WEBVTT 00:00.636 --> 00:04.803 - Panel Two will recognize the reserve component chiefs 00:05.040 --> 00:08.481 from the Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force reserves. 00:08.481 --> 00:11.957 I would encourage all members to stay for both panels. 00:11.957 --> 00:15.122 Our witness for Panel One is General Joe Lengyel, 00:15.122 --> 00:17.389 Chief of the National Guard Bureau. 00:17.389 --> 00:19.381 Please welcome General Lengyel, 00:19.381 --> 00:23.110 a four star sitting member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. 00:23.110 --> 00:25.662 Welcome, and welcome to the subcommittee hearing, 00:25.662 --> 00:28.137 your first time to testify as Chief. 00:28.137 --> 00:30.546 As Chief of the Guard Bureau, General Lengyel 00:30.546 --> 00:34.360 will address all joint Army, Navy, Air (mic distorts), 00:34.360 --> 00:36.675 Air National Guard questions. 00:36.675 --> 00:39.015 General, we've known each other for a long time, 00:39.015 --> 00:40.827 and as Chairman, I value your knowledge, 00:40.827 --> 00:44.246 and your experience in leading the National Guard. 00:44.246 --> 00:46.917 Given the challenges our nation faces, 00:46.917 --> 00:49.457 we want to ensure that you have the resources 00:49.457 --> 00:52.609 and support to accomplish your mission. 00:52.609 --> 00:54.348 The subcommittee has provided the Guard 00:54.348 --> 00:56.500 with additional resources through the National Guard 00:56.500 --> 00:58.929 and Reserve equipment account, 00:58.929 --> 01:00.661 an appropriation which has never been included 01:00.661 --> 01:03.064 in the President's budget request. 01:03.064 --> 01:05.787 Additional funding for counter drug operations, 01:05.787 --> 01:09.954 HMMWVS, helicopters, fixed wing aircraft, and more. 01:12.757 --> 01:16.359 However, we're concerned this is not nearly enough, 01:16.359 --> 01:20.199 when you take into account the funding is significantly less 01:20.199 --> 01:24.366 than the vast resources available to the active components. 01:24.679 --> 01:28.292 Our country stands for strength, and citizen soldiers 01:28.292 --> 01:31.869 are the background and the foundation of that strength. 01:31.869 --> 01:34.784 There are limited resources and significant needs. 01:34.784 --> 01:37.623 We should not make decisions in a vacuum, 01:37.623 --> 01:40.574 but rely on your best military advice 01:40.574 --> 01:43.324 to guide these funding decisions. 01:43.763 --> 01:47.098 We look forward to your testimony and your insight. 01:47.098 --> 01:49.558 But first, I'd like to call on the ranking member, 01:49.558 --> 01:52.553 my friend Pete Visclosky, for his comments. 01:52.553 --> 01:54.309 - Well, I certainly want to thank the Chairwoman 01:54.309 --> 01:57.026 for holding the hearing today, and General, 01:57.026 --> 01:59.170 for your service and your testimony, I look forward to it. 01:59.170 --> 02:00.837 Thank you very much. 02:01.453 --> 02:03.347 - General, please proceed with your testimony. 02:03.347 --> 02:06.729 A full written testimony will be placed in the record. 02:06.729 --> 02:09.879 Please feel free to summarize your oral statement, 02:09.879 --> 02:13.753 so we can leave enough time to get to everyone's questions. 02:13.753 --> 02:17.093 - Thank you, Chairwoman, thank you very much. 02:17.093 --> 02:21.260 I think, I say that to you, and to ranking member Visclosky, 02:21.847 --> 02:24.670 and to distinguished members of the subcommittee, 02:24.670 --> 02:26.566 it is a pleasure for me to be here today, 02:26.566 --> 02:27.873 and I look forward to talking to you 02:27.873 --> 02:31.374 about the men and women of not only Army National Guard, 02:31.374 --> 02:33.647 but also the Air National Guard. 02:33.647 --> 02:37.765 In summary, the National Guard is, focuses on three things. 02:37.765 --> 02:39.691 It focuses on our war fighting mission, 02:39.691 --> 02:42.602 the homeland mission, and building partnerships. 02:42.602 --> 02:45.794 And thanks to the support from this committee, 02:45.794 --> 02:47.797 I can tell you that the National Guard, 02:47.797 --> 02:51.038 that I have the honor to represent here today, 02:51.038 --> 02:54.538 is the most ready it's ever been, I think, 02:54.684 --> 02:57.240 or the most capable National Guard it's ever been 02:57.240 --> 02:59.240 in our 380 year history. 02:59.361 --> 03:02.717 As I talk to you today, we have 18,000 men and women 03:02.717 --> 03:06.498 deployed in every combatant command around the globe. 03:06.498 --> 03:09.786 In addition to that, I have 4000, you have 4000 03:09.786 --> 03:13.142 of your men and women working for Homeland Defense 03:13.142 --> 03:15.965 and Homeland Security missions here today. 03:15.965 --> 03:18.925 And we have made, and continue to develop, 03:18.925 --> 03:22.746 robust partnerships with not only our international partners 03:22.746 --> 03:24.450 through the State Partnership Program, 03:24.450 --> 03:27.783 which is about to go to 79 partnerships, 03:28.449 --> 03:31.803 when we formalize, when we formalize the relationship 03:31.803 --> 03:34.488 with Malaysia here in the near term. 03:34.488 --> 03:35.861 Thanks to you, and the funding 03:35.861 --> 03:37.514 that this committee has provided, 03:37.514 --> 03:40.708 that State Partnership Program has taken on 03:40.708 --> 03:43.958 a strategic impact, that I think maybe, 03:44.108 --> 03:47.582 when we developed it, we didn't see that it was becoming. 03:47.582 --> 03:50.778 This committee provides the resources for us, 03:50.778 --> 03:53.243 through NGREA, as you mentioned in your remarks, 03:53.243 --> 03:57.410 to maintain a force that is first ready for the war fight, 03:58.027 --> 04:00.657 but used as a dual nature force, 04:00.657 --> 04:03.344 as it is our job, as the National Guard, 04:03.344 --> 04:06.701 to be ready to provide those forces here in the Homeland 04:06.701 --> 04:09.940 when the governors and the states need us to do that. 04:09.940 --> 04:12.142 And never have we been more ready to do that. 04:12.142 --> 04:15.488 Whether it's fires, or floods, or winter snowstorms, 04:15.488 --> 04:18.321 or terrorists, such as bombs blowing up in Boston, 04:18.321 --> 04:20.820 the National Guard is there, and we're trained, 04:20.820 --> 04:23.040 and we're ready, because of the resources 04:23.040 --> 04:26.102 that this committee has chosen to give it. 04:26.102 --> 04:28.329 The relationship with our parent services, 04:28.329 --> 04:30.534 the active duty Air Force and the active duty Army, 04:30.534 --> 04:32.942 I have to tell you has never been better. 04:32.942 --> 04:34.821 My relationship with General Milley and Joel Golfi, 04:34.821 --> 04:37.318 who I understand testified yesterday, 04:37.318 --> 04:39.940 have committed to a total force, 04:39.940 --> 04:44.107 that includes an operational use of the reserve component. 04:44.712 --> 04:46.856 And if I have one ask of this committee today, 04:46.856 --> 04:49.923 it is to maintain the reserve component, 04:49.923 --> 04:53.650 in my case, the National Guard, as an operational force. 04:53.650 --> 04:57.475 We have been driven to that because of the demands 04:57.475 --> 04:59.321 placed on our Department of Defense, 04:59.321 --> 05:01.541 and the global nature of the threat. 05:01.541 --> 05:04.465 The services have had to rely more on the use 05:04.465 --> 05:06.289 of the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard 05:06.289 --> 05:08.892 than ever before, and because of that, 05:08.892 --> 05:10.653 they are willing to invest in us, 05:10.653 --> 05:13.156 invest in our leaders, invest in our training, 05:13.156 --> 05:15.727 and because of the resources this committee gives us, 05:15.727 --> 05:18.153 we have the equipment, the people, 05:18.153 --> 05:19.451 and the training, to go there. 05:19.451 --> 05:21.314 Can we use more, can we get better? 05:21.314 --> 05:24.481 Yes we can, but I report to you today, 05:24.578 --> 05:25.681 and I thank this committee today, 05:25.681 --> 05:28.264 for the opportunity to testify, 05:28.362 --> 05:30.198 and I look forward to your questions. 05:30.198 --> 05:31.865 - Thank you so much. 05:32.791 --> 05:34.247 I want to make our members aware 05:34.247 --> 05:36.408 that we will be using a timer for each member, 05:36.408 --> 05:37.943 and that you have five minutes, 05:37.943 --> 05:40.972 including questions and responses, for the witness. 05:40.972 --> 05:43.338 A yellow light on your timer will appear 05:43.338 --> 05:45.234 when you have one minute remaining. 05:45.234 --> 05:49.401 If time permits, we'll have a second round of questions. 05:50.198 --> 05:51.765 I'm going to ask a question to begin. 05:51.765 --> 05:54.474 General Lengyel, full spectrum readiness training 05:54.474 --> 05:57.737 has been suppressed over the past 15 years 05:57.737 --> 06:01.820 due to combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. 06:01.906 --> 06:04.142 Recent years' sequestration further squeezed 06:04.142 --> 06:08.007 the readiness dollars needed to resume such training. 06:08.007 --> 06:11.174 Could you describe the impact this has 06:11.200 --> 06:15.033 on military readiness now and in future years, 06:15.076 --> 06:17.743 and how does the FY 2018 request 06:18.247 --> 06:20.914 begin to address those concerns? 06:21.513 --> 06:23.620 - Yes Ma'am, I think that, you know, 06:23.620 --> 06:25.384 you address the problem that the service chiefs 06:25.384 --> 06:27.025 have talked about in terms of the ability 06:27.025 --> 06:30.160 to maintain full spectrum readiness for their force, 06:30.160 --> 06:31.858 mostly because of the demand on that force, 06:31.858 --> 06:35.018 and the limited funding to sustain things like 06:35.018 --> 06:39.185 flying hour programs, complex training scenario programs. 06:39.887 --> 06:42.111 But we are beginning to dig out of that, 06:42.111 --> 06:45.023 and rebuild readiness inside the services, 06:45.023 --> 06:46.443 and inside the National Guard. 06:46.443 --> 06:48.406 The Army National Guard and the Air National Guard 06:48.406 --> 06:50.703 have been used in an operational sense, 06:50.703 --> 06:54.536 which has allowed the services, in some cases, 06:55.007 --> 06:58.257 to maintain or rebuild their readiness. 06:58.536 --> 07:02.333 Sequestration, clearly, is going to limit every aspect, 07:02.333 --> 07:04.991 would limit every aspect of our ability to do that, 07:04.991 --> 07:07.263 should it come in the future. 07:07.263 --> 07:10.111 And I would tell you that predictable 07:10.111 --> 07:12.944 and dependable funding is probably 07:13.423 --> 07:15.502 the single most important factor 07:15.502 --> 07:17.733 that we, in the National Guard, need 07:17.733 --> 07:19.808 so that we can plan to recruit our people, 07:19.808 --> 07:22.417 so that we can plan to train our people, 07:22.417 --> 07:25.917 and so that we can maintain our equipment, 07:26.356 --> 07:28.308 and recapitalize our equipment 07:28.308 --> 07:31.196 through the services, as we normally do. 07:31.196 --> 07:34.113 So I think that, clearly, readiness 07:34.745 --> 07:38.245 is funding related, and this budget begins 07:39.280 --> 07:41.086 to build some of that back, 07:41.086 --> 07:42.518 but it's going to take a long time 07:42.518 --> 07:45.316 before all of the things, the recapitalization 07:45.316 --> 07:47.899 and modernization of the force, 07:47.932 --> 07:50.213 is fully complete, thank you. 07:50.213 --> 07:51.849 - Thank you, Mr. Visclosky. 07:51.849 --> 07:53.932 - [Man] I'll answer that. 07:54.727 --> 07:57.144 - [Chairwoman] Miss McCollum. 07:58.727 --> 08:00.894 - Thank you, good morning. 08:01.184 --> 08:03.820 I'm going to touch on something, 08:03.820 --> 08:06.403 and then I have a question, so. 08:06.721 --> 08:08.975 I'm glad you're here today, in part 08:08.975 --> 08:10.455 because we're going to learn a lot more 08:10.455 --> 08:12.657 on how we an be a proactive partner 08:12.657 --> 08:14.358 in making sure that the Guard remains 08:14.358 --> 08:18.525 the successful part of our military force that it is. 08:19.203 --> 08:21.268 But I also want to take this opportunity 08:21.268 --> 08:23.413 to reinstate some concerns that I have with you 08:23.413 --> 08:26.663 about the Family Assistance Specialist. 08:26.979 --> 08:30.586 It's still causing a lot of concern among my Guard members, 08:30.586 --> 08:33.455 family members, constituents, which include the businesses 08:33.455 --> 08:35.327 that employ these Guard members, 08:35.327 --> 08:36.941 and many, many people in Minnesota, 08:36.941 --> 08:38.884 and I know other states, as well. 08:38.884 --> 08:41.013 As we talked about in my office, 08:41.013 --> 08:44.273 these Specialists provide critical benefits and assistance. 08:44.273 --> 08:48.275 In you know, Minnesota alone, here were 1700 cases 08:48.275 --> 08:49.948 handled by these folks. 08:49.948 --> 08:52.422 Now I understand there's been a new contract issued, 08:52.422 --> 08:55.372 but folks, when someone's hourly wage increase 08:55.372 --> 08:57.997 for a job that they're doing is cut from $21 08:57.997 --> 09:01.330 to 11 to $14 an hour, it sends a message 09:02.140 --> 09:04.496 to the people who had been previously doing this job, 09:04.496 --> 09:08.663 you can work for less money, or your work is not valued. 09:10.462 --> 09:12.678 So, we're going to be watching, 09:12.678 --> 09:16.045 to see what happens with County Veteran Service Officers 09:16.045 --> 09:18.334 in Minnesota's case loads, what happens 09:18.334 --> 09:21.031 in our Congressional office with case loads, 09:21.031 --> 09:23.470 now that the expertise isn't there. 09:23.470 --> 09:25.812 So I know you're going to be monitoring this too, 09:25.812 --> 09:27.674 and change is always an option, 09:27.674 --> 09:29.800 and we need to maybe work with a new vendor, 09:29.800 --> 09:32.787 or figure something out, if this is a problem. 09:32.787 --> 09:36.228 Maybe it won't be, but we're a little alarmed. 09:36.228 --> 09:38.396 What I would like to focus on 09:38.396 --> 09:42.396 is the five National Armor Brigade combat teams. 09:43.108 --> 09:45.301 Currently, the operating tempo 09:45.301 --> 09:46.978 has been drastically increased, 09:46.978 --> 09:48.289 to the number of training days 09:48.289 --> 09:50.778 from National Guard soldiers from 60 to 90. 09:50.778 --> 09:54.195 That's an extra month, right, on average. 09:54.502 --> 09:57.730 So we know this increase in training days is important, 09:57.730 --> 10:00.249 but along with what we have happening 10:00.249 --> 10:02.940 with mobilization deployments is putting more and more 10:02.940 --> 10:06.064 of a burden on the quality of life for soldiers, 10:06.064 --> 10:07.993 their units, and their families. 10:07.993 --> 10:10.845 So I'm concerned, the Minnesota National Guard's concerned 10:10.845 --> 10:13.994 about long term retention in these brigades. 10:13.994 --> 10:16.370 I know we want to make sure that we have 10:16.370 --> 10:18.920 a great readiness posture, so everybody's able 10:18.920 --> 10:23.087 to perform their job successfully, and come home safely. 10:23.394 --> 10:26.386 But can you tell me how you're going to be monitoring, 10:26.386 --> 10:28.479 and some of the concerns that you might have 10:28.479 --> 10:31.896 with going from 39 to 60 days on average? 10:34.331 --> 10:35.659 - Well yes Ma'am, I can tell you 10:35.659 --> 10:38.326 that we are aware of this issue, 10:39.074 --> 10:40.361 and that's one of the things, as the Chief 10:40.361 --> 10:43.593 of the National Guard Bureau, that I track closely, 10:43.593 --> 10:47.088 is I worry about the business model of the National Guard. 10:47.088 --> 10:48.922 Which means, our soldiers and airmen 10:48.922 --> 10:52.339 have a civilian life and a military life. 10:52.577 --> 10:56.577 And if I lose support from the soldier or airman 10:57.759 --> 11:00.162 to support both of those lives, 11:00.162 --> 11:01.942 if he is forced to make a choice, 11:01.942 --> 11:04.025 or she is forced to make a choice, 11:04.025 --> 11:06.698 then I know which one they will pick, 11:06.698 --> 11:10.865 and most likely I will lose that soldier, or that airman. 11:11.298 --> 11:14.335 So what we are trying to do, as you are aware, 11:14.335 --> 11:18.502 is yes, it is true that the armored brigade combat teams 11:18.626 --> 11:21.876 will require more training to be ready, 11:22.317 --> 11:25.486 should the United States Army need them to fight 11:25.486 --> 11:28.718 in any of the various scenarios where they will be. 11:28.718 --> 11:30.404 I will tell you that some of this transformation 11:30.404 --> 11:31.751 has already happened, in terms 11:31.751 --> 11:35.052 of the Army Force generation model, previously, 11:35.052 --> 11:37.635 has been for several years now, 11:38.849 --> 11:42.932 a graduated increase in the training requirements 11:43.168 --> 11:47.137 as the brigade progresses through its training cycle 11:47.137 --> 11:50.025 just before it's available to be deployed. 11:50.025 --> 11:53.275 And that's not new, what is new is that 11:54.380 --> 11:57.040 the United States Army has decided to increase 11:57.040 --> 11:59.931 the training available to the brigade combat teams. 11:59.931 --> 12:03.365 We are going to go from two combat training center rotations 12:03.365 --> 12:06.987 a year to four combat training centers a year. 12:06.987 --> 12:09.027 In my estimation, that's a good thing, 12:09.027 --> 12:11.854 in that it's going to make this operational 12:11.854 --> 12:14.360 Army National Guard more valuable to the country, 12:14.360 --> 12:16.908 more valuable to the Army, and more ready, 12:16.908 --> 12:20.899 such that it can be ready quicker should it go out the door. 12:20.899 --> 12:23.784 To your point about how are we going to monitor them, 12:23.784 --> 12:25.809 well, I think that this is a leadership issue. 12:25.809 --> 12:28.291 This is something where we have to watch the people, 12:28.291 --> 12:29.736 personal engagement, on my part, 12:29.736 --> 12:31.016 on the adjutant general's part, 12:31.016 --> 12:32.763 on the commander's part, with making sure 12:32.763 --> 12:34.998 that the schedules that we give these soldiers 12:34.998 --> 12:38.336 are predictable, that we let the employers know 12:38.336 --> 12:40.148 that you can count on these soldiers, 12:40.148 --> 12:42.430 and that these increased training times 12:42.430 --> 12:46.597 actually result in a deployment for the soldiers at the end. 12:47.491 --> 12:50.887 Otherwise, there won't be seen as a reason why the, 12:50.887 --> 12:54.223 why should an employer endure the extended time away 12:54.223 --> 12:56.003 from their jobs, if at the end 12:56.003 --> 12:58.467 of that training period, they don't use them? 12:58.467 --> 13:01.976 So as we're going through this now, the plan is 13:01.976 --> 13:05.324 for the Army to use these forces, and deploy them. 13:05.324 --> 13:07.361 This is the first cycle of this. 13:07.361 --> 13:10.978 And some people have decided that they have to change, 13:10.978 --> 13:13.653 they can't support it, and it will change MOSes, 13:13.653 --> 13:15.496 and go someplace else, I lived this 13:15.496 --> 13:17.781 in the Air National Guard myself, as a Guardsman, 13:17.781 --> 13:21.014 in the mid 90s when we began to deploy regularly. 13:21.014 --> 13:23.724 And it definitely changes the paradigm. 13:23.724 --> 13:26.366 So there'll be a change as this goes forward. 13:26.366 --> 13:27.567 And we're going to have to work with the employers 13:27.567 --> 13:30.343 and the members, to the max extent possible, 13:30.343 --> 13:32.593 so that we don't lose them. 13:35.360 --> 13:37.968 - Thank you for you answer, and I, 13:37.968 --> 13:40.026 and I'm taking it in the spirit in which, 13:40.026 --> 13:41.750 I think you totally meant it. 13:41.750 --> 13:44.129 But I'm going to put a cautionary tale on it. 13:44.129 --> 13:46.688 It just isn't about leadership, to put up, 13:46.688 --> 13:48.160 and to be quiet about it. 13:48.160 --> 13:50.250 This is also about leadership to see if we need 13:50.250 --> 13:52.167 to go back and review, and figure out 13:52.167 --> 13:54.245 how these folks are not only trained, 13:54.245 --> 13:56.139 but deployed in the future, thank you. 13:56.139 --> 14:00.306 - [Chairwoman] Thank you, Chairman Emeritus Rogers. 