Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC
Mr. Chairman, Senator McCain, distinguished members of the Armed Services Committee, first of all, most importantly, I want to note how excited, how humbled and, frankly, how honored I am to be here before you this morning. This committee has a weighty constitutional responsibility in consideration of these nominations. And having been in this Congress for some years now, I fully recognize the truly dozens of great Americans who have sat before you in the years since the creation of the position of secretary of the military departments. And frankly, I'm in awe that I may even deserve a moment of your time and consideration.
But I would note as well, for all that has passed before me, I'd respectfully note there are few who have been in this moment in time who have held a greater and higher degree of respect and admiration and affection for this great committee. As Senator Schumer noted, for all of my 16-1/2 years in the House of Representatives, I've been privileged to serve on that body's Armed Services Committee. And I know from personal experience the tremendous concern and effort each of you puts forth each and every day in support of the brave men and women of our military, who, along with their families -- and that's important -- who, along with their families sacrifice so much to protect our freedoms and our liberties wherever and whenever that challenge might arise.
And I have been fortunate to work in your shadow in a similar cause.
I of course want to thank President Obama for the high honor and opportunity he has afforded me through this nomination. And whatever judgment this committee in its wisdom may render, his faith and trust move me to my core.
A special thanks to my senator, my colleague and, I think it's fair to say, my friend, for being here with me, Senator Schumer. New York's senior senator has been a leader in so many efforts, for so many years, on behalf of the public good. And I've been honored to know and work with him for some two decades. And I deeply appreciate his introduction, his presence and his gracious and kind words about my abilities.
I'd also like to acknowledge, of course, the other presidential nominees on this panel. With me this morning, Dr. Joe Westphal, nominated for undersecretary of the Army, and Juan Garcia, as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. And I congratulate them both for their selection and wish them well.
I'd be remiss if I didn't give special thanks to my family, who like good families everywhere have lent me love, support, understanding and in my case not infrequently some forgiveness in my 60-plus years of this world.
The memory of my dad, who departed from us for over 19 years but still inspires us and makes us smile. My brother, my best friend, Pat, his lovely bride Marti, their son and daughter P.J. and Michaela, my niece -- my nephew and niece.
And most of all my mom who, I've noted on previous occasions, after all these years, still finds ways each and every day to carry me forward. They are with me always. And I know they're with me here today as well.
But for all the excitement of this moment, I want to assure this committee, I appear here before you today with few delusions, as to the difficulties that lie ahead. I believe I have a clear understanding of the serious and numerous challenges that face America's Army.
As you all know so well, it is a force fatigued by some eight years of uninterrupted combat, now on two very dangerous fronts. They are strained by the frequency of constant deployments and stressed by the pressures levied against their families.
Too often, far too often, they return home only to be disappointed by a network of support systems that, despite high intentions and constant effort, continue to fall short of the level of support they so richly deserve and each and every one of us so deeply desire.
There are no easy answers to these challenges, but answer we must. And I promise you, if confirmed, my first priority will be -- along with this great committee, the Congress, the president of the United States and, of course, the secretary of Defense -- to engage in a constant search for the discovery and effective implementation of better ways.
If I may, just a few other challenges. Balancing. The recognition that resources, ample in recent years through wartime supplementals, are likely to turn downward. The requirement to make the hard, necessary choices to strike an equilibrium prevailing in current conflicts and preparing for future challenges.
Secretary Gates put it very well. He said, quote, "We cannot afford to do everything and buy everything. But at the same time, we cannot afford defeat."
That's a tough challenge, tough realities, but both can be met and overcome. But it will take a constant formulation of new thinking and new direction.
Success is also going to require a reinvention and reinvigoration of all of our government resources. Expertise in our civilian agencies must be brought effectively to bear, both to avoid, and where possible hasten, the end of conflict.
"Soft power" in this town right now is a fashionable phrase, but its fashion should not diminish the ur-gency of its application and the requirement that the Army and, indeed, in my opinion, all the services do their part to facilitate the effective implementation of these nonkinetic tools.
In the end -- and I know everyone on this committee agrees -- it all comes back to people, the men and women who step forward and don the uniform of our nation, the spouses, the children of those brave warriors who sacrifice so much as well.
Like all of you, I visited our wounded warriors at home and abroad. And in each visit, I have been so struck how these heroes, facing pain and loss and uncertainty, ask one question: What else can I do to serve'
We can ask no less of ourselves. How can we succeed in repaying even a partial measure of the devo-tion they render to all of us each and every day' If in your wisdom I am confirmed, that will be the key motivation I wake to each and every day.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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