Transcripts For CSPAN2 Key Capitol Hill Hearings 20140718

And its the only appropriate mark of respect that i have gotten from my colleagues and i think the general, thank you for your outstanding service. We have had the opportunity over the past 12 and 13, 14 years, and i appreciate your service elmont. I am really reluctant to get back into this. But people keep trying to say that 2008 we said that wed have everyone out, that we really wanted this day in iraq and the fact is that the president of the United States, there was never any Public Statement that said he would want to use day in iraq. The fact is that the senator and i were there and we know full well that if we really wanted to we could have kept the residual force to build her we were on the ground there in these places and we agreed. So in the word of the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, we have cascaded down to 3500 troops, which was absolutely ridiculous. So we will be fighting this for years to come. But facts are stubborn things and we couldve left a residual force if we had wanted to do so. And in fact today your predecessor said that i have a hard time believing what had we done to and work with the government i dont think wed be in the same shape that we are today. So those are just facts. But the general, did you or any other senior military winner personally recommend the policy of everybody by 2017, no matter what we matter. No, senator. No military, no ranking military officer recommended a hard date for anyone out of afghanistan remount. Not that i know a. And i think that we still plan to have, as you know, some presence after 2017, but no one recommended zero. Did anyone recommend that we have a conditionsbased decision about what kind of residual force we should leave behind . I think that you appreciate that every military leader wants to have the conditions on the ground and the assumptions be revalidated as it takes place. Isnt it true that right now the way the counterterrorism capability of the afghans are today, that we cannot abandon that and if you had to make the decision today with the lack of counterterrorism capabilities, we would have to leave that kind of force behind the lease for the Counterterrorism Mission . Senator, there is no doubt that the Afghan Forces today would not be capable of conducting the operations that we are putting their. Nor do you envision them having that capability. Not if you project the threat including recent rocket attacks on the airport that showed it televangelists still pretty resilient. And isnt it a fact that as long as the taliban and has basically a sanctuary in pakistan that this situation will remain extremely complex and dangerous. Senator, absolutely. The resiliency of the movement is driven by the sanctuary impact. Izzard any doubt in your mind that the announcement of a complete withdrawal by 2017 has had an effect on the morale of the afghan army . Senator, i think all of us would have for food they said that you are abandoning us, that is what they told me and senator graham and i dont think that they would have any reason to tell us otherwise. So very quickly, the fact is that we need a can Mission Space decisions because of right now we are not confident that the afghans can take up the complete burden of their own security. And so very quickly, sequestration, right now, as i understand that, the marine captains, the Army Captains who are in the field fighting as we speak, they are receiving notices that they are going to be involuntarily separated from the United States army and marine corps. Is that true . My understanding is that is what they have been forced to do in the army as a result of the drawdown. Obviously that has to have an effect on morale of our officer corps. It does, senator. A serious blow, i would think. Absolutely, probably more importantly than just the officer corps is the message it sends to those whose commander is forced redeploy as a result of the reduction of force. Isnt it true from your time in the military and remembering wars times it takes a long time to resort the morale of the military when you take out involuntarily some of the best and the brightest that we have had. Havent we seen that before in her early the early part of your cruise. Yes, i have. In the late 1970s, it took us some years, probably 1983, 1984 from the effects of the postvietnam drawdown. Would you agree that perhaps one of the greatest responsibility is that congress had in the military has today is to review this sequestration and its effects that it is having longterm on our ability to it defend this nation . Yes, i would agree with that, senator. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of this podium to make that one of our highest priorities and otherwise i think i it is the unanimous opinion of every military leader that i have ever met that continued sequestration on the path that we are on could have devastating effects on our ability to defend this nation. I would agree with that, senator. Senator king . Thank you, mr. Chair. The general chairman covered the issue, but i just think its really important to have your unequivocal view that this would be catastrophic if we cut off spare parts that would in effect around the afghan air force. Is that true . Yes, in reason i use this word, which i dont think its hyperbole, because we inability of the afghans to have the situation represented, it will seriously deteriorate the ability with the enemy. But the more important reason is that their inability to take this will actually put Young Americans in harms way and 2015 and beyond your thank you, general. You have discussed this and looking now at the lessons of iraq, what did we learn from that that can avoid that future in afghanistan . As you know, there are those who are not as optimistic as the military about afghanistans future after our withdrawal. So how do we learn from iraq to avoid that fate . I think the key thing that we have in afghanistan, that we are in the process of his an effective political transition and the continuing sustainability of the Afghan Security forces. Im very confident about their ability to provide security on a daytoday basis. Im not confident that if we leave at the end of 2014 that those forces would be sustainable. There are some significant gaps there in order for them to be able to do things that we have been doing for them. There is a degree of capability substitution and many of those areas, things that we take for granted, delivery of a fuel systems, pay systems that the army would need, the key lesson is that after all of the sacrifice and accomplishments over the past 13 years, what we need to do is ensure that the transition results in the Afghan Forces being sustainable without our presence at some point in the future. What is the ethnic makeup of the afghan army . One of the problems appears to be the unequal distribution ethnically or sectarian way, if that is the word, in iraq, the ethnic tribal makeup of iraq and Afghanistan Security forces, representative of the country so that Security Forces will have a broad support. That is an important question and i thank you for it. In the afghan army, its about 40 . The core is about the same, the forces are about the same and that the slight overrepresentation in the sense that the population represents more than this and carrying out those statistics, telling you that there hasnt been a consensus that are in a the wild. But in general terms we have the foundation of a National Army in afghanistan that has represented not only the various ethnic groups, but geographically as well. Is this representation integrated throughout the force . That is, our individual battalions or units, are they balanced ethnically . Yes, they are balanced, there is a slight overrepresentation of forces from the northern west part of the country, but the demographics and each unit represents the nation as a whole as opposed to specific units so on and so forth. So the assignment of people is not based on geographics and most all serve away from home. We tend to focus around your arm here on problems, well talk about that not our job. But my sense is that secretary john kerry, what happened last weekend, it was a big deal and the avoidance of what couldve been a disaster situation. Could you share some thoughts about the importance of the uniform recount and also the power i understand order the kind of powersharing Coalition Government agreement of whatever the outcome . Because this couldve been a disaster for us if it had gone the wrong way this past week. Yes, last week there was a lot of discussion in afghanistan about one of the candidates establishing the government with the potential for civil war. And i would assess that risk as having been significant. I dont think either one of the candidates wanted to do that, but there was a strong sentiment by large numbers of people that were so outraged at the father took place they were willing to take extreme measures. So i think what happened this weekend was very encouraging in that both candidates have agreed to a framework process that will deliver the queen is still possible. And the candidates also agreed on a political track as well as a technical track and that will be powersharing arrangement so that there is an inclusive government and they believe that that is most suitable for afghanistan at this particular time. So while the devil is in the details and work remains to be done particularly in the political framework, the discussion is not about civil war in security, but a political deal in order to govern effectively in the future and i think that that is surely significant. I have always felt that god is in the details, but thats a different topic. Okay, pakistan. He mentioned them, you had to deal with them. Whose side are they on, and are they are they trying to express these terrorist organizations, or are they working with them . I find pakistan ever so puzzling. And i dont know how to characterize it. Senator, in my time in afghanistan, i have met individuals and also ive had the opportunity to see him travel to meet with both men and our type of situation and the numbers of hours, the discussions, im convinced of a couple of things in intelligence and in the engagements. First and foremost i believe that the Pakistani Army recognizes the extremism is an existential threat to the state of pakistan. And i think they are determined to do something about that threat. Unless confident that today they have the capability to do all that needs to be done to deal with that inside of afghanistan, which is why i think the sedum focus on the most pressing