The outcome is uncertain. We want to win. We should win. But, you have to do the things to win.

We have to make sure that if that pay stops that we have a plan, do you agree with that, General Austin?

I think it would be important. I think that's something that people are looking at now, and I think that would help significantly.

We're not going to 'hold' unless the Afghan Government has the same desire to change their country as we do.

From my point of view, for what it's worth, is that until the Iraqis have a statute that divides the oil up between each group where everybody feels like they're getting the resources of the country fairly shared, it's going to be a tough…

I hope the American people understand, not only are we going to have more casualties, we're going to be paying for their army, their police force, and ours.

I think they're enormous.

We're starting to see small breakthroughs in the overall resolution of this.

The American people need to brace themselves for increased casualties in Afghanistan.

I think we are on the 10-yard line. I think the next 18 months will determine whether we get to the goal line.

We're going to have to spend a lot of money in Afghanistan in the near and long term.

Would it be wise for Congress to put such a condition on war funding? Would it undermine the mission?

That's very encouraging.

Even Senator Lindsey Graham, who was recently in Afghanistan, says he saw firsthand how the old rule was failing soldiers and how dangerous suspects were being released because of the 96-hour time constraint.

The equipment problems in the Coast Guard seem pretty serious to me. We have an aging fleet.

your testimony indicates that health care costs are expected to grow from 6 percent to more than 10 percent of the 000 top line by fiscal year 2015.

I want to make sure they can be used in a logical way.

Could you please elaborate on your testimony regarding a 'platinum 15 minutes'?

General Green, are you designing strategies in behavioral health and suicide prevention tailored to those at highest risk?

various study groups in recent years have questioned the wisdom of the military's traditional 20-year requirement to earn retired pay

I want to also acknowledge that Senator Nelson was a complete joy to work with, and he's gone to another subcommittee.

We need to do that, and you're well on your way to doing it.

Admiral Jeffries, are there sufficient resources--surgeons and mental health providers--to save lives in Afghanistan as we did in Iraq?

the proposed pay raise for fiscal year 2011 is only 1.4 percent, but as you point out, matches the rise in the Employment Cost Index.

TRICARE benefits for the Guard and Reserve--I'd just like to get your impression about how that program has worked.