[Senate Hearing 109-]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 2006
U.S. Senate,
Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations,
Washington, DC.
The subcommittee met at 9 a.m., in room SD-192, Dirksen
Senate Office Building, Hon. Ted Stevens (chairman) presiding.
Present: Senators Stevens and Inouye.
NONDEPARTMENTAL WITNESSES
OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR DANIEL K. INOUYE
Senator Inouye [presiding]. At the direction of the
chairman of the subcommittee, I will be convening the hearing.
The first panel consists of Major General William Matz, Jr.,
United States Army, retired, President of the National
Association for Uniformed Services; Dr. William J. Strickland,
Ph.D., American Psychological Association; Lieutenant Colonel
Paul N. Austin, CRNA, Ph.D., retired, American Association of
Nurse Anesthetists; fourth, Chris Hahn, Executive Director,
Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation; and fifth, Captain
Robert C. Hurd, United States Navy, retired, and PO1 Jessica A.
Vance, 2006 Naval Sea Cadet of the Year, U.S. Naval Sea Cadet
Corps. Please come forward.
General Matz, welcome to the subcommittee, Sir.
STATEMENT OF MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM M. MATZ, JR., UNITED
STATES ARMY (RETIRED), PRESIDENT, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION FOR UNIFORMED SERVICES (NAUS)
General Matz. Well, thank you, sir. Good morning. It is
very good to see you again.
In representing the National Association for Uniformed
Services, it is an honor, sir, for me to testify before such as
distinguished a veteran as yourself from World War II. And it
is a privilege to be invited to give our view on key issues
before your Defense Subcommittee.
Sir, the annual defense appropriations is one of the most
critical bills Congress considers. It serves a number of roles.
First, it provides the wherewithal to insure that our military
has the resources to meet any threat from abroad. And second
and just as important, this measure provides for the men and
women standing today on the frontlines of our Nation's defense.
And third, the underlying bill can support not only troop
morale, but can sustain morale by providing the resources
necessary to help keep our promise to those who served in past
conflicts to defend America.
And as a veteran and as a career combat infantryman, it
gives me great pride to ask you to support the most
professional and dedicated military in the world. And so in
this very short time allowed, let me touch on just a few issues
taken from our more comprehensive written testimony that we
have provided you.
Senator Stevens. Your statement will be made part of the
record.
General Matz. Sir, quality health care is a very strong
incentive to make military service a career. I know you are
aware of that. And at a time when we are relying on our Armed
Forces, the Defense Department's blueprint for military health
care raises serious concerns to National Association of
Uniformed Services (NAUS). This Department of Defense (DOD)
proposal would result in increases in TRICARE fees and higher
co-pays for pharmaceuticals for over 3 million retirees under
the age of 65, and their families. If passed, these proposals
would double and even triple annual fees for retirees and
families. The value of the benefit earned by military retirees
would clearly be certainly diminished.
We ask the Appropriations subcommittee to work with your
colleagues to reject these DOD proposed increases, and then,
sir, to clearly ensure full funding is provided to maintain the
value of the health care benefit provided these men and women
who are in the military.
All we are asking is what is best for our troops. NAUS
urges you to confirm America's solemn moral obligation to
support our troops, our retirees, and their families. They have
kept their promise to our Nation, and we must continue to keep
our promise to them.
Clearly, care for our catastrophically wounded troops with
limb loss is also a matter of national concern. Recently, I had
the opportunity to visit wounded warriors at Walter Reed Army
Hospital, and also at the DOD hospitals in both San Antonio and
Chicago. And sir, I can report that their spirits are very,
very high, but they need our help.
Senator Stevens [presiding]. Go on.
General Matz. Chairman Stevens.
According to the commander of the Army's Physical
Disability Agency, which is located at Walter Reed and
responsible for evaluating whether a soldier is physically able
to return to active duty, the caseload the agency reviews has
increased by almost 50 percent since the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan. The need is great. The chief of rehabilitation at
Walter Reed says about 15 percent of the amputees have lost
more than one limb.
In order to help meet the challenge, Defense Department
research must be adequately funded to continue its critical
focus on treatment of troops surviving these very grievous
injuries. The research program also requires funding for
continued development of advanced prostheses that will focus on
the use of prosthetics with microprocessors that will perform
more like a natural limb.
And so accordingly, sir, we encourage the subcommittee to
ensure that funding for the Defense Department's prosthetic
research is adequate to support the full range of programs
needed to meet current and future health challenges facing
these very seriously wounded veterans.