threat reflecting in inability to deal more broadly with extremism. But this is a reason that its important that we develop this effective relationship and i think the United States can play a unique role in facilitating that relationship because the way that we will get after this problem is by having a common definition of extremism and then also having agreed upon framework within afghanistan and pakistan can deal with this threat of extremism as well as a real political channel but its between the two states. As we draw down, its more important than ever to establish this with pakistan. And effective relationship between afghanistan and pakistan is critical to our longterm success. Thank you, senator and thank you, generals for your extraordinary service. No matter where you been coming out of afghanistan, near the next in line of a number of Great Service leader commandants. As we look forward to your continued service there. And there is no longterm solution in afghanistan without some sort of cooperation. Is that a fair statement . That is absolutely fair statement. We are beginning this with the military relationships and i couldnt agree more. I wanted to ask you about the detainees and many of them are released and 10 of them were pakistanis and they all returned to their home country. Im concerned because i know that the serious nature of the alleged incidents that these prisoners were accused of, we have 391 afghans. Can we address why these other 12 were released and what the deal is . Yes, in regard to what was sent to pakistan, we didnt release those individuals but turn them over at the u. S. State department to get assurances that they would be properly handled in accordance with what the nature of the crimes they committed. We have 38 in a similar state department from which these individuals come, and the deputy secretary of defense will find in opposition for them to be released after notifying congress. The challenges that our authority hold these individuals and that hold will expire in december 2014. Sawyer working hard to ensure that we transition these individuals who place where they can be held accountable for the acts they have committed. You have confidence that the afghans will treat them in a way that they should be treated because of the acts they have committed . Senator, we are not planning at this time to turn them over draft in. Plan to turn them over to the countries in which they originated. If we were to turn them over to afghanistan today, i can guarantee you that they would be properly handled. Again i want to talk about something that the general asked her. We talked about continuing operations in afghanistan and with the drawdown to the 9800 this year, going down again next year, please give me your view as to the longterm situation as you understand it right now as we head into the end of 2014 through 2015 and 2016. So what is your understanding of how this will work reign. With regard to sustainable afghans Security Forces, it could result in Afghan Forces being sustainable. Uncomfortable that a regional approach in 2015, where we helped to mature the institutions and systems that allow these organizations to support this, the work that needs to be done can be done in 2015 and am also confident that theres some work that well hire a longer. Lack of time, but much of the work can be done inside the ministry. The issue that i really cant talk to you about with the degree of confidence is what the threat to the homeland might be after 2000 didnt read its an area in the assumptions that informed her criticism, it would have to be evaluated over time. In that respect if you had to rate the possibility of either al qaeda or Al Qaeda Affiliated operators inside of afghanistan are migrating to afghanistan as we drawdown, and resuming Training Operations much like we saw before 9 11, what degree would you rate the possibility of that taking place . I can assure you that what we see on a daytoday basis for those who are determined to replicate this like 9 11 and the pressure that we have placed as a we havent been able to execute this. So i would say that the risks without continued pressure has been regenerating this and it would be significant. Is the how connie networks still enemy number one . Well, senator, i would view them as enemy number one, but they are certainly the most great risk him the other and the other thing that is significant is that they actually provide the network that allows al qaeda in the region to have sanctuary to continue to resource itself and they certainly, if not the most Important Group in the sustainability, they have one of the most significant groups that allows them to sustain them out with the region. Talk about the morale and what is your call. Senator, and i mean this sincerely, i am extraordinarily honored to have the opportunity to lead these men and women in a letter sent today and after 13 teams we have never exceeded anyones expectations over time and they are focused on what they are doing and they believe in what they are doing in a custom elves and they know that they are welltrained and well at web than they trust their leadership. And its something we can all be proud of. We are talking about a sickly be a part of this. And i trust that they are doing well. Senator, they are, the job we gave them to do is one of the more difficult jobs that needs to be done over this next year and its a piece of infrastructure that we want to close and it is a challenging task and they have taken that on with enthusiasm and they are doing a superb job. Thank you, mr. Chairman, thank you for your leadership. Thank you, senator. Senator hagan . Thank you, mr. Chairman. And thank you, general. Welcome. I also know that your wife has played a very big role in your success, and so we welcome alan and your needs. Just know that so many people hold the marine corps in the highest regard and so he thank you for doing that and you have some issues to fill, what has led the marine corps in a very good leadership position. I did want to talk about the Afghan National security worse you have seen the withdrawing of 20,000 troops in an unsigned bilateral Security Agreement by fraud and so can you tell me how prepared how it is to take over especially in light of what we have seen with the incapability of what is taking place in iraq . Thank you for the question, senator. Rather than giving you my personal assessment, we will talk about with the Afghan Forces have done and we had over 300 Campaign Event involving thousands of people, some as large as 20,000, they secured all of those Campaign Events. There was a new year festival back in march and 100,000 people came and they secured that event. There was another event that involved people from all over the region to attend a number of significant threats and those were disrupted and the Afghan Forces were able to provide security. Probably most definitely what took place on the fifth of april in the 14th of june is indicative of the capabilities of the Afghan Security forces and on both of those occasions millions of people have the courage to go out and vote and that courage was drawn in my assessment from the confidence of the Afghan People have. So while i am very aware of the challenges with the capability gaps that continue to remain, i am equally confident that the Afghan Forces today are capable of providing security for the Afghan People and they have done after the pastor and they are in a tough fight this summer. We had over 100,000 forces on the ground when i arrived, 40,000 is where we stand right now and we provide very little support on a daytoday basis and yet they are still able to be successful. Could you talk about the participation of women in the Afghan Forces . Yes, ken, and its not a particularly good news story. Theres a goal in the afghan army and the police forces. We have about 1 in both the army and the police force right now, we have right spot and we have a couple of seniorlevel officers that have taken us on as an area of personal interest and we have an aggressive recruiting plan. We have recently received from croatia a Brigadier General that has no ability to assist us with this in the Afghan Security forces and so from a Leadership Perspective i think there is an emphasis. But i would not understate the real cultural challenges that will make this very slow and very deliberate and quite frankly, continued with our continued presence after 2014, as will some of the support that we have provided to make progress in this particular area. How many women and the marine corps are serving . s i dont know, we actually dont keep track of things i got. Okay. Moving to the water contamination issue, one of the priorities has been held get answers for those individuals that have been affected by this in as many civilians that were stationed until the 80s, they were exposed to harmful chemicals and it has been such a long quest to get answers and we are finally beginning to get resolved studies that have shed light on this tragedy. I know that you two have served during this time and i hope that you make this issue a personal priority. When you are confirmed, will you work with congress to overcome these hurdles . I feel good that we are still working in some of these areas to overcome these areas for the affected marines and their families . Obsolete, senator. All within the marine families and frankly at the end of the day, we want to do the right thing. Thank you. Then Tuition Assistance, i believe thats a powerful program that allows our Service Members to pursue education and i think it enhances the professionalism and helps us to prepare them for the civilian workforce when they transition out. Congress sent a very clear message and by restoring it and then restricting the programming of that, in their budget request originally included a proposal to cut this Tuition Assistance by close to two thirds and also includes a 25 posture by the individual marines. That is a grant that i have supported and defended and im pleased to see that the marine corps are quickly changed course and found that this Tuition Assistance for fiscal year 2015. If confirmed will you show strong support for the Tuition Assistance that the . We are not anywhere near our requirements bear. Let me ask specifically about the lpd17 program. It was originally planned for 12 warships reduced to 11 vessels. This committee restored that 12 lpd. Its my understanding that the Senate Appropriations committee has found the funds for that 12 lpd and that is authorized in the house version of the National Defense authorization act. Do we need that 12 lpd . We do, senator. And