14:00.826 --> 14:03.159 - Thank you, Madam Chairman. 14:03.284 --> 14:07.451 Welcome, General, to these premises, let me ask you, 14:10.638 --> 14:13.888 the Guard has that dual responsibility, 14:14.320 --> 14:18.403 one to the State of their location, the Governor, 14:19.130 --> 14:22.713 and of course, then, the combatant commands 14:24.373 --> 14:26.123 on the Federal level. 14:27.519 --> 14:31.019 The previous administration proposed cuts, 14:32.337 --> 14:35.420 continued cuts to Guard end strength. 14:37.042 --> 14:41.209 But our 017 bill reversed those cuts to end strength, 14:42.579 --> 14:46.746 and will add 1000 Army Guard troops above the 016 level. 14:48.908 --> 14:53.075 Tell us how you're going to utilize that extra manpower. 14:54.613 --> 14:57.717 - Yes Sir, thank you, and so that is true, 14:57.717 --> 15:00.228 and we're happy to see that the reduction 15:00.228 --> 15:03.895 in end strength stop for the National Guard. 15:04.565 --> 15:06.989 And because of the two missions we have, 15:06.989 --> 15:10.471 when force structure leaves our states, it's a double hit. 15:10.471 --> 15:13.087 It's a hit against the Federal mission, and it's a hit 15:13.087 --> 15:16.215 against the ability to do our Homeland mission. 15:16.215 --> 15:20.382 So our plan is to take the additional manpower that we have, 15:20.383 --> 15:24.230 if you recall, we were on a glide path to 335,000 15:24.230 --> 15:28.397 in force structure inside the Army and National Guard. 15:28.735 --> 15:31.932 It stopped at 342 last year, and we were able 15:31.932 --> 15:35.013 to grow it back 1000, to 343 this year. 15:35.013 --> 15:37.451 Our intent is to take that additional manpower, 15:37.451 --> 15:41.618 and as I talked about on the five brigade combat teams, 15:41.754 --> 15:43.474 is we're going to replace it against, 15:43.474 --> 15:45.974 and increase the readiness of, 15:46.718 --> 15:50.635 these high demand operationally deploying units 15:51.068 --> 15:52.958 that will make them more ready, 15:52.958 --> 15:57.125 be able to get ready quicker, and train as they go. 15:57.138 --> 16:00.412 One of the concerns, frankly, of the increased manpower is, 16:00.412 --> 16:02.838 we got the people back, but we didn't get 16:02.838 --> 16:06.434 the increased full time support back with it. 16:06.434 --> 16:09.597 We got the part time soldiers back, but not, 16:09.597 --> 16:12.772 we took the full timers out all the way down to 335, 16:12.772 --> 16:15.295 we built the Army Guard back to 343. 16:15.295 --> 16:17.511 But they were part time militant, not full time militant. 16:17.511 --> 16:20.590 And that hurts our ability to generate the force quickly, 16:20.590 --> 16:23.819 and keep it ready, and minimize the time it takes 16:23.819 --> 16:26.736 to get it ready to go out the door. 16:27.157 --> 16:28.324 - In my state, 16:30.607 --> 16:33.947 and I suspect I speak for all states when I say this, 16:33.947 --> 16:38.100 that we got a tremendous, incredible drug problem. 16:38.100 --> 16:42.183 And in my area, the Guard has had a great program 16:42.244 --> 16:46.411 to eradicate marijuana in the remote hills of Appalachia, 16:47.061 --> 16:50.069 where it's apparently a very great climate 16:50.069 --> 16:51.145 for the growth of marijuana. 16:51.145 --> 16:54.812 But that Guard unit has just been tremendous 16:55.268 --> 16:59.018 in joint operation, joint support operations. 17:00.546 --> 17:04.463 They've eradicated 13,000,000 marijuana plants, 17:04.892 --> 17:09.059 they've seized tons of marijuana, illegal weapons, 17:09.897 --> 17:13.980 and so forth, all to the tune of $25,000,000,000. 17:14.748 --> 17:18.165 And we're seeing now, across the country, 17:20.744 --> 17:24.443 an effort, apparently, to make marijuana legal. 17:24.443 --> 17:27.084 But in the hills of Kentucky, and I've been on 17:27.084 --> 17:29.334 a couple of these missions, 17:31.216 --> 17:35.155 where they fly into a very remote area of mountains, 17:35.155 --> 17:38.072 no homes or properties of any kind. 17:39.944 --> 17:42.361 Mainly, the marijuana's grown 17:42.441 --> 17:46.441 under high tension electric wires' right of way. 17:48.699 --> 17:50.258 Number one, you can't prove who owns it, 17:50.258 --> 17:53.249 number two, you can't get there because of the, 17:53.249 --> 17:54.276 you know, with a helicopter, because of 17:54.276 --> 17:57.026 the electric lines, and the like. 17:57.922 --> 17:58.755 And the 18:00.327 --> 18:03.327 troopers have to rappel down a rope, 18:04.553 --> 18:06.547 cut the marijuana, put it in a big bag, 18:06.547 --> 18:07.507 put it over their shoulder, 18:07.507 --> 18:09.122 and they're picked up by the helicopter, 18:09.122 --> 18:12.372 and carried 50 miles, dangling 100 feet 18:13.583 --> 18:15.583 from below a helicopter. 18:15.599 --> 18:18.972 Very dangerous work, but very productive. 18:18.972 --> 18:21.113 Do you see that continuing, and what can we do 18:21.113 --> 18:22.863 to help you see that? 18:25.335 --> 18:26.477 - Well first, let me thank this committee 18:26.477 --> 18:29.916 for the $234,000,000 we got in this year's appropriation 18:29.916 --> 18:31.800 for the counter drug program. 18:31.800 --> 18:35.301 The counter drug program, as you said, Sir, 18:35.301 --> 18:37.484 is incredibly important, I believe, 18:37.484 --> 18:40.147 to leverage the skill sets that we have 18:40.147 --> 18:43.147 in the National Guard, to facilitate 18:43.275 --> 18:47.175 and work with law enforcement to detect, disrupt, 18:47.175 --> 18:51.092 curtail illegal drug activities in every state. 18:52.835 --> 18:56.341 As you mentioned, the State of Kentucky has an issue 18:56.341 --> 18:59.777 with marijuana, and I think that, you know, 18:59.777 --> 19:02.055 as you look across the nation, 19:02.055 --> 19:05.013 every state and its program is tailored 19:05.013 --> 19:06.272 for the individual requirements 19:06.272 --> 19:09.105 that they have inside their state. 19:10.138 --> 19:11.721 And that's the way it should be. 19:11.721 --> 19:15.888 So as we look at the disbursement of the $234,000,000, 19:16.245 --> 19:20.251 we have what's called the threat based resource model, 19:20.251 --> 19:22.771 which has about 70 different factors. 19:22.771 --> 19:26.938 It allows each state to prioritize what's important to them, 19:28.274 --> 19:29.809 such that when they come into the pool, 19:29.809 --> 19:32.515 their particular problem gets resourced, 19:32.515 --> 19:35.515 and then the states use those funds, 19:35.721 --> 19:38.621 and develops their own plan, and in your case, Sir, 19:38.621 --> 19:41.952 it's the eradication of marijuana inside Kentucky. 19:41.952 --> 19:44.981 And so I want to be available to continue to support that. 19:44.981 --> 19:47.936 I want to thank this committee for the continued funding 19:47.936 --> 19:51.024 of that program, your funding of that program 19:51.024 --> 19:55.191 has enabled not only a robust liaison with law enforcement, 19:55.936 --> 19:58.667 but the schooling, the five additional schools 19:58.667 --> 20:00.790 that are funded has allowed us 20:00.790 --> 20:03.873 to build additional capacity to fight 20:04.554 --> 20:07.887 this drug issue, whether it's marijuana, 20:08.052 --> 20:11.135 or opioids, or heroin, or synthetics. 20:11.989 --> 20:14.731 And we all know that the significant toll 20:14.731 --> 20:18.814 that it's taken on our country across the nation. 20:18.965 --> 20:20.965 - You mentioned opioids. 20:21.612 --> 20:24.695 My area was ground zero 14 years ago, 20:24.907 --> 20:27.657 at the outset of a Oxycontin rage 20:28.477 --> 20:30.836 that raged across the country. 20:30.836 --> 20:34.244 But these marijuana growers are frequently 20:34.244 --> 20:38.411 are the dealers in opioids, and it's a double whammy 20:40.497 --> 20:44.664 with the money that we put into the anti-marijuana program, 20:44.799 --> 20:48.966 because it does bring in additional breakers of the law. 20:50.768 --> 20:53.377 Well, we appreciate your service, Sir. 20:53.377 --> 20:54.210 - [General Lengyel] Thank you, Sir. 20:54.210 --> 20:55.431 - [Chairwoman] Mr. Ruffesberger. 20:55.431 --> 20:57.091 - Thank your being here, and also, 20:57.091 --> 20:59.647 we do appreciate your service, and what you do 20:59.647 --> 21:01.864 in our home towns, and also, 21:01.864 --> 21:04.161 what you're doing in fight the war with ISIS, 21:04.161 --> 21:06.198 and the other issues we deal with. 21:06.198 --> 21:07.431 I come from local government, 21:07.431 --> 21:11.431 so many, many times, with storms and hurricanes, 21:11.756 --> 21:13.666 the National Guard has been there. 21:13.666 --> 21:16.624 And I also want to get a little local, 21:16.624 --> 21:20.191 but I want to acknowledge that Adjutant General Linda Singh, 21:20.191 --> 21:23.479 who's doing a great job in Maryland, is heading that area. 21:23.479 --> 21:25.720 But as you know, the National Guard also plays 21:25.720 --> 21:29.802 a critical role in deterring Russia's aggression. 21:29.802 --> 21:32.670 I was just in Estonia about three weeks ago, 21:32.670 --> 21:34.928 and Maryland National Guard has about 500 members, 21:34.928 --> 21:37.871 members there right now, that are working 21:37.871 --> 21:41.102 on this cyber capability, and helping Estonia 21:41.102 --> 21:42.700 deal with the Russian aggression 21:42.700 --> 21:46.263 and Russian hacks, and those type of things. 21:46.263 --> 21:49.004 When we met, I think, a couple months ago, 21:49.004 --> 21:51.557 he said it was critical that Russia must respect 21:51.557 --> 21:54.629 the front line National Guard combat unit, 21:54.629 --> 21:56.712 as well as the full time. 21:57.842 --> 22:00.542 And do you believe, at this point, 22:00.542 --> 22:03.480 that Russia sees the National Guard units 22:03.480 --> 22:06.147 in this, in a strength position? 22:07.911 --> 22:09.464 Where do you feel we are at this point? 22:09.464 --> 22:11.962 Are there additional capabilities that this committee 22:11.962 --> 22:15.961 needs to help you, help fund, to get you to that level? 22:15.961 --> 22:19.072 And then I'd also, if you have time, think we do, 22:19.072 --> 22:21.223 I want to talk, if you can talk a little bit 22:21.223 --> 22:24.277 about that Maryland National Guard in Estonia, 22:24.277 --> 22:26.470 and what their mission is, and what they're doing, 22:26.470 --> 22:28.803 and what's the future there. 22:31.001 --> 22:32.942 - Congressman, I think, when the Russians 22:32.942 --> 22:36.188 look across in Estonia, or anywhere else in uniform, 22:36.188 --> 22:38.043 and they see men and women in the Army, 22:38.043 --> 22:40.897 wearing an Army uniform, they see the United States Army. 22:40.897 --> 22:42.729 That's what I think they see. 22:42.729 --> 22:44.446 And I think that's thanks in many ways 22:44.446 --> 22:47.355 to this committee, it's in thanks to 22:47.355 --> 22:51.272 15 years or more now of continuous deployments, 22:52.968 --> 22:56.358 of integration of Army National Guard formations 22:56.358 --> 22:58.296 with active components formations 22:58.296 --> 23:00.680 of a total force policy from General Milley, 23:00.680 --> 23:03.799 and those who, on his staff, that support 23:03.799 --> 23:06.091 this Associate Unit Pilot Program, 23:06.091 --> 23:09.900 that is training our brigades with the active Army brigades, 23:09.900 --> 23:13.317 aligning their formations, so that we can 23:13.842 --> 23:16.274 train together, and fight together. 23:16.274 --> 23:18.808 And I do think that everywhere I go, 23:18.808 --> 23:22.233 I was in the Sinai Peninsula this past week. 23:22.233 --> 23:25.273 I saw the swapout of a infantry brigade 23:25.273 --> 23:26.677 from Minnesota National Guard 23:26.677 --> 23:29.145 to the Massachusets National Guard, in the Sinai 23:29.145 --> 23:31.646 for the multinational force, an observer mission. 23:31.646 --> 23:33.404 And I can tell you that there is, 23:33.404 --> 23:35.887 they see no difference when they look across, 23:35.887 --> 23:38.681 and they see whether it's combat maneuver forces, 23:38.681 --> 23:40.591 or whether it's combat support forces. 23:40.591 --> 23:42.324 They're wearing the United States Army uniform, 23:42.324 --> 23:46.324 and there is one training standard for the Army. 23:46.590 --> 23:48.923 And the National Guard doesn't have a different one. 23:48.923 --> 23:51.739 The National Guard will train, will deploy, 23:51.739 --> 23:54.288 it will be ready at the same training standard 23:54.288 --> 23:55.383 as the United States Army, 23:55.383 --> 23:57.105 and that's what I think Russia sees. 23:57.105 --> 23:59.251 And the second part of your question, 23:59.251 --> 24:02.501 Estonia, the State Partnership Program, 24:03.142 --> 24:05.864 and again, thanks for the significant amounts 24:05.864 --> 24:07.972 of plus subs you gave us for this year, 24:07.972 --> 24:09.545 I believe we got additional $9,000,000 24:09.545 --> 24:11.688 added to the program from this committee, 24:11.688 --> 24:13.967 that enables the engagements we have. 24:13.967 --> 24:16.123 The cyber relationship with Estonia, 24:16.123 --> 24:18.807 and their Cyber Centre of Excellence over there, 24:18.807 --> 24:22.224 is a model for programs around the globe. 24:23.590 --> 24:25.981 That engagement, since 1993, one of our old, 24:25.981 --> 24:27.642 they were among the first three programs 24:27.642 --> 24:30.219 that started in the Baltics with us there. 24:30.219 --> 24:32.192 That ability to assure our allies 24:32.192 --> 24:35.608 of the United States commitment to the region, 24:35.608 --> 24:37.085 that ability to train together 24:37.085 --> 24:39.277 with the forces in the region, 24:39.277 --> 24:41.841 have had a strategic impact on our ability 24:41.841 --> 24:45.424 to assure and strengthen the NATO alliance. 24:45.614 --> 24:48.150 And I think that my thanks to Linda Singh, 24:48.150 --> 24:49.982 who's been a great supporter of that, 24:49.982 --> 24:51.534 I say to Maryland, and to everyone else who's part of that. 24:51.534 --> 24:54.322 - You know, Estonia's only 120 miles from Russia, 24:54.322 --> 24:56.282 and Putin's continued to threaten them. 24:56.282 --> 24:58.547 And they have one of those severe attacks, 24:58.547 --> 25:01.528 and as a country, they only have close to 1,000,000 people. 25:01.528 --> 25:03.547 They decided they were going to take on Russia, 25:03.547 --> 25:05.931 and with our help, the United States help, 25:05.931 --> 25:09.042 and working with them, they've become pretty sophisticated, 25:09.042 --> 25:11.732 I think, from all the countries in that region, 25:11.732 --> 25:13.211 dealing with the Russian aggression, 25:13.211 --> 25:17.378 and trying to counter the Russian attacks and cyber attacks. 25:17.625 --> 25:20.181 - Absolutely. - Okay, (military honorific) 25:20.181 --> 25:22.006 - [Chairwoman] Thank you, Mr. Calvert. 25:22.006 --> 25:25.097 - Thank you Madam Chairman, good morning General Lengyel, 25:25.097 --> 25:27.727 I thank you for appearing before the committee. 25:27.727 --> 25:30.066 I thank you for your dedicated service to our great nation, 25:30.066 --> 25:32.014 especially on the eve of honoring 25:32.014 --> 25:34.438 those who sacrificed everything in the service 25:34.438 --> 25:37.771 of our country this coming Memorial Day. 25:37.790 --> 25:41.244 Readiness is the most dangerous limiting factor 25:41.244 --> 25:44.460 across all branches of our military, ranging from 25:44.460 --> 25:48.062 the timely training of personnel to aging aircraft. 25:48.062 --> 25:50.147 Congress, as you're aware, has appropriated 25:50.147 --> 25:53.277 additional funds for Army aircraft procurement, 25:53.277 --> 25:55.943 specifically for Black Hawk helicopters. 25:55.943 --> 25:59.772 In FY 2017, Congress provided the Army National Guard 25:59.772 --> 26:02.189 with 15 additional Black Hawks. 26:02.189 --> 26:05.240 As you may know, my home state of California 26:05.240 --> 26:07.388 is one of the country's most active 26:07.388 --> 26:10.721 emergency response forces, and its primary workhorse 26:10.721 --> 26:14.487 for aerial support is the Black Hawk helicopter. 26:14.487 --> 26:16.278 California flies one of the oldest 26:16.278 --> 26:19.194 fleets of Black Hawks in the country. 26:19.194 --> 26:22.527 65% of them were built before 1990. 26:22.929 --> 26:27.096 In 2015, only 55% of the State's Black Hawk fleet 26:27.770 --> 26:30.603 was operational at any given time. 26:31.409 --> 26:33.362 Please explain to us your current modernization 26:33.362 --> 26:36.925 and recapitalization strategy for allocating these aircraft, 26:36.925 --> 26:39.842 and those projected in FY18 and 19. 26:39.863 --> 26:41.224 When do you expect states to receive 26:41.224 --> 26:44.328 the first of these additional aircraft? 26:44.328 --> 26:46.176 - Yes Sir, thank you, and to this committee, 26:46.176 --> 26:48.714 for the funding for the 15 Black Hawks. 26:48.714 --> 26:51.381 I think that, you know, as we do 26:52.139 --> 26:55.139 with all our dispersion of equipment 26:56.272 --> 26:58.737 and recapitalization and modernization decisions, 26:58.737 --> 27:00.221 we look across the enterprise, 27:00.221 --> 27:02.388 and see where it best makes sense 27:02.388 --> 27:04.973 to recapitalize the fleet at the time. 27:04.973 --> 27:07.268 I'm not exactly sure yet when those Black Hawks 27:07.268 --> 27:09.648 are going to get delivered, I think that 27:09.648 --> 27:13.815 will make a case for, to determine when we get them. 27:13.917 --> 27:16.745 We'll look at things like readiness of the fleet, 27:16.745 --> 27:18.917 maintenance statistics of the fleet, 27:18.917 --> 27:20.301 the sustainment levels of the fleet, 27:20.301 --> 27:23.467 potential deployments and utilization of those 27:23.467 --> 27:24.833 for our three missions, war fight, 27:24.833 --> 27:26.662 homeland, and partnerships. 27:26.662 --> 27:29.566 And at the time, work with the Army National Guard 27:29.566 --> 27:32.078 to determine where it's best to deploy 27:32.078 --> 27:34.745 those additional 15 Black Hawks. 27:34.880 --> 27:36.857 That's how we look at every stationing 27:36.857 --> 27:39.490 of all equipment, Sir, and I thank you 27:39.490 --> 27:41.893 for your support of getting those Black Hawks. 27:41.893 --> 27:44.745 - I hope, in that process, you think of good old California, 27:44.745 --> 27:45.641 as a part of that process. 27:45.641 --> 27:47.489 - [General Lengyel] Absolutely, yes Sir. 27:47.489 --> 27:49.040 - I'm going to carry on with the Chairman Rogers' 27:49.040 --> 27:51.888 line of questioning, combating terrorism, 27:51.888 --> 27:53.840 and protecting our national interests abroad, 27:53.840 --> 27:56.977 is only a part of the Guard's expansive mission. 27:56.977 --> 28:00.272 Protecting the Homeland through the counter drug operation 28:00.272 --> 28:04.439 is a vital mission I know that you take very seriously. 28:04.855 --> 28:07.263 In my area, and throughout the United States, 28:07.263 --> 28:10.739 what are you seeing from these drug cartels, 28:10.739 --> 28:13.738 and do you see any association or collaboration 28:13.738 --> 28:17.405 between cartels and terrorist organizations? 28:18.011 --> 28:20.987 - So Sir, I think the consensus is that 28:20.987 --> 28:24.183 they are one and the same, I think that the money 28:24.183 --> 28:26.363 from the drug cartels is part and parcel 28:26.363 --> 28:27.894 to terrorist organizations. 28:27.894 --> 28:30.894 And counter-terrorist organizations, 28:32.093 --> 28:34.746 counter trans-national criminal organizations, 28:34.746 --> 28:37.246 are all networked and aligned, 28:37.708 --> 28:40.714 and work against the security of the, of the, 28:40.714 --> 28:44.881 - Do you see any collaboration outside of organizations 28:44.885 --> 28:46.968 in South America, or out, 28:47.610 --> 28:49.762 are there organizations outside of South America 28:49.762 --> 28:53.012 involved in the drug activities within? 28:53.719 --> 28:55.643 - It's a global network, no question. 28:55.643 --> 28:58.255 It's not limited to South America, the funding streams, 28:58.255 --> 29:01.358 part of the things that the National Guard provides 29:01.358 --> 29:03.902 is counter threat finance analysis. 