In the interim, is that end strength sufficient to protect the security of the troops and the mission?

Thank you. I know that all of you are committed to the best protection for our men and women in uniform.

Do you believe that, in many respects, North Korea's proliferation and supply of weapons and other armaments and related materials might expand to a more aggressive program that would ultimately lead to an arms race in Asia, which is…

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I appreciate very much your being here again today to help us understand some of the difficulties in the world today that certainly you face each and every day.

I wouldn't in any way want to suggest that you wouldn't have the loyalty of these men and women.

It's predictable with the direction things are going today. Let me commend you for, if not being patient, acquiring the appearance of patience, and I thank you for your answers today.

If you do not feel secure in your hometown, it is pretty hard to feel secure in your homeland.

We live and work in an environment where debate and differences of opinion are crucial to the democracy and the freedoms that we enjoy and we protect.

This is one of those times where we need now to support the men and women in uniform and support their efforts throughout the world.

But I think we are worried about losing the same parents in the same combat zone.

Do you have any screening system that would identify firefighters, police officers, medical personnel, and other first responders?