It is also our view that providing a seamless transition
for recently discharged military is especially important for
servicemembers leaving the military for medical reasons related
to combat, particularly the most severely injured patients. So
we call on the subcommittee to ensure adequate funding is
available to DOD to cover the expenses providing for seamless
care of our servicemembers.
Also, NAUS supports a higher--sir?
Senator Stevens. We have a joint session this morning, so
we are just going to have to keep moving. We will read your
accompanying statement.
General Matz. Okay, sir. Thank you for the opportunity to
come before you.
Senator Stevens. Thank you very much.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Major General William M. Matz
Chairman Stevens, ranking member Inouye, and Members of the
subcommittee, good morning. It is a pleasure to appear before you today
to present the views of The National Association for Uniformed Services
on the 2007 Defense appropriations bill.
My name is William M. Matz, president of The National Association
for Uniformed Services (NAUS). And for the record, NAUS has not
received any Federal grant or contract during the current fiscal year
or during the previous 2 years in relation to any of the subjects
discussed today.
As you know, Mr. Chairman, NAUS, founded in 1968, represents all
ranks, branches and components of uniformed services personnel, their
spouses and survivors. The association includes all personnel of the
active, retired, Reserve and National Guard, disabled veterans,
veterans community and their families. We love our country, believe in
a strong national defense, support our troops and honor their service.
Mr. Chairman, as our terrorist enemies remind us, the first and
most important responsibility of our government is the protection of
our citizens. As we all know, we are at war. That is why the measure we
are working on is so very important. It is critical that we provide the
resources to those who fight for our protection and our way of life. We
must support our courageous troops. And we must recognize as well that
we must provide priority funding to keep the promises made to the
generations of warriors whose sacrifice has paid for today's freedom.
At the start, I want to express a NAUS concern about the amount of
our investment in our national defense. Not since post-World War I has
our provision for our military been so low a percentage--less than 4
percent--of today's GNP. Resources are required to ensure our military
is fully staffed, trained, and equipped to achieve victory against our
enemies. Good-natured ignorance in a time when we face such serious
threats is not a luxury we can afford. And we depend on leaders in
Congress with the Nation's support to balance our priorities and ensure
our defense in a dangerous world.
Here, I would like to make special mention of the leadership and
contribution this panel has made in providing the resources and support
our forces need to complete their mission. Defending the United States
homeland and the cause of freedom means that the dangers we face must
be confronted. And it means that the brave men and women who put on the
uniform must have the very best training, best weapons, best care and
wherewithal we can give them.
Mr. Chairman, you and those on this important panel have taken
every step to give our fighting men and women the funds they need,
despite allocations we view as insufficient for our total defense
needs. You have made difficult priority decisions that have helped
defend America and taken special care of one of our greatest assets,
namely our men and women in uniform.
And NAUS is very proud of the job this generation of Americans is
doing to defend America. Every day they risk their lives, half a world
away from loved ones. Their daily sacrifice is done in today's
voluntary force. What they do is vital to our security. And the debt we
owe them is enormous.
In this regard, the members of NAUS applaud Congress for the
actions you have taken over the last several years to close the pay
gap, provide bonuses for specialized skill sets, and improve the
overall quality of life for our troops and the means necessary for
their support.
Our association does have, however, some concerns about a number of
matters. Among the major issues that we will address today is the
provision of a proper health care for the military community and
recognition of the funding requirements for TRICARE for retired
military. Also, we will ask for adequate funding to improve the pay for
members of our armed forces, to protect against expiring bonuses and
allowances, and to address a number of other challenges including
TRICARE Reserve Select and the Survivor Benefit Plan.
We also have a number of related priority concerns such as the
diagnosis and care of troops returning with Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD), the need for enhanced priority in the area of
prosthetics research, and providing improved seamless transition for
returning troops between the Department of Defense (DOD) and the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In addition, we would like to
ensure that adequate funds are provided to defeat injuries from the
enemy's use of Improvised Explosive Devices.
MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE: HEALTH CARE
Quality health care is a strong incentive to make military service
a career. The Defense blueprint for military healthcare raises serious
concern to NAUS. DOD recommends saving $735 million through sharp
increases in TRICARE fees and higher copays for pharmaceuticals for 3.1
million retirees under age 65 and their families.