29:03.902 --> 29:06.603 We train people who do these kinds of, 29:06.603 --> 29:09.840 this kinds of analysis in great detail. 29:09.840 --> 29:12.731 And it's clear that funding streams, and these networks, 29:12.731 --> 29:15.356 are not limited, not geographically limited. 29:15.356 --> 29:17.662 They are global in their nature, no question. 29:17.662 --> 29:19.252 - Thank you, thank you, Madam Chairman. 29:19.252 --> 29:21.502 - [Chairwoman] Mr. Cuellar. 29:22.538 --> 29:25.070 - Madam Chair, and again, thank you for your service. 29:25.070 --> 29:26.423 A couple things, there was some of us 29:26.423 --> 29:29.616 that pushed for two items, one was the, 29:29.616 --> 29:31.768 $1,000,000 more to the National Guard 29:31.768 --> 29:35.601 State Partnership Program, from eight to nine. 29:35.818 --> 29:38.711 Like to get your thoughts, what you're looking at doing 29:38.711 --> 29:40.692 with that extra money, and then, 29:40.692 --> 29:44.442 the other item was the FY, I think FY for the 29:45.282 --> 29:49.331 counter drug program was 192, and some of us pushed it 29:49.331 --> 29:50.998 to 234, 234,000,000. 29:52.172 --> 29:54.556 So like to get your quick thoughts on those, 29:54.556 --> 29:55.868 and then I want to ask you a question 29:55.868 --> 29:57.868 about Operation Phalanx. 29:58.414 --> 30:00.164 - Yes Sir, thank you. 30:00.816 --> 30:02.295 As I mentioned, the State Partnership Program, 30:02.295 --> 30:04.763 and thanks to your funding, has, 30:04.763 --> 30:06.536 it's an incredible tool, strategic tool 30:06.536 --> 30:07.493 for the Department of Defense 30:07.493 --> 30:09.940 for the country, for our states. 30:09.940 --> 30:13.107 And the 234,000,000, my only worry is, 30:13.918 --> 30:15.358 we got it so late in the year, I don't know, 30:15.358 --> 30:17.907 I'm worried that the getting the money this late 30:17.907 --> 30:21.343 will be difficult for us to execute some of it. 30:21.343 --> 30:23.405 Because, as you know, we have the posture, 30:23.405 --> 30:25.887 and the SPP troops, and people to go, 30:25.887 --> 30:27.787 and events, and work with host nation countries, 30:27.787 --> 30:30.154 and some of these things take time to develop. 30:30.154 --> 30:32.411 - Yeah, any of it, and we understand, yeah. 30:32.411 --> 30:33.437 (drowned out by General Lengyel) 30:33.437 --> 30:35.289 - Yeah, so, so, but by clearly, 30:35.289 --> 30:37.352 we can spend every bit of money you give us 30:37.352 --> 30:38.544 for the State Partnership Program, 30:38.544 --> 30:40.877 given lead time to spend it. 30:40.958 --> 30:43.283 And same thing for the counter drug program. 30:43.283 --> 30:45.564 There is no shortage of requirements, 30:45.564 --> 30:49.546 or asks, from law enforcement agencies, for what we do, 30:49.546 --> 30:52.135 and across the program, so absolutely, 30:52.135 --> 30:53.583 thank you for the increased funding. 30:53.583 --> 30:55.257 - If you want to just share with the committee, 30:55.257 --> 30:57.802 and ourselves, later on what your plans are, 30:57.802 --> 31:00.305 I like to do that, I know that the last time 31:00.305 --> 31:02.693 we were with Chairman Rogers and Mr. Womack, 31:02.693 --> 31:04.508 we went down to South America. 31:04.508 --> 31:07.517 And there's some partnerships out there. 31:07.517 --> 31:11.684 Chile has one with Texas, and you have other states, also. 31:11.841 --> 31:13.785 Do y'all have anything with Mexico? 31:13.785 --> 31:17.003 I know we been trying to do something with Mexico. 31:17.003 --> 31:18.898 If we can help you, it'd only make sense 31:18.898 --> 31:21.477 that our largest neighbor, or at least 31:21.477 --> 31:22.849 with the South, is one. 31:22.849 --> 31:24.760 So if we can help you on that, let me, 31:24.760 --> 31:26.511 let me just say that we can follow up. 31:26.511 --> 31:28.734 But I do want to ask you about Operation Phalanx. 31:28.734 --> 31:31.592 I know that Chairman Carter and Governor Abbott and I 31:31.592 --> 31:34.425 have been working on, as you know. 31:35.143 --> 31:37.467 When you have Border Patrol, 31:37.467 --> 31:40.384 and they're doing night operations, 31:40.488 --> 31:42.688 the Air Marine, with all due respect, 31:42.688 --> 31:44.575 are not, they do it during the day, 31:44.575 --> 31:46.130 they don't want to go out at night time. 31:46.130 --> 31:48.629 But you still have Border Patrol that are going out there. 31:48.629 --> 31:50.488 And you got to have something at night time, 31:50.488 --> 31:53.835 and unfortunately, some of our Air Marine folks, 31:53.835 --> 31:55.301 and we can address this later, 31:55.301 --> 31:57.582 but they don't go after five o'clock. 31:57.582 --> 31:59.678 And now they're trying to move away from the border, 31:59.678 --> 32:02.391 trying to set up, you know, like they have a base in Laredo, 32:02.391 --> 32:03.887 and they want to move to San Antonio. 32:03.887 --> 32:05.789 They want to be away from the border, 32:05.789 --> 32:08.585 which is counterintuitive, but the National Guard 32:08.585 --> 32:10.668 has done a heck of a job. 32:11.253 --> 32:13.435 We added some money, leadership 32:13.435 --> 32:15.903 of John Carter and other folks. 32:15.903 --> 32:18.507 We added some money for Operation Phalanx. 32:18.507 --> 32:20.674 But what happened was that 32:22.208 --> 32:25.402 the Homeland Secretary, the previous Homeland Secretary, 32:25.402 --> 32:28.593 even though the money was there, they never asked. 32:28.593 --> 32:29.899 Then they send this little letter 32:29.899 --> 32:33.136 that really didn't mean anything, it was a feel-good letter. 32:33.136 --> 32:36.719 And we're hoping, then we contacted the new 32:38.164 --> 32:39.919 Secretary of Homeland, and his people 32:39.919 --> 32:41.920 are not familiar with it. 32:41.920 --> 32:43.409 You're familiar with it, we would ask you 32:43.409 --> 32:46.036 to get ahold of the new Secretary's office, 32:46.036 --> 32:47.680 and I believe the money is there. 32:47.680 --> 32:50.656 And whatever y'all could do, because we got to give 32:50.656 --> 32:54.234 our men and women, the Border Patrol, support at night time. 32:54.234 --> 32:57.047 And it's unfair that they are out there in the night, 32:57.047 --> 32:58.997 and there's no aerial support for them. 32:58.997 --> 32:59.914 So like to, 33:01.644 --> 33:03.363 night time, I got about a minute and a half, so, 33:03.363 --> 33:04.831 but if you can finish on that thought, 33:04.831 --> 33:07.533 we really, some of us, including Governor Abbott, 33:07.533 --> 33:10.358 and ourselves, are big supporters of this. 33:10.358 --> 33:13.332 - Sir, I thank you for the 19,000,000 for Operation Phalanx. 33:13.332 --> 33:17.082 And I have already spoken to Secretary Kelly. 33:17.482 --> 33:19.688 I went to his office, and I met with him, 33:19.688 --> 33:22.753 and I told him about my recent trip to the southwest border. 33:22.753 --> 33:26.779 McAllen was one place I went, and also in Nogales, 33:26.779 --> 33:28.717 in Arizona, at the request of Senator McCain, 33:28.717 --> 33:30.673 to see the southwest border. 33:30.673 --> 33:32.966 And I saw first hand the need, the requirement, 33:32.966 --> 33:36.145 for additional air support to the folks who are 33:36.145 --> 33:38.608 on the border, the Customs and Border Protection agents 33:38.608 --> 33:40.608 who are there, and they. 33:41.010 --> 33:43.896 I rode in an Army National Guard helicopter at night, 33:43.896 --> 33:45.837 flying as part of the counter drug program, 33:45.837 --> 33:47.903 with a Customs and Border Protection agent 33:47.903 --> 33:50.829 in the helicopter, and I must share with the committee. 33:50.829 --> 33:54.412 It was not much different than what you see 33:54.896 --> 33:58.563 on TV for taking down a spot in Afghanistan. 33:59.226 --> 34:01.138 There weren't bullets and things flying along, 34:01.138 --> 34:03.909 but there were squirters, there were people running, 34:03.909 --> 34:05.729 there were police officers trying to apprehend them, 34:05.729 --> 34:08.062 and it is absolutely useful. 34:08.317 --> 34:10.395 So I commit to go back to Secretary Kelly, 34:10.395 --> 34:13.824 and I already have, and provided his staff a briefing 34:13.824 --> 34:16.574 on the capability we can provide. 34:18.608 --> 34:21.114 - Can you, I know John Carter and other folks 34:21.114 --> 34:23.651 are interested, but if you can keep us informed, 34:23.651 --> 34:25.914 we really would appreciate it, thank you for your time. 34:25.914 --> 34:27.608 My time's up, I, y'all back to back. 34:27.608 --> 34:28.484 - Yes Sir. - Mr. Womack. 34:28.484 --> 34:29.884 - Thank you very much, Madam Chair, 34:29.884 --> 34:32.637 and thanks to General Lengyel for his leadership, 34:32.637 --> 34:34.356 and the work of our National Guard, 34:34.356 --> 34:37.566 both on the Army and Air side, great questions 34:37.566 --> 34:39.635 coming from our colleagues today, 34:39.635 --> 34:42.443 talking about things like Border Patrol, security, 34:42.443 --> 34:45.842 counter-drug, operational tempo, Black Hawks, 34:45.842 --> 34:46.953 and those kinds of things. 34:46.953 --> 34:50.203 I'm going to open a line of questioning 34:50.821 --> 34:54.344 about what I consider to be the single biggest issue 34:54.344 --> 34:57.261 facing our Guard today, and that is 34:57.890 --> 35:00.640 in relation to full time manning. 35:01.149 --> 35:03.232 It is not a sexy subject, 35:04.781 --> 35:08.948 but it is a critical subject if we're going to continue 35:09.359 --> 35:12.942 to utilize our National Guard as we should, 35:13.103 --> 35:15.103 as an operational force. 35:15.636 --> 35:19.553 As an example, and you correct me if I'm wrong, 35:20.616 --> 35:23.766 when we were doing the draw down on end strength, 35:23.766 --> 35:27.683 the Army Guard was scheduled to go to a number, 35:28.090 --> 35:32.055 and we were on the glide path to get to that number. 35:32.055 --> 35:35.972 And proportionately, full time manning was cut, 35:36.504 --> 35:38.254 based on that number. 35:38.362 --> 35:41.131 And then when this Congress gives money back to the Guard 35:41.131 --> 35:45.175 for end strength, and we increased that end strength, 35:45.175 --> 35:47.749 not increased was the proportionate loss 35:47.749 --> 35:49.832 of the full time manning. 35:49.957 --> 35:53.681 That is insane that we would allow this to happen. 35:53.681 --> 35:56.742 So my question for you, General Lengyel, 35:56.742 --> 36:00.742 is how has this happened, and what is this doing 36:02.215 --> 36:06.382 to impact the readiness of a critical operational force 36:06.743 --> 36:09.325 for our military, our National Guard? 36:09.325 --> 36:10.796 Take all the time you need. 36:10.796 --> 36:13.883 - All right, Sir, thank you very much for that question. 36:13.883 --> 36:14.716 And so, 36:16.217 --> 36:18.483 our business model in the National Guard is different. 36:18.483 --> 36:22.650 I just, and I am a protector of that business model. 36:23.294 --> 36:24.563 I don't want to look like the United States Army, 36:24.563 --> 36:27.197 I do not want to look like the United States Air Force. 36:27.197 --> 36:31.364 We need to remain a preponderantly part time force. 36:31.654 --> 36:34.092 That is the value in it for this country, 36:34.092 --> 36:35.675 and for what we do. 36:35.913 --> 36:38.099 The United States Air National Guard 36:38.099 --> 36:42.266 is about 35% full time, in its 100,000 people, 36:42.800 --> 36:45.956 105,000, it's about 35% full time. 36:45.956 --> 36:49.539 In the Army National Guard, 343,000 people, 36:49.755 --> 36:52.422 we are about 16% full time. 36:53.999 --> 36:55.694 What that full time force does, 36:55.694 --> 36:57.513 and the only reason we have them, 36:57.513 --> 37:00.633 and the only reason I am here before you today, 37:00.633 --> 37:03.737 is to make ready, for the United States Army, 37:03.737 --> 37:04.797 and the United States Air Force, 37:04.797 --> 37:06.170 and the governors in our states, 37:06.170 --> 37:08.229 it is to make ready that force, 37:08.229 --> 37:11.646 to be ready, to be manned, to be trained, 37:12.194 --> 37:14.379 to be equipped, so that we can do the missions. 37:14.379 --> 37:16.657 That's why we have full time people 37:16.657 --> 37:18.127 in the Army National Guard. 37:18.127 --> 37:21.803 So you need to understand why they were gone. 37:21.803 --> 37:24.609 Money, I understand why they are gone, 37:24.609 --> 37:26.780 why the Army, why we took them. 37:26.780 --> 37:28.840 We had incredible bills to pay. 37:28.840 --> 37:31.400 In our budgets, that's where all our money is. 37:31.400 --> 37:34.076 Our money is in that small chunk of change, 37:34.076 --> 37:38.243 $16,000,000,000 in the Army Guard, 2/3 of that is people. 37:38.301 --> 37:40.003 Most of that is people. 37:40.003 --> 37:42.159 Same thing for the Air National Guard. 37:42.159 --> 37:44.171 So that's why it went, we had bills to pay, 37:44.171 --> 37:46.654 and sequestration, and draw downs, and budgets. 37:46.654 --> 37:50.821 But what this force does is, it prepares the force, 37:51.618 --> 37:54.554 so that when they come to drill for the 39 days, 37:54.554 --> 37:57.137 or the 45 days, or the 60 days, 37:57.240 --> 38:01.138 they have the structure to do the collective training 38:01.138 --> 38:04.162 they need to do to do their wartime tasking. 38:04.162 --> 38:07.553 They make sure that the equipment that they need 38:07.553 --> 38:10.472 to train on, the tanks, and the Bradleys, 38:10.472 --> 38:13.712 that they work, that the aircraft are flyable, 38:13.712 --> 38:15.970 so that when the people come in, they can fly 38:15.970 --> 38:18.473 not only together, but they can fly in collective training. 38:18.473 --> 38:20.334 And they can do the kinds of training 38:20.334 --> 38:21.905 that the Army needs them to do. 38:21.905 --> 38:24.741 Same thing, you know, for the Air Force side. 38:24.741 --> 38:28.732 So the full time support piece is what enables us 38:28.732 --> 38:32.459 to make the Army National Guard ready quicker. 38:32.459 --> 38:34.959 They come in, and they prepare 38:35.965 --> 38:38.936 for a military unit training assembly, 38:38.936 --> 38:40.713 for people to come in for a drill, when they put them 38:40.713 --> 38:43.322 together for three and four days at a time, 38:43.322 --> 38:44.889 so that they can do some more training. 38:44.889 --> 38:48.209 They build the battlefield, they build the command post, 38:48.209 --> 38:50.297 they build everything, so the soldiers come in, 38:50.297 --> 38:52.018 they get out of their pickup truck, 38:52.018 --> 38:54.995 and they walk into the field, and they train. 38:54.995 --> 38:59.162 And so without the full time support, then they waste time. 38:59.787 --> 39:01.752 They have to come in, they have to build the battlefield, 39:01.752 --> 39:03.675 they have to train, they have to fix the equipment 39:03.675 --> 39:06.976 so they can fly it, it is incredibly important. 39:06.976 --> 39:09.315 I'm not looking for huge numbers of full, 39:09.315 --> 39:12.601 and by the way, I'm looking at my staff, NGB. 39:12.601 --> 39:15.593 Where do we have full time people right now, 39:15.593 --> 39:19.443 that if I could, I would put some back out into the field, 39:19.443 --> 39:23.610 so that they can help make the operational force more ready. 39:23.831 --> 39:25.656 And I would tell you that, I think that 39:25.656 --> 39:26.752 if we're going to be ready quicker, 39:26.752 --> 39:28.367 stay an operational force, we're going to have 39:28.367 --> 39:32.534 to slowly increase the percentage of full time support 39:33.922 --> 39:35.080 in the Army National Guard. 39:35.080 --> 39:37.997 - [Chairwoman] Thank you, Mr. Ryan. 39:39.681 --> 39:42.290 - Thank you, Madam Chair, let me associate myself 39:42.290 --> 39:44.878 with all of my colleagues' remarks since I've been here. 39:44.878 --> 39:48.461 I agree they've asked some great questions. 39:48.921 --> 39:53.088 First, thank you, obviously Ohio is a huge part of the team, 39:54.321 --> 39:57.583 and have deployed, and will continue to deploy 39:57.583 --> 40:01.170 around the globe, and we know that post 9-11 use 40:01.170 --> 40:04.920 of the Guard has been a big part of our plan. 40:05.541 --> 40:08.313 One of the things I'm concerned with is making sure 40:08.313 --> 40:11.783 that we're providing the benefits that match the service 40:11.783 --> 40:14.533 our National Guard are providing. 40:14.968 --> 40:17.110 And I understand there are significant differences 40:17.110 --> 40:19.976 in the benefits provided to our National Guard, 40:19.976 --> 40:23.809 based upon minor administrative coding orders. 40:23.840 --> 40:26.126 And I give you an example, I've co-sponsored 40:26.126 --> 40:30.293 the bipartisan Reserve Component Benefits Parity act, 40:30.495 --> 40:33.747 designed to ensure National Guard who are activated 40:33.747 --> 40:36.997 in administrative codes such as 12304a, 40:38.278 --> 40:40.945 and 12304b, of Title X U.S. code 40:42.709 --> 40:46.876 are treated in the same manner as other active duty orders 40:47.635 --> 40:50.325 for determining veterans' benefits. 40:50.325 --> 40:52.526 This issue, and many like it, were documented 40:52.526 --> 40:55.763 in the October first 2014 reserve forces 40:55.763 --> 40:58.513 policy board memorandum, and yet, 40:58.535 --> 41:00.193 we are still struggling to make sure 41:00.193 --> 41:02.242 that our National Guard and Reserve 41:02.242 --> 41:05.050 get the correct benefits that they have earned. 41:05.050 --> 41:08.550 So what have we done to focus on educating 41:09.102 --> 41:10.252 our National Guard and Reserve 41:10.252 --> 41:13.041 on the differences administrative coding can make 41:13.041 --> 41:16.074 in veteran benefits, and how is your leadership 41:16.074 --> 41:18.542 making every effort to correctly reflect 41:18.542 --> 41:20.702 the importance of military service 41:20.702 --> 41:22.762 of our National Guard and Reserve, 41:22.762 --> 41:25.901 by using the appropriate coding, so their service 41:25.901 --> 41:28.984 counts towards their earned benefits? 41:29.750 --> 41:32.316 - Sir, I think this is one of the more important issues 41:32.316 --> 41:35.379 that we need to fix going forward, is the benefits, 41:35.379 --> 41:37.995 the parity of benefits per, for our service, 41:37.995 --> 41:39.517 I'm thankful for the Parity Act, 41:39.517 --> 41:41.771 I completely think it's the right thing to do. 41:41.771 --> 41:45.650 12304 bravo was a flexible mobilization authority 41:45.650 --> 41:47.625 given to the service secretaries, 41:47.625 --> 41:51.293 which has enabled access mobilization of the force. 41:51.293 --> 41:53.531 However, when they created it, 41:53.531 --> 41:55.663 bunding numbers being what they were, it, 41:55.663 --> 41:57.760 they didn't attach all the entitlements that go with it. 41:57.760 --> 42:01.187 So I was, these soldiers who are in the Sinai, 42:01.187 --> 42:03.354 who I just spoke to, they, 42:04.627 --> 42:06.700 they want this fixed, they want-- 42:06.700 --> 42:08.056 - [Mr. Ryan] How are we coming with it? 42:08.056 --> 42:09.369 I mean, we're getting calls on this, 42:09.369 --> 42:12.548 and this is obviously a pocketbook issue for so many. 42:12.548 --> 42:15.846 Are we making some progress on this, or? 42:15.846 --> 42:18.245 - Well, I mean, the awareness that that thing has got, 42:18.245 --> 42:19.606 is, we've got to fix it here. 42:19.606 --> 42:21.263 I mean, I think that we've got to find 42:21.263 --> 42:23.431 the resources to put against it 42:23.431 --> 42:24.748 so that there's no difference, 42:24.748 --> 42:26.379 so that they are entitled to health care 42:26.379 --> 42:28.852 beyond 180 days when they come back, so that they are 42:28.852 --> 42:32.666 entitled to post 9-11 G.I. bill education benefits, 42:32.666 --> 42:34.916 so that they have access to 42:36.240 --> 42:39.527 early retirement, as per other mobilization authorities. 42:39.527 --> 42:41.201 So what my soldiers are doing, what the soldiers 42:41.201 --> 42:42.834 from the states are doing is, 42:42.834 --> 42:45.033 they are changing their mobilization authority 42:45.033 --> 42:48.812 to voluntary status, which doesn't give them the protections 42:48.812 --> 42:52.741 of the dwell periods that we talked about early, 42:52.741 --> 42:55.074 with Congresswoman McCollum. 