I would hope that we wouldn't micro-manage that process.

Our recruiting and retention continues to be strong even in spite of PB-13 and the operations tempo (OPTEMPO).

First, with recent announcement about looking more toward the Western Pacific in terms of locating some facilities.

Madam Chairman, you have suggested we do a rolling coverage so we can keep the subcommittee going.

There is this ying and yang that goes back and forth. We all want to balance security with convenience.

But we have to remember that 9/11 was a game-changer and that a lot of important adjustments needed to be made.

But in talking about effectiveness, I am sure you are deluged with new ideas, new technology, and new equipment.

To your point, Senator Coats, you are right. Budgets are not growing. They are shrinking.

First, with recent announcement about looking more toward the Western Pacific in terms of locating some facilities.

We owe our members of the service the very best that we can provide them.

For me, national security and taking care of our veterans rises to a higher level than a lot of programs.