I stressed that assuming risk is expected in any budget, especially in our operation and maintenance budgets.

What are each of the services top 3 unfunded requirements associated with ensuring a ready force, both in the near-term and in the out-years?

With your support for this plan, the Army will meet near-term BOG: Dwell goals of 1:2 AC and 1:4 RC starting in FY 12.

I remain concerned that, given the size and the scope of the operation and maintenance budget, these accounts are prime targets for budget cuts.

I have long expressed my concern about the preferred alternative location for the firing ranges on Guam.

a continuing resolution for the Department of Defense will only cost us more money and will certainly be very serious to our security in the future.

I'm concerned that this will lead to an inflated perception about the readiness of our Air Force since a total count of wings won't be able to denote which aircraft are in depots or training.

I am concerned that there is an over-focus of those assets in the CENTCOM AOR to the detriment of other AOR's like the Pacific.

I hope that our witnesses today can contextualize their remarks with these strategic documents as guides.

The Army appreciates the continued commitment and support of the U.S. Congress in all that we do.

It is indeed difficult to measure military readiness without knowing what the measure of effectiveness may be to declare 'strategic readiness.'

The fiscal year 2012 budget request reflects shortfalls in depot maintenance requirements across the Department.

How has the long-term use of sailors and airmen to meet ground force requirements impacted the readiness of the Navy and Air Force?

The military services have adopted a rotational readiness construct which enables deployed and deploying forces to obtain the highest level of readiness.

The QDR report identified force structure requirements and capabilities to deal with challenges and threat to U.S. interests.

In your opinion, are we ready? Will we be ready? If not, what should we be doing?

We have become heavily reliant on the Navy and Air Force to provide individual augmentees to meet ground force requirements in CENTCOM.

Congress should exercise stringent oversight of this practice to ensure that no good deeds are being inadvertently punished.