42:55.770 --> 42:59.286 That that is, they are voluntarily giving up their rights 42:59.286 --> 43:01.233 to serve their employers and their families, 43:01.233 --> 43:03.843 and give themselves their dwell period as citizens, 43:03.843 --> 43:05.776 so that they can get the health benefits, 43:05.776 --> 43:08.456 and retirement benefits, that they deserve. 43:08.456 --> 43:10.778 So I ask for your continued support here. 43:10.778 --> 43:14.779 That, it is a important issue that needs to be fixed. 43:14.779 --> 43:18.779 I think that the commission that was established 43:19.723 --> 43:22.123 a couple of years ago, the McCrimmick commission, 43:22.123 --> 43:24.583 I'm sorry, I can't spit out that acronym for you, exactly 43:24.583 --> 43:26.058 what it is, it was one that (drowned out by Mr. Ryan) 43:26.058 --> 43:26.891 - [Mr. Ryan] You got a few kicking around 43:26.891 --> 43:27.724 in your head, I know. 43:27.724 --> 43:30.477 - Retirement benefits and duty status reform. 43:30.477 --> 43:33.560 OSD is actually working on the behalf 43:34.240 --> 43:37.107 of all of the reserve components, not just National Guard, 43:37.107 --> 43:40.256 to streamline and make right the entitlements 43:40.256 --> 43:42.010 that go with pay and duty status, 43:42.010 --> 43:45.032 like service equals like pay and benefits. 43:45.032 --> 43:47.828 So I do sense, inside the department at least, 43:47.828 --> 43:49.657 there is a push to make that happen, 43:49.657 --> 43:51.406 and a push to make the reform. 43:51.406 --> 43:53.364 There will be a bill with it to do it, 43:53.364 --> 43:55.081 but it's the right thing to do. 43:55.081 --> 43:57.632 - Well, we need you to continue to push us, 43:57.632 --> 44:00.975 and we'll push you, and hopefully, make some progress. 44:00.975 --> 44:05.142 Real quick, because I only have 30 some seconds, I know, 44:05.908 --> 44:10.075 Chairman brought up earlier the opiate drug issue. 44:11.905 --> 44:14.405 Are you starting to make a distinction 44:14.405 --> 44:18.238 in prioritization of opiates versus marijuana? 44:21.369 --> 44:23.869 Because the problem is so big, 44:25.659 --> 44:27.826 are you prioritizing what, 44:29.048 --> 44:31.841 how you're deploying your resources, I guess I should say? 44:31.841 --> 44:36.008 - So because of the rise and the devastating effects 44:36.553 --> 44:38.430 of the opiate piece, it has taken on 44:38.430 --> 44:42.597 a more important role in the threat based resource model. 44:43.138 --> 44:46.962 That team has come together, which is adjutant generals 44:46.962 --> 44:51.129 from the states, it's academic institutions who study this, 44:52.395 --> 44:55.281 it is subject matter experts who come together. 44:55.281 --> 44:57.363 There used to be only 20 variables per state 44:57.363 --> 44:59.939 because I said earlier, every state has a unique 44:59.939 --> 45:03.699 and distinct environment that threatens their state. 45:03.699 --> 45:05.331 So we need a model that is flexible, 45:05.331 --> 45:07.173 so that each state can articulate it. 45:07.173 --> 45:09.923 And so the opioid issue has risen 45:10.873 --> 45:13.547 inside that threat based resource model, 45:13.547 --> 45:17.047 and we'll apply the right authority to it. 45:17.319 --> 45:18.833 - [Chairwoman] Mr. Carter. 45:18.833 --> 45:20.607 - Thank you, Madam Chairman. 45:20.607 --> 45:23.915 General Lengyel, welcome a fellow Texan. 45:23.915 --> 45:26.463 I want to thank my friend Mr. Cuellar 45:26.463 --> 45:29.774 for raising the issue on the border, and I associate myself 45:29.774 --> 45:33.274 with all the conversation we've had today. 45:33.966 --> 45:37.549 General, the, our Associated Pilot Program, 45:41.287 --> 45:43.500 Associated Units Pilot Program, 45:43.500 --> 45:47.332 high demand National Guard units see more training days, 45:47.332 --> 45:49.282 and combat training center rotations, 45:49.282 --> 45:52.635 as part of the Army's Associated Units Pilot Program. 45:52.635 --> 45:54.554 We've talked about that a little bit. 45:54.554 --> 45:56.118 The Army requires training together 45:56.118 --> 45:59.979 to increase the readiness across all three components, 45:59.979 --> 46:03.056 keep up the demand for soldiers around the world. 46:03.056 --> 46:05.990 Can you provide the committee with an assessment 46:05.990 --> 46:08.076 of the associated pilot's program today? 46:08.076 --> 46:10.196 And if you feel like you're meeting 46:10.196 --> 46:13.533 the accomplishments that you're seeking to meet, 46:13.533 --> 46:17.532 is there, are there any additional funding requirements 46:17.532 --> 46:21.699 that you feel like we should know about, as we go forward? 46:21.829 --> 46:25.996 And I'm reading a book called Fast Tanks and Heavy Bombers, 46:27.784 --> 46:30.117 that General Milley gave me. 46:31.280 --> 46:34.855 And I would venture to say that the National Guard 46:34.855 --> 46:38.022 trains more than the regular Army did. 46:38.401 --> 46:40.978 Today, we train more than the regular Army did 46:40.978 --> 46:42.168 during this period of time 46:42.168 --> 46:44.992 between World War I and World War II. 46:44.992 --> 46:49.159 And that's an amazing change in the Guard's requirements. 46:49.899 --> 46:51.656 So would you tell us a little bit about that? 46:51.656 --> 46:54.448 - I would, Sir, I am thankful for the Commission, 46:54.448 --> 46:56.002 and their recommendations that came up 46:56.002 --> 46:58.279 with the Associated Unit program. 46:58.279 --> 47:01.176 It is a test, and I'm thankful that General Milley 47:01.176 --> 47:05.343 has embraced it, and by all counts so far, you know, 47:07.265 --> 47:09.922 I'm willing to say that from every indication I have, 47:09.922 --> 47:12.266 it's a success, it has been embraced by the Army, 47:12.266 --> 47:14.982 it has been embraced by the Army National Guard, 47:14.982 --> 47:17.954 it has resulted in people swapping unit patches, 47:17.954 --> 47:20.398 and becoming part of each others' uniform. 47:20.398 --> 47:22.535 It is a fundamental cultural change, 47:22.535 --> 47:24.733 of integrating the United States Army, 47:24.733 --> 47:27.389 or National Guard, into the United States Army. 47:27.389 --> 47:31.288 And I think only good things will come from it. 47:31.288 --> 47:33.809 Time will tell, I mean, we will look at the end of this, 47:33.809 --> 47:36.849 and we will determine, has our readiness increased? 47:36.849 --> 47:40.180 I'll tell you what is increasing, the trust in each other, 47:40.180 --> 47:43.391 the ability and awareness of the commanders, 47:43.391 --> 47:46.122 the sharing of resources and training, 47:46.122 --> 47:49.573 the utilization of our force, everything has gotten better 47:49.573 --> 47:51.577 since we have become this operational force. 47:51.577 --> 47:54.441 And I believe the Army Unit Pilot Program, 47:54.441 --> 47:57.730 the Association Unit, is nothing but good. 47:57.730 --> 48:01.016 I think that's incredible with respect to how we train, 48:01.016 --> 48:04.598 with respect to, I couldn't be more impressed. 48:04.598 --> 48:07.232 I mean, I spent the last five years of my life 48:07.232 --> 48:08.929 learning about the United States Army, 48:08.929 --> 48:10.860 and Army National Guard, and how we train. 48:10.860 --> 48:15.027 It is an amazing undertaking to train a brigade combat team. 48:15.234 --> 48:19.151 It is logistically complex to amass the forces, 48:20.416 --> 48:22.533 and equipment, and training that you need 48:22.533 --> 48:24.155 in the right places, where you can actually 48:24.155 --> 48:25.817 use them, and train on them. 48:25.817 --> 48:28.507 It takes an immense amount of coordination, 48:28.507 --> 48:31.038 and quite frankly, it's expensive. 48:31.038 --> 48:33.776 But to use, where we save the money is, 48:33.776 --> 48:37.039 the 27 brigades that we have in the Army National Guard 48:37.039 --> 48:39.158 save you a little money when they're not training. 48:39.158 --> 48:40.978 We cost the same when they use us, 48:40.978 --> 48:42.553 we cost the same when you train us. 48:42.553 --> 48:45.565 But when you're not going, when you're not using us, 48:45.565 --> 48:47.148 we save some money. 48:47.364 --> 48:49.781 And so it is my job, I think, 48:50.234 --> 48:53.844 you don't want 27 brigades in the Army National Guard 48:53.844 --> 48:57.344 at C one, that's not where you save money. 48:57.529 --> 49:00.238 Because you're, we'll spoil that readiness 49:00.238 --> 49:01.625 before you use it. 49:01.625 --> 49:04.131 So we want to meter that readiness, 49:04.131 --> 49:06.850 we want to make them ready faster. 49:06.850 --> 49:09.643 General Milley needs us inside of 60 days, 49:09.643 --> 49:12.814 inside of 90 days, if something happens in North Korea. 49:12.814 --> 49:15.487 We have to look hard at our business models. 49:15.487 --> 49:18.536 We have to look hard at the mobilization process. 49:18.536 --> 49:21.555 How to we mobilize, how could we mobilize faster? 49:21.555 --> 49:22.778 I think that's what General Milley 49:22.778 --> 49:25.361 (mic feedback) 49:34.627 --> 49:36.241 - [Mr. Carter] Are we being hacked? 49:36.241 --> 49:37.556 - Yeah. (laughs) We're getting hacked. 49:37.556 --> 49:38.988 - [Mr. Carter] Well well, then, 49:38.988 --> 49:40.635 my phone's in my back pocket. 49:40.635 --> 49:44.718 - So, I think that that's what we're trying to do 49:44.784 --> 49:45.751 in the Army National Guard, Sir, 49:45.751 --> 49:48.096 is make that force ready quicker. 49:48.096 --> 49:49.734 Modernize it, have the same equipment, 49:49.734 --> 49:51.965 and be ready to participate as part of the Army 49:51.965 --> 49:53.965 as fast as they need us. 49:54.173 --> 49:56.139 - [Mr. Carter] Thank you, we're very proud of you. 49:56.139 --> 49:56.972 - [General Lengyel] Thank you, Sir. 49:56.972 --> 49:59.301 - [Chairwoman] Thank you, Miss Robey. 49:59.301 --> 50:01.692 - Thank you, Chairwoman, and thank you, Sir, 50:01.692 --> 50:04.167 for being here, it's great to see you again. 50:04.167 --> 50:07.505 I have a few questions, but first, a few comments. 50:07.505 --> 50:09.233 As you know, the site survey team 50:09.233 --> 50:13.400 is in Montgomery right now, with the 187th Fighter Wing, 50:13.644 --> 50:17.718 and at Daleville for the future fielding of the F-35. 50:17.718 --> 50:20.445 And as a long supporter of the F-35 program, 50:20.445 --> 50:23.910 it's exciting to see how much progress the program has made. 50:23.910 --> 50:26.789 And I'd be remissed if I didn't take the opportunity 50:26.789 --> 50:29.419 to say to you that if there are any questions 50:29.419 --> 50:31.524 from the Guard for the community, 50:31.524 --> 50:33.948 or for any members of the Alabama delegation, 50:33.948 --> 50:37.854 we continue to make ourselves available to you. 50:37.854 --> 50:39.313 The Alabama delegation, of course, 50:39.313 --> 50:41.128 in the community and our state, 50:41.128 --> 50:44.211 is so excited about this possibility. 50:44.563 --> 50:48.441 In your testimony, you highlight the numerous deployments 50:48.441 --> 50:51.984 that the Guard has performed since 9/11, and the fact that 50:51.984 --> 50:55.516 the operations tempo today remains very high. 50:55.516 --> 50:57.787 And so I want to thank you, and all members 50:57.787 --> 51:00.518 of the National Guard, for your selfless service 51:00.518 --> 51:03.520 in protecting the nation in these challenging times, 51:03.520 --> 51:06.437 and the sacrifice of your families. 51:07.310 --> 51:09.356 I'm concerned, however, and have recently 51:09.356 --> 51:13.523 had some conversations with friends of mine who serve, 51:13.690 --> 51:17.773 about how sustainable current operation tempo is, 51:18.055 --> 51:20.927 and what has been brought to my attention 51:20.927 --> 51:23.260 as it relates to dwell time. 51:24.139 --> 51:27.342 We've placed a huge burden on our Guard families, 51:27.342 --> 51:30.071 and not to mention, their employers. 51:30.071 --> 51:31.694 And we're, the question I have, 51:31.694 --> 51:34.694 are we placing too much on the Guard 51:35.253 --> 51:38.418 to constantly be an operational partner? 51:38.418 --> 51:41.038 And I've heard the comments of my colleagues in here, 51:41.038 --> 51:43.455 and I listen to you, as well. 51:43.605 --> 51:47.772 But when my phone rings, and it's a member of the Guard 51:47.948 --> 51:50.685 who has served both in the active, 51:50.685 --> 51:53.197 for many years, in the active component, 51:53.197 --> 51:55.947 and now, as a pilot in the Guard, 51:56.651 --> 51:59.568 and what's being communicated to me 52:00.481 --> 52:04.314 is that there is concern by those who continue 52:05.299 --> 52:08.966 to serve their country, hearing these rumors 52:09.186 --> 52:11.602 about a decrease in the dwell time 52:11.602 --> 52:13.337 from five to one and four to one. 52:13.337 --> 52:15.673 And then, is that a slippery slope? 52:15.673 --> 52:18.758 So I just really wanted for you to take an opportunity 52:18.758 --> 52:21.554 to address these concerns that I've heard, 52:21.554 --> 52:24.387 and I'm sure others have, as well. 52:25.234 --> 52:27.438 - Yes Ma'am, the concerns are real. 52:27.438 --> 52:30.814 I think you probably heard from the fellow Joint Chiefs 52:30.814 --> 52:34.307 yesterday, that the threats that the country is facing 52:34.307 --> 52:36.807 is absolutely going to require 52:37.516 --> 52:40.528 the continued operational use of the National Guard. 52:40.528 --> 52:42.573 One of the things that you're seeing in Alabama, 52:42.573 --> 52:46.740 and particularly in the 135 arena, the KC-135 arena, 52:47.693 --> 52:50.443 so because of all of these issues 52:51.288 --> 52:54.371 that we're dealing with are far away, 52:54.425 --> 52:58.592 and they require a lot of air refueling capability. 52:59.209 --> 53:01.486 For the past 15 years, the Air Force has had 53:01.486 --> 53:04.403 the good fortune to have, you know, 53:05.923 --> 53:08.971 pretty much a downturn in the airline cycle, 53:08.971 --> 53:12.020 in which they had pilots available and willing to work, 53:12.020 --> 53:16.187 who were either waiting, or not engaged in an airline job. 53:16.331 --> 53:20.210 And so, the volunteerism of people who were able 53:20.210 --> 53:24.377 to deploy beyond normal mobilized deployments was high. 53:26.088 --> 53:29.036 So what's happened now is the availability, 53:29.036 --> 53:30.854 that the airline industry is booming, 53:30.854 --> 53:34.047 they have a large draw on our pilot force, 53:34.047 --> 53:37.495 who are now fully engaged in a civilian job. 53:37.495 --> 53:41.662 And so that volunteerism is beginning to be harder to get. 53:41.818 --> 53:45.480 You have to keep in mind what our units are funded to do. 53:45.480 --> 53:48.739 So there are areas that are being stressed 53:48.739 --> 53:51.159 on the utilization, and I wanted to tell you, 53:51.159 --> 53:53.492 the KC-135s are one of them. 53:55.071 --> 53:58.715 You know, writ large across the force, we are using, 53:58.715 --> 54:01.065 as I mentioned in my remarks, opening statement, 54:01.065 --> 54:04.898 18,000 men and women deployed right now today. 54:04.963 --> 54:08.463 If you go back 10 years ago, we had 70,000 54:08.675 --> 54:10.704 men and women deployed today. 54:10.704 --> 54:13.984 And an average of that for over 10 years. 54:13.984 --> 54:16.736 So I characterize the sustainability of our force, 54:16.736 --> 54:18.999 the utilization of our force right now, 54:18.999 --> 54:22.082 as a normal walk, maybe a brisk walk. 54:22.550 --> 54:26.717 Whereas 10 years ago, 2005, with 100,000 people deployed, 54:27.289 --> 54:29.642 plus 50,000 doing Hurricane Katrina, 54:29.642 --> 54:31.313 that was a full out sprint. 54:31.313 --> 54:33.141 And that would not have been sustainable. 54:33.141 --> 54:35.549 Overall, writ large across the force, 54:35.549 --> 54:38.716 we can sustain what we're doing today. 54:38.720 --> 54:42.637 But we have to be careful, and look at specific 54:42.773 --> 54:46.522 threatened areas like KC-135, and work to do that. 54:46.522 --> 54:48.826 And maybe associations can help. 54:48.826 --> 54:51.005 Maybe we can put additional active pilots in there, 54:51.005 --> 54:53.984 and they can take on some of those flying responsibilities. 54:53.984 --> 54:56.340 - Well I, I mean, I certainly don't claim 54:56.340 --> 54:58.261 to have the solution, and that's why 54:58.261 --> 55:00.025 I just wanted to bring it to your attention, 55:00.025 --> 55:03.879 and continue to have this conversation, you know, 55:03.879 --> 55:06.712 with these men and woman are there 55:07.110 --> 55:08.565 because they want to be there, 55:08.565 --> 55:10.211 and because they love their country. 55:10.211 --> 55:12.961 And I know we all recognize that, 55:13.216 --> 55:16.015 but I do appreciate your commitment to them, 55:16.015 --> 55:17.406 and I'd like to continue to have 55:17.406 --> 55:20.003 this conversation with you down the road. 55:20.003 --> 55:21.310 - Yes, Ma'am. - Thanks again. 55:21.310 --> 55:22.888 - [Chairwoman] Mr. Visclosky. 55:22.888 --> 55:26.162 - Thank you very much, couple of statements, first of all. 55:26.162 --> 55:29.486 General, is there's a series of questions for the record, 55:29.486 --> 55:32.758 on the tactical wheeled vehicle strategy for the Guard, 55:32.758 --> 55:36.405 and certainly attach importance to that program, 55:36.405 --> 55:39.805 and we'll be interested in the Guard's response. 55:39.805 --> 55:41.496 We joined with a number of my colleagues, 55:41.496 --> 55:43.821 who have mentioned the counter drug program, 55:43.821 --> 55:46.628 very important in our state, but particularly important 55:46.628 --> 55:50.008 in my congressional district, and do appreciate 55:50.008 --> 55:53.675 the Guard's work with the local communities. 55:54.512 --> 55:57.009 Also, and it's been talked about, 55:57.009 --> 56:00.820 the Partnership Act, I think it's a very enriching program 56:00.820 --> 56:04.834 for the Guard, for our country, for the other countries 56:04.834 --> 56:07.731 we are involved with, very proud again 56:07.731 --> 56:11.481 that our state now has two such partnerships. 56:11.658 --> 56:15.202 Was interested in the interchange you had with Mr. Ryan, 56:15.202 --> 56:16.845 and will be interested in the Guard 56:16.845 --> 56:19.262 following up on his question. 56:19.483 --> 56:23.233 Some years ago, asked in a different fashion, 56:23.722 --> 56:26.555 the same question, some years ago, 56:26.563 --> 56:29.813 the Guard said they were working on it. 56:30.257 --> 56:33.844 So would hope that some progress is being made. 56:33.844 --> 56:35.927 For the questions I have, 56:36.977 --> 56:39.279 there's been mention of the Guard's responsibility 56:39.279 --> 56:43.446 for Homeland Security, for responses to natural disasters. 56:43.780 --> 56:46.030 You just mentioned Katrina. 56:46.578 --> 56:49.205 As far as equipment in the Guard, 56:49.205 --> 56:51.386 as far as training of the Guard, 56:51.386 --> 56:54.354 when you do have a hurricane, it could be in Florida, 56:54.354 --> 56:58.139 it could be a tornado in a Midwestern state, wildfire 56:58.139 --> 57:00.722 (mic feedback) 57:00.982 --> 57:04.493 dollars, are there particular types of training programs 57:04.493 --> 57:08.660 that we should be attuned to, that may not be fully funded? 57:09.565 --> 57:11.163 Are there types of equipment, 57:11.163 --> 57:13.100 for some of these natural disasters, 57:13.100 --> 57:15.065 that Guard units across the country 57:15.065 --> 57:18.065 may not have adequate resources for? 57:18.299 --> 57:20.514 We're always thinking of overseas deployment, 57:20.514 --> 57:24.420 homeland protection, but there's that natural disaster. 57:24.420 --> 57:26.175 Is there something we're missing here, 57:26.175 --> 57:29.853 as far as the needs that you and the Guard have? 57:29.853 --> 57:32.511 - Sir, I thank you, you know I think, 57:32.511 --> 57:33.634 one thing I would point out is, 57:33.634 --> 57:35.936 thanks for the NGREA money that we get, 57:35.936 --> 57:39.326 that allows us to do buy some of the equipment 57:39.326 --> 57:41.531 that we use for, specifically for the homeland. 