Kirsten Gillibrand

I would like to work with you on that because I think that's very important.

We will try to get that in the next NDAA, because it would be very useful.

It's a dual betrayal which is undermining so much of their ability to be able to continue to thrive in the military

One of the ways some of these personnel were retaliated against was giving them a mental disability

My concern is, under these new proposals for health care, that we won't have the access that we need for specialists, particularly mental health specialists.

I am very worried. Our last hearing we had was on suicide rates, and there has been a horrible increase in the number of both Active Duty and veteran status personnel who have committed suicide.

It's terrible health care.

It's about how much money are you going to pay, how much money can we get from you.

The proposals for TRICARE that DOD is coming up with is just slapping a label onto a bottle of wine that already exists.

We could cut all kinds of benefit programs and we still wouldn't have enough, and we'd end up cutting significant end strength and weapons programs.

We do oppose them shifting the cost of TRICARE to the beneficiaries.

I think it is vital that each of your testimonies is part of this debate because you are the voice for so many who have served our country.

The budget proposal to shift billions more in health care costs to military beneficiaries is unacceptable.

I would be grateful for a report on it.

Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.

You don't have to silo every budget and find savings in every budget.

What is the rationale for the timing of these proposals? Why not wait until the commission reports?

I believe that ensuring that servicemembers, retirees, and their families get the best care is fundamental to readiness.

I will also continue my efforts to make sure that the changes that have been legislated are implemented in an effective manner.

I was disappointed that despite the support of the majority of my colleagues, we were not given an opportunity to vote on passage of my proposal.

I remain concerned about sexual assault in the military.

I believe in the value of a deliberative and scientific approach in evaluating occupational standards for all military jobs.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff January 9, 2013 memo states that if, 'the assignment of women to a specific position or occupational specialty is in conflict with our stated principles, we will request an exception to policy.'

Women will be assessed, selected, and trained for all approved, opened positions via the same methods as their male counterparts.

SOCOM will adhere to all Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) guidelines and deadlines and is on pace to meet the deadline of January 1, 2016.