388 --> 02:16:34.444 Can the allies bring capabilities to 02:16:34.444 --> 02:16:34.070 the table ? The Canadians are very 02:16:34.070 --> 02:16:36.237 interested in in partnering with us on 02:16:36.237 --> 02:16:38.348 the protection of , of the homeland . 02:16:38.348 --> 02:16:40.570 They would like it to be the protection 02:16:40.570 --> 02:16:40.349 of the continent , so we're having 02:16:40.349 --> 02:16:42.571 those kind of conversations it would be 02:16:42.571 --> 02:16:44.071 great to see the Canadians 02:16:44.071 --> 02:16:46.238 participating and helping fund missile 02:16:46.238 --> 02:16:48.182 defense right now . It's my , uh , 02:16:48.182 --> 02:16:50.293 distinct recollection that they don't 02:16:50.293 --> 02:16:52.290 participate . Hardly at all . They 02:16:52.290 --> 02:16:54.769 don't do anything on uh NORAD missile 02:16:54.769 --> 02:16:56.991 defense . They , they do participate in 02:16:56.991 --> 02:16:58.936 NORAD . They do not participate in 02:16:58.936 --> 02:17:00.658 missile defense , they need to 02:17:00.658 --> 02:17:02.658 participate in missile defense if a 02:17:02.658 --> 02:17:04.880 rogue North Korean missile is shot . In 02:17:04.880 --> 02:17:06.490 our continent . 02:17:08.508 --> 02:17:11.149 Defense as a wealthy NATO member and 02:17:11.149 --> 02:17:13.260 they need to do it on missile defense 02:17:13.260 --> 02:17:15.427 too . I've been pressing the Canadians 02:17:15.427 --> 02:17:17.593 for years on this . They don't put any 02:17:17.593 --> 02:17:19.871 money into missile defense and it's uh . 02:17:19.871 --> 02:17:21.982 Not acceptable . The the last element 02:17:21.982 --> 02:17:24.149 that I would , uh , bring to , to bear 02:17:24.149 --> 02:17:26.093 on here as we start to look at the 02:17:26.093 --> 02:17:28.149 authorities and start to look at the 02:17:28.149 --> 02:17:30.316 accountability we get everything we've 02:17:30.316 --> 02:17:32.316 talked about in this , uh , session 02:17:32.316 --> 02:17:32.169 today dealing with the , uh , 02:17:32.179 --> 02:17:34.540 continuing resolution also comes to 02:17:34.540 --> 02:17:37.540 bear this program to be successful has 02:17:37.540 --> 02:17:39.860 to have funding stability . They have 02:17:39.860 --> 02:17:41.916 to know that they're gonna have that 02:17:41.916 --> 02:17:44.082 that those resources from year to year 02:17:44.082 --> 02:17:46.249 to be successful or else they're gonna 02:17:46.249 --> 02:17:48.471 be very inefficient . And they're gonna 02:17:48.471 --> 02:17:50.638 suffer 1000 death by 1000 cuts through 02:17:50.638 --> 02:17:52.804 fits and starts and stops . That is an 02:17:52.804 --> 02:17:55.027 outstanding answer , General . I really 02:17:55.027 --> 02:17:57.193 appreciate that . Any other comments , 02:17:57.193 --> 02:17:56.589 Mrs . Mayer , do you have ? Yeah , very 02:17:56.589 --> 02:17:58.756 quickly , Mr . Chairman , so we issued 02:17:58.756 --> 02:18:00.922 a report a couple weeks ago looking at 02:18:00.922 --> 02:18:03.200 sustainment of missile defense in Guam . 02:18:03.200 --> 02:18:05.367 Which I think could be in a sense sort 02:18:05.367 --> 02:18:07.200 of a preview of potential coming 02:18:07.200 --> 02:18:09.478 attractions and the general's point is , 02:18:09.478 --> 02:18:11.700 is definitively spot on about the sheer 02:18:11.700 --> 02:18:13.256 complexity of the number of 02:18:13.256 --> 02:18:15.089 organizations that report we had 02:18:15.089 --> 02:18:17.311 probably the most complicated org chart 02:18:17.311 --> 02:18:19.422 that I've ever put in a report that I 02:18:19.422 --> 02:18:21.645 signed out under my name , um , because 02:18:21.645 --> 02:18:23.867 there's so many different organizations 02:18:23.867 --> 02:18:23.739 that's just Guam , which is a small 02:18:23.739 --> 02:18:26.258 island , as you know , um , so getting 02:18:26.258 --> 02:18:28.425 arms around that challenge is gonna be 02:18:28.425 --> 02:18:30.536 important . The second point I'd like 02:18:30.536 --> 02:18:32.647 to make is that . That thinking about 02:18:32.647 --> 02:18:34.702 sustainment that needs to be part of 02:18:34.702 --> 02:18:36.758 the conversation from day one that's 02:18:36.758 --> 02:18:38.702 been a continuing challenge in the 02:18:38.702 --> 02:18:40.536 missile defense enterprise . The 02:18:40.536 --> 02:18:42.536 missile defense agency develops and 02:18:42.536 --> 02:18:44.990 purchases the technology in theory it's 02:18:44.990 --> 02:18:47.046 handed off to one of the services to 02:18:47.046 --> 02:18:49.179 operate and sustain . Those handoffs 02:18:49.179 --> 02:18:51.401 have not been happening in the way that 02:18:51.401 --> 02:18:53.401 they've been envisioned . In fact , 02:18:53.401 --> 02:18:55.457 that's one of our recommendations in 02:18:55.457 --> 02:18:57.568 this report on Guam is that DOD needs 02:18:57.568 --> 02:18:59.735 to spell out specifically who is going 02:18:59.735 --> 02:19:01.957 to do what and how sustainment is going 02:19:01.957 --> 02:19:03.957 to work for a Guam defense system . 