57:41.531 --> 57:43.541 Communication stuff, engineer stuff, 57:43.541 --> 57:45.874 modernize our aviation fleet 57:46.061 --> 57:48.076 with things that help us do our homeland mission. 57:48.076 --> 57:52.243 A lot of that is done for, and used, by the NGREA account. 57:54.093 --> 57:56.452 The money that we get in the counter drug program, 57:56.452 --> 57:59.135 to have the schools, and to train our service members 57:59.135 --> 58:01.765 to be value added, for that helps us. 58:01.765 --> 58:03.023 And I consider the counter drug 58:03.023 --> 58:05.927 a huge part of the Homeland Security mission, 58:05.927 --> 58:08.510 and support mission that we do. 58:09.003 --> 58:11.821 I don't have a specific additional ask for you. 58:11.821 --> 58:14.798 I would tell you that we are looking right now 58:14.798 --> 58:17.715 at our cyber training requirements. 58:18.767 --> 58:21.723 And although, I'll say, for the most part, 58:21.723 --> 58:24.801 our cyber training schools are on track. 58:24.801 --> 58:27.224 The money that this committee gives us, 58:27.224 --> 58:28.748 I think we got $12,000,000 this year 58:28.748 --> 58:32.059 for the Army National Guard, to fund the positions 58:32.059 --> 58:35.348 that allow us to build and grow out our cyber network, 58:35.348 --> 58:37.275 we wouldn't be able to do that without the money. 58:37.275 --> 58:40.130 Although the training is validated by the Army, 58:40.130 --> 58:43.196 it is not yet funded, it is straight in our baseline budget. 58:43.196 --> 58:45.702 So without the funding that we get from this committee, 58:45.702 --> 58:48.285 we wouldn't be able to complete 58:48.539 --> 58:50.028 those kinds of trainings things. 58:50.028 --> 58:53.028 So I'll give you a more direct list, 58:53.446 --> 58:54.873 but those are the things that come to mind, 58:54.873 --> 58:56.321 as I sit here right now. 58:56.321 --> 58:57.460 - And as far as natural disasters, 58:57.460 --> 58:58.858 there's nothing that comes to mind 58:58.858 --> 59:02.153 that we're missing, as far as resources? 59:02.153 --> 59:04.534 Okay, thank you very much, General, thank you. 59:04.534 --> 59:06.335 - General Lengyel, thank you for your time, 59:06.335 --> 59:08.446 and your attention to this committee's concern. 59:08.446 --> 59:12.613 This will conclude Panel One, we'll now move to Panel Two, 59:13.143 --> 59:16.064 the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force Reserves, 59:16.064 --> 59:18.588 and I would encourage all members to please stay 59:18.588 --> 59:21.728 for this panel, we're going to break for just three minutes 59:21.728 --> 59:23.393 to change the panels. 59:23.393 --> 59:26.893 - [General Lengyel] Thank you, Chairwoman. 59:31.419 --> 59:33.504 - [Chairwoman] If you'll be seated, please. 59:33.504 --> 59:35.489 Our second panel this morning consists 59:35.489 --> 59:38.063 of leaders with the reserve components. 59:38.063 --> 59:40.816 Lieutenant General Charles Luckey, 59:40.816 --> 59:42.983 Chief of the Army Reserve, 59:43.347 --> 59:47.211 Vice Admiral Luke McCollum, Chief of the Navy Reserve, 59:47.211 --> 59:49.423 Lieutenant General Rex McMillian, 59:49.423 --> 59:51.610 Commander Marine Corps Reserve, 59:51.610 --> 59:53.684 and Lieutenant General Maryanne Miller, 59:53.684 --> 59:56.059 Chief of the Air Force Reserve. 59:56.059 --> 59:57.396 We're pleased to welcome these four 59:57.396 --> 59:59.396 very distinguished General officers, 59:59.396 --> 01:00:01.474 as witnesses today, and the subcommittee 01:00:01.474 --> 01:00:04.474 thanks each of you for your service. 01:00:05.137 --> 01:00:08.618 As I mentioned in my opening marks for the first panel, 01:00:08.618 --> 01:00:11.276 this country relies now, perhaps more than ever, 01:00:11.276 --> 01:00:14.451 upon the service of your soldiers, sailors, 01:00:14.451 --> 01:00:17.305 and airmen to ensure mission success. 01:00:17.305 --> 01:00:19.761 The committee commends the reserve components 01:00:19.761 --> 01:00:23.785 for their dedication to service, and to our nation. 01:00:23.785 --> 01:00:26.579 We look forward to your testimony, and your insight. 01:00:26.579 --> 01:00:28.478 But first, I'd like to call on the ranking member, 01:00:28.478 --> 01:00:31.810 my friend, Pete Visclosky, for his comments. 01:00:31.810 --> 01:00:33.111 - Madam Chair, appreciate again 01:00:33.111 --> 01:00:34.928 that you're holding this hearing, 01:00:34.928 --> 01:00:37.395 and appreciate the panel before us, 01:00:37.395 --> 01:00:39.008 for your testimony and your service, 01:00:39.008 --> 01:00:41.372 and I look forward to hearing it, thank you very much. 01:00:41.372 --> 01:00:44.199 - Thank you, Generals, please proceed with your testimony. 01:00:44.199 --> 01:00:47.683 Your full, written testimony will be placed in the record. 01:00:47.683 --> 01:00:49.656 Please summarize your oral statement, 01:00:49.656 --> 01:00:53.823 so we can leave enough time to get to everyone's questions. 01:00:57.197 --> 01:01:01.030 - Chairwoman Granger, Vice Chairman Visclosky, 01:01:01.527 --> 01:01:03.186 distinguished members of the committee, 01:01:03.186 --> 01:01:06.059 I'll keep my remarks brief, as the Chairman just requested. 01:01:06.059 --> 01:01:07.345 But I want to thank you for the opportunity 01:01:07.345 --> 01:01:08.965 to appear before you this morning. 01:01:08.965 --> 01:01:11.278 It's an awesome opportunity, and an honor for me 01:01:11.278 --> 01:01:14.877 to represent the 200,000 soldiers of America's Army Reserve. 01:01:14.877 --> 01:01:16.947 We're serving today across 20 time zones, 01:01:16.947 --> 01:01:18.462 and around the globe. 01:01:18.462 --> 01:01:22.349 On behalf of them, their families, the employers 01:01:22.349 --> 01:01:24.927 of America and the Department of Army Civilians, 01:01:24.927 --> 01:01:26.459 who support us, I want to thank each of you 01:01:26.459 --> 01:01:30.396 for your unwavering support and commitment to this team. 01:01:30.396 --> 01:01:31.777 As I noted in my Posture Statement, 01:01:31.777 --> 01:01:33.510 which has been filed with the committee, 01:01:33.510 --> 01:01:35.553 as a leader of this team, I'm well attuned 01:01:35.553 --> 01:01:39.430 to the persistent presence of the asymmetric threat 01:01:39.430 --> 01:01:41.169 of terrorism and radical groups, 01:01:41.169 --> 01:01:43.214 as well as the emerging and compelling challenges 01:01:43.214 --> 01:01:45.601 presented by near-peer competitors, 01:01:45.601 --> 01:01:47.829 a potential adversary for the capability propensity 01:01:47.829 --> 01:01:51.996 and willingness to contest American power in all domains. 01:01:52.381 --> 01:01:53.705 We've not faced these conditions 01:01:53.705 --> 01:01:56.768 for over a quarter of a century, and the Army Reserve 01:01:56.768 --> 01:01:58.930 must take action, along with the rest of our Army, 01:01:58.930 --> 01:02:01.171 to meet the new and evolving threats. 01:02:01.171 --> 01:02:03.610 In this environment, an operational reality 01:02:03.610 --> 01:02:07.201 with the lethality and the complexity of the battle space, 01:02:07.201 --> 01:02:09.278 presents new challenges to our Army. 01:02:09.278 --> 01:02:11.065 America's Army Reserves practice of building 01:02:11.065 --> 01:02:13.856 locational readiness in units over time 01:02:13.856 --> 01:02:15.703 will no longer be sufficient. 01:02:15.703 --> 01:02:17.579 We must prepare some units for full spectrum 01:02:17.579 --> 01:02:19.500 operational environment immediately. 01:02:19.500 --> 01:02:21.718 This includes making ready significant portions 01:02:21.718 --> 01:02:24.061 of our team, able to go fast, in some cases, 01:02:24.061 --> 01:02:26.603 in days or weeks, in order to immediately complement 01:02:26.603 --> 01:02:28.470 and augment the active component formations 01:02:28.470 --> 01:02:30.153 who rely on America's Army Reserve 01:02:30.153 --> 01:02:32.010 to fight and win on the battlefield, 01:02:32.010 --> 01:02:34.248 for the first round downrange. 01:02:34.248 --> 01:02:37.386 In this new threat paradigm, some 300 units of action, 01:02:37.386 --> 01:02:39.907 or approximately 30,000 soldiers, need to be able 01:02:39.907 --> 01:02:42.966 to deploy in harm's way in less than 90 days, 01:02:42.966 --> 01:02:44.716 many in less than 30. 01:02:44.922 --> 01:02:48.102 I refer to this force as Ready Force X. 01:02:48.102 --> 01:02:51.017 It is a fast deploying set of capabilities, 01:02:51.017 --> 01:02:51.992 which I'll be happy to discuss 01:02:51.992 --> 01:02:53.625 with the committee in in more detail. 01:02:53.625 --> 01:02:55.381 We need to deliver these units with the mobility, 01:02:55.381 --> 01:02:58.193 survivability, connectivity and lethality needed 01:02:58.193 --> 01:03:00.701 to win on the modern battlefield. 01:03:00.701 --> 01:03:04.092 As always, consistent and predicable funding 01:03:04.092 --> 01:03:06.367 for essential training, equipment, and modernization 01:03:06.367 --> 01:03:08.534 is crucial to our success. 01:03:09.115 --> 01:03:11.071 It is a, the NGREA funding, 01:03:11.071 --> 01:03:13.119 which the committee has afforded us in the past, 01:03:13.119 --> 01:03:15.201 and continues to, is of tremendous benefit 01:03:15.201 --> 01:03:17.186 to America's Army Reserve. 01:03:17.186 --> 01:03:19.263 This superb tool, which in accordance with your guidance, 01:03:19.263 --> 01:03:22.500 enables me to procure certain high priority capabilities, 01:03:22.500 --> 01:03:25.854 that can be used for both combat operations, 01:03:25.854 --> 01:03:28.731 and as appropriate, domestic response operations. 01:03:28.731 --> 01:03:31.881 I thank you for your continued support in this regard. 01:03:31.881 --> 01:03:33.274 Let there be no doubt that my team's 01:03:33.274 --> 01:03:35.568 number one priority is readiness. 01:03:35.568 --> 01:03:38.523 In fact, as I testify today, America's Army Reserve 01:03:38.523 --> 01:03:41.157 has just completed the largest crew served weapons 01:03:41.157 --> 01:03:44.451 gunnery operation in its history, Operation Cold Steel, 01:03:44.451 --> 01:03:46.928 conducted up at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. 01:03:46.928 --> 01:03:49.483 There, we rapidly accelerated the training and qualification 01:03:49.483 --> 01:03:52.719 of our Master Gunners, of our Vehicle Crew Evaluators, 01:03:52.719 --> 01:03:54.547 and individual soldiers, while reinvigorating 01:03:54.547 --> 01:03:55.825 the non-commissioned officers' core 01:03:55.825 --> 01:03:59.406 of America's Army Reserve, which as you all well know, 01:03:59.406 --> 01:04:03.156 is the first line, if you will, the core role 01:04:03.302 --> 01:04:05.807 in our Army of training and leading our soldiers, 01:04:05.807 --> 01:04:07.605 when the lead hits the air. 01:04:07.605 --> 01:04:09.357 This is money and time well spent, 01:04:09.357 --> 01:04:10.949 and much needed as we move into the future. 01:04:10.949 --> 01:04:13.666 And I appreciate this committee's support in that regard. 01:04:13.666 --> 01:04:16.560 As for the future, America's Army Reserve is unique. 01:04:16.560 --> 01:04:18.854 We postured and empowered to leverage 01:04:18.854 --> 01:04:21.815 the wide ranging reservoir of professional talent 01:04:21.815 --> 01:04:23.860 to understand, develop and exploit 01:04:23.860 --> 01:04:26.691 emerging commercial markets and cutting edge technologies 01:04:26.691 --> 01:04:28.534 by partnering with private industry, 01:04:28.534 --> 01:04:32.202 in order to stay on pace in a very dynamic world. 01:04:32.202 --> 01:04:35.415 Working closely with Defense Innovation Experimental Unit, 01:04:35.415 --> 01:04:39.002 here in Washington D.C., and spread around the country, 01:04:39.002 --> 01:04:40.391 as well as Military District 5 01:04:40.391 --> 01:04:43.393 over at National Defense University, and other partners, 01:04:43.393 --> 01:04:45.782 we're well on the way to strengthening linkages, 01:04:45.782 --> 01:04:48.999 linkages between the private sector and America's Army. 01:04:48.999 --> 01:04:50.564 I want to reiterate the message I shared 01:04:50.564 --> 01:04:52.529 with the American people, in closing. 01:04:52.529 --> 01:04:54.967 I shared this with them on the Army Reserve's 01:04:54.967 --> 01:04:57.773 109th birthday last month, in Times Square. 01:04:57.773 --> 01:04:59.749 Joining that stage, if you will, 01:04:59.749 --> 01:05:02.037 were the Army's Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, 01:05:02.037 --> 01:05:05.013 who by the way, happens to be an Army Reserve Soldier 01:05:05.013 --> 01:05:07.742 from the Golden State, California. 01:05:07.742 --> 01:05:10.794 Our team relies, as I told the American people, 01:05:10.794 --> 01:05:13.995 on our families, on the commitment to support them, 01:05:13.995 --> 01:05:16.718 and the persistent willingness of America's employers 01:05:16.718 --> 01:05:18.847 to share their finest talent with us, 01:05:18.847 --> 01:05:20.543 and working the delicate balance 01:05:20.543 --> 01:05:22.684 between being ready enough to be relevant, 01:05:22.684 --> 01:05:26.851 but not so ready that my soldiers can't maintain good 01:05:27.452 --> 01:05:29.856 rewarding civilian employment. 01:05:29.856 --> 01:05:31.887 As I reach out to the influencers across America 01:05:31.887 --> 01:05:34.609 and around the globe, I ask them and press them to act, 01:05:34.609 --> 01:05:36.197 and to encourage their communities, 01:05:36.197 --> 01:05:38.447 cities, campuses, congressional districts, 01:05:38.447 --> 01:05:40.536 and employers located therein, 01:05:40.536 --> 01:05:43.229 to see themselves as full partners in national security, 01:05:43.229 --> 01:05:45.438 sharing America's best talent with us, 01:05:45.438 --> 01:05:47.684 America's Army Reserve, as we support and defend 01:05:47.684 --> 01:05:50.919 the Constitution of the United States of America. 01:05:50.919 --> 01:05:52.597 Distinguished members, your Army Reserve 01:05:52.597 --> 01:05:54.851 has always met the challenges of the time. 01:05:54.851 --> 01:05:56.664 With the committee's help, we will continue 01:05:56.664 --> 01:05:58.806 to buy the capabilities and readiness, 01:05:58.806 --> 01:06:01.113 live the example, and exude the ethos 01:06:01.113 --> 01:06:04.574 that the people of the United States expect and deserve. 01:06:04.574 --> 01:06:07.526 We will remain your premier team of skilled professionals, 01:06:07.526 --> 01:06:10.804 serving the nation as both soldiers and engaged civilians 01:06:10.804 --> 01:06:13.301 around the globe, it's just who we are. 01:06:13.301 --> 01:06:14.646 I look forward to your questions. 01:06:14.646 --> 01:06:15.646 - Thank you. 01:06:19.347 --> 01:06:20.771 - Good morning, Chairwoman Granger, 01:06:20.771 --> 01:06:22.976 and distinguished and ranking member Visclosky, 01:06:22.976 --> 01:06:25.428 and certainly the distinguished members 01:06:25.428 --> 01:06:27.350 of the committee, subcommittee. 01:06:27.350 --> 01:06:28.924 It's a distinct honor to be here this morning, 01:06:28.924 --> 01:06:31.266 to talk to you about the state of the Naval Reserve, 01:06:31.266 --> 01:06:33.372 and talk to you about the Navy's 01:06:33.372 --> 01:06:36.039 fiscal year 2018 budget request. 01:06:37.079 --> 01:06:40.289 And probably more importantly, to report 01:06:40.289 --> 01:06:44.456 on the dedicated men and women of our reserved force. 01:06:45.501 --> 01:06:48.393 The Navy Reserve is the busiest it has ever been, 01:06:48.393 --> 01:06:51.717 and as an integrated force, with the active component, 01:06:51.717 --> 01:06:55.884 we are experiencing competition in the maritime environment. 01:06:56.253 --> 01:07:00.253 This environment, it's fast paced, it's complex, 01:07:00.635 --> 01:07:03.968 it's ambiguous, and at times, uncertain. 01:07:04.264 --> 01:07:07.192 And the demand signal for the reserve support 01:07:07.192 --> 01:07:10.402 has now exceeded over 79,000 individual 01:07:10.402 --> 01:07:12.985 mobilizations around the globe. 01:07:13.154 --> 01:07:15.621 And as you may know, these individuals, 01:07:15.621 --> 01:07:18.266 our sailors, have left their civilian jobs, 01:07:18.266 --> 01:07:20.599 for sometimes, up to a year. 01:07:20.950 --> 01:07:23.283 And their families, as well. 01:07:23.552 --> 01:07:26.282 In addition to these mobilizations that I referenced, 01:07:26.282 --> 01:07:28.585 we have about 20% of the force 01:07:28.585 --> 01:07:31.112 that's engaged day to day in performing 01:07:31.112 --> 01:07:33.862 what we call operational support. 01:07:34.286 --> 01:07:35.569 The Naval Reserve works out of 01:07:35.569 --> 01:07:38.236 123 operational support centers, 01:07:38.439 --> 01:07:40.367 and these support centers are across 01:07:40.367 --> 01:07:43.450 the 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Guam. 01:07:44.431 --> 01:07:46.535 And the forestructure is the result 01:07:46.535 --> 01:07:50.300 of the Navy's imperative to optimize interoperability 01:07:50.300 --> 01:07:53.800 and operational effectiveness of the Navy. 01:07:54.010 --> 01:07:56.232 We spread our units around the country, 01:07:56.232 --> 01:07:58.691 beyond our fleet concentration areas, 01:07:58.691 --> 01:07:59.963 and this has allowed the Navy 01:07:59.963 --> 01:08:02.576 to retain valuable human capital, 01:08:02.576 --> 01:08:06.289 and provides reservists a convenient place to train, 01:08:06.289 --> 01:08:09.741 while remaining close to their businesses and their homes. 01:08:09.741 --> 01:08:12.704 One highly successful example of this strategy 01:08:12.704 --> 01:08:14.877 is the Naval Air Stations Joint Reserve Base 01:08:14.877 --> 01:08:16.541 in Fort Worth, Texas. 01:08:16.541 --> 01:08:18.115 And this facility alone is a model 01:08:18.115 --> 01:08:21.289 for interservice cooperation and community support, 01:08:21.289 --> 01:08:24.134 that achieves the readiness that I'm referring to. 01:08:24.134 --> 01:08:26.458 This installation holds 40 tenant commands, 01:08:26.458 --> 01:08:28.647 encompassing nearly 10,000 personnel 01:08:28.647 --> 01:08:30.730 across all four services. 01:08:30.742 --> 01:08:33.761 This is just one example of how the Naval Reserve 01:08:33.761 --> 01:08:37.344 is operating around the country, in each of your districts. 01:08:37.344 --> 01:08:40.094 The FY budget, 18 budget request, 01:08:40.178 --> 01:08:43.161 is focused on restoring balance and wholeness, 01:08:43.161 --> 01:08:46.157 and laying the foundation for future investments. 01:08:46.157 --> 01:08:48.795 This is both in our equipment and our people, 01:08:48.795 --> 01:08:50.639 and as an integrated force, the Navy knows 01:08:50.639 --> 01:08:53.389 that its heartbeat is its people. 01:08:54.829 --> 01:08:58.231 And this investment addresses reserve personnel wholeness 01:08:58.231 --> 01:09:01.039 in areas such as unmanned aircraft, 01:09:01.039 --> 01:09:05.074 cyber shipyard maintenance, and tactical operations. 01:09:05.074 --> 01:09:08.824 While our Navy's Reserve continues to execute 01:09:09.097 --> 01:09:12.347 at extremely high levels, our hardware, 01:09:12.422 --> 01:09:14.361 specifically, our aging aircraft fleet, 01:09:14.361 --> 01:09:16.708 is facing some obsolescence challenges, 01:09:16.708 --> 01:09:20.647 and rapidly approaching the end of its design service life. 01:09:20.647 --> 01:09:24.730 16 years of hard use has accelerated this effort. 01:09:24.787 --> 01:09:26.817 Accordingly, aircraft recapitalization 01:09:26.817 --> 01:09:30.572 remains the Navy Reserve's top equipping priority. 01:09:30.572 --> 01:09:33.996 The FY18 budget request allows us to restore wholeness 01:09:33.996 --> 01:09:36.579 in aviation maintenance counts, 01:09:36.779 --> 01:09:38.428 and it sets a solid foundation 01:09:38.428 --> 01:09:41.234 for next and future years' investments. 01:09:41.234 --> 01:09:43.688 And to continue restoring the wholeness of our force, 01:09:43.688 --> 01:09:47.521 we need stable, predictable funding mechanisms 01:09:47.544 --> 01:09:49.324 that allow us to plan effectively, 01:09:49.324 --> 01:09:51.574 and react to contingencies. 01:09:52.070 --> 01:09:55.082 Additionally, your increased support for flexible funding, 01:09:55.082 --> 01:09:57.999 authority for the NGREA, is needed. 