I want to be sure that we have the right resources for you to be able to do the right things, with the consequences of war.

I mean, like to be ready to protect and defend, and we love them for it. We really do.

To have that kind of dedication characterized in the way that seems to be done in a sweeping way by people talking about Federal employees as if they are somehow a parasite upon the public is really deeply hurtful.

You know, it is my job to fight to keep the Comfort----

Get that credential.

All of the women in the Senate... are very concerned about women in the military, their ability to serve and to be promoted.

All of the women in the Senate--and we don't have a caucus, we just come together on where we can find common ground--are very concerned about women in the military, their ability to serve and to be promoted and utilized in every capacity.

USNS Comfort has been homeported in Baltimore since 1987 and is a crucial tool of America's 'smart power' strategy.

Well, Admiral, I would really appreciate this.

But this alcohol thing is big. And it also impedes the ability to serve and to be fit for duty.

Have you looked at the hurricane impact?

the health and vitality of our military personally--the individual soldier, sailor, airman, and marine--often depends on the frequency of the deployment.

We are a Navy State. We are not just a Navy State. We love our Army presence, whether it is the National Security Agency at Fort Meade or Aberdeen or its bases. We love the Air Force because of being there at Andrews.

Mr. Secretary, General Amos, and Admiral Greenert, first of all, I think the subcommittee really wants to thank you for your service and for your leadership.

I want to know how we can keep the Comfort in Baltimore?

Our job is to protect them. And deployment and the rate of deployment, the ratio of deploy-to-dwell has a dramatic, demonstrable effect now.

Mr. Secretary, I am going to ask you not only for the record, but for me personally, if I could have whatever your policy papers are on this, because I want to talk to my colleagues about how we can promote the First Lady's initiative not…

So, for those who are active duty, Reserves, and part of our civilian workforce that supports the Navy, we really just want to say thank you in every way and every day.

I would like you to look at that impact and see if it affects your judgment so we get to keep the Comfort.

The Comfort, since the Comfort has deployed since 1987, I think, 9 or 10 times, two-thirds of that has been during hurricane season.

I know that our Marines and our Navy like to fight. That is why they join the military.

I understand we are in a frugal environment. That has been the point of the testimony and many of your comments.

we want to thank you for your service.

this ongoing hazing, harassment, snarky comments, throwaway one-liners

Thank you, Madam Chairman.