To achieve these savings, Defense officials want to triple annual
enrollment fees for TRICARE Prime by October 2007 for officers, to $700
from $230 a year for individuals and to $1,400 from $460 per year for
families. For retired E-6 and below, the fee would jump nearly 50
percent, to $325/$650 from $230/$460. And for E-7 and above, the jump
would more than double to $475/$950 from $230/$460.
The defense budget also requests the establishment of a TRICARE
Standard enrollment fee and an increase in the annual amount of
deductible charges paid by retirees using standard coverage. The
standard beneficiary already pays a 25 percent cost share (and an added
15 percent for non-participating providers). Should Congress approve
the DOD request to increase deductibles and initiate an annual fee, the
value of the benefit earned by military retirees using standard would
be greatly diminished.
DOD officials also recommend changes in TRICARE retail pharmacy
copayments. The plan calls for reducing copays for mail order generic
prescriptions to $0 (zero) from $3; and increasing copays for retail
generic drugs to $5 from $3 and for retail brand drugs to $15 from $9.
The copayment for non-formulary prescriptions would remain at $22.
The assertion behind the proposals is to have working-age retirees
and family members pay a larger share of TRICARE costs or use civilian
health plans offered by employers. In recent testimony before your
subcommittee, Dr. Winkenwerder indicated that the plan would force more
than 100,000 retirees to leave their TRICARE coverage due to added
costs.
NAUS asks the appropriations panel to work with your colleagues to
reject the DOD proposed increases; and then ensure full funding is
provided to maintain the value of the healthcare benefit provided those
men and women willing to undergo the hardships of a military career.
When world events are in constant change and instability and
uncertainty are the rule, we are concerned that the current 302(b)
allocation given this subcommittee may not fully fill the gap from the
lost ``revenue'' of the Pentagon's proposed TRICARE fees, which the
administration estimated would bring in $735 million. We cannot believe
this astonishing situation is something our elected Members of Congress
would allow to go unfilled. Generations of us have fought to build a
better Nation and now we are told that our health care benefits cost
too much. Frankly, that kind of thinking can get America into trouble.
You cannot recruit future military if the word gets out that America
does not keep the promises made to those who served her.
We urge the subcommittee to fill this funding gap. And we urge
Congress to strip DOD's authority to raise certain TRICARE fees and
copays unilaterally without partnership or even consultation with our
elected Congress.
NAUS firmly believes that the fiscal year 2001 landmark legislation
establishing TRICARE providing new pharmacy and medical benefits to
military retirees and their families represents an irreplaceable
national investment, critical to the Nation and its warriors. The
provision of quality, timely care is considered one of the most
important benefits afforded the career military. What you have done
reflects the commitment of a nation, and it deserves your wholehearted
support.
We urge the subcommittee to take the actions necessary for honoring
our obligation to those men and women who have worn the Nation's
military uniform. Clearly, when DOD does not receive adequate funding,
it is forced to look toward benefits as a source of potential
``revenue,'' and this should not be allowed to occur.
All we are asking is what is best for our service men and women and
those who have given a career to armed service. NAUS urges you to
confirm America's solemn, moral obligation to support our troops, their
families, military retirees, and theirs. They have kept their promise
to our Nation, and now it's time for us to keep our promise to them.
MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE, PAY
For fiscal year 2007, the administration recommends a 2.2 percent
across-the-board pay increase for members of the Armed Forces. While
this is the lowest raise provided since 1994, the increase, according
to the Pentagon, is designed to keep military pay in line with civilian
wage growth. The Defense proposal also calls for an unspecified mid-
year targeted raise. NAUS trusts the panel will ensure that these
targeted raises are aimed to reward certain necessary skills and aim as
well at E-7s, E-8s and E-9s and warrant officers to help retention of
experience.
Congress and the administration have done a good job over the
recent past to narrow the gap between civilian-sector and military pay.
The gap, which was as great as 14 percent in the late 1990s, has been
reduced to nearly 4.3 percent with the January 2006 pay increase.
The pay differential is important to recruitment. As an example, an
electronic technician is currently paid approximately 3.5 to 4 percent
less than his counterpart in the private sector. A few years ago, the
differential was as much as 12 percent. We've got to get it down, and
we have made significant strides. But we can do better and we should.
To attract high-quality personnel, we urge the appropriations panel
to never lose sight of the fact that our DOD manpower policy needs a
compensation package that is reasonable and competitive. Bonuses have
role in this area. Bonuses for instance can pull people into special
jobs that help supply our manpower for critical assets, and they can
also entice ``old hands'' to come back into the game with their skills.
