I am concerned that the current plan uses data from 2010 and may not provide DOD with the right type of requirements-based gap analysis.

DOD's civilian workforce downsizing efforts in the 1990s were not oriented toward shaping the makeup of the workforce, which resulted in significant imbalances in terms of shape, skills, and retirement eligibility of its workforce.

What process did the Department undertake to determine the extent to which military end-strength should be reduced?

In which functional areas has the Department added personnel since FY09, broken down by numbers of positions and by years, and why are these increases necessary?

In order to make more strategic decisions about the right workforce mix of military, civilian, and contractor personnel, and to better align resource needs through the budget process to achieve that mix, DOD needs adequate information on…

Why has it taken so long for the Department of Defense to develop its Strategic Workforce Plan?

How is the Senate's proposed arbitrary cut in funding for civilian personnel different from the sequestration that would result from the Budget Control Act? Aren't both arbitrary cuts in funding that would mindlessly eliminate defense…

The Department of Defense civilian personnel workforce provides a critical support to our warfighters.

As we have seen in the past, across-the-board, arbitrary cuts of thousands of civilian employees could have an adverse effect on essential programs if the Department does not take a strategic view of ensuring that those employees with the…

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 directed the Department of Defense to take a more holistic approach to its manpower requirements.

What are the risks associated with both the Senate's proposed arbitrary cuts to the civilian workforce and the cuts that would be imposed on thousands of DOD civilians by sequestration?

I represent the U.S. territory of Guam, where we have the largest National Guard unit per capita of any State in the United States.

However, I think all members agree that we must have a sound defense strategy that drives resourcing and requirements over the next several years.

I think Chairman Forbes called it kind of a gag order.

I certainly hope we will rethink this.

I applaud the efforts led by Congressman Loebsack and Congressman Hunter to restore the force structure cuts to the Air National Guard.

I am very adamant that we can do much more to make the commissary and exchange system more sustainable.

I yield myself 2 minutes. As the ranking member on Readiness, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment, Mr. Chairman. The amendment flies in the face of the total force management provisions adopted by Congress on a bipartisan basis…