what is your risk . Whats your assessment of your risk the marine corps and their troops ability to execute objectives around the world and particularly the asiapacific if we do not get that number right . Senator we are both shorts short to meet the Combatant Commanders day today as well as to aggregate marines to conduct an Amphibious Assault so i believe that 12 apd will help mitigate the risk and not completely closed the gap but mitigate the risk we have in both of those areas. Would. Would it help you as the next commandant if we would go ahead and get these bills on the president s desk for his signature before the end of the fiscal year . Where problems does it cause when we left the fiscal year expired and we havent given you and National Defense authorization act and we dont have our Defense Department funded with natural appropriation bills but rather the continuing resolution . Thank senator and i know from my previous experience as assistant commandant but that breakaway requires us to do is to break programs. His actually a very inefficient way to do business. If you dont have a bill passed by the end of the fiscal year. Well you know we have reported out of this committee carl levin Defense Authorization act and i know that he would like Nothing Better than to get it on the floor this month. I would join my colleagues in that. Let me also followup. About the correct that. I really wanted to get this on the floor last month. But that was yesterday and yesterday is gone. We need to get it done. I think u. N. Members of this committee are on the same page. Im for the leadership of this congress to do whatever is necessary to get these bills on the president s desk in a timely manner. Let me followup with the question of the pace of our job down. Right now we have 30,000 u. S. Troops in afghanistan. Is that correct . Thats correct senator. And another 10,000 from Coalition Allies for a total of 40,000 . Thats correct. At what pace are we going to get a 9800 . What will it look like at the end of this calendar year . It will be at 9800 by the end of this calendar year senator. Is going to be a rapid drawdown. This is a way was planned so we could keep the maximum number of forces on the ground throughout the election period as well as throughout the fighting season in the summer but as we discussed a while ago the infrastructure piece is one of the key drivers. We have been simultaneously working the infrastructure of a reduction in transition plan throughout the last year so im not at all concerned about the pace of the drawdown. We have a good plan in place place and well get there. We will be at 98800 through most of calendar year 2015 . That is the plan senator. So november for example of 2015. We will have become the drawdown by november of 2015. At that point how many of our Coalition Allies how Many Coalition allied troops will be with us . We will have 4000 plus or minus that will be with us in 2015. As we collapse back to kabul centric approach in 2016 i would expect we would have the least half of that number in 2016. So we will have about 5000 troops . Presents that they would have half in 2016 and 5500 is out there but the president s guidance has been about half. Your testimony before the committee today, and your best judgment to the congress is that the numbers that we protect 42015 will be adequate to provide security during that calendar year. Is that correct. Senator that is correct. The numbers in 2015 are consistent with the recommendation made to the president. Okay ndu reserve the right as i understand it to look at conditions on the ground and change that recommendation as it goes forward beyond calendar year 2015 . Is that what i understand you have told me yesterday . Senator i certainly believe i have this responsibility, any commander has the responsibility to provide the present with the best military advice that includes her continual reassessment of the assumptions and conditions that were behind in a recommendation that was made. Well i hope you will and i will tell you this general, i think we are all impressed. Impressed with the record and impressed with the answers that you have given us and we think the president has got the right man here. I just have to say, i implore you and i charge you with speaking truth to power. If it looks like, as senator inhofe said, if it looks like we are not getting it right as we didnt get it right in iraq, i hope you will come back to us and tell us we are not getting it right in the something needs to be done. We need to know that. We didnt get the right it buys frankly. We got surprised in iraq and i have here a news item which i think i will ask to be inserted into the record. Its a statement by general amos your predecessor, and im going to do you the favor of not asking you if you subscribe to his views because i dont think that would get us anywhere but basically if i could just read. Stepping to into a political debate the head of the marine corps of United States doesnt have the luxury of isolationism. Instead iraqs interior deterioration may have been prevented if washington general amos offered strong views on both debates and he said he believed that crisis takeover in central iraq and the fissures between maliki in the countrys embattled sunni minority may have been avoided if the United States hadnt completely withdrawn from the country in 2011. I have a hard time believing that had we been there and worked with the government and the parliament and the minister of defense and interior i dont think we would be in the same shape today amos said during an event at the brookings institute. I agree with this distinguished military leader. It breaks my heart as it breaks the heart of general amos and other marines and other troops tuesday in what has happened after all of the blood and sacrifice and treasure the United States has spent. If we had gotten the corrected vice and we had been given a more realistic assessment, this disaster could have been avoided. Its up to people like you to help us understand the ways and means to prevent this type of disaster from happening in afghanistan. I believe you are the man to do it but we look to you to come back to us and tell us the truth and give us your best guidance as a military expert on what we need to do to make the situation work in afghanistan. Thank you sir. Thank you very much senator and i join you in feeling a strong level of confidence that is exactly what general dunford would do and as he has testified this morning he has the obligation to do. The assumptions which have been made dont turn out to be correct so i join you in that feeling of necessity that we cant count on our top military leaders to do just that and i talked to general dunford about the same thing in my office and i thank you for your commentary here today. Senator kaine. Thank you mr. Chairman and general dunford thank you for your service. You have a lot to be proud of in the work you have done together with american military, our Coalition Partners to enhance the capacity of ansf. I have a hearing recently in the Foreign Relations subcommittee that i chair about afghan civil life post2014 and your predecessor general alan said something that kind of made us all sit back in our chairs. After talking about continuing security challenges general alan said corruption is a bigger existential existential threat to Afghan Society than security challenges are and he wasnt minimizing security challenges. He was elevating corruption charges. We were all struck by that but when ive watched the play about the elections in afghanistan the taliban threatened him from a security standpoint as you pointed out the nsf did a superb job in blocking the taliban from being able to disrupt the elections. But the challenge with the elections were allegations of corruption. The corruption threat proved to be more real work to be more impactful of the Selection Process than the security challenge and i think that is proof of the adage that general alan made. Its also proof of the good work you have done and have done and i applaud you for it. Questions about your role as commandant should you be confirmed but i have confidence you will be. We have to balance and lot of top priorities, security priorities, personal priorities and budgetary priorities. The needs of today are usually the Readiness Challenges in the needs of tomorrow organization. Let me ask you about both of those. What are your greatest concerns regarding readiness today . Thanks senator. General amos has ensured that all marines who were in harms way or forward engaged deployed at the highest standard. Those forces are wellequipped and welltrained print having said that we have paid the cost of readers for making sure that those marines that are forward engaged have the wherewithal. The net cost has been born and today approximate 50 of our units and home station are in a integrated state of readiness. Its a largely equipment readiness issue in terms of wear and tear on our equipment so certainly one of the key things would be to ensure that we have the resources necessary to reset that equipment that will be coming out of afghanistan in and the shimano senator we have identified in minimum of two years as one of time where we continue to need local funding for that reason to reset that force and restore the marine corps to be the force we expected to be which is not half ready to completely ready to do whatever the nation asks us to do. What are your top parties for force modernization if you become commandant . Broadly speaking the critical thing as few expect this to be able to come to a wide range of conditions and i think think today theyre number of areas where we will have to focus to ensure that we do have the amphibious and expeditionary capabilities necessary to fight tomorrows war as well as today and balancing those requirements for modernization with todays readiness is going to be significant challenge. I know youll help us with that senator. Indeed. One of the challenges you have in the modernization site is Acquisition Program. You inherit Acquisition Programs some that are working successfully in some that are not as successful. What would be your philosophy and the acquisition or to make sure that the m. Best month in technology and equipment we have made are well spent . Senator where ive seen Acquisition Programs work is where leadership is personally and decisively and gauged in the Acquisition Program and if confirmed i can assure you particularly the major defense Acquisition Programs that the Program Manager is not in fact certainly impact this will be made. Talk a little bit about