The Secretary of Defense's 2010 budget recommendations: hearing before the Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, first session, April 30, 2009

LC Number: KF26 .A7 2009i OCLC Number: (OCoLC)535009766 Subject: United States -- Armed Forces -- Appropriations and expenditures. Excerpt: ...ve had the great pleasure and honor of working with Dr. Krepinevich and Dr. Hamre for many years. There are no two people I know in Washington who have a better understanding both of the strategic and tactical challenges the United States of America faces now and in the future, and I'm very grateful that they are here to give us their insight and their view as to not only Secretary Gates' recommendations, but the path that we have to be on with the new administration, two wars, and significant challenges such as the increasing militarizing of China and other challenges, not to mention pirates, and all of the other numerous national security challenges that we face. I would also be interested in our witnesses' view of what may be in my mind the most controversial of Secretary Gates' recommendations, and that's concerning missile defense. I'm a strong believer in missile defense and always have been. So perhaps you can provide us some insight in your views on that particular aspect of Secretary Gates's recommendations. As you mentioned, Senator Levin, the Pentagon's programming and planning is based on a 5-year cycle and they're currently working on that plan. Secretary Gates's recommendations are focused on next year's budget only. So we have a lot to do here and Secretary Gates's recommendations, at least in my view, reaffirm support for our military, veterans, and their families; rebalance programs; and reform the Pentagon's acquisition and contracting mechanism. Finally, I would ask our witnesses if they have had the chance to review Senator Levin's and my legislation, which passed through this committee unanimously, concerning acquisition reform, which according to the President's remarks last night at his press conference, may be given some priority. So, Senator Levin, thank...