02:19:03.957 --> 02:19:05.957 Great . Any other , uh , thoughts , 02:19:05.957 --> 02:19:08.068 Admiral ? Yeah , I'm just gonna offer 02:19:08.068 --> 02:19:10.179 one thing I talked about in the JOC . 02:19:10.179 --> 02:19:12.401 We can do this . In 2008 we shot down a 02:19:12.401 --> 02:19:14.512 satellite that was deorbiting full of 02:19:14.512 --> 02:19:16.639 fuel in six weeks . The whole of 02:19:16.639 --> 02:19:19.230 government got together with agencies , 02:19:19.419 --> 02:19:21.629 the science community and industry , 02:19:21.750 --> 02:19:24.389 and we made it happen so we can do this . 02:19:24.639 --> 02:19:26.861 We just need to do the things that that 02:19:26.861 --> 02:19:28.861 were outlined and and provide clear 02:19:28.861 --> 02:19:31.250 lines to see too . And and solid 02:19:31.250 --> 02:19:33.450 consistent budgeting and and I'm 02:19:33.450 --> 02:19:35.394 convinced that we can deliver good 02:19:35.394 --> 02:19:37.394 that's a great answer . Uh , anyone 02:19:37.394 --> 02:19:39.672 else on , on , on this topic ? Senator , 02:19:39.849 --> 02:19:41.879 briefly , uh , agree with , uh , 02:19:41.929 --> 02:19:43.818 everything that's been said . The 02:19:43.818 --> 02:19:45.707 stitching together of the various 02:19:45.707 --> 02:19:48.250 capabilities will be the key enabler of 02:19:48.250 --> 02:19:50.719 Iron Dome and Golden Dome , um , 02:19:50.769 --> 02:19:52.730 obviously the scaffolding of which 02:19:52.730 --> 02:19:55.290 exists today in , uh , Air Force forces 02:19:55.290 --> 02:19:57.290 and Space Force forces , uh , along 02:19:57.290 --> 02:19:59.179 with the Army ground ground-based 02:19:59.179 --> 02:20:01.950 deterrent . Uh , the integrated PEO 02:20:01.950 --> 02:20:03.839 that we have in Luke , uh , Major 02:20:03.839 --> 02:20:05.950 General Luke Cropsey and , and , uh , 02:20:05.950 --> 02:20:09.370 um . Uh , our ABMS program and the CAT 02:20:09.370 --> 02:20:12.000 C2 program will be the thing that will 02:20:12.000 --> 02:20:14.339 allow each of the services to connect 02:20:14.589 --> 02:20:16.879 the factors , the sensors , and the 02:20:16.879 --> 02:20:18.823 sense making capability across all 02:20:18.823 --> 02:20:21.120 services and agencies , uh , that will 02:20:21.120 --> 02:20:23.639 need to be , uh , a primary focus of 02:20:23.639 --> 02:20:26.040 this effort along with the capabilities 02:20:26.040 --> 02:20:28.262 that each of the services will . Good . 02:20:28.262 --> 02:20:30.318 Well , these are great answers , you 02:20:30.318 --> 02:20:32.429 know , you do you have a , a strong . 02:20:32.429 --> 02:20:34.484 Vision from the commander in chief , 02:20:34.484 --> 02:20:36.373 the president obviously is really 02:20:36.373 --> 02:20:38.429 focused on this . He mentioned it in 02:20:38.429 --> 02:20:40.540 his State of the Union last week . We 02:20:40.540 --> 02:20:43.070 will be in the budget reconciliation 02:20:43.070 --> 02:20:45.014 bill that we're working on the DOD 02:20:45.014 --> 02:20:46.959 component it's gonna have a lot of 02:20:46.959 --> 02:20:48.990 funding on this , so I think it's a 02:20:48.990 --> 02:20:51.139 sense of urgency , uh , that we all 02:20:51.139 --> 02:20:53.361 need to work together on the Congress . 02:20:53.361 --> 02:20:56.919 The executive branch and uh general you 02:20:56.929 --> 02:20:59.450 you kind of laid out a vision in the 02:20:59.450 --> 02:21:02.690 importance of some key principles and 02:21:02.690 --> 02:21:05.370 we look forward to working with all of 02:21:05.370 --> 02:21:08.599 you and look forward to having uh that 02:21:08.730 --> 02:21:11.730 that designated individual or 02:21:11.730 --> 02:21:14.570 agency uh in charge . I think it's a 02:21:14.570 --> 02:21:17.089 really important component as well . So 02:21:17.410 --> 02:21:19.410 with that I wanna thank everybody . 02:21:19.410 --> 02:21:21.354 This has been a long hearing but a 02:21:21.354 --> 02:21:21.330 really important hearing . I wanna 02:21:21.330 --> 02:21:24.639 thank again . All 6 of you for your 02:21:24.639 --> 02:21:27.290 service , decades of service to our 02:21:27.290 --> 02:21:30.620 country in uniform and without or not 02:21:30.620 --> 02:21:33.450 in uniform . GAO does a great job . Uh , 02:21:33.540 --> 02:21:35.651 if there are additional questions for 02:21:35.651 --> 02:21:37.839 the record , uh , my Senate colleagues 02:21:37.839 --> 02:21:40.117 will submit those in the next few days , 02:21:40.117 --> 02:21:42.780 and we respectfully request that you 02:21:42.780 --> 02:21:45.179 try to , uh , respond to those within 02:21:45.179 --> 02:21:47.900 the next 2 to 3 weeks . With that this 02:21:47.900 --> 02:21:48.580 hearing is adjourned .