the progress the marine corps has made in opening up combat since secretary panettas announcement in early 2015. Its clear to me that the marine corps understands the direction set by secretary panetta and by january 2016 will well be prepared to make recommendations as to exceptions to the policy. I think the approach the marine corps is taken now the deliberate measured responsible approach is exactly the one that i would take worried i to be confirmed and certainly at the end of the day you can be sure that the sure that there are recommendations that i make will be based on impact and combat effectiveness of the marine corps to meet the standard to expect the court to me. And finally general just a compliment. Often as i travel i travel in the Foreign Relations capacity and i interact with the Marine Security guard and the various embassies we have around the world. That is a Critical Program that has been enhanced in the aftermath of the accountability recommendations following the tragedy of benghazi that ive ive been in our slam press with this program and with the marines ability to scale it up to meet the recommendations. It may be one of the few billets of the marines where you get to serve without a commissioned officer telling you what to do. I think its all ncos and enlisted personnel but they do a superb job and we need to make sure we continue to Pay Attention to that program and help the marine corps as it leads budgetary resources to staff it up. I just want to tell you that the appreciation of the state department for the great work the Security Guard folks is very high and i share that. Thank you mr. Chairman. Senator ayotte. Thank you mr. Chairman. I want to thank you general dunford for your incredible leadership in afghanistan and i cant think of a better man to serve as commandant and i also want to thank your wife ellen for everything that she is done for a country in the marine corps. I wanted to ask you general if we follow the course of action that has been announced by the administration in afghanistan. Without any changes in the reduction of forces, in other words 98002 half at the beginning of 16 to about a thousand embassy presence in the beginning of january of 2017. What is the bestcase scenario or what happens in afghanistan and then i would also like you to answer with no changes to the pace of withdrawal, whats the worstcase scenario so we can understand what the two possibilities are . Thanks senator. The bestcase scenario for than a couple years would be first we have a successful political transition this year. The Afghan Forces continued to be successful coming out of the fighting season. They have increased confidence and capability and is all of 2014. International has the resources necessary to sustain the forces we continue Development Efforts to critical to afghanistans future. The relationship between afghanistan and pakistan improves such that they have a cooperative relationship in dealing with extremism and that we minimize the risk of blind actors being involved inside of afghanistan as they grow and develop. The Afghan Security forces in the bestcase scenario would be sustainable by 2017 such that a very small presence inside the u. S. Embassy in what we described as a Security Cooperation office that we manage Foreign Military sales engagements and so forth with some amount of ministerial capacity advising is what would be there but in effect by 220172017 the 2017 we will address those gaps and identified in the Afghan Forces would be sustainable and again we would have stability as a result of the political transition. The worstcase scenario over the next two or three years would be starts with the political transition and we dont have successful political transition. I think thats a foundational element to any success we will have. We also began to lose International Community support over time. The afpak relationship doesnt go in the direction we wanted to impose states fall short of where we would want them to be in terms of being an effective counterterrorism both my capacity and will perspective. If we found ourselves in 2017 without a decisive presence in the region and effective ct partners in the form of afghanistan and pakistan of those two nations cooperating with each other i think what you would see in 2017 in the worstcase scenario would be the space battle qaeda would need to grow stronger to plan and conduct operations against the west. Something they havent been able to do over the last several years because of a combination of pressure largely the pressure better interagency partners and our special operations have placed but also contributed to by the support we have had from pakistan and afghanistan. Let me follow up on that. With the announcement by the administration you talked about the 9800 troops our contribution in 2015 you are satisfied with and the administration has announced that would be cut in half in 2016. If that is followed through in terms of cut in half one of the things he said in answer to senator chambliss is an Important Mission we have had in afghanistan is actually an sharing battle qaeda could not replicate 9 11 and the way we have done that is keeping pressure, continued pressure not only on those that would want to threaten us in afghanistan but for example their counterparts in a Haqqani Network in pakistan. If we go down to half at the beginning of 2016 ct presence has been beyond the wall, correct . Absolutely and it would be in 2015. What happens in the beginning of 2016 if we cut them in half . Where are we located . 2016 senator in accordance with the plan right now we would have a couple centric approach so centric approach to so the bases outside of kabul would be closed or transferred to the Afghan Forces or the Afghan Government by 2016. So if we do that, thats pretty soon actually if you think about it. I would be the beginning of 2016 if we go to a kabulbased presence. What does that do overall tour ability to keep pressure on most networks on the ct mission assuming something doesnt dramatically change with regard to those who would want to threaten us from pakistan and afghanistan . Senator that would reduce our signals intelligence and our human intelligence and our strike capability so it would be a significant reduction in overall counterterrorism capability. But we have a significant reduction in our capability beginning in 2016 what does that do in terms of threats that we could potentially face to our homeland . Senator the equation you have to look at in the perspective of what does afghan ct capacity and what is the nature of the threat and from my perspective we would have to be in a position to close the gap between the pakistani and afghan ct capacity versus the threat in 2016 and while i dont know what the threat will be in 2016 my sense is we will still need an effective counterterrorism capabilities based on my projection of the threat in based on the growth of afghan and pakistani ct capacity and will. Just to be clear and effective ct strategy really has to go, unless the conditions dramatically change between now and the beginning of 2016, really has to be beyond the world to be sure we can keep that pressure to defend the homeland. Senator the only way that it will be successful for us to be an couple different way to say it would be of afghanistan and pakistan are capable of dealing with the threat in 2016. Let me just ask one final question which is if we think about the presence in kabul and what is happening with regard to the counterterrorism strategy what is it that they would have to accomplish between now and then . It seems like it would be quite a bit and if we wanted to change course when would we have to make that decision because if we are obviously we have presence outside of kabul and we are pulling into a pickup the troops in half back into kabul so that takes time. When would you or general campbell who will be the new commander on the ground have to come to us and the administration and say we really shouldnt pull into kabul and we will have to keep a greater presence. With her timeframe for that so that we understand . I went to bed and go back to the first part of your question. The timeframe for my assessment based on closing of infrastructure would be in the september timeframe, october timeframe of neck she would be the latest time. What will happen subsequent to that as he will begin to draw down infrastructure and transfer those facilities that currently house our forces outside of kabul. About a year from now would be when that discussion would have to take place. With regard to what the afghans would have to do to be successful in the counterterrorism fight in 2016 are two critical gaps that affect the ct capacity. One is the radiation capability and radiation capability in the others intelligence enterprise has as a whole. While those are developing we still expect the aviation enterprise will still have some capability gaps in 2016 as well as the intel enterprise. Those are longerterm challenges we are addressing. I thank you general and i also would point out i think you have said some of our ct missions we conduct independently because our interest in protecting the homeland while the afghans we have a Great Partnership with them ultimately it is our interest in those need to be focused on as well. There are ct mission may not be as focused as we are on that particular mission. Would you agree with that . Senator there there are operations we conduct in the region unilaterally. Thank you general. Thank you general a. Thank you general ayotte and thank you for pointing out that it will be general campbell that will be giving us his best military advice and senator wicker and i have commitments from general dunford that he will make those honest assessments but it will really be general campbell in terms of afghanistan. We got the same assurance by the way as we did from general dunford but thank you for pointing that out. Thank you and thank you and one thing i do know we hope general campbell will hopefully call on general dunford for his ad buys. Thank you for smoothing over that little omission. Senator hirono. I made a general out of her. Senator hirono. Thank you chairman. I join my colleagues in thanking you for your decades of distinguished service and now taking on this new challenge. