Leon Panetta

I will reiterate that we have gone through a nuclear review and presented options to the President, but these options are in no way unilateral.

Clearly, our goal here was to not only maintain but to strengthen our presence in the Pacific.

We have got to change that.

It would be devastating. You take another $500 billion out of this Defense budget, the strategy I just presented you I would have to throw out the window.

sequestration is a crazy process that would do untold damage to our national defense.

I want to work with you to see if we can actually try to get something done on this issue this year.

If they see that we are going to come down from 1,500 to some number in the low to middle hundreds, it does nothing but encourage our enemies and discourage our friends.

But to not learn from that experience 10 years later and figure out a way to spend that money, that would be a betrayal of our job and of the job of the people in the Pentagon.

Our position, strong position here is that all those that are currently serving would be grandfathered in under the present system.

My view is that we need a Marine presence that is forward. I do not want to draw that Marine presence back to this country. I think it has to be forward in the Pacific.

I was a part of going through three BRAC processes.

This is not about, you know, this is a way we can save money.

DOD is ensuring that U.S. global defense posture is aligned with our strategy.

Let me be clear. You can't take a half a trillion dollars out of the defense budget and not incur additional risks.

At some point, Congress and the President have to address that larger issue.

Accession to the 1982 UNCLOS would enhance the United States' strategic interests and national security in several ways.

I can assure you that they'll be in consideration.

we need to manage the force in ways that protect its ability to regenerate capabilities that may be needed to meet future, unforeseen demands.

The F-35 represents that fifth generation fighter. We're committed to it. We just want to make sure it's done right.

We're going to change the culture and make sure that these attacks cannot be perpetrated.

Secretary Panetta described the effects as catastrophic.

We are convinced that it would result in hollowing out the force and inflicting severe damage to our national defense.

The Prime benefit is no longer cost neutral compared to Standard/Extra plans.

The benefits that our countries derive from working together to defend common interests and protect our security and prosperity are obvious and enduring.

Senator, you've raised a very important point, because as we go through these additional drawdowns we absolutely have to make sure that a support system is out there as our men and women come back from service.