01:09:58.807 --> 01:10:00.083 Providing us this authority, 01:10:00.083 --> 01:10:02.278 as well as flexible funding methods, 01:10:02.278 --> 01:10:05.793 enables the Navy Reserve to provide operational support 01:10:05.793 --> 01:10:09.155 where and when needed, and that will maximize 01:10:09.155 --> 01:10:12.517 the total effectiveness of the total force. 01:10:12.517 --> 01:10:14.701 While the challenges ahead of us are significant, 01:10:14.701 --> 01:10:17.768 I could not be more proud of our Navy Reserve force. 01:10:17.768 --> 01:10:19.878 Every time I set foot in one of our 01:10:19.878 --> 01:10:22.489 operational reserve centers around the country, 01:10:22.489 --> 01:10:26.394 I come away, as you can imagine, very impressed 01:10:26.394 --> 01:10:30.561 with the dedication and the commitment of these sailors. 01:10:31.409 --> 01:10:33.144 And the pride that they take combining 01:10:33.144 --> 01:10:36.036 their civilian skillsets with their professional competence 01:10:36.036 --> 01:10:40.203 in military operations, I must admit, is very inspiring. 01:10:40.217 --> 01:10:42.902 So on behalf of the Navy, and the Navy Reserve, 01:10:42.902 --> 01:10:45.159 I thank the members of the committee for your support, 01:10:45.159 --> 01:10:46.634 and I look forward to your questions. 01:10:46.634 --> 01:10:47.634 - Thank you. 01:10:49.584 --> 01:10:52.927 - Chairman Granger, ranking member Visclosky, 01:10:52.927 --> 01:10:56.479 and distinguished members of the committee, thank you 01:10:56.479 --> 01:10:58.959 for the opportunity to appear before you today, 01:10:58.959 --> 01:11:01.644 to testify on behalf of the Commandant of the Marine Corps 01:11:01.644 --> 01:11:03.605 about your Marine Corps Reserve. 01:11:03.605 --> 01:11:04.934 I'm honored to be here with my fellow 01:11:04.934 --> 01:11:08.324 Reserve component chiefs, and with me here today 01:11:08.324 --> 01:11:11.543 is my Fourth Sergeant Major, Sergeant Major Kimble. 01:11:11.543 --> 01:11:13.704 I've been at the helm of the Marine Forces Reserve 01:11:13.704 --> 01:11:16.279 for a year and a half, and I'm pleased to inform you 01:11:16.279 --> 01:11:19.199 that your Marine Corps Reserve is thriving. 01:11:19.199 --> 01:11:22.517 On average, we are 95% manning, and our leadership, 01:11:22.517 --> 01:11:25.396 morale, and personnel health of the force 01:11:25.396 --> 01:11:27.646 is at unprecedented levels. 01:11:27.760 --> 01:11:30.783 I'm continually impressed by the professionalism, 01:11:30.783 --> 01:11:33.708 competence, dedication, and motivation 01:11:33.708 --> 01:11:35.613 of our Reserve Marines. 01:11:35.613 --> 01:11:37.530 Like their active duty brothers and sisters, 01:11:37.530 --> 01:11:39.993 they serve selflessly to protect our nation, 01:11:39.993 --> 01:11:41.938 while at the same time, balancing 01:11:41.938 --> 01:11:45.070 their civilian careers and their families. 01:11:45.070 --> 01:11:46.825 The strength of Marine Forces Reserve 01:11:46.825 --> 01:11:48.930 is a talent, skill and discipline 01:11:48.930 --> 01:11:52.073 of our individual Marines and sailors. 01:11:52.073 --> 01:11:54.314 I am motivated by the most common question 01:11:54.314 --> 01:11:56.692 that I receive from your reserve Marines, 01:11:56.692 --> 01:11:59.609 which is, when do we get to deploy? 01:12:00.098 --> 01:12:02.892 They maintain the same mindset as the active component 01:12:02.892 --> 01:12:05.335 Marine Corps, we're ready to fight tonight, 01:12:05.335 --> 01:12:08.452 and we're ready to respond to any mission. 01:12:08.452 --> 01:12:10.930 My primary focus remains being combat ready, 01:12:10.930 --> 01:12:14.170 and having reserve Marines and units capable of moving, 01:12:14.170 --> 01:12:18.121 shooting, and communicating across the battlefield. 01:12:18.121 --> 01:12:19.780 Reserve Marines are viewed the same, 01:12:19.780 --> 01:12:21.697 and are expected to respond the same, 01:12:21.697 --> 01:12:25.201 as our active duty counterparts, on a moment's notice. 01:12:25.201 --> 01:12:26.972 We are integrated with the active component, 01:12:26.972 --> 01:12:29.092 as part of the total force. 01:12:29.092 --> 01:12:31.703 We are expected to be a force that is fully complimentary, 01:12:31.703 --> 01:12:35.870 seamless, and an equal teammate to the active component. 01:12:35.936 --> 01:12:38.528 We are manned, trained, and equipped 01:12:38.528 --> 01:12:41.363 to support Marine Corps operational requirements 01:12:41.363 --> 01:12:44.881 across the full range of military operations. 01:12:44.881 --> 01:12:48.174 We are 39,000 strong, formed into major commands 01:12:48.174 --> 01:12:51.466 that comprise a Marine Air-Ground Task Force, 01:12:51.466 --> 01:12:53.017 and we are unofficially known 01:12:53.017 --> 01:12:56.149 as the Fourth Marine Expeditionary Force. 01:12:56.149 --> 01:12:58.301 As the Commandant of the Marine Corps has said, 01:12:58.301 --> 01:13:01.702 we are one Marine Corps, a total force Marine Corps. 01:13:01.702 --> 01:13:04.681 To seamlessly integrate with the active component, 01:13:04.681 --> 01:13:08.481 Marine Forces Reserve must maintain equipment parity. 01:13:08.481 --> 01:13:10.668 Shortfalls in equipment modernization 01:13:10.668 --> 01:13:13.003 result in less interoperability 01:13:13.003 --> 01:13:15.187 with the active component, which slows 01:13:15.187 --> 01:13:18.154 the pace of operations, and increases risk 01:13:18.154 --> 01:13:22.008 to your Marines, and risk to mission accomplishment. 01:13:22.008 --> 01:13:24.116 Marine Forces Reserve continues 01:13:24.116 --> 01:13:26.747 to see shortfalls in modernization, 01:13:26.747 --> 01:13:30.541 like our most pressing shortfall, the KC-130J, 01:13:30.541 --> 01:13:33.330 which is used for tactical assault support, 01:13:33.330 --> 01:13:35.565 air to air and ground refueling, 01:13:35.565 --> 01:13:37.850 and combat logistic support. 01:13:37.850 --> 01:13:41.350 It is the major end item which facilitates 01:13:41.974 --> 01:13:44.611 moving to and across the battlefield. 01:13:44.611 --> 01:13:46.682 We should not send our Marines to a fight 01:13:46.682 --> 01:13:48.515 with legacy equipment. 01:13:48.685 --> 01:13:52.464 Transitions to modern equipment requires budget resources. 01:13:52.464 --> 01:13:54.818 NGREA, as you are all familiar with, 01:13:54.818 --> 01:13:57.445 is a complement to the Presidential Budget. 01:13:57.445 --> 01:13:59.871 And while we greatly appreciate NGREA, 01:13:59.871 --> 01:14:02.030 greater spending flexibility, combined with 01:14:02.030 --> 01:14:04.329 a more representative funding proportion 01:14:04.329 --> 01:14:07.496 that is more aligned with our historical percentage, 01:14:07.496 --> 01:14:09.836 would significantly contribute to the ability 01:14:09.836 --> 01:14:13.663 of Marine Forces Reserve to modernize legacy equipment, 01:14:13.663 --> 01:14:17.503 transition to new systems, improve our readiness, 01:14:17.503 --> 01:14:20.205 and better support our young Marines. 01:14:20.205 --> 01:14:23.433 We owe it to our nation's most precious assets, 01:14:23.433 --> 01:14:27.078 the young men and women in uniform, to send them into combat 01:14:27.078 --> 01:14:30.176 with the most modern equipment available. 01:14:30.176 --> 01:14:31.846 With the continued support of Congress, 01:14:31.846 --> 01:14:34.351 Marine Forces Reserve will continue to serve 01:14:34.351 --> 01:14:37.998 as a crucial operational and tactical shock absorber 01:14:37.998 --> 01:14:39.998 to the active component. 01:14:40.116 --> 01:14:42.805 In conclusion, I want to leave this distinguished body 01:14:42.805 --> 01:14:44.978 with two final thoughts, number one, 01:14:44.978 --> 01:14:46.930 I want to personally thank you for passing 01:14:46.930 --> 01:14:51.013 the fiscal year 2017 omnibus appropriations bill. 01:14:52.050 --> 01:14:54.049 And number two, having a, I'm sorry, 01:14:54.049 --> 01:14:56.786 having a predictable and consistent budget in the future 01:14:56.786 --> 01:15:00.536 will significantly improve readiness across the services. 01:15:00.536 --> 01:15:03.179 And number two, we need a flexible NGREA 01:15:03.179 --> 01:15:04.837 that complements the budget, 01:15:04.837 --> 01:15:06.752 to assist your Marine Corps Reserve 01:15:06.752 --> 01:15:09.870 in funding major end items, as defined by law. 01:15:09.870 --> 01:15:12.230 I appreciate the opportunity to be here today, 01:15:12.230 --> 01:15:15.313 and I look forward to your questions. 01:15:17.653 --> 01:15:20.078 - Chairwoman Granger, ranking member Visclosky, 01:15:20.078 --> 01:15:21.830 and distinguished members of the committee, 01:15:21.830 --> 01:15:25.040 thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. 01:15:25.040 --> 01:15:26.813 I am honored to have with me this morning 01:15:26.813 --> 01:15:29.440 Command Chief, Master Sergeant Ericka Kelly. 01:15:29.440 --> 01:15:31.286 Together, we represent America's 01:15:31.286 --> 01:15:33.727 69,000 Reserve Citizen Airmen, 01:15:33.727 --> 01:15:37.446 providing operational capability and surge capacity, 01:15:37.446 --> 01:15:41.613 ensuring air space and cyber dominance around the globe. 01:15:41.764 --> 01:15:44.491 26 years of continuous global operations 01:15:44.491 --> 01:15:46.957 and decreased budgets have stressed our force, 01:15:46.957 --> 01:15:48.912 which is always in demand. 01:15:48.912 --> 01:15:50.546 Last year, we were the fourth largest 01:15:50.546 --> 01:15:53.779 major command contributor to combat operations, 01:15:53.779 --> 01:15:57.783 filling over 10,000 air expeditionary and volunteer taskings 01:15:57.783 --> 01:16:01.222 across the U.S, and in 30 foreign countries. 01:16:01.222 --> 01:16:04.005 Our airmen deliver critical capabilities to the fight 01:16:04.005 --> 01:16:06.150 every day, through global vigilance, 01:16:06.150 --> 01:16:08.733 global reach, and global power. 01:16:08.927 --> 01:16:12.868 Your Air Force Reserve operates with 16,000 fewer airmen, 01:16:12.868 --> 01:16:17.035 and 220 fewer aircraft, than we did in Desert Storm. 01:16:17.171 --> 01:16:21.269 The stress of our size, the steady state operations tempo, 01:16:21.269 --> 01:16:24.115 and our funding shortfalls keep us challenged, 01:16:24.115 --> 01:16:27.615 yet we remain a lethal combat ready force, 01:16:27.643 --> 01:16:31.810 composed of amazing and resilient airmen and families. 01:16:32.268 --> 01:16:35.274 The concerns which weigh most in our day to day operations 01:16:35.274 --> 01:16:38.201 are insufficient manpower, for both full time support 01:16:38.201 --> 01:16:41.660 and critical skills, training availability and funding, 01:16:41.660 --> 01:16:44.608 weapons systems sustainment, and concurrent fielding 01:16:44.608 --> 01:16:46.684 of aircraft and equipment. 01:16:46.684 --> 01:16:49.714 We continue to make incremental steps in the readiness 01:16:49.714 --> 01:16:51.916 needed for today's fight, while posturing 01:16:51.916 --> 01:16:55.908 for the complex future threats, and the many challenges. 01:16:55.908 --> 01:16:58.328 Although the FY18 President's Budget Request 01:16:58.328 --> 01:17:00.713 is a good beginning, to ensure that we deliver 01:17:00.713 --> 01:17:04.130 the most ready, capable and lethal force, 01:17:04.275 --> 01:17:06.692 a long term effort is needed. 01:17:07.204 --> 01:17:09.954 This balance of readiness today, and the needs of tomorrow, 01:17:09.954 --> 01:17:11.915 is difficult without predictable, 01:17:11.915 --> 01:17:15.192 sustainable funding through the out years. 01:17:15.192 --> 01:17:17.737 The FY18 President's Budget Request 01:17:17.737 --> 01:17:20.894 continues our efforts to build readiness and capability 01:17:20.894 --> 01:17:25.061 by adding 800 positions across our our rated space, 01:17:25.107 --> 01:17:27.440 cyber, and our ISR missions. 01:17:27.851 --> 01:17:31.013 The budget request, with the additional overseas contingency 01:17:31.013 --> 01:17:35.180 operations support begins to fund weapon systems sustainment 01:17:35.503 --> 01:17:37.609 closer to the required levels, 01:17:37.609 --> 01:17:41.139 ensuring that we can produce the exercise training, 01:17:41.139 --> 01:17:42.689 the combat sorties needed to sustain 01:17:42.689 --> 01:17:45.356 the best Air Force in the world. 01:17:45.378 --> 01:17:47.504 Modernization and recapitalization are essential 01:17:47.504 --> 01:17:50.087 to maintaining our combat edge. 01:17:50.456 --> 01:17:52.148 With continued Congressional support 01:17:52.148 --> 01:17:55.170 for the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Appropriation, 01:17:55.170 --> 01:17:57.725 we can smartly invest in weapons systems, 01:17:57.725 --> 01:17:59.641 which will increase our capability, 01:17:59.641 --> 01:18:02.902 and recapitalize systems that will minimize risk 01:18:02.902 --> 01:18:05.319 against our emerging threats. 01:18:05.705 --> 01:18:09.872 And I thank you for the FY17 NGREA funding of $105,000,000, 01:18:10.867 --> 01:18:14.103 which provided all weather targeting pods for the F-16, 01:18:14.103 --> 01:18:16.853 enabled KC-135 defensive systems, 01:18:17.454 --> 01:18:21.582 updated digital displays for platforms such as the A-10, 01:18:21.582 --> 01:18:23.985 and afforded personnel recovery equipment 01:18:23.985 --> 01:18:26.485 for our Pave Hawk helicopters. 01:18:26.612 --> 01:18:30.779 This funding helps ensure that we maintain that lethal edge, 01:18:30.910 --> 01:18:35.059 to dominate and to survive in all spectrums of the conflict. 01:18:35.059 --> 01:18:37.498 Delivering combat air power to the joint force 01:18:37.498 --> 01:18:41.218 is our mission, to best execute this requirement, we must 01:18:41.218 --> 01:18:43.639 develop a concurrent fielding and divestment strategy 01:18:43.639 --> 01:18:47.756 to ensure operational parity with the active component. 01:18:47.756 --> 01:18:51.106 This ensures synchronized use of manpower, 01:18:51.106 --> 01:18:52.536 equipment, and training resources 01:18:52.536 --> 01:18:55.033 in a fiscally constrained environment. 01:18:55.033 --> 01:18:57.332 Over the past few decades, we have successfully 01:18:57.332 --> 01:18:59.701 adjusted to an operational reserve. 01:18:59.701 --> 01:19:02.043 Portions of our force are stressed, 01:19:02.043 --> 01:19:04.277 but our reserve citizen airmen are resilient, 01:19:04.277 --> 01:19:06.777 engaged, and honored to serve. 01:19:07.048 --> 01:19:09.469 We require your support for sufficient resources, 01:19:09.469 --> 01:19:11.654 to meet full spectrum readiness, 01:19:11.654 --> 01:19:14.749 increased end strength to support integrated operations, 01:19:14.749 --> 01:19:18.060 and an increased budget to buy back the readiness deficit, 01:19:18.060 --> 01:19:20.374 and modernize weapons systems. 01:19:20.374 --> 01:19:22.464 A stable, predictable budget will ensure 01:19:22.464 --> 01:19:26.122 our Air Force Reserve is combat ready at all times. 01:19:26.122 --> 01:19:28.673 Thank you, again, for your support, and your opportunity, 01:19:28.673 --> 01:19:32.328 and this amazing opportunity, to represent our airmen. 01:19:32.328 --> 01:19:35.001 And I look forward to your questions, thank you. 01:19:35.001 --> 01:19:38.014 - (mic cuts out) thank all of you for your testimony, 01:19:38.014 --> 01:19:41.731 and for describing the service, and the sacrifice, 01:19:41.731 --> 01:19:45.115 and the needs of those you represent here today. 01:19:45.115 --> 01:19:47.768 We'll be using a timer this morning. 01:19:47.768 --> 01:19:50.843 We're going to reduce the time for you 01:19:50.843 --> 01:19:52.665 to ask and answer questions to three minutes, 01:19:52.665 --> 01:19:54.743 because of the size of the panel, 01:19:54.743 --> 01:19:57.145 and the number of members who are here. 01:19:57.145 --> 01:20:00.645 And we have a hard end time at 12 o'clock. 01:20:01.130 --> 01:20:03.634 That will include questions and responses. 01:20:03.634 --> 01:20:05.348 If time permits, we'd have a second round, 01:20:05.348 --> 01:20:06.936 but I doubt that will happen. 01:20:06.936 --> 01:20:10.103 I'm going to call Mrs. McCollum first. 01:20:10.578 --> 01:20:12.838 - Thank you, Madam Chair, I'm going to submit for the record 01:20:12.838 --> 01:20:14.714 a question on lodging-in-kind, 01:20:14.714 --> 01:20:17.297 and what we can do to have our, 01:20:17.340 --> 01:20:19.093 especially in the Army Reserve, 01:20:19.093 --> 01:20:21.666 our soldiers not paying out of pocket 01:20:21.666 --> 01:20:25.159 for some of the training that they perform in. 01:20:25.159 --> 01:20:29.326 But I do have a question for, I think it affects all of you, 01:20:31.762 --> 01:20:34.904 I commend people who decide to continue 01:20:34.904 --> 01:20:38.071 in the Reserves after their discharge. 01:20:38.159 --> 01:20:41.909 Sometimes it's a very heavy family discussion 01:20:42.691 --> 01:20:44.302 about whether or not people 01:20:44.302 --> 01:20:46.584 are going to stay in the Reserves. 01:20:46.584 --> 01:20:50.161 And so, people who do that, do it with their eyes wide open 01:20:50.161 --> 01:20:54.328 about what a deployment could really be meaning for them. 01:20:54.504 --> 01:20:58.671 So, when they come home, they come home as a citizen, too. 01:20:59.341 --> 01:21:03.508 And this is a question I had had with General Luckey, 01:21:03.948 --> 01:21:05.880 but I want to pose this to all of you. 01:21:05.880 --> 01:21:09.213 In many, many cases, soldiers and airmen 01:21:09.378 --> 01:21:12.291 are deployed with as little as 30 days notice. 01:21:12.291 --> 01:21:14.801 And that can put a lot of strain on family. 01:21:14.801 --> 01:21:18.796 So because they've been planning their lives moving forward, 01:21:18.796 --> 01:21:21.445 they don't have the same protection in their civilian jobs, 01:21:21.445 --> 01:21:24.981 that sometimes, and I commend our businesses in Minnesota 01:21:24.981 --> 01:21:27.883 for what they do for our National Guard. 01:21:27.883 --> 01:21:29.802 But they have personal money invested, 01:21:29.802 --> 01:21:31.924 they're getting ready to close on homes, 01:21:31.924 --> 01:21:35.007 they might have paid tuition forward. 01:21:35.312 --> 01:21:38.092 What are we doing, what can we do to help you, 01:21:38.092 --> 01:21:39.926 what is your team doing to ensure that 01:21:39.926 --> 01:21:42.464 families of these soldiers and airmen, 01:21:42.464 --> 01:21:44.353 when they're given the short notice, 01:21:44.353 --> 01:21:47.225 that they don't find themselves in financial harm, 01:21:47.225 --> 01:21:50.985 or with unexpected consequences with their employment 01:21:50.985 --> 01:21:53.985 when they come back home, thank you. 01:21:54.788 --> 01:21:57.837 - The accepted question was initially directed to me. 01:21:57.837 --> 01:21:59.408 I'll respond first, if I-- 01:21:59.408 --> 01:22:00.880 - [Mrs. McCollum] I figured you'd take one for the team. 01:22:00.880 --> 01:22:03.130 (laughter) 01:22:03.471 --> 01:22:05.388 - So, as you well know, 01:22:05.595 --> 01:22:07.246 and I think we've discussed this before, 01:22:07.246 --> 01:22:10.368 part of the focus, from a priority of work perspective, 01:22:10.368 --> 01:22:12.139 if you will, of America's Army Reserve, 01:22:12.139 --> 01:22:14.141 is to make sure that we're tracking, if you will, 01:22:14.141 --> 01:22:16.860 or winnowing out, of which families and which units 01:22:16.860 --> 01:22:18.508 are most likely that be forced 01:22:18.508 --> 01:22:20.466 to do exactly what you just said, Congresswoman, 01:22:20.466 --> 01:22:22.459 which is move very quickly. 01:22:22.459 --> 01:22:24.498 This past weekend, I spent the better part 01:22:24.498 --> 01:22:26.366 of two days in Oklahoma City, 01:22:26.366 --> 01:22:28.603 at what we call Family Programs University. 01:22:28.603 --> 01:22:30.564 It's a Army Reserve program to essentially 01:22:30.564 --> 01:22:33.278 bring in volunteers, family program coordinators, 01:22:33.278 --> 01:22:36.861 and family program facilitators from units, 01:22:37.136 --> 01:22:40.391 in particularly those units that are most likely 01:22:40.391 --> 01:22:42.107 to be called to go first, so. 01:22:42.107 --> 01:22:44.421 I can't give a complete comprehensive answer, 01:22:44.421 --> 01:22:46.913 as it pertains, necessarily, to units located 01:22:46.913 --> 01:22:49.881 in eastern Minnesota, what I can tell you is, 01:22:49.881 --> 01:22:51.654 the focus and the energy, if you will, 01:22:51.654 --> 01:22:54.876 of our efforts to make sure we have good quality, 01:22:54.876 --> 01:22:57.074 engaged outreach, if you will, to families, 01:22:57.074 --> 01:22:59.127 is particularly siezed with the problem 01:22:59.127 --> 01:23:00.355 that you just articulated. 