We know that pilot demand is increasing in the commercial sector, and the demand to hire qualified military pilots is higher than the available pool of candidates.

As a Marine Corp combat veteran, I would like to live by the rule that we never leave anyone behind.

The other-than-honorable discharges are certainly below honorable and above a bad-conduct discharge or a dishonorable discharge.

My bill will stay with tradition and correct this disconnect by authorizing urgent mental health care to these veterans.

I believe pushed out the Sunni Arabs from the government and created an opening for ISIS to spill across the border from Syria.

It is time to right this wrong and permanently authorize the Secretary to provide initial mental health assessments and urgent mental health care services to veterans at a risk of suicide or harming others regardless of their discharge…

This is unacceptable and the VA must adopt new ideas to help prevent and decrease veteran suicide rates.

We know we cannot buy our way out of this problem since the military cannot compete with the potential salaries and, in some cases, the lifestyle of the commercial airlines.

This bill would establish a pilot program for two VA medical centers to treat 50 veterans using magnetic EEG/EKG guided resonance therapy.

I believe that this situation is temporary, this national shortage of pilots.

The hearing comes to order. I want to welcome everyone to the Military Personnel Subcommittee hearing on the shortage of pilots in the military services.

This demand has led to a shortage of pilots across the services, with the problem being particularly acute in the United States Air Force, with a deficit at this point of over 1,000 total pilots.

Our female veterans have served our country with honor and distinction, and this is one small step we can take to show our gratitude.

That entire issue with force management levels and leaving maintenance personnel behind...was a horrible decision, in my view.

As a Marine Combat Veteran, I like to live by the rule that we never leave anyone behind, and the Veteran Urgent Access to Mental Healthcare Act makes sure that we do not forget those who bravely served our county in their time of need.

Before the rate of veteran suicides increases anymore, we have to make sure that these service members get the critical mental healthcare they need.

I would hope that would be something that our government would look at from your standpoint, from a diplomatic standpoint.

In 2009, the Army separated approximately 22,000 combat veterans diagnosed with mental health disabilities, or TBI, for misconduct.

We owe it to those who selflessly serve to match this commitment to innovation when it comes to their medical treatment when they need it most.

What I will tell you, what I will say is the Commandant has already been on a trip down to Camp Lejeune to pass a message that was put out in his video message and also in the MARADMIN.

This hearing is now called to order.

Every marine, to include myself, will sign a formal counseling on the tenets of that policy and our expectations that they adhere to that policy.

Ranking Member Speier, you are now recognized for 5 minutes.

I thank the chairman for yielding. Today, as a veteran of both the Army and the United States Marine Corps, I rise on behalf of all those who have called, written, and stopped by my office seeking reform and accountability of the…

Why don't we simply use that in these provider agreements?