Rob Andrews: “In fact, I rise to support the amendment. The asymmetric threats that are based by our country today require a complex…”

“In fact, I rise to support the amendment. The asymmetric threats that are based by our country today require a complex set of skills to successfully address those threats. Certainly the men and women of our Special Forces possess many of those skills. They do a fabulous job. And it is our job to try to assist them and facilitate them in their work. The gentleman from Indiana's amendment, I think, gives these American heroes one more tool, one more opportunity to excel. Asymmetric warfare certainly involves the use of force and the use of strategy on the battlefield. But it also solves intimate knowledge of sociology, language, history, physics, and perhaps other disciplines that go well beyond that. {time} 1445 Our ranking member of the full committee, Mr. Skelton, has been a leading voice for military education throughout his time here. We think this amendment is consistent with Mr. Skelton's devotion to that principle. We want our Special Forces men and women not simply to be physically prepared, technologically armed and equipped but to have the intellectual tools necessary to do their job and defend the country. We believe this amendment serves those values well. We are pleased to support it. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bonilla). The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hostettler). The amendment was agreed to. Amendments En Bloc Offered by Mr. Hunter”