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the folks at hawaii state. There are 2000 sailors 4000 family members 1400 civilian employees at Marine Corps Base hanoibased ally search may want to a shoutout to them. You asked a question earlier about the january 12016 day to provide standards for the occupations within the marine corps for which all personnel including women will have the opportunity to compete and i just wanted to ask ask you doing the marine corps is the lead person or persons coming up with the standards and where are you in this process . Senator delete personnel through sustain the through does it through and as through sustain approving the standards so there is staff in quantico that work just for him. Our Training Command our Training Commanders of both an art integration command is simple but at the end of the day in our service the commandant is the one who approves the standards. Thank you. I think you also mentioned during your responses that the training is very important of course to all of our sources but to the marine corps and i understand the availability of training ranges and we have a big one on the big island called peta. Could you share your thoughts on the importance of training ranges especially as we have rebalance to the asiapacific . Senator again thanks for that question and in the two previous assignments i was involved in what we described broadly as the pacific lay down and one of the critical elements as we review the way down was to ensure that we have sufficient ranges where we could do the combined arms integrated training that allows armoring and Ground Task Forces that are forwarddeployed to be successful in combat. It would not be an overstatement to say training ranges the opportunity to develop the skills of integrating combined arms are amateur lovely link to our success on the battlefield. We were told that the marine corps spends 63 cents on the dollar to pay for benefits health care and other personnel costs so there is a challenge to balance readiness in personnel costs. If confirmed how would you come up with this balance of personnel costs with readiness while meeting emission requirements of the marine corps . What would be the questions you would have to come up with this balance . Senator first if you all the money that we spend in the marine corps going towards the marines. Some of it is in the form of compensation. Some of it is in the form of making sure they have good equipment. Some is in the form of good training. Some goes to ensuring that the infrastructure that supports arrays and their families is in good shape and provides the services necessary. So i think your question is how would i balance that. I will consider each of those variables to deliver an effective that affect us we would have the force readiness you would expect to marine corps to be. I think the sense is that 63 cents of every dollar going to personnel costs is not necessarily the kind of balance that you would want to have in order to make sure that the readiness needs are met. Senator there is no question. In fact our procurement account to put it in context is 8 in the current fiscal environment so clearly in a Perfect World we would have more money going towards modernization and we would have more money going towards infrastructure. Those are two bill payers without that we focus on ensuring that our marines that are forward to play to have good equipment and training. The bill payers and their modernization account as well as infrastructure account. My best to you in achieving a balance in meeting the needs of the marines. I want to turn to our force structure because there are going to be a lot of questions asked about what is the appropriate mix for the active and reserve units in the emerging course. Other services are having to ask those questions themselves. With the challenges to personnel drawdowns in the marine corps in the future what do you believe will be the best approach to achieve a balanced force an active and reserve components of the marine corps . Senator thanks for that question. I actually believed over the past decade we have validated both the size organizational construct as well as the method of Employment Firm Marine Reserve for so i wouldnt see any significant changes. I do know the commandant has chartered a group to review the capabilities and capacities inside a bar reserve to make sure we incorporate the Lessons Learned to make sure we have the right mix of forces inside of Marine Forces reserve but we fill comfortable the overall size size of the Marine Forces reserve now is just about right. This committee spent a lot of time on the issue of Sexual Assault in the military and he responded to a series of questions that have been put to you regarding the marine corpss efforts in combating Sexual Assault in the military and it noted that while you are satisfied that you are proceeding ahead but there is much more work to do, i wanted to ask you based on the changes that we have made to the statutes that apply and the marine corpss own efforts, how would you determine the success or the effectiveness of what the marine corps is doing to one, prevent Sexual Assault and two taking appropriate action and prosecuting. Thanks senator and i think the areas i am encouraged from the outside looking at the marine corps and what they are doing is the changes in the climate as it pertains to Sexual Assault. In both the surveys have been conducted and increased trust and confidence in reporting Sexual Assault confidence in the chain of command the proper actions would be taking and any cystic cystic in reporting Sexual Assault. While its increased to recognize historically it has been unreported so increase reporting over the last couple of years as a positive step in a little right direction but with regard to your question when will i be satisfied . I will be satisfied when there are no Sexual Assault. The effect that we are trying to achieve in ensuring that we have bystander training intervention the effect we are trying to it to achieve that ensure all marines are treated with respect the results we would expect of all of that are the results we would expect from leadership is we wont have assaulted the marine corps and that is when i will be satisfied. My question and thats very commendable. My question had to do with of course as you go toward that goal of zero Sexual Assault how we make sure that thats happening and you will continue to have the commitment to see those changes come about . I assume your answer is yes. Senator by will and i think probably be the key piece from my perspective is that its all about leaders. Its all about standards and its about Holding People accountable to the standards. Thank you. Thank you mr. Chairman. Thank you senator hirono. Senator graham. Every assignment you have taken the president chose you wisely and the next commandant of the marine corps. You deserve it in the deserve it and he earned it into your family thank you for your service to our country. As to afghanistan do you agree with me that theres a failure to get this election closed out in an acceptable fashion where somebody had knowledge is theres a failure to form a unity government thereafter no amount of american troops is going to make afghan successful . I agree with that senator. Invective that didnt happen i would say be the first one to say get the hill out of there and that is my view. Lets assume that can all be accomplished and i think it will. Ct, train adviseandassist numbers. You are okay with the numbers and 15. Is that correct . You are okay with original approach being emplaced . I am senator. We have about 7000 special forces types in the mix right now on the ground today. We do sir. Mine by january 2015 will be 3000. Approximately. By january 2017 will be basically zero. It isnt determined at this time sir. It is determined at this time. The president has announced it will go to a Security Cooperation force in 2017 or did i miss that . If you were talking about. Im not talking about changing the plan. Im talking about the plan is adopted. You will agree that it will be virtually zero . Certainly close to that senator. Lets look at the threats we face. Do you see by the end of 2016 and any reasonable possibility that al qaeda types, Al Qaeda Affiliated groups or other groups that live and thrive on the afghanpakistan border will be contained in such a fashion as to not represent a threat to the homeland . Is that remotely possible . I dont see that at this time sir. Sir you view that the threat by the end of 2016 that we face in the homeland is going to be extinguished. I could not agree with you more at rct porsches will will be unless somebody changes this. Do you agree thats a hybrid strategy given the likelihood of a threat . Unless its mitigated. From a ct perspective. Lets talk about the delta to be filled in from 7000 to zero. If you had to agree the afghanpakistan working relationship on anything particularly counterterrorism what grade would you give that . Today at the mac. The difference between our counterterrorism capability in the afghans how would you rate the difference . Significant. Okay. Now, lets talk about the other aspect train comment by thanassis. You were asked to a director plan on paper and he said if everything works out well that by 2017 on the train adviseandassist we might be okay. It would be possible to develop sustainability by that time. There are a lot of assumptions that have to be made. Is that correct . There are. Some of these assumptions are pretty enormous. Write . There are significant assumptions. To get all the gates would be akin to taking a 65yard field goal. Cemetery would be difficult to hit all the gates exactly up as we have outlined. I think would be kicking of 65yard field goal into the wi wind. This is my paper so the statements to the committee is is a disaster in the making by drawing down to quick and not being able to help the afghans and original reasonable fashion. If it does change i will be the first to applaud the change but if it doesnt change its a complete absolute disaster in the making. As to political reconciliation between the two candidates are you optimistic that this will work out . Senator, i am. Are you optimistic that the Afghan People will continue to want us around . Im absolutely optimistic. Theres that will be no reason or any american politician to believe that we are not welcomed to stay in afghanistan and . Senator both president ial candidates as well as the best majority of the Afghan People support the agreement with a continued u. S. Presence. If al qaeda is able to regenerate in this presence and are ct presents goes down to virtually zero what to expect an attack on our homeland of the next five years . Certainly based on the intent of the enemy i would senator. Lots at stake, correct . There is senator. As we go into evaluating our force structure, what have we done to the marine corps in your