Jack Reed: “I think, though, we have been so many months without a Secretary, and even when the nomination of Secretary Roche seemed…”

“I think, though, we have been so many months without a Secretary, and even when the nomination of Secretary Roche seemed to be in doubt, there was not the kind of response I thought necessary to show we had a permanent Secretary in place. Then, of course, Dr. Harvey was nominated in July. The chairman is absolutely right. After it became apparent that Secretary Roche would not lead the Air Force--but, July until, again, September or October, there was no movement to get someone confirmed in an office that is vital. One of the real issues that we have to deal with is the situation in the Army, and I think there are three areas that are of critical importance. First is end strength. Second is the recapitalization issue, how do we repair this equipment and how do we buy new equipment. Finally, there is this issue of leadership, of making sure that the Army is accountable to its peers in the legislative branch, accountable to Congress, and accountable to the values that we have all seen as the hallmark of the military.”