Jim Webb

I can tell you, it was 97 percent, during the Vietnam era.

We may want to reevaluate--I don't want--you don't have to lower the standards, but you may want to reevaluate the standards that are being used, or at least take a look at them.

I find that astounding.

It was a considerable shift, when they decided to do that, back in the 1980s.

For the record, we'd like to see your best estimates on those numbers, as we move toward the Defense bill this year, which means fairly soon.

I think weight and education are two areas that the country needs to go after.

The individual marine is our Corps' most sacred asset.

It's kind of difficult to place cost-effectiveness on the use of a contractor if you don't know how many you're using.

But, I think this young veteran deserves an answer. I think he deserves a response. It's very fair and very supportive of the people who've had to serve, in general.

Yes. I wouldn't disagree with you at all on that. It's just--the way that this has been characterized so often in the media has been a DOD issue, and it's a national issue in which DOD is attempting put some efficiencies into, in my view.

I don't know why that happens. I think we have computers now--you can figure out how many days people are in theater, if you're paying these sorts of benefits.

I can't believe two-thirds of America's youth can't meet the mark.

Congress must do its part to make sure that funded programs are effective and efficient, in keeping with our roles as stewards of the public trust and of taxpayer dollars.

I think we were putting 51 cents out on the accrual accounts when I was in the Pentagon.

I tend to agree with your comment, too, by the way, on ROTC, have for a long time.

I believe you made a comment that the cost of the DOD healthcare system has tripled in the last 10 years.

This is a really relevant question, in terms of whether or not we get the DOD budget under control.

I think you're right on the mark with regard to your view of this as a moral contract.

I just find that mind-boggling.

I encourage you to express your views candidly and to tell us what is working well, and to raise any concerns and issues you may want to bring to this subcommittee's attention.

If the argument goes that if you cast a wider net, you'll get a better candidate...

We'd like to ask for your support and leadership in helping us break through some of the stovepipes and bureaucracy at the DOD.

There is a notion of a moral contract.

The most important issue I feel is community support of the servicemembers and their families.

A Veteran--AD, Reserve, NG, or Retired is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'