Understanding that congressional leaders have under consideration
provisions to raise basic pay for all individuals in the uniformed
services by 2.7 percent, NAUS asks you to do all you can to ensure in
this tight budget situation that any increase above the standard
calculation accrue solely to those in the military rather than the
civilian federal employees. The frank truth is that our Armed Forces
face far greater risks and dangers than our civilian workforce. And
though we may never be able to fully compensate these brave men and
women for being in harm's way, we should clearly recognize the risks
they face and make every effort to appropriately compensate them for
the job they do.
MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE, ALLOWANCES
NAUS strongly supports revised housing standards within the Basic
Allowance for Housing (BAH). We are most grateful for the congressional
actions reducing out-of-pocket housing expenses for servicemembers over
the last several years. Despite the many advances made, many enlisted
personnel continue to face steep challenge in providing themselves and
their families with affordable off-base housing and utility expenses.
BAH provisions must ensure that rates keep pace with housing costs in
communities where military members serve and reside. Efforts to better
align actual housing rates can reduce unnecessary stress and help those
who serve better focus on the job at hand, rather than the struggle
with meeting housing costs for their families.
NAUS urges the subcommittee to provide adequate funding for
military construction and family housing accounts used by DOD to
provide our servicemembers and their families quality housing. The
funds for base allowance and housing should ensure that those serving
our country are able to afford to live in quality housing whether on or
off the base. The current program to upgrade military housing by
privatizing defense housing stock is working well. We encourage
continued oversight in this area to ensure joint military-developer
activity continues to improve housing options. Clearly, we need to be
particularly alert to this challenge as we implement BRAC and related
rebasing changes.
NAUS also asks special provision be granted the National Guard and
Reserve for planning and design in the upgrade of facilities. Since the
terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, our Guardsmen and Reservists
have witnessed an upward spiral in the rate of deployment and
mobilization. The mission has clearly changed, and we must recognize
they account for an increasing role in our national defense and
homeland security responsibilities. The challenge to help them keep
pace is an obligation we owe for their vital service.
SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN
There are two primary ways in which survivors of military personnel
receive military related benefits: The Survivor Benefits Plan (SBP),
which is based on time and service; and, Dependency and Indemnity
Compensation (DIC), which provides a flat monthly payment after a
service-connected death.
Many military members and retirees have paid for SBP and have the
most obvious of expectations to receive what was paid for.
Surprisingly, that's not what happens. Under current law, SBP is
reduced one dollar for each dollar received under DIC. A dollar is
taken from one benefit for every dollar a survivor receives in the
other.
Survivors of retirees, upon eligibility for DIC, lose a majority--
or all too often--the entire amount of their monthly SBP annuity.
In addition, military retirees age 70 and older, who have paid into
the plan for more than 30-years, are required to continue to pay until
October 2008. Military retirees who enrolled for SBP at the initial
enrollment date in 1972 will this year be paying premiums for 34 years
and by 2008 36 years.
NAUS encourages members of the panel to provide financing to
correct this unfair situation. Allow military survivors the benefit
their loved one paid for their quality of life. And press to see that
retirees age 70 or more who have paid into SBP are no longer required
to pay premiums.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, SEAMLESS TRANSITION BETWEEN THE DOD AND VA
The President's Task Force (PTF) to Improve Health Care Delivery
for Our Nation's Veterans report, released in May 2003 regarding
transition of soldiers to veteran status, stated, ``timely access to
the full range of benefits earned by their service to the country is an
obligation that deserves the attention of both VA and DOD.'' NAUS
agrees with this assertion and believes that good communication between
the two Departments means our government can better identify, locate
and follow up with injured servicemembers separated from the military.
It is our view that providing a seamless transition for recently
discharged military is especially important for servicemembers leaving
the military for medical reasons related to combat, particularly for
the most severely injured patients.
Most important in the calculus of a seamless transition is the
capacity to share information at the earliest possible moment prior to
separation or discharge. It is essential that surprises be reduced to a
minimum to ensure that all troops receive timely, quality health care
and other benefits earned in military service.
To improve DOD/VA exchange, the hand-off should include a detailed
history of care provided and an assessment of what each patient may
require in the future, including mental health services. No veteran
leaving military service should fall through the bureaucratic cracks.
