Contact: Josh Holly; 202.226.3988
Hunter Statement on the Readiness of the U.S. Ground Forces
Washington D.C. – House Armed Services Committee Ranking Republican Duncan Hunter (R-CA) released the following opening statement for today’s hearing on the readiness of America’s ground forces:
“Thank you Mr. Chairman. This hearing follows a series of hearings this committee has recently held focusing on the readiness of our forces and our strategic posture. I welcome General Cody and General Magnus back to the committee. Gentlemen, thank you for being here today and thank you very much for all you do for this nation.
“Our committee members—particularly those on our Readiness Subcommittee—are actively engaged in the issues that impact the readiness of our forces in light of the on-going combat operations. We face an enormous challenge as we work to rebuild, reset, modernize, transform and grow our armed forces while actively engaged in combat. We started this endeavor with at least a $56 billion shortfall in equipment. In addition, the Army's transformation initiative, the necessary transition from a strategic reserve to an operational reserve, and the Army and Marine Corps ‘Grow the Force’ efforts have all increased many of the requirements. In effect, these changes have shifted the readiness goal posts further down the field and have amplified our readiness challenges.
“Although we started with a huge readiness deficit, we have made great strides in both our Active as well as Reserve Component. Here are just a few examples of the progress that has been made in the Army National Guard:
· “In 2001, they had a requirement for 4,722 medium tactical vehicles. We had 290 on-hand. Today that requirement has grown to 22,266 and we have over 9,200 fielded to our Army Guard units.
· “In 2001, they had a requirement for 69,114 tactical radios and we had 60% of that requirement on hand. Today there is a requirement for 81,187 tactical radios and by the end of this fiscal year over 82,300 will be delivered to our soldiers in the Guard.
· “In 2001, they had a requirement for over 200,000 night vision goggles. We had 53,250 sets of goggles on hand—just 27 percent of the requirement. Today, they have 112,710 night vision goggles on hand, which fills 77 percent of the requirement.
“I want to be clear that much of this progress is a result of years of supplemental funding that is in part due to the fact that the base budget was not increased to fill in these shortages. Folks at home need to know that. They need to know that what we refer to as the GWOT Supplemental is providing funding for things like trucks, radios, body armor, and night vision goggles that we did not have—but had a requirement for—prior to September 11, 2001.
“The readiness of our forces is critical; and there is certainly more work to be done. However, I believe we are remiss in talking about military readiness without addressing the role we, the Congress, have in assuring the money is provided to achieve that readiness. In January 2007, the Administration submitted the 2008 GWOT supplemental request alongside the fiscal year 2008 base budget. I'd like to read you a brief statement from that request.
“’The cumulative effect of five years of operations is creating strain on both personal and equipment. This request provides funding for special pays and benefits for personnel to sustain the all volunteer force; and it provides funding to maintain, repair or replace equipment lost, worn out, or stressed by use.’
“During his testimony before this committee on February 6, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates stressed that funding in the 2008 supplemental request was directly linked to the readiness of our military force. He stated, ‘We have about $46 billion in the 2008 supplemental for reconstituting the force. We received about $13 billion plus of that in the bridge. So that will help us replace equipment and repair equipment that's associated here.’
“Secretary Gates continued, ‘So I think there are a number of things that are in the budget that put us on the path to improve readiness. But it's clear that our readiness is focused, at least in the Army, on fighting the wars that we're in both Afghanistan and in Iraq. And the forces that are being sent there are fully trained and are ready when they go.’
“That said. I'd like to ask all of my colleagues concerned with military readiness a very simple question. Why is the fiscal year 2008 supplemental request still sitting on the shelves collecting dust when it can be used to improve the readiness of our troops?
“Over the last two days, I have watched my colleagues across the aisle chastise the Government of Iraq for not passing critical legislation when we can't even pass a supplemental spending bill during a time of war.
“We have readiness issues—and we are all concerned about the impact on readiness on our national security. However, our readiness issues are not to be blamed solely on the war in Iraq. It is time we take responsibility for our readiness shortfalls and fund the requirements rather than use readiness problems that existed well before we set foot in Iraq as a reason to justify abandoning the mission.”
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