Thad Cochran: “I encourage you to continue improving the program to better fit the needs of our servicemembers.”

And I plan to use my best efforts to identify the areas that we can make improvements in, and take a hard look, but at the same time realize we need to get a bill.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

I understand that the Army's unfunded requirements list includes a $3.1 billion increase in end strength beyond the fiscal year 2017 NDAA mandate.

Mr. Chairman, let me join you in congratulating our panel here and the participation you're bringing to this challenge.