Another area that would enhance a seamless transition for our
uniformed services is the further expansion of single-stop separation
physical examinations. A servicemember takes a physical exam when he is
discharged. While progress is being made in this area, we recommend
expanding the delivery at discharge (BDD) program to all discharge
locations in making determination of appropriate benefits before
separation. This will allow more disabled veterans to receive their
service-connected benefits sooner.
NAUS compliments DOD and VA for following through on establishing
benefits representatives at military hospitals. This is an important
step and can often reduce the amount of frustration inherent in the
separation process for service members and their families.
NAUS calls on the subcommittee to ensure adequate funding is
available to DOD and VA to cover the expenses of providing for these
measures. Taking care of veterans is a national obligation, and doing
it right sends a strong signal to those currently in military service
as well as to those thinking about joining the military.
DEFENSE DEPARTMENT FORCE PROTECTION
NAUS urges the subcommittee to provide adequate funding to rapidly
deploy and acquire the full range of force protection capabilities for
deployed forces. This would include resources for up-armored high
mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles and add-on ballistic protection
to provide force protection for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan,
ensure up-activity for joint research and treatment effort to treat
combat blast injuries resulting from improvised explosive devices
(IEDs), rocket propelled grenades, and other attacks; and facilitate
the early deployment of new technology, equipment, and tactics to
counter the threat of IEDs.
We ask special consideration be given to counter IEDs, defined as
makeshift or ``homemade'' bombs, often used by enemy forces to destroy
military convoys and currently the leading cause of casualties to
troops deployed in Iraq. These devices are the weapon of choice and,
unfortunately, a very efficient weapon used by our enemy. The Joint
Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) is established
to coordinate efforts that would help eliminate the threat posed by
these IEDs. We urge efforts to advance investment in technology to
counteract radio-controlled devices used to detonate these killers.
Maintaining support is required to stay ahead of the changing enemy and
to decrease casualties caused by IEDs.
DEFENSE HEALTH PROGRAM--TRICARE RESERVE SELECT
Mr. Chairman, another area that requires attention is Reservist
participation in TRICARE. As we are all aware, National Guard and
Reserve personnel have seen an upward spiral of mobilization and
deployment since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The
mission has changed and with it our reliance on these forces has risen.
Congress has recognized these changes and begun to update and upgrade
protections and benefits for those called away from family, home and
employment to active duty. We urge your commitment to these troops to
ensure that the long overdue changes made in the provision of their
heath care and related benefits is adequately resourced. We are one
force, all bearing a full share of the load.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, PROSTHETIC RESEARCH
Clearly, care for our troops with limb loss is a matter of national
concern. The global war on terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan has
produced wounded soldiers with multiple amputations and limb loss who
in previous conflicts would have died from their injuries. Improved
body armor and better advances in battlefield medicine reduce the
number of fatalities, however injured soldiers are coming back
oftentimes with severe, devastating physical losses.
As of December 31, 2005, 16,329 troops had been wounded but
survived their injuries, according to U.S. Defense Department figures.
And according to Col. Daniel Garvey, USA, deputy commander of the U.S.
Army Physical Disability Agency, located at Walter Reed and responsible
for evaluating whether a soldier is physically able to return to active
duty, the caseload the agency reviews has increased by almost 50
percent since the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq began.
The need is great. Lt. Col. Paul Pasquina, chief of physical
medicine and rehabilitation at Walter Reed, says about 15 percent of
the amputees at Walter Reed have lost more than one limb. And according
to Lt. Col. Jeffrey Gambel, chief of the amputee clinic, about one-
third of the amputations done on recently injured service members have
involved upper extremities, because of the types of munitions used by
the enemy.
In order to help meet the challenge, Defense Department research
must be adequately funded to continue its intent on treatment of troops
surviving this war with grievous injuries. The research program also
requires funding for continued development of advanced prosthesis that
will focus on the use of prosthetics with microprocessors that will
perform more like the natural limb.
NAUS encourages the subcommittee to ensure that funding for Defense
Department's prosthetic research is adequate to support the full range
of programs needed to meet current and future health challenges facing
wounded veterans. To meet the situation, the subcommittee needs to
focus a substantial, dedicated funding stream on Defense Department
research to address the care needs of a growing number of casualties
who require specialized treatment and rehabilitation that result from
their armed service.
We would also like to see better coordination between the
Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the
Department of Veterans Affairs in the development of prosthetics that
are readily adaptable to aid amputees.