01:23:00.355 --> 01:23:01.416 So I want you to know that I'm paying 01:23:01.416 --> 01:23:03.833 very close attention to that. 01:23:05.795 --> 01:23:08.073 - Thanks for that question, just a, 01:23:08.073 --> 01:23:10.119 additional thing I would add onto it. 01:23:10.119 --> 01:23:13.173 The greatest return on investment to the American taxpayer, 01:23:13.173 --> 01:23:17.042 in the military, for a transitioning military individual, 01:23:17.042 --> 01:23:21.050 is if we can retain them into the reserve component. 01:23:21.050 --> 01:23:23.210 We don't have to train them, we can take advantage 01:23:23.210 --> 01:23:25.120 of the time they spent on active duty. 01:23:25.120 --> 01:23:28.453 So it certainly behooves us to maximize, 01:23:29.580 --> 01:23:32.367 and create an environment, that allows that reservist 01:23:32.367 --> 01:23:34.167 to thrive, thrive with their families, 01:23:34.167 --> 01:23:36.627 thrive with their civilian employers. 01:23:36.627 --> 01:23:39.922 And I would, the way I would answer that question is, 01:23:39.922 --> 01:23:43.567 predictability, create a predictable environment, 01:23:43.567 --> 01:23:47.734 with funding, that we don't have a sustained period 01:23:48.391 --> 01:23:50.974 of long continuing resolutions. 01:23:51.859 --> 01:23:54.653 And that that predictability allow a reservist, 01:23:54.653 --> 01:23:58.754 with confidence, that they know that they can plan. 01:23:58.754 --> 01:24:01.051 There's going to be funding, and it's funding available 01:24:01.051 --> 01:24:05.218 for the training, to get ready to meet those commitments. 01:24:09.650 --> 01:24:12.880 - Ma'am, as you know, the Marine Corps is a force 01:24:12.880 --> 01:24:15.387 in readiness, we have to be ready to fight tonight. 01:24:15.387 --> 01:24:18.343 The Commandant depends very much on his reserve component 01:24:18.343 --> 01:24:21.093 to be ready on a moment's notice. 01:24:21.196 --> 01:24:23.779 The biggest thing that we do is 01:24:24.476 --> 01:24:27.143 express that out to our Marines, 01:24:27.200 --> 01:24:29.814 and their families, at every opportunity, 01:24:29.814 --> 01:24:32.798 to be prepared mentally, to be prepared physically, 01:24:32.798 --> 01:24:35.109 to know their MOS, to not waste 01:24:35.109 --> 01:24:37.229 one minute of their training time. 01:24:37.229 --> 01:24:39.528 We have 38 training days with them a year, 01:24:39.528 --> 01:24:42.562 in order to prepare them to go downrange into combat. 01:24:42.562 --> 01:24:44.977 They have to be ready to fight tonight. 01:24:44.977 --> 01:24:47.260 We have a lot of history, or examples 01:24:47.260 --> 01:24:48.701 throughout our history, of having 01:24:48.701 --> 01:24:50.285 to get out the door very quickly, 01:24:50.285 --> 01:24:54.271 inside of 30 days, 45 days, and directly into combat. 01:24:54.271 --> 01:24:56.169 Their families know that, they're prepared for it. 01:24:56.169 --> 01:24:58.849 They're leaning forward, and we ask them to reach out 01:24:58.849 --> 01:25:01.449 to their employers to make sure that they're aware 01:25:01.449 --> 01:25:03.318 of the commitment that they have 01:25:03.318 --> 01:25:04.849 to the United States Marine Corps, 01:25:04.849 --> 01:25:09.016 and to the United States for the defense of this nation. 01:25:10.649 --> 01:25:11.638 - And for the Air Force Reserve, 01:25:11.638 --> 01:25:14.138 our response time is 72 hours. 01:25:14.469 --> 01:25:18.441 So for those longer term deployments we give the Air Force, 01:25:18.441 --> 01:25:21.356 we've done an amazing job over the last 26 years 01:25:21.356 --> 01:25:23.840 of getting that battle rhythm of reservists 01:25:23.840 --> 01:25:26.576 deploying downrange, and we'll give them 180 days notice 01:25:26.576 --> 01:25:29.358 to 270 days notice, and that's good for that. 01:25:29.358 --> 01:25:33.421 But every reservist knows they're on a 72 hour hook. 01:25:33.421 --> 01:25:36.254 And our systems support that, our, 01:25:36.425 --> 01:25:38.087 our wing commanders support that, 01:25:38.087 --> 01:25:40.481 the Yellow Ribbon Program supports that. 01:25:40.481 --> 01:25:43.564 And we're structured to support that. 01:25:45.418 --> 01:25:46.439 - Thank you, Madam Chairwoman, 01:25:46.439 --> 01:25:48.009 and thanks to the distinguished panel 01:25:48.009 --> 01:25:50.210 that's gathered in front of us. 01:25:50.210 --> 01:25:53.210 Because of a short time frame, I'll, 01:25:53.609 --> 01:25:55.522 I'll go to one question, before I do, 01:25:55.522 --> 01:25:58.230 I want to take just a moment of personal privilege, 01:25:58.230 --> 01:26:01.443 in welcoming the great Admiral over here. 01:26:01.443 --> 01:26:02.860 Mr. McCollum, who 01:26:05.410 --> 01:26:07.588 before he took this particular job, 01:26:07.588 --> 01:26:09.799 was working at a small five and dime 01:26:09.799 --> 01:26:13.132 in northwest Arkansas, that I represent. 01:26:14.517 --> 01:26:17.103 And the proud parent, I might also add, 01:26:17.103 --> 01:26:20.019 of a young son who's making his rounds 01:26:20.019 --> 01:26:22.980 in the Arkansas General Assembly, and doing remarkable work, 01:26:22.980 --> 01:26:26.147 and we're really, really proud of him. 01:26:27.107 --> 01:26:27.940 I 01:26:29.260 --> 01:26:31.510 wanted to ask the panel if, 01:26:31.989 --> 01:26:34.250 if they would just take a moment, 01:26:34.250 --> 01:26:38.417 and tell us what their top one or two issues are right now, 01:26:40.112 --> 01:26:42.901 and I will take out of those answers funding, 01:26:42.901 --> 01:26:45.747 because we know funding is the answer 01:26:45.747 --> 01:26:47.944 to a whole lot of problems that everybody has. 01:26:47.944 --> 01:26:50.079 So we'll just leave that off to the side. 01:26:50.079 --> 01:26:51.294 I don't know if it's op tempo, 01:26:51.294 --> 01:26:53.272 I don't know if it's modernization, 01:26:53.272 --> 01:26:56.124 don't know if it's medical fitness. 01:26:56.124 --> 01:26:57.791 But in the reserves, 01:26:59.989 --> 01:27:02.387 you're, you've got a different set 01:27:02.387 --> 01:27:05.049 of issues that affect you, and so, 01:27:05.049 --> 01:27:07.716 just go from Army down the line. 01:27:08.841 --> 01:27:12.006 Give me the top two, what should this committee understand 01:27:12.006 --> 01:27:14.452 to be your top couple of issues? 01:27:14.452 --> 01:27:16.289 - So thank you for the question. 01:27:16.289 --> 01:27:18.635 Very simply, two things, one, 01:27:18.635 --> 01:27:21.011 being able to generate the formations 01:27:21.011 --> 01:27:22.413 that I need to generate on the timelines 01:27:22.413 --> 01:27:24.806 required to support the war fighter. 01:27:24.806 --> 01:27:27.452 Primarily, focusing on two different theaters of operation. 01:27:27.452 --> 01:27:29.814 So the Pacific and Europe, and being able 01:27:29.814 --> 01:27:32.279 to generate, as I said it in my opening remarks, 01:27:32.279 --> 01:27:34.773 capabilities on the orders of 10, 01:27:34.773 --> 01:27:37.856 15,000 soldiers in less than 45 days, 01:27:38.108 --> 01:27:40.893 up to 33,000 soldiers in about 90 days. 01:27:40.893 --> 01:27:42.559 So the units, and if you want 01:27:42.559 --> 01:27:44.273 to incorporate those capabilities, 01:27:44.273 --> 01:27:45.359 and the soldiers in those units 01:27:45.359 --> 01:27:47.865 have to be at a very high degree, state of readiness. 01:27:47.865 --> 01:27:48.821 So my challenge, first of all, 01:27:48.821 --> 01:27:50.698 to be able to identify those requirements, 01:27:50.698 --> 01:27:52.014 make sure that each one of those formations 01:27:52.014 --> 01:27:54.038 has the training, the equipping, 01:27:54.038 --> 01:27:55.919 the modernization, and the, if you will, 01:27:55.919 --> 01:27:57.443 mission command architecture to operate 01:27:57.443 --> 01:28:00.265 in the completely interoperable efficacious fashion 01:28:00.265 --> 01:28:03.340 with active component formations, very quickly. 01:28:03.340 --> 01:28:06.646 Inside that, I would say, is the number two thing, 01:28:06.646 --> 01:28:08.949 is deployability of the individual soldiers, 01:28:08.949 --> 01:28:11.226 making sure that I'm affording every soldier 01:28:11.226 --> 01:28:13.913 the opportunity to get everything that they need done, 01:28:13.913 --> 01:28:17.589 so that they are completely in a deployable status 01:28:17.589 --> 01:28:20.222 at the time that somebody needs them to go do a job. 01:28:20.222 --> 01:28:22.813 So that is a persistent, ongoing challenge for us, 01:28:22.813 --> 01:28:25.063 but we're getting after it. 01:28:26.854 --> 01:28:28.690 - Congressman, thank you for the question. 01:28:28.690 --> 01:28:31.171 So you won't allow us to use the word budget? 01:28:31.171 --> 01:28:33.935 But may I just use a word that what the budget does for us? 01:28:33.935 --> 01:28:37.093 It creates wholeness, creates wholeness, 01:28:37.093 --> 01:28:40.264 creates the ability to generate readiness, 01:28:40.264 --> 01:28:43.661 and at its core, the U.S. Navy is an integrated force. 01:28:43.661 --> 01:28:46.049 And the Navy Reserve, as a component of that, 01:28:46.049 --> 01:28:48.549 relies on the help of Congress 01:28:49.453 --> 01:28:51.176 to give us the ability to be whole, 01:28:51.176 --> 01:28:54.502 to fix our, what I'd say, divots are that 01:28:54.502 --> 01:28:57.524 in our readiness accounts, our maintenance accounts. 01:28:57.524 --> 01:29:00.836 And by doing that, the second thing it does then is our, 01:29:00.836 --> 01:29:03.919 it then generates readiness to deploy 01:29:03.973 --> 01:29:08.140 when and where the American public chooses us to go. 01:29:11.545 --> 01:29:13.026 - Congressman, thank you for the question. 01:29:13.026 --> 01:29:15.516 I'll tell you what keeps me up, awake at night, 01:29:15.516 --> 01:29:17.683 is readiness of the force, 01:29:17.769 --> 01:29:19.263 the reserve forces to fight tonight, 01:29:19.263 --> 01:29:22.137 and be ready to get out the door, and seamlessly augment 01:29:22.137 --> 01:29:26.304 and reinforce the active component in a fist fight. 01:29:26.628 --> 01:29:30.518 The things that we need to do is investment in our future, 01:29:30.518 --> 01:29:32.308 modernization of our equipment, 01:29:32.308 --> 01:29:35.154 and then the maintenance of our legacy equipment. 01:29:35.154 --> 01:29:37.102 Those two things, and specifically, 01:29:37.102 --> 01:29:41.269 transition of the KC-130T, and the AH1Z attack helicopter, 01:29:42.025 --> 01:29:44.525 for the Marine Corps Reserves. 01:29:46.290 --> 01:29:47.738 - The two things, I think, that are most important 01:29:47.738 --> 01:29:50.053 for the Air Force Reserve are their critical skills manning, 01:29:50.053 --> 01:29:53.289 particularly our pilot shortage and our cyber professionals. 01:29:53.289 --> 01:29:56.656 On the cyber side, industries is pulling them. 01:29:56.656 --> 01:29:58.217 We can attract them, and we can train them, 01:29:58.217 --> 01:29:59.849 but we don't keep them that long. 01:29:59.849 --> 01:30:03.349 So your Reserve and Guard are the capacity 01:30:03.426 --> 01:30:06.565 that can keep them in uniform, which is great. 01:30:06.565 --> 01:30:09.110 The other piece is weapons system sustainment, 01:30:09.110 --> 01:30:13.027 and making sure, that's vital to our readiness. 01:30:15.473 --> 01:30:17.056 - [Man] Yeah, sure. 01:30:17.287 --> 01:30:19.454 (silence) 01:31:04.748 --> 01:31:06.752 - So Sir, if I may answer the second question first, 01:31:06.752 --> 01:31:08.169 very briefly, so, 01:31:09.321 --> 01:31:11.571 in the main, I've been the, 01:31:11.633 --> 01:31:13.837 the money has been given to us by the committee, 01:31:13.837 --> 01:31:15.934 and again, thank you for that. 01:31:15.934 --> 01:31:17.552 Basically, along the lines I articulated 01:31:17.552 --> 01:31:20.032 here earlier this morning, so it's about mobility. 01:31:20.032 --> 01:31:23.297 So some of this is platforms, if you will. 01:31:23.297 --> 01:31:25.366 A significant portion of investment portfolio 01:31:25.366 --> 01:31:27.586 is going to go against mission and command systems. 01:31:27.586 --> 01:31:30.320 As I think I've explained to some members before, 01:31:30.320 --> 01:31:31.489 one of my concerns is making sure 01:31:31.489 --> 01:31:34.085 that every one of my platforms is completely interlocked, 01:31:34.085 --> 01:31:36.586 if you will, from a network perspective, 01:31:36.586 --> 01:31:38.649 in terms of communications architecture, 01:31:38.649 --> 01:31:40.097 and blue force tracker to make sure that 01:31:40.097 --> 01:31:42.023 all my formations are completely interoperable 01:31:42.023 --> 01:31:44.972 from a communications command and control perspective. 01:31:44.972 --> 01:31:47.572 So priorities really focusing on lethality, 01:31:47.572 --> 01:31:51.739 mobility, and that net is C2 command and control structure. 01:31:52.191 --> 01:31:54.358 The, circling back to the, 01:31:55.130 --> 01:31:58.630 to the issue about the cyber specifically, 01:31:58.636 --> 01:32:00.277 as I think I've mentioned before, 01:32:00.277 --> 01:32:02.828 from a build perspective, we're in a very good place. 01:32:02.828 --> 01:32:04.496 So 10, you're correct, Congressman. 01:32:04.496 --> 01:32:07.036 So 10 cyber protection teams over time, building out. 01:32:07.036 --> 01:32:09.752 We are on, we're on a good glide path for that. 01:32:09.752 --> 01:32:11.392 In fact, what I would say is, 01:32:11.392 --> 01:32:13.552 and I touched on that a little bit in my opening remarks, 01:32:13.552 --> 01:32:15.454 part of what we're doing in America's Army Reserve 01:32:15.454 --> 01:32:17.114 is looking at those places in America 01:32:17.114 --> 01:32:19.654 where there is rapidly evolving, if you will, 01:32:19.654 --> 01:32:21.444 digital capabilities, technologies. 01:32:21.444 --> 01:32:25.194 So cyber, artificial intelligence, all sorts of, 01:32:25.194 --> 01:32:28.244 if you will, exploding capabilities in the private sector. 01:32:28.244 --> 01:32:30.423 Making sure that the Army Reserve 01:32:30.423 --> 01:32:34.423 is posturing forestructure to be able to retain, 01:32:34.826 --> 01:32:37.964 and in some cases, actually assess those capabilities 01:32:37.964 --> 01:32:39.686 into the Army Reserve, to make that 01:32:39.686 --> 01:32:41.669 a much more integrated part, if you will, 01:32:41.669 --> 01:32:43.856 of the Army's linkage, the war fighter's linkage, 01:32:43.856 --> 01:32:46.088 the Department of Defense's linkage, to the emerging 01:32:46.088 --> 01:32:48.400 private sector, as I think I mentioned to you. 01:32:48.400 --> 01:32:49.787 I've gone out to see private industry, 01:32:49.787 --> 01:32:52.180 in many locations, we're investing capabilities, 01:32:52.180 --> 01:32:54.216 and we're moving folks, if you will, or billets. 01:32:54.216 --> 01:32:55.733 Opportunities to create structure, 01:32:55.733 --> 01:32:59.463 into those rapidly developing part of commercial America. 01:32:59.463 --> 01:33:02.630 So I think we're in a very good place. 01:33:06.307 --> 01:33:08.624 - And Sir, I'll just dive in on that. 01:33:08.624 --> 01:33:10.549 We're building out, in the Marine Corps Reserves, 01:33:10.549 --> 01:33:14.078 two cyber protection teams from our Marines 01:33:14.078 --> 01:33:17.700 who have gotten out, gotten into the civilian work sector, 01:33:17.700 --> 01:33:20.090 learned that skill set, and now, 01:33:20.090 --> 01:33:22.645 finding out that we're trying to stand up two teams, 01:33:22.645 --> 01:33:24.498 one on the west coast, one on the east coast. 01:33:24.498 --> 01:33:27.720 One at the First Marine Expeditionary Force in San Diego, 01:33:27.720 --> 01:33:30.266 the other one at the Second Marine Expeditionary Force 01:33:30.266 --> 01:33:31.599 at Camp Lejeune. 01:33:31.682 --> 01:33:34.789 What drives these Marines to come back into the reserves, 01:33:34.789 --> 01:33:36.948 to join cyber protection teams, 01:33:36.948 --> 01:33:38.757 is that they're closer to the fight. 01:33:38.757 --> 01:33:41.778 They want to be with those tactical deploying units 01:33:41.778 --> 01:33:44.495 that have the potential to go downrange, 01:33:44.495 --> 01:33:48.266 and do work, wherever the country may need them. 01:33:48.266 --> 01:33:51.367 So they're excited about getting their boots dirty, 01:33:51.367 --> 01:33:55.534 and pulling downrange with tactical units, thank you. 01:34:01.391 --> 01:34:03.724 - Thank you, Madam Chairman. 01:34:04.363 --> 01:34:06.362 I'm going to address this question to the whole panel. 01:34:06.362 --> 01:34:08.687 General Luckey and I had a conversation yesterday. 01:34:08.687 --> 01:34:10.283 Thank you for coming by, 01:34:10.283 --> 01:34:13.450 I really appreciate that conversation. 01:34:14.332 --> 01:34:18.499 But as citizen warriors, and members of the Armed Forces, 01:34:19.007 --> 01:34:21.664 reserve people are often called upon 01:34:21.664 --> 01:34:24.857 to face the challenge in the workforce, 01:34:24.857 --> 01:34:29.024 because people miss work due to their deployments. 01:34:29.539 --> 01:34:31.428 Please provide the subcommittee with your assessments 01:34:31.428 --> 01:34:34.712 of how these challenges affect not only readiness, 01:34:34.712 --> 01:34:38.295 but retention, of highly skilled personnel. 01:34:38.937 --> 01:34:42.170 And what resources or assistance can we provide that will 01:34:42.170 --> 01:34:46.337 help you sustain your level of readiness and retention? 01:34:47.915 --> 01:34:50.409 - So let me just take that first, if I may, very quickly. 01:34:50.409 --> 01:34:52.122 I would tell you, the biggest thing 01:34:52.122 --> 01:34:55.104 that this committee could do to continue to support 01:34:55.104 --> 01:34:57.482 America's Army Reserve in this regard, 01:34:57.482 --> 01:34:59.781 is to, if you will be the influencers 01:34:59.781 --> 01:35:02.374 that can help me influence other influencers in America, 01:35:02.374 --> 01:35:04.178 as I've discussed with members 01:35:04.178 --> 01:35:08.345 of the committee before, in more informal contexts. 01:35:08.520 --> 01:35:09.808 Part of our challenge is making sure 01:35:09.808 --> 01:35:12.431 we continue the message, as I said in my opening remarks, 01:35:12.431 --> 01:35:14.258 to the employers of America, that they are 01:35:14.258 --> 01:35:16.357 strategic partners in the national security 01:35:16.357 --> 01:35:17.751 in the United States of America. 01:35:17.751 --> 01:35:19.800 And by allowing them, if you will, 01:35:19.800 --> 01:35:21.710 and encouraging them to understand 01:35:21.710 --> 01:35:24.507 how fundamentally important their support is, 01:35:24.507 --> 01:35:26.191 to make sure there are soldiers, 01:35:26.191 --> 01:35:28.388 I would say, sailors, airmen and Marines, 01:35:28.388 --> 01:35:30.065 all have an opportunity to share, 01:35:30.065 --> 01:35:31.783 to share, be shared, if you will, 01:35:31.783 --> 01:35:33.772 between those employers and these teams, 01:35:33.772 --> 01:35:35.931 it's absolutely critical to us being able 01:35:35.931 --> 01:35:36.952 to continue it, if you will, 01:35:36.952 --> 01:35:39.591 take some pressure off our soldiers, to be able to do both. 01:35:39.591 --> 01:35:41.042 So I would just, I really don't think 01:35:41.042 --> 01:35:42.842 this is about money, so much as it is, 01:35:42.842 --> 01:35:44.882 fundamentally it's about messaging, 01:35:44.882 --> 01:35:46.348 and making sure our employers really understand 01:35:46.348 --> 01:35:49.681 how vital their support continues to be. 01:35:51.311 --> 01:35:54.629 - And Sir, just to complement General Luckey's words, 01:35:54.629 --> 01:35:58.577 is the idea of partnerships, and the idea of leveraging 01:35:58.577 --> 01:36:01.244 those relationships, that these, 01:36:01.483 --> 01:36:03.374 in our case, sailors, and airmen, and Marines, 01:36:03.374 --> 01:36:06.409 that they have not only with their employers, 01:36:06.409 --> 01:36:08.365 but with friends of the military, 01:36:08.365 --> 01:36:10.855 and understanding those connection points, 01:36:10.855 --> 01:36:14.017 and whatever constituency gathering, whatever 01:36:14.017 --> 01:36:17.150 activity that's in place where we understand 01:36:17.150 --> 01:36:19.998 the heart and soul of what generates the capability 01:36:19.998 --> 01:36:22.563 of America's military power, which is our people. 