We may want to reevaluate--I don't want--you don't have to lower the standards, but you may want to reevaluate the standards that are being used, or at least take a look at them.

But, I think this young veteran deserves an answer. I think he deserves a response. It's very fair and very supportive of the people who've had to serve, in general.

I can tell you, it was 97 percent, during the Vietnam era.

I look forward to continuing to work with you on our total force of Active, National Guard, and Reserve servicemembers, as well as our civilian workforce, and the dedicated families that support them.

Whether or not we could fight without them, we deserve to be able to have the same oversight over how they are used.

The attention that's being given right now, at all levels, is just incredible compared to what was going on then.

I look forward to sitting down and talking with him when you feel comfortable doing that.

I appreciate all of you coming today and spending time with us.

The point could fairly be made that this is not the result of inefficiencies; it's the result of a national phenomenon.

I don't think there are many issues in the military personnel that are more emotional or controversial than the issue of diversity.

If you're following that formula, there are a lot of differences among white cultures in this country.

The disability evaluation process is much more complex than any civilian model that people may try to use.

I want to be really clear here. I grew up in the U.S. military, the first institution in this country to be racially integrated, in 1948.

recruiting and retention bonuses are absolutely vital right now, especially for filling some of our stressed career areas

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I think we were putting 51 cents out on the accrual accounts when I was in the Pentagon.

I believe you made a comment that the cost of the DOD healthcare system has tripled in the last 10 years.

I don't know why that happens. I think we have computers now--you can figure out how many days people are in theater, if you're paying these sorts of benefits.