NAUS looks forward to working with you, Mr. Chairman, to see that
priority is given to care for these brave men and women who in defense
of freedom and our way of life were seriously wounded.
department on veterans affairs, post traumatic stress disorder (ptsd)
NAUS supports a higher priority on Defense Department care of
troops demonstrating symptoms of mental health disorders and treatment
for PTSD.
The mental condition known as PTSD has been well known for over 100
years under an assortment of different names. For example more than 50
years ago, Army psychiatrists reported, ``That each moment of combat
imposes a strain so great that psychiatric casualties are as inevitable
as gunshot and shrapnel wounds in warfare.''
According to a recent Government Accountability Office draft
report, nearly four in five service members returning from the wars in
Iraq and Afghanistan who were found to be at risk for PTSD were never
referred for further help. The Defense Department has not explained why
some troops are referred for help and some are not.
Pre-deployment and post-deployment medicine is very important. Our
legacy of the Gulf War demonstrates the concept that we need to
understand the health of our service members as a continuum, from pre-
to post-deployment. However, not only does DOD need programs to assess
a service member's medical status and a method to evaluate their health
during time in war, it also needs to administer treatment quickly and
effectively to mitigate injuries and save lives.
PTSD is a serious psychiatric disorder. While the government has
demonstrated over the past several years a higher level of attention to
those military personnel who exhibit PTSD symptoms, more should be done
to assist servicemembers found to be at risk.
NAUS applauds the extent of help provided by the Defense
Department, however we encourage that more resources be made available
to assist. Early recognition of the symptoms and proactive programs are
essential to help many of those who must deal with the debilitating
effects of mental injuries, as inevitable in combat as gunshot and
shrapnel wounds.
NAUS encourages the Members of the subcommittee to provide for
these funds and to closely monitor their expenditure to see they are
not redirected to other areas of defense spending.
While Defense Department officials and congressional leaders have
taken important steps to advance better care for those with mental
health problems, many challenges still remain. NAUS urges the
development of a consistent, seamless, and working approach that allows
DOD to screen returning service members and provide more effective
early intervention that leads to healing.
MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE, CONCURRENT RECEIPT
Since the fiscal year 2003 National Defense Authorization Act
(NDAA) authorized a special compensation for certain military retirees
injured in combat, Congress has advanced NAUS-supported concurrent
receipt to include benefits to most military retirees with combat
related disabilities and personnel with service-connected VA disability
ratings of 50 percent or higher.
In last year's NDAA, Congress accelerated the phase in of
concurrent receipt for individuals rated 100 percent disabled as a
result of individual unemployability. NAUS urges members to press
legislation for full and complete concurrent receipt to all disabled
retirees, including those individuals medically discharged from service
prior to achieving 20 years of service.
NAUS would also like to see the availability of concurrent receipt
to all those forced into retirement with less than 20 years service.
Currently combat related special compensation is denied to those
warriors who were so severely wounded they couldn't serve out their
full careers. Retired short of their 20-years, through no fault of
their own, they continue to pay for their battle wounds. We urge
members of this panel to encourage Congress to care for these troops
and never forget the price they paid for service to country.
ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME
NAUS is pleased to note the subcommittee's continued interest in
providing funds for the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH). As you
know, home residents were evacuated for care and treatment to the
Washington, DC, retirement home the day after Hurricane Katrina struck
and damaged the facility at Gulfport, Mississippi. While the District
of Columbia facility is currently undergoing transformation to absorb
the change, we are seriously concerned about the future of the Gulfport
home. We urge the subcommittee to provide adequate funding to help
alleviate the strains on the Washington home. And we urge funding be
set aside to do the planning and design work to rebuild the Gulfport
home.
NAUS also asks the subcommittee to investigate administration plans
to sell great portions of the Washington AFRH to developers. The AFRH
home is a historic national treasure, and we recommend that Congress
find an alternate means to continue providing a residence for and
quality-of-life support to these deserving veterans without turning
most of this pristine campus over to developers.
UNIFORMED SERVICES UNIVERSITY OF THE HEALTH SCIENCES
As you know, the Uniformed Services University of the Health
Sciences (USUHS) is the Nation's Federal school of medicine and
graduate school of nursing. The medical students are all active-duty
uniformed officers in the Army, Navy, Air Force and U.S. Public Health
Service who are being educated to deal with wartime casualties,
national disasters, emerging diseases and other public health
emergencies.
