unless we arrest and turnaround the decline. this virtually guarantees that we would end up with a hollow force. a force unable to conduct its training, a force unable to maintain its equipment, and a force unable to fight. a force also unable to readily recover from the ravages of over a decade of war. my content today is not to point the finger, for i don t have enough fingers to point, nor to affix blame for there s plenty of that to go round. might urgent appeal is to get to the higher ground, and to do so sooner rather than later together. there will come a time when we try to kick the can, but we will find that the can will not budge. resolving this crisis will be a process that needs to start now. engaging it with determination will assure the prosperity of our children and our grandchildren. doing nothing will compromise it. since i retired almost one year ago i visited many parts of our great country. i ve not