John Warner: “Let us hope that we can reshape this amendment to send the needed message that the Republican leader so correctly states…”

It's a great experience in life, and it's absolutely essential for this country.

You will carry with you for the rest of your life the recollections of the work that you have done for one of America's most valued assets, the men and the women and their families of the armed services of the United States.

Good luck to each and every one of you, and to the importance of the confirmation process.

I think that's a really significant answer since the question of readiness clearly one of the most strategically important issues you have to deal with.