NAUS supports the USUHS and requests adequate funding be provided
to ensure continued accredited training, especially in the area of
chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear response. In this
regard, it is our understanding that USUHS requires funding for
training and educational focus on biological threats and incidents for
military, civilian, uniformed first responders and healthcare providers
across the Nation.
JOINT POW/MIA ACCOUNTING COMMAND (JPAC)
We also want the fullest accounting of our missing servicemen and
ask for your support in DOD dedicated efforts to find and identify
remains. It is a duty we owe to the families of those still missing as
well as to those who served or who currently serve. And as President
Bush said, ``It is a signal that those who wear our country's military
uniform will never be abandoned.''
In this regard, it is our understanding that the priority has been
lowered for the mission of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC).
DOD funding has been redirected to other activities and POW/MIA
operations in South East Asia have been canceled or scaled back. We
request you look into this report and ensure that the $65 million
required to support the JPAC mission for fiscal year 2007 is fully
funded and allocated as needed.
APPRECIATION FOR OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY
As a staunch advocate for our uniformed service men and women, NAUS
recognizes that these brave men and women did not fail us in their
service to country, and we, in turn, must not fail them in providing
the benefits and services they earned through honorable military
service.
Mr. Chairman, NAUS appreciates the subcommittee's hard work. We ask
that you continue to work in good faith to put the dollars where they
are most needed: in strengthening our national defense, ensuring troop
protection, compensating those who serve, providing for DOD medical
services including TRICARE, and building adequate housing for military
troops and their families, and in the related defense matters discussed
today. These are some of our Nation's highest priority needs and we ask
that they be given the level of attention they deserve.
NAUS is confident you will take special care of our Nation's
greatest assets: the men and women who serve and have served in
uniform. We are proud of the service they give to America every day.
They are vital to our defense and national security. The price we pay
as a Nation for their earned benefits is a continuing cost of war, and
it will never cost more or equal the value of their service.
We thank you for your efforts, your hard work. And we look forward
to working with you to ensure we continue to provide sufficient
resources to protect the earned benefits for those giving military
service to America every day.
Again, NAUS deeply appreciates the opportunity to present the
association's views on the issues before the Defense Appropriations
Subcommittee.
Senator Stevens. Our next witness is Dr. William Strickland
of the American Psychological Association. We do apologize for
the timeframe here. We are going to have a vote at 9:30, and
then a joint session--two votes at 9:30.
Thank you, Dr. Strickland.
STATEMENT OF DR. WILLIAM J. STRICKLAND, Ph.D., VICE
PRESIDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES RESEARCH
ORGANIZATION, ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAN
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
Dr. Strickland. Mr. Chairman, Senator Inouye, I'm Bill
Strickland. I'm the former Director of Human Resources Research
for the Air Force, and I'm currently the Vice President at the
Human Resources Research Organization. I want to thank you for
the opportunity to testify today on behalf of the American
Psychological Association, or APA, a scientific and
professional organization of more than 150,000 psychologists
and affiliates.
Although I'm sure you're both aware of the large number of
psychologists providing clinical services to our military
members and families here and abroad, you may be less familiar
with the extraordinary range of research conducted by
psychological scientists within DOD. Behavioral researchers at
work on issues critical to national defense with support from
the Army Research Institute, and Army Research Laboratory, the
Office of Naval Research, the Air Force Research Laboratory,
and smaller, human systems research programs in the office of
the Secretary of Defense, Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency (DARPA), the Marine Corps, and Special Operations
Command.
In fiscal year 2006, the administration requested $10.52
billion for defense, science, and technology; a huge cut from
fiscal year 2005. Congressional appropriators in turn provided
a significant increase to a total of $13.24 billion. For fiscal
year 2007, the President's budget request of the $11.08 billion
for defense service and technology (S&T) again falls short. The
request for basic and applied defense research represents a
16.3 percent decrease from the enacted fiscal year 2006 level.
We ask the Appropriations subcommittee's help in restoring
critical defense research funding. APA joins the coalition for
national security research, a group of over 40 scientific
associations and universities, in urging the subcommittee to
reverse this cut.
APA requests a total of $13.4 billion for defense S&T. This
would maintain DOD spending on applied 6.2 and 6.3 research,
and support a 10 percent increase in 6.1 research in fiscal
year 2007, as recommended in the National Academy of Science's
report, ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm.''
