Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I include in the Record letters from Admiral Greenert, Admiral Roughead, and the two most recent CNOs, Admiral Natter and Vice Admiral Connor. June 2018. Hon. Mac Thornberry, Chairman, House Armed Services Committee. Hon. Robert Wittman, Chairman, Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee. Hon. Adam Smith, Ranking Member, House Armed Services Committee. Hon. Joe Courtney. Ranking Member, Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommitee. Dear Chairmen Thornberry and Wittman, and Ranking Members Smith and Courtney, Thank you for your leadership in passing another timely and insightful NDAA for 2019. In my opinion your respective committees have led the way in Congress in proposing strategic and coherent defense related legislation. I want to pass along my belief in the importance of this bill's provision regarding the expansion of our undersea capabilities--particularly the submarine fleet. During my 40-year career, including my tenure as CNO, our Navy ``owned'' the Undersea domain. Navy's superiority in the undersea domain has been unchallenged, predominantly due to the excellence of the submarine force. This is no longer assured. Real threats are emerging--fast. Our industrial base builds the finest submarines in the world. Combatant Commanders consistently request a robust submarine presence. And, the demand for submarine presence has grown even more since I retired in 2015.…”