opinion if we get back on the road to this mission . As ive looked at with sequestration does them right united United States going court at a force level of 175,000 kids to the issues we have talked a little bit about here this morning. Its an inability to balance the need to be ready for todays crises with the requirement to meet the minimum threshold of investment to modernization infrastructure and other programs that support marines. I think you are really an overstatement to use general myers, the 1980s you were on a path if you have sequestration then you maintain a core of 175,000 range. I dont think theres any question about that. Would you agree with me that congress will have done more damage to the marine corps than an enemy that based on the battlefield . Senator there is and an enemy that has had much success against bahrain so i would agree with that. Thank you for your Great Service i look forward to seeing the future. Thank you senator graham. Senator donnelly. Thank you mr. Chairman. General thank you very much for your service. You have done extraordinary work. Ive had the privilege of being with you in with you in afghanistan and a seen firsthand what you done and to your family, the time you spent there helped change the world press. We know you miss them but we were very grateful to have either with us. Sir as commander of the marine corps this past year we are so impressed by what you have done and you are going to get an overwhelming vote. As you walk into the last year 45 marines were lost to suicide. I think this is a critical issue. I hope you do and i was wondering, your attention intention to work with your team to try to make a difference here. Senator thinks that question i will be personally and gauged as i was this assistant, not for two years. I think its fair to say at the beginning of the war our understanding was Mental Health was rudimentary at best and over the past decade we have learned quite a bit. One of the more encouraging things is the National Center of excellence has been established at walter reed to do really some Great Research into both Traumatic Stress and traumatic brain injury. So in terms of Mental Health i will be certainly engaged in with regard to suicide there are other factors because most of the suicides are related to combat experience that we will do all we can to ensure we have leadership that recognizes the warning signs of suicide. Well make sure we have probable medical care in the leadership gets marines the proper help and we will continue to work at what is in effect a scourge. One of the most disheartening things he saw in iraq was a lot of big generals who had we had worked with and helped train were replaced by in effect tells of the people in charge. As we look at afghanistan we are trying to learn from the lessons we have seen in iraq. We have a tulip tila ashraf ghani obviously president karzai still has a great amount of influence. Do you feel confident and obviously we think we have the right generals in place in the afghan army now. You feel confident they can avoid that same type of situation where talent and ability so they can have friends in effect come and . Senator banks. Confident but not complacent in that particular area. Both candidates have made a commitment to pick the right people in the security ministries. One of them more encouraging things that came out of this weekends discussion the many areas they have talked about in the political track one of the most to stabilize leadership inside of the ministry of interior so they both recognize the importance. I know from my counterpart in transition last year he certainly recognizes the importance of selecting the right leadership inside the security ministries and ive had enough conversations with doctor of dula people that he recognizes the same. It wont be that we want a patriots Patriots Network that has an effect on employment and that will be the case for some time to come but what we have today in the form of core commanders and key leaders and inside the ministry of interior with our Police Leadership is a recognition by Senior Leadership that while we may have some other factors besides that would cause people to be selected for Senior Leadership conditions that they would have to be each appointment being made. Im encouraged by that but thats something that governor got canasawacta contingent beside a focus on. You had a very specific assignment with afghanistan and now his commandant of the marine corps obviously all over the world and as you look at this through your experience where d. C. The biggest threat to our country right now, the greatest source of potential danger to an attack and where would it be coming from . Senator think the greatest challenge today is a member that is failed and failing states that provide sanctuary for extremists that provide a threat to this country and its not geographically focused. Its focused on all those areas where the enemy has the space space to conduct operations against the west. That is certainly at this point the most nearterm threat to our security. Have you seen any indications for us as a group like isis . They are involved in iraq but from everything you have seen today still casts and i toured coming after us as well . Senator think the change they have made to their name indicates the risk that is greater than iraq. They change their name to the Islamic State and declared a caliphate inside iraq was clearly reflects aspirations for operations globally. To go back to afghanistan for a second, we have seen pakistan pushing harder in the tribal areas trying to go after the pakistan taliban. How has the effect of that ben on afghanistan . Is a pushed more over into the region that you have been in charge of or that you have been working with the afghans on or how do you see that longterm having an affect . The nearterm senator we have seen a large number of refugees. The estimates would probably be 100,000 refugees. We are also certainly aware of enemy forces moving from pakistan into afghanistan and we have had a disruptive effect on the extremists in north was there a stand so there is a positive effect as well as the challenges moving to afghanistan. I think what remains to be seen and what we are watching very closely is what will pakistan do as these groups start to move back to north was there a stand. We have a commitment from our pakistani counterparts right now that they will not allow groups like haqqani to come back and they have taken measures to destroy the infrastructure in north was there a stand as a whole but frankly thats something that needs to be determined. I think it will require we stay engaged with our pakistani, parts to make sure that does not happen again. One final question is as you look what you think will be your greatest challenge in inheriting this position as you move forward . Senator think the greatest challenge is going to be to continue to provide a ready force of marines in the country today and at the same time make the decisions and investments to ensure we have a ready marring court tomorrow. To you, thanks again. You have been in desperation to not only marines but to our servicemembers all over the country and to us as well. I am very proud of your work. Thank you sir. Thank you senator donnelly. Senator cruz. General thank you for being here and thank you for your testimony and thank you for your service to our country. I would like to ask them questions about several National Security threats across the globe starting with what you and senator donnelly were discussing which is the situation with isis. Right now in iraq roughly how Many Americans are on the ground in iraq both civilian and military . Senator i am not sure how many exactly. Think of somewhere short of a thousand. How would you characterize our ability right now to ensure the safety of those commanders could. I am confident that the commander of the Central Command who i speak to several times a week has taken proper measures to provide force protections and the environment is put the men he has made sure certainly a dangerous combat environment is always a risk and im confident in the leadership he has done all he can do to mitigate that risk. What about the american civilians . What is their ability to ensure their safety . Senator at this time im not aware of our capacity to provide security for civilians in iraq unless youre talking about u. S. Government civilians in which case they are part of the force Protection Plan on the ground for diplomatic personnel as well as uniformed personnel. If you are talking to people there in a private capacity of think our ability to provide this security to them on a date today basis is fairly limited. To what extent is their ability to maintain security for civilian and military personnel dependent upon the shia militia lex. Senator i think the security conditions and iraq as a whole are absolutely linked to the political process and the viability of the government. That is i think how we given the situation we are in. Its a manifestation of a lack of inclusive government and political challenges that spilled over into security and i think it shows the inextricable lank between stability and security as well as viable governance. General i will share with you im deeply concerned about our ability to protect the americans particularly as the situation seems to be deteriorating and we find ourselves between two and pluggable foes, isis who are so extreme that they were thrown out of a qaeda which is a pretty remarkable feat and to have expressed a hope and desire to attack and kill americans and on the other side the Islamic Republic of iran who likewise are antiamerican have the same desire. And what no one wants to see is an american hostage situation in which americans find themselves in an incredibly hostile situation where enemy forces capture americans and hold them hostage. And so number one i would certainly urge you and urge your colleagues in the military to continue doing and i know you are endeavoring to do it but continue to do everything humanly possible to prevent such a situation and do everything we can to mitigate the risks of its spiraling out of control so that american citizens are not caught between two warring factions and trapped in the place for which we have no ready exit. Thank you senator. Lets shift to a neighboring country which is very much involved right now and whats happening in iraq and that is iran. In your military judgment, how significant of a threat would you characterize the possibility of iran acquiring a Nuclear Weapon capability . I think that would be extraordinarily