01:36:22.563 --> 01:36:25.140 And all those programs that support 01:36:25.140 --> 01:36:26.561 how we take care of our people, 01:36:26.561 --> 01:36:29.644 whether it's when they get back home, 01:36:29.654 --> 01:36:31.418 in the repatriation programs, 01:36:31.418 --> 01:36:33.252 or how we support them when they're forward, 01:36:33.252 --> 01:36:36.450 and giving their readiness, funding their readiness 01:36:36.450 --> 01:36:39.633 to be ready, to distract them from any problems 01:36:39.633 --> 01:36:41.780 they may have otherwise, thank you. 01:36:41.780 --> 01:36:44.256 - Much the same answer, Sir, I thank you for the question. 01:36:44.256 --> 01:36:46.948 Again, we're at 95% manning across the board, 01:36:46.948 --> 01:36:48.863 highest I've ever seen it, healthiest I've ever seen it. 01:36:48.863 --> 01:36:51.351 Morale, leadership, esprit de corps, 01:36:51.351 --> 01:36:52.839 off the top of the charts. 01:36:52.839 --> 01:36:54.659 Reserve Marines want to be here, and serve, 01:36:54.659 --> 01:36:57.450 and go downrange, and do good work for our country. 01:36:57.450 --> 01:37:00.942 The key to that is the public support for their employers. 01:37:00.942 --> 01:37:03.475 I think their employers are proud to have Marines 01:37:03.475 --> 01:37:05.692 in their organizations, but a pat on the back 01:37:05.692 --> 01:37:08.099 goes a long way, and so the public support, 01:37:08.099 --> 01:37:10.723 as General Luckey and Admiral McCollum have touched upon. 01:37:10.723 --> 01:37:12.580 It's huge for us, and helps out 01:37:12.580 --> 01:37:15.580 with our retention, and the serving. 01:37:17.480 --> 01:37:19.498 - Yeah, for the Air Force Reserve, as I stated, 01:37:19.498 --> 01:37:23.665 the 72 hour response time is the tether that we are all on. 01:37:24.005 --> 01:37:25.915 So with that, we have a great relationship, 01:37:25.915 --> 01:37:28.566 at every wing level, across all our 36 wings 01:37:28.566 --> 01:37:30.548 with the employees part of Guard and Reserve. 01:37:30.548 --> 01:37:32.247 So it's an expectation management 01:37:32.247 --> 01:37:34.052 between the reservist and the employer, 01:37:34.052 --> 01:37:36.086 that we bring them together around the table, 01:37:36.086 --> 01:37:37.629 so there's no misunderstanding. 01:37:37.629 --> 01:37:40.909 Perfect example of that would be the airline pilot. 01:37:40.909 --> 01:37:44.565 General Goldfein, last week, got us together 01:37:44.565 --> 01:37:48.067 around the table with 70 airline executives 01:37:48.067 --> 01:37:51.092 from across, from the majors to the regionals. 01:37:51.092 --> 01:37:52.540 And we sat around the table and said, 01:37:52.540 --> 01:37:54.435 we keep tugging on both, either, you know, 01:37:54.435 --> 01:37:57.417 we have the uniform arm, and they have the airline arm 01:37:57.417 --> 01:38:00.282 of these pilots, and we're pulling them. 01:38:00.282 --> 01:38:02.158 We're just pulling them apart, basically. 01:38:02.158 --> 01:38:03.405 So we had to sit around the table, 01:38:03.405 --> 01:38:05.693 and basically come to an agreement 01:38:05.693 --> 01:38:07.174 of how are we going to use this one asset, 01:38:07.174 --> 01:38:09.058 this national asset, that is now 01:38:09.058 --> 01:38:10.549 becoming a crisis for this country? 01:38:10.549 --> 01:38:12.556 So that's the perfect example of how we work together 01:38:12.556 --> 01:38:15.171 with industry, and we're beginning steps to do that, 01:38:15.171 --> 01:38:17.588 to work our way through this. 01:38:18.423 --> 01:38:22.590 - Well I, for one, if you can get the information, 01:38:22.742 --> 01:38:25.120 by congressional district, of the employers 01:38:25.120 --> 01:38:29.287 that employ members of any of the reserve components, 01:38:29.546 --> 01:38:32.272 I'm going to make the same request to the National Guard. 01:38:32.272 --> 01:38:36.439 I will, our office will personally send them a letter 01:38:37.214 --> 01:38:40.282 commending them for their service to their country. 01:38:40.282 --> 01:38:42.361 So if you can get me that information, 01:38:42.361 --> 01:38:45.528 I'll put my people to work to do that. 01:38:49.287 --> 01:38:51.137 - (mic cuts out) you for what you talking about, 01:38:51.137 --> 01:38:54.054 messaging, if there's any for this. 01:38:54.160 --> 01:38:56.312 I have a reserve base, you mentioned, thank you, 01:38:56.312 --> 01:38:58.638 in my district, but some way to make sure 01:38:58.638 --> 01:39:01.138 that we're telling communities 01:39:01.322 --> 01:39:03.536 how important is to encourage this with employers. 01:39:03.536 --> 01:39:06.493 Any ideas, any place where they're doing it really well, 01:39:06.493 --> 01:39:09.482 if you'd pass it on to all of us, we'll encourage that, 01:39:09.482 --> 01:39:12.370 because that partnership is just vital. 01:39:12.370 --> 01:39:14.287 Thank you, Mr. Cuellar. 01:39:14.505 --> 01:39:15.621 - Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. 01:39:15.621 --> 01:39:18.842 I don't have any questions, except to say thank you 01:39:18.842 --> 01:39:21.247 for what you all do, we really, really appreciate it. 01:39:21.247 --> 01:39:23.016 We want to be supportive in any way. 01:39:23.016 --> 01:39:26.266 I do associate myself to the questions, 01:39:26.284 --> 01:39:27.516 to the comments also, I'd like 01:39:27.516 --> 01:39:29.976 to get that follow-up on that. 01:39:29.976 --> 01:39:32.687 Thank you, thank you Madam Chair. 01:39:32.687 --> 01:39:35.447 - Thank you very much, thank you all for being here. 01:39:35.447 --> 01:39:38.678 And a very heartfelt thank you to all of your families 01:39:38.678 --> 01:39:42.095 for their service and sacrifice, as well. 01:39:42.324 --> 01:39:45.860 With all the professional military education 01:39:45.860 --> 01:39:48.399 conducted at Maxwell Air Force Base, 01:39:48.399 --> 01:39:52.386 I'm well aware of the emphasis that the services place 01:39:52.386 --> 01:39:56.297 on PME, and rightly so, the investments in education 01:39:56.297 --> 01:39:58.705 and career development are critical to the development 01:39:58.705 --> 01:40:02.288 of our next generation of military leaders. 01:40:02.322 --> 01:40:04.727 That being said, I'm very concerned 01:40:04.727 --> 01:40:08.040 about possible disparities between reserve 01:40:08.040 --> 01:40:10.462 and active duty service members, 01:40:10.462 --> 01:40:14.629 with regard to pay and benefits, as it relates to PME. 01:40:15.543 --> 01:40:18.833 While a soldier on active duty receives full pay and credit 01:40:18.833 --> 01:40:22.008 towards retirement while attending PME courses, 01:40:22.008 --> 01:40:26.175 a reservist is often balancing, obviously, a civilian career 01:40:26.517 --> 01:40:29.914 and completing these courses by correspondence. 01:40:29.914 --> 01:40:33.102 Not only is the reservist not paid, in many cases, 01:40:33.102 --> 01:40:36.389 the reservist gets no credit towards the retirement. 01:40:36.389 --> 01:40:39.570 And so what needs to happen to fix this disparity, 01:40:39.570 --> 01:40:42.562 particularly as it relates towards retirement credit, 01:40:42.562 --> 01:40:45.895 and how quickly can we make this happen? 01:40:46.045 --> 01:40:50.212 And I'll be quiet and let you answer, thank you very much. 01:40:51.312 --> 01:40:54.164 - So let me jump on that first, if I may, Congresswoman. 01:40:54.164 --> 01:40:54.997 So I, 01:40:57.086 --> 01:40:59.549 I will just tell you, as a soldier who went 01:40:59.549 --> 01:41:02.051 to the Army War College, and to your point, 01:41:02.051 --> 01:41:06.218 spent the better part of two years doing it by sort of, 01:41:06.641 --> 01:41:08.526 some of it was virtual, some of it was paper, 01:41:08.526 --> 01:41:10.781 some of it was, but it ruined, 01:41:10.781 --> 01:41:13.632 I won't say it ruined, it consumed weekends 01:41:13.632 --> 01:41:16.362 for the lucky family for a couple years. 01:41:16.362 --> 01:41:18.362 And then we've had the summer sessions, 01:41:18.362 --> 01:41:20.481 where I would go to Carlisle for two weeks. 01:41:20.481 --> 01:41:23.209 I will just tell you that I was completely compensated 01:41:23.209 --> 01:41:27.376 for the time that I spent at Carlisle, by the Army. 01:41:27.673 --> 01:41:30.105 And I received a masters degree 01:41:30.105 --> 01:41:33.601 from the Army War College as part of the program. 01:41:33.601 --> 01:41:36.803 Candidly, while I got retirement points for the, 01:41:36.803 --> 01:41:40.022 if you will, the coursework that I accomplished, 01:41:40.022 --> 01:41:41.901 I'm not going to sit here and tell you that necessarily, 01:41:41.901 --> 01:41:44.294 in some cases, I felt that it was, 01:41:44.294 --> 01:41:46.918 some of the work was very difficult, frankly. 01:41:46.918 --> 01:41:49.751 But I will just tell you, I don't, 01:41:50.122 --> 01:41:52.758 on behalf of the Army, on behalf of America's Army Reserve, 01:41:52.758 --> 01:41:56.651 I don't think that there is a compensation issue, 01:41:56.651 --> 01:41:59.659 or a credit issue, as it pertains to retirement, 01:41:59.659 --> 01:42:01.028 as it pertains to the professional 01:42:01.028 --> 01:42:03.387 military education program of the Army. 01:42:03.387 --> 01:42:06.961 What I would tell you is, it is a challenge. 01:42:06.961 --> 01:42:08.987 My guess is it's true for all the services. 01:42:08.987 --> 01:42:11.168 It is a challenge for reserve soldiers 01:42:11.168 --> 01:42:13.679 to balance all the requirements of their lives. 01:42:13.679 --> 01:42:17.512 But the reality is, I have fantastic soldiers, 01:42:17.611 --> 01:42:19.141 who have support of their families, 01:42:19.141 --> 01:42:20.858 and by and large, support of their employers. 01:42:20.858 --> 01:42:22.699 We talked earlier, I didn't touch on this data point, 01:42:22.699 --> 01:42:24.282 but it's, I think it's relevant. 01:42:24.282 --> 01:42:25.115 The authorized end strength 01:42:25.115 --> 01:42:26.992 of the United States Army Reserve, you know, 01:42:26.992 --> 01:42:29.497 is going back to 199,000, and right now, 01:42:29.497 --> 01:42:32.664 I'm at over 198,000 soldiers, so I am, 01:42:33.211 --> 01:42:35.257 I guess what I would say is, I am, 01:42:35.257 --> 01:42:38.062 this is not a pressing concern for me. 01:42:38.062 --> 01:42:40.132 So I respect your question, and I appreciate it, but I, 01:42:40.132 --> 01:42:44.299 this is not a pressing concern for America's Army Reserve. 01:42:45.753 --> 01:42:47.440 - Thank you, Ma'am, for that question. 01:42:47.440 --> 01:42:50.131 I would say, for the Naval Reserve, it's very similar 01:42:50.131 --> 01:42:52.879 to what General Luckey just said. 01:42:52.879 --> 01:42:55.172 The Navy Reserve sailors are motivated, 01:42:55.172 --> 01:42:57.868 dedicated in their, actually, inspiring. 01:42:57.868 --> 01:42:59.454 And they do have this complexity 01:42:59.454 --> 01:43:01.439 of the family and civilian job. 01:43:01.439 --> 01:43:04.733 So it is a little bit different to master 01:43:04.733 --> 01:43:08.650 from just having one focus of their employment. 01:43:08.899 --> 01:43:10.555 Where the conversations generally go, 01:43:10.555 --> 01:43:14.722 regarding AC/RC, ends up in the benefits area. 01:43:14.736 --> 01:43:17.512 In the case of, we do have an authority right now, 01:43:17.512 --> 01:43:20.429 the 12304 bravo, which is basically 01:43:20.429 --> 01:43:23.679 an authority to let a reservist deploy, 01:43:24.249 --> 01:43:27.202 so the benefits don't currently match. 01:43:27.202 --> 01:43:29.838 And I know that the work us underway to address that. 01:43:29.838 --> 01:43:31.950 So that's where I hear more of the, 01:43:31.950 --> 01:43:34.226 more of the work, and the questions. 01:43:34.226 --> 01:43:36.468 - Great question, Ma'am, thank you for the question. 01:43:36.468 --> 01:43:37.990 The Commandant of the Marine Corps is focused 01:43:37.990 --> 01:43:40.954 on building a fifth generation Marine Corps, 01:43:40.954 --> 01:43:42.990 highly technical, highly advanced. 01:43:42.990 --> 01:43:46.634 I need to build a fifth generation reserve part of that, 01:43:46.634 --> 01:43:48.067 to augment and reinforce. 01:43:48.067 --> 01:43:49.721 Along with that comes education, 01:43:49.721 --> 01:43:52.304 but I'm bookended by readiness. 01:43:52.614 --> 01:43:55.738 I have 38 training days that train our Marines, 01:43:55.738 --> 01:43:57.938 ready to go downrange, as you've heard me talk about, 01:43:57.938 --> 01:43:59.142 to be ready to go to combat. 01:43:59.142 --> 01:44:00.655 So I need to take full advantage, 01:44:00.655 --> 01:44:03.679 and this is my point, with online training, 01:44:03.679 --> 01:44:06.165 and getting the pay and the benefits 01:44:06.165 --> 01:44:09.248 between drills, between those 28 days 01:44:09.576 --> 01:44:11.538 that I don't have them during the month, 01:44:11.538 --> 01:44:13.611 to bring them up to speed educationally. 01:44:13.611 --> 01:44:14.444 So we're working towards that, 01:44:14.444 --> 01:44:18.277 and we have great support in the Marine Corps. 01:44:18.699 --> 01:44:20.519 - Within the Air Force and the Air Force Reserve, 01:44:20.519 --> 01:44:23.253 we're moving more towards the virtual. 01:44:23.253 --> 01:44:27.420 And with that, you know, our folks just achieve greatness. 01:44:28.472 --> 01:44:31.377 They get, many of them have, if not all of them, 01:44:31.377 --> 01:44:32.772 have master's degrees on the officers' side, 01:44:32.772 --> 01:44:34.847 and the enlisted side, those numbers are going up. 01:44:34.847 --> 01:44:39.014 So this young group coming in just achieve, and overachieve. 01:44:39.213 --> 01:44:41.956 And they're not really concerned about getting, 01:44:41.956 --> 01:44:44.575 getting compensated for that, they just do it. 01:44:44.575 --> 01:44:47.016 And same for the professional military education. 01:44:47.016 --> 01:44:48.662 It's just a requirement and an expectation 01:44:48.662 --> 01:44:51.495 that we've had, and we just do it. 01:44:51.989 --> 01:44:53.322 - [Miss Robey] Thank you all, (military honorific). 01:44:53.322 --> 01:44:54.743 - [Chairwoman] Mr. Ryan. 01:44:54.743 --> 01:44:56.564 - Thank you, Madam Chair. 01:44:56.564 --> 01:44:58.530 I have a question for General Miller, 01:44:58.530 --> 01:45:00.267 a couple of them, I'll try to squeeze in, 01:45:00.267 --> 01:45:02.253 and hopefully, you can get to them, 01:45:02.253 --> 01:45:05.909 and make the committee aware that you are graduate 01:45:05.909 --> 01:45:09.992 of a small, unknown university in Columbus, Ohio, 01:45:11.263 --> 01:45:14.013 called the Ohio State University. 01:45:14.821 --> 01:45:17.558 And we're grateful for your service, so thank you very much. 01:45:17.558 --> 01:45:20.558 Two quick questions, one, last year, 01:45:21.014 --> 01:45:23.957 our committee identified, in the report, 01:45:23.957 --> 01:45:25.879 that many reserve facilities do not meet 01:45:25.879 --> 01:45:29.491 anti-terrorism and force protection requirements, 01:45:29.491 --> 01:45:33.053 and that these deficiencies result in traffic congestion 01:45:33.053 --> 01:45:36.091 in surrounding roads in these congested access points, 01:45:36.091 --> 01:45:38.674 as we saw recently in the U.K., 01:45:39.080 --> 01:45:43.080 with the terrorist attack, can be a major issue. 01:45:43.408 --> 01:45:45.380 The response from the Air Force Deputy 01:45:45.380 --> 01:45:47.147 Assistant Secretary of Budget last year 01:45:47.147 --> 01:45:50.897 stated the requirements would be met in 2022, 01:45:52.488 --> 01:45:55.266 which in my estimation, is way too long to wait 01:45:55.266 --> 01:45:56.763 for those kind of security measures. 01:45:56.763 --> 01:45:58.838 So, can you comment on that? 01:45:58.838 --> 01:46:03.005 And the other question is, with regard to the C-130Js, 01:46:04.280 --> 01:46:06.928 and specifically, if we have enough 01:46:06.928 --> 01:46:09.378 with regard to specialty missions? 01:46:09.378 --> 01:46:12.295 So, I'm concerned that those areas, 01:46:14.021 --> 01:46:17.938 and those planes, and the training necessary to 01:46:19.832 --> 01:46:23.041 deal with the specialty missions that we're not 01:46:23.041 --> 01:46:25.874 where we need to be with that, so. 01:46:27.350 --> 01:46:29.553 - Regarding the security measures, 01:46:29.553 --> 01:46:33.720 thank you all for the additional appropriation in '17 01:46:34.076 --> 01:46:37.076 for FSRM, we brought in $65,000,000. 01:46:37.946 --> 01:46:41.435 You've appropriated $65,000,000 for additions. 01:46:41.435 --> 01:46:44.370 I just looked at the list, none of those include gates, 01:46:44.370 --> 01:46:46.207 the security around the installation. 01:46:46.207 --> 01:46:48.374 So I will go back and see. 01:46:48.461 --> 01:46:50.689 We do a facilities assessment every year at every base, 01:46:50.689 --> 01:46:52.184 so I will do a quick review, 01:46:52.184 --> 01:46:53.668 and see where we are lacking in that, 01:46:53.668 --> 01:46:56.644 and get back with you on that specifically. 01:46:56.644 --> 01:47:00.060 Regarding the C-130Js, the last recapitalization 01:47:00.060 --> 01:47:04.227 for the Air Force Reserve, for Js, was in 2007 at Keesler. 01:47:05.077 --> 01:47:07.660 And we recapitalized 20, partly 01:47:09.739 --> 01:47:11.164 for the weather mission there, 01:47:11.164 --> 01:47:14.058 and then the operational mission there at Keesler. 01:47:14.058 --> 01:47:18.225 That is the last C-130J that the Air Force Reserve received, 01:47:18.243 --> 01:47:21.931 and there is none programmed in the palm for us. 01:47:21.931 --> 01:47:23.762 And that is a decision that we, 01:47:23.762 --> 01:47:27.762 with the Air Force, just due to limited funding, 01:47:27.974 --> 01:47:30.147 that's where we are on that program. 01:47:30.147 --> 01:47:33.523 The AMP one and AMP two on our H model fleet 01:47:33.523 --> 01:47:37.091 is critical to the longevity of that mission set. 01:47:37.091 --> 01:47:39.341 If there were funding that, 01:47:40.769 --> 01:47:44.561 that were set aside for the Js for the Air Force Reserve, 01:47:44.561 --> 01:47:47.672 then I would actually put that into special missions 01:47:47.672 --> 01:47:50.882 at Youngstown, and the firefighting unit at Peterson. 01:47:50.882 --> 01:47:52.965 That's where those, that, 01:47:53.094 --> 01:47:55.578 that those J models would go, if recapitalized. 01:47:55.578 --> 01:47:57.239 And there would be 60 needed for that. 01:47:57.239 --> 01:47:59.857 But right now, it's not in the program, 01:47:59.857 --> 01:48:01.755 and there's just no room in the program, 01:48:01.755 --> 01:48:05.672 given where we need to go for the future fight. 01:48:05.937 --> 01:48:08.104 (silence) 01:48:13.217 --> 01:48:14.817 - Thank you, Madam Chair, I don't have a question. 01:48:14.817 --> 01:48:18.984 But in response to my colleagues' opening remarks, 01:48:19.924 --> 01:48:24.007 Mr. Ryan, I would point out that while Ohio State 01:48:24.558 --> 01:48:27.671 is an incredible athletic institution, 01:48:27.671 --> 01:48:28.980 (laughter) 01:48:28.980 --> 01:48:31.426 the decor of my Washington office 01:48:31.426 --> 01:48:34.009 is patterned after your colors, 01:48:34.622 --> 01:48:38.289 and the National Fencing Championship round, 01:48:38.888 --> 01:48:42.221 it was Notre Dame, one, Ohio State, two. 01:48:43.503 --> 01:48:45.156 (laughter) 01:48:45.156 --> 01:48:46.222 Thank you, Madam. 01:48:46.222 --> 01:48:48.389 (silence) 01:48:54.034 --> 01:48:55.484 - (mic cuts out) time, your attention 01:48:55.484 --> 01:48:58.390 to the committee's concerns, please feel free, 01:48:58.390 --> 01:49:01.665 at any time, to remind us, or to talk to us more, 01:49:01.665 --> 01:49:04.006 so we can serve you the very best, 01:49:04.006 --> 01:49:05.828 because we respect what you do. 01:49:05.828 --> 01:49:07.380 This concludes today's hearing, 01:49:07.380 --> 01:49:10.213 the subcommittee stands adjourned.