The reason its the number one priority is because of the ships i have today about a third of them are under control in a pure sight availability. So to the extent we dont get them out on time it causes a great deal of stress on the force. There was a this where a reporter said the u. S. Navy for the first time did not have an Aircraft Carrier at sea for the First Time Since world war i. Part of that is because it took 13 months. So it wasnt lost to me when i came into the job a year ago that sees the ability to get it out on time. It is critically important. So back to my original comment. One, we need more people, clearly. It cant be only about the people. There are a couple of other things well have to do here. I have to have the capacity to do the work. I have to figure out ways to train the work force. Kids today are coming in. They learned differently than we learned. The typical time line to get a worker from the time they can go down and do something useful on the ship was about
The chair notes the presence of a quorum. Committee meets today to consider and mark up h. R. 2010, the National Defense authorization act for fiscal year 2018. For 55 straight years, under congresses and president s of both parties, and annual ndaa has been signed into law. Im certain that this you will be no different. The members of this committee have an overwhelming commitment to the duty placed on us by the constitution to support the men and women who serve our nation in the military. Every member of this committee has contributed to this legislation. Committee member suggested 1531 separate legislative provisions for consideration in the marks. Over 330 amendments were filed for today. But members also contributed by asking thoughtful questions at our briefings and hearings, by traveling to visit our troops at home and overseas, by sharing their personal experiences and insights, and by talking with one another about how to solve problems. And so first i want to express my appr
In order to ensure each can deliver two ships per year. Today the lcs program is on budget and blows the congressional gao to actually read the gao report which is not a friendly one. They conclude cost isnt the issue. Strategically, what are we talking about . Why do war fighters keep asking for it . It is not only an ideal platform from which to employ Unmanned Systems to increase important in the future, it can go places tanker ships cant. The commander of logistics in the western pacific said they can go places and do things no other american ships can with flexible large payloads that enable easy integration with Regional Navy for mandatory missions. There are 50,000 islands across the philippines to sri lanka. Larger ships can visit 50 ports, the lcs can darken 1000 ports. Admiral harris was invoked, in a meeting with chairman thornberry, myself and many members of the delegation who had to leave for no fault of your own told us the lcs is playing an increasing role in the pacifi
I will a congress this recording efforts of the chief of Naval Operations, the secretary, and the senators and members of congress through leadership that is grounded in transparency and i count ability. Thank you, and i look forward to your questions. Transparency in and accountability. Thank you, and i look forward to your questions. Thank you mr. Spencer. I was just on a trip with several of my colleagues, senator warren, senator perdue, senator graham, senator whitehouse, and among other places that we spent the fourth of july as i have for many years ul and outside of kabul with men and women of the military with a number of events that we do for them with the fourth of july, a town hall meeting with a large number of men and women who are in uniform. , this happens asked aecade, and he very us to question. He asked, how many in the room were there for more than the first time in afghanistan . Majority raised their hands. He said, how many have been here more than twice . Majority
The Armed Services Committee Meets today to consider the nomination of Richard Spencer to be secretary of the navy. I would like to acknowledge the tragedy in mississippi yesterday, 16 Service Members lost their lives in the crash of a marine corps kc 130 from cherry point, north carolina. It reminds us that these brave men and women put themselves in harms way everyday at home and abroad in training and in combat and service to our nation. We are keeping their families in our hearts and prayers. Nation. We are keeping their families in our hearts and prayers. Mr. Spencer, we think you for training us this morning and we welcome your family and friends with us today as is our tradition at the beginning of your testimony we invite you to introduce those who are joining him. It is standard for this committee to ask certain questions in order to exercise its legislative and oversight responsibility. It is upon that this committee and other committees are able to receive testimony and brie