the surge has demonstrated absolutely superb dedication and sacrifice on their part.

That's important. You're above other Services' average on retention now?

For the first time you failed to meet your recruiting levels.

the underlying purpose for the surge was to provide a security situation in the capital of Iraq.

Again, your segment of overall DOD responsibility was pretty well carved out and created by Congress.

the President report to Congress on July 15 with regard to the situation in that AOR, specifically Iraq.

only a third of Baghdad has really been subjected to the January 10 doctrine of the President.

Sixty percent of the known oil reserves--I'm not talking just about Iraq--are in that region.

I would like to have you provide for the record hopefully your commitment that you will come back to Congress.

I don't know whether you had the opportunity, Mr. Vickers, to read in the New York Times today an article by Michael Gordon.

For example, there are no caveats on the U.S. force, the British force, and I think, one or two of the others.

We have the continuing problem over there of the drug elimination, which is at the core of funding.