significant senator. In your judgment would happen if iran were to acquire Nuclear Weapons capability . I would think they would try to meet their expansionist provision. If god forbid iran were to acquire Nuclear Weapons and if god forbid they would make the decision of being able to use those weapons based on the radical religious extremism that motivates socalled the mullahs in iran in your view of how much damage could iran to america or her allies if iran was willing to use Nuclear Weapons to maximize the damage . Senator youve be hard for me to envision how they would use those are what might happen but i can say that clearly there would be a threat to our vital interest which should be the protection of the homeland of the people in the United States. If iran say were able to use a Nuclear Weapon launched from a ship offshore to the United States into the atmosphere to create an amt on the eastern seaboard what would the impact. This country . And a Nuclear Weapon would go off in the United States would have a horrific effects on people. And at emp in particular, how would that impact the civilian population if an emp were detonated in the atmosphere . An emp would essentially shut down our Communications Network and it would be one of the more Significant Impacts at emp. Would there be additional impacts in terms of transportation, in terms of distribution of food come in terms of distribution of basic means for survival . All of those things senator would be impacted by her ability to communicate. My expectation is all of us would be adversely affected. Let me finally shipped to afghanistan. How significant would you characterize the threat right now of radical islamic terrorism both in afghanistan in into neighboring pakistan . We are managing the threat to homeland as a result of the pressure we are putting on the networks so i believe we are at moderate risk as a result of extremists in the region but again that risk is assessed in the context of the forces that we have on the ground inside of afghanistan and in our efforts with pakistan. And so the final question on exactly that point, if we proceed with the plans of the president has laid out in 2016 to draw up our forces to roughly 102,017 to drop the 20 what will be our capacity to engage in counterterrorism to limit the threat from the radical islamic terrorists in the region . The tools we will have available to deal with to conduct counterterrorism in 2017 and the scenario you have outlined is the willing capacity of pakistan in the willing capacity of afghanistan. So we would be dependent on their forces and unable on our own to defend ourselves from terrorist threats . Again senator if you are projecting a thread and projecting the would not have any forces we would be dependent on afghanistan and pakistan. That is a deeply troubling scenario. Thank you general. Thank you senator cruz. Senator gillibrand. Thank you mr. Chairman and welcome general. I want to talk a little bit about gender integration. Confirmed what is your goal with regard to combat integration into the marine corps . Senator im aware of the direction of secretary panetta put forth in february 2013 and since that time general amos has outlined a deliberate and responsible measured approach. There is an analysis that went in for many recommendations for exception to the direction of secretary panetta outlined in to avoid to 13 and a memorial that recommendation would have to be made by january 2016. Any recommendation would be informed by the research being done about the impact of the combat effectiveness of the rumor inquiry. Is the research you are referring to the review of standards that meet the physical needs of the task. That is a piece of the research that is being done senator. If confirmed do you confirm to keep my office apprised and whether there will be exceptions . You do, senator. What phase of implementation is the marine corps now . What is your timeline . Senator i would have to get back to you. I know we are prepared to make a recommendation by the deadline of january 2016. The marine corps is just initiated an integrated task force that will impart in for many recommendations for exceptions to policy so i believe to make a recommendation by the deadline. The deadline was to have integration completed by 2016. Senator my understanding was the recommendation is due by january 2016 but i would ask to take that for the record and get back to. I would be helpful. Turning to afghanistan, we have seen a few difficulties with regard to the afghanistan president ial election and you believe thats going to have an impact in our post2014 planning and if so how . Senator who did not have successful political transition in the fact that the political transition would have a Significant Impact on our post2014 presents but i would quickly add that right now in the wake of the agreement made over the weekend and where we are in fact im happy to report we started collecting forces yesterday supporting the auditing that we are on a path to have effective political transition and frankly in a positive sense a effective success in a post2014 environment. To produce to have intelligence and drive operations says another capability and the fourth area my successor would focus on was special operations capability so those primary areas for a 2014 presence. Are there any lessons to learn from iraq and that with a stroll to apply to the afghanistan we should be mindful of . The significant lesson is to do a transition to develop sustainable Afghan Forces to oversee the establishment of Effective Governance opposed to withdrawal they did not allow us the time to do develop sustainable iraqi forces to provide the firemen were Effective Governance would develop a. In terms of the drawdown what you think the impact will be on the region . To antiterrorism or undermine any other broader security interest . The for spee had envisioned for the afghans as well as Counterterrorism Operations have thus stabilizing effect on the region most regional actors having courage to vote United States to maintain their presence and the size force that we have allowed us to accomplish those two new tasks also contributes to a positive psychology that a kid tested will not deteriorate. Where largest concern right now . The sanctuary al qaeda has in pakistan. I was focus strictly on pakistan and a pianist and but looking as a whole you have to be concerned with is going on in iraq today. With regard to pakistan would assure recommendations that has been so difficult to work with and have been reluctant to to miss since then to crack down on the terrorist networks very unwilling partners how would you address those concerns . I dont think we have an easy answer other than continued engagement based on support we would provide with regard to specific conditions that have to be a man i do believe it is the existential threat and they lack the capacity to deal with that threat and then go see any alternative rather than continued engagement as well as to regional stability. I know thinks the of results would cause us to want us to go back. With it is a clear framework just a couple of questions for may indicating we would be depended upon afghanistan and pakistan in that area does that answer not assume that the thousand or so people at the embassy would have a Counterterrorism Mission and does it not also assume that we would not have the california capability in that area . Thanks for that opportunity to clarify. As i made an effort to say earlier that some members of those involved said counterterrorism i would assume but those thousand inefficient would also be contributing to Afghan Security force has the key task has continued development of those key elements being to of the more important. I dont know what to say it would envision. The cia would envisioned after 2017 have no significant basis. But they would be in counterterrorism . I assume they would be in the collaborative manner. That to be part of the thousands. It could be in support. Yes. In terms of the statement that senator mccain heard from the Afghan Military leaders that they feel abandoned by us with that is not the sense that i got i got the sense they like us to stay but they were very grateful and have a capability Going Forward but such a of a disappointment but theyll also feel a strong and capable as well so how you describe the Afghan Military leaders in terms of feelings to us . In the wake of the announcement summary disappointed it was out longer but right now the afghan leadership is more focused on the security challenges of 2014 to work with us but it is not a topic of routine conversation. You talk about military counterparts . A quick question and the observation. How long were you and afghanistan . I am still there and i have been there 18 months. If confirmed when way you make the transition to commandant . I think probably sometime this fall. The thought that has crossed my mind several times during the hearings but this man is one of the most capable intelligence and proven and successful commanders i have never worked with or scene and more importantly has tremendous experience in afghanistan and the Management System that are richer early moves somebody out of a job after 19 months given but he knows and experience dont worry i will vote to confirm henning is bad and a crazy Management System. This is one of the most important jobs in our country right now we take a guy who knows how to do it and the experience goes the way this is something the committee ought to talk about eyes understand the goal touche turned over assignments but to get to that level he has got into with his leadership but i think it is a manager at the stake to arbitrarily say the matter how well they do we will move on with you i just want to make that observation. Thank you. That is the huge compliment to you general dunford and we couldve said the same about your predecessor because he also had that huge experience but nevertheless you came and provided amazing capability and confidence and your successor will as well the general has ben f. Fabulous fabulous, and don and his successor has another extraordinary chapter of history and what you are raising is a fascinating issue. I dont have the answer other than and so far to see a succession of amazing commanders in afghanistan. I think the system has produced those not a matter of luck but intense effort to have a system that produces great leaders it is ironic looking added general who has done an amazing job you want to see that firsthand but on the other hand, i faintest amazing capability patriotism will continue and i know your experience will not be lost but very much available but the point is very interesting that perhaps other circumstances we would have to say is this what we want . To say he will be voting affirmatively for you with your confirmation with a complement they just paid to you which i think all of us feel and what you said was a huge complement to which produces leaders such as yourself to your family we look forward to a confirmation that is timely some of the general to has said great successor will have one and we will stand adjourned. [inaudible conversations] this bill read wearier vessels very house sent himalayan i was built the 1920s by the weeks they had varied interests. One of the most noble and interest is the amazing collection said terms of art works the Library Collection is an amazing collection of First Edition works and many are manuscripts it is incredible. Carl weeks collected the books he collected not only because a as important historical works but also because he will views books themselves or works of art can have a worth beyond the words on the pages and he collected almost every edition from walt whitman but for carl it was the art of collecting. Of First Edition of ernest hemingways. This was published 1935 and is the great peace because it illustrates the personal relationship that existed between weeks and hemingway. This subscription to carl weeks instead of with very best wishes ernest hemingway. Governor of new jersey, my dear friend, governor chris christie. [ applause ] [applause] thank you very much it is great to be back again iowa governor. Thank you for the introduction but it is funny for me to stand up here to hear governor branstad say that i was an inspiration for him to run for governor because i can tell you in 2010 when we got the phone call in new jersey from governor branstad campaign asking if i would come to campaign for him at the end i said to my staff, he knows who i am . He is so legend. He is a guy who set the example for governors all across the country for both parties. Not because he initially served four terms with an extraordinary job, but it to me, and makes his service sort extraordinary is the last four years because when he was in a very good job and doing a great job at it, as spending even more time with his family, he saw what awful shape i was was an end. He saw what the last administration was doing to iowa and its economy, Education System and for the pride that if the alzheimers about itself was diminishing because of the policies that the state capital he could have just as easily said no thank you, i served four terms as governor of iowa, i have done my service, instead he did want real selfless Public Service is all about. He put the people ahead of his own personal interest and that is the greatest inspiration to anyone who offers up for Public Office it is not about you but the people you serve. I know the people in this room understand this but the air is an inspiration to leaders across the country he has been a great governor and will continue to be because you will return him to office on november 4th. [applause] i will the 10 Bank Governor mine is named p. M. And today she is the acting governor since i am in iowa but i got to meet kim reynolds four years ago as an extraordinary leader and partner for governor branstad. I can tell you he is absolutely right she has Extraordinary Energy and great ideas and somebody i was all across the state look up to because she is doing to the job every day. Not looking for fanfare or the limelight or to be the star of the show but getting the job done. That is the kind of partner you want when you are a governor so branstad picked wisely four years ago and note reason why to change the team in the middle of a winning streak so please give as much support to lt. Governor reynolds as you do governor branstad. She is great. [applause] now here we are scott county , i probably shouldnt say this but i was walking in and branstad said this is the best county. [laughter] i never lose in scott county. These are really, really good supporters of our party. For all of you here tonight and i turned to the sheriff and said this is an amazing turnaround in the middle of july to be here to support this ticket in the middle of july when you could be doing other things is incredibly impressive to see you out here. I could tell you were working just as hard all across the country to give the same support that you give terry here in iowa but those who want to be republican governors. We will do great things with 21 republican governors down and i will be in 14 states in july and august, 19 states between december and june. We will go all across the country raising money and campaigning to speak quite makes a difference for the republican and a governor rather than the other party. The 20 best performing states in the country and 99 republican governors. That is not a coincidence. [applause] so now i have a job to do not just to be the governor of new jersey but the person who tries to lead this group of governors to bigger and better things. When i get to leave my states as i do today to come to a place where here in iowa you have a Republican House of representatives isaiah brings out a bad side in may. [laughter] i get terribly envious. [laughter] green with envy because i have and all Democratic Legislature as branstad mentioned i have called democratic since the day i walked in. I were charged is the governors job to work with whoever the people send you by tel the people in new jersey they have an extraordinary sense of humor. Twice a conservative governor at the same time elected a liberal Democratic Legislature. New jersey is the 13 yearold boys in the basement during the science experiments. Nixies two things together and see what happens. [laughter] we have had some explosions, real conflict if you have the effective governor and someone who understands what it means to work hard and to work productively for the of people you dont use those as excuses. Governor branstad has split legislature and in all democratic one day he does not use that as an excuse i can i get anything done because of the legislature. That is not the way youd do business but whoever you sent me that a summer job to make things happen. In new jersey despite all those things and the first two years i said a record for the vetoes for a twoyear period since the constitution was initiated 1947 that i broke the record for the first two years. [laughter] then the next two years we will break another record. Sometimes the governor has to say no. Somebody asked if i was staying in iowa tonight i said part of my legislature is in town today without be there and they are not allowed to be there without adult supervision. [laughter] i have to make sure to see what they were up to today. But also to cap property taxes with 6,000 fewer employees today than but i took office in 2010 spending 2. 2 billion less today than we did fiscal year 2008 and everything that pensions and health care. We have squeezed government to become smaller and smarter and more efficient those conservative principles when dash principles whether new jersey or iowa or florida or georgia or wisconsin. Those of the principles the united says the party to continue to unite us because whatever descent differences we may have for a bitter arguments among speech other they are very small compared to the differences with the other side. Just remember four years ago with cofounder call for a sitting in the capital and how much i would different fields feels different today than four years ago. You set your through a lot of speeches and the top10 list. [laughter] i will not wear you out but i will say one more thing to think about. Because here in this room all these folks, all if you are people who are already on the team. You would not be here tonight if you were not or if youre not willing to stand up for the people on our republican ticket and do with great job for them. Some people would say what i am doing tonight is preaching to the choir. I talked about this earlier i am married to a woman number nine at of 10 children with six older brothers and two older sisters and younger sister. A small Irish Catholic family from the northeast. [laughter] and what that means when i got married in to that family i have relatives everywhere in America First cousins and second cousins twice removed we have them all and won places is albany new york of one of to visit my brotherinlaw and number of years ago we are catholic but my sisterinlaw is everything going to of Lutheran Services asking if we would go so we went with them and i heard the best explanation that day from the pastor about preachy into the choir because tonight i am and we have that popular sentiment it is wasting your time but this pastor explains i preach to acquire eyes plead guilty i preach to the choir every sunday i preach so they will seeing a for the first time i understood the power of preaching to the choir because all if you are part of the choir for the Republican Team and i am here to preach sea will secure family and friends and your neighbors and coworkers to the people you see in the parking lot in church or those on the football field on friday night sitting do the people in the supermarket checkout line to tell people you are the leaders to look at others to say i met the Lieutenant Governor and the governor right to a i took the measure of their character not only voting for them but working for them with 110 days to go the results about if we expand republican gains in the house are takeover the state senate if we elect a republican woman to the United States senate to give a republican majority in washington d. C. [applause] whether we will elect a new female congressman from this district. [applause] i have to tell you the truth is not up to the governor or a Lieutenant Governor or the individual candidates. They will work hard. I am so tired of hearing how hardworking branstad is. I have to tell you the truth. I get it. I know. Hardest working governor in america said he will not stop now that work hard. Kim will work hard all counties will and how about you . 110 days to go. [applause] there are two scenarios. Heres the thing. I can see into the future. Two different scenarios. Scenario number one, wake up on the morning of november 5th. We come just a little bit short, one seat short in the state senate. We dont expand our margins in the house. We dont have a new republican United States senator from iowa, and we dont have new republican members of the house of representatives in washington. Because we came just a little bit short. Think about how youll feel that