The total spending on behavioral and cognitive research; in
other words, human-centered research, within DOD also has
declined in the President's fiscal year 2007 budget. In
addition, the Senate Armed Services Committee has proposed
cutting human-centered research in fiscal year 2007 in the
fiscal year 2007 defense authorization. As one example, the
authorizers recommend cutting by one-third a Navy research
program on human factors.
Behavioral and cognitive research in the broad categories
of personnel, training, and later development; warfighter
protection, sustainment, and physical performance; system
interfaces and cognitive processing; and intelligence-related
processes such as detection of deception; is absolutely
critical to national security. And it is critical that DOD
sponsor this research directly. As DOD noted in its own report
to the Senate Appropriations Committee, quote: ``Military
knowledge needs are not sufficiently like the needs of the
private sector that retooling behavioral, cognitive, and social
science research carried out for other purposes can be expected
to substitute for service-supported research, development,
testing, and evaluation. Our choice, therefore, is between
paying for it ourselves and not having it,'' close quote.
In today's environment, who would knowingly choose to live
without research that enhances the recruiting, selection,
training, and retaining of that fighting force required to
operate, maintain, and support the advanced weapons systems we
are supporting today? We urge you to support the men and women
on the frontlines by reversing another round of dramatic,
detrimental cuts to both the overall defense S&T account, and
more specifically, to the human-oriented research programs
within the military laboratories.
Thank you for your time this morning.
Senator Stevens. Thank you very much. We appreciate that.
We are quite worried about those numbers. We will do our best.
Dr. Strickland. Thank you, sir.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of William J. Strickland
Mr. Chairman and Members of the subcommittee, I'm Dr. Bill
Strickland, former director of Human Resources Research for the Air
Force and current vice president of the Human Resources Research
Organization. I am submitting testimony on behalf of the American
Psychological Association (APA), a scientific and professional
organization of more than 150,000 psychologists and affiliates.
Although I am sure you are aware of the large number of
psychologists providing clinical services to our military members here
and abroad, you may be less familiar with the extraordinary range of
research conducted by psychological scientists within the Department of
Defense (DOD). Our behavioral researchers work on issues critical to
national defense, with support from the Army Research Institute (ARI)
and Army Research Laboratory (ARL); the Office of Naval Research (ONR);
the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), and additional, smaller human
systems research programs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense,
the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Marine
Corps, and the Special Operations Command.
I would first like to address the fiscal year 2007 human-centered
research budgets for the military laboratories and programs within the
context of the larger DOD Science and Technology (S&T) budget, and
close by mentioning a tremendous new Defense Graduate Psychology
Education program to better train military and civilian psychologists
who provide clinical care to our military personnel and their families.
DOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BUDGET
The President's budget request for basic and applied research at
DOD in fiscal year 2007 is $11.08 billion, a 16.3 percent decrease from
the enacted fiscal year 2006 level of $13.24 billion. APA joins the
Coalition for National Security Research (CNSR), a group of over 40
scientific associations and universities, in urging the subcommittee to
reverse this cut. APA requests a total of $13.40 billion for Defense
S&T. This would maintain DOD spending on applied (6.2 and 6.3 level)
research and support a 10 percent increase for basic (6.1) defense
research in fiscal year 2007, as recommended in the National Academies
report ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm''.
As our Nation rises to meet the challenges of current engagements
in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as other asymmetric threats and
increased demand for homeland defense and infrastructure protection,
enhanced battlespace awareness and warfighter protection are absolutely
critical. Our ability to both foresee and immediately adapt to changing
security environments will only become more vital over the next several
decades. Accordingly, DOD must support basic Science and Technology
(S&T) research on both the near-term readiness and modernization needs
of the department and on the long-term future needs of the warfighter.
In fiscal year 2006, the administration requested $10.52 billion
for defense S&T, a huge cut from fiscal year 2005. Congressional
appropriators in turn provided a significant increase, for a total of
$13.24 billion. For fiscal year 2007, the President's budget request of
$11.08 billion for DOD S&T again falls short, and we ask for the
Appropriations Subcommittee's help in restoring critical defense
research funding.
Despite substantial appreciation for the importance of DOD S&T
programs on Capitol Hill, and within independent defense science
organizations such as the Defense Science Board (DSB), total research
within DOD has remained essentially flat in constant dollars over the
last few decades. This poses a very real threat to America's ability to
maintain its competitive edge at a time when we can least afford it.
APA, CNSR and our colleagues within the science and defense communities
recommend increasing the 6.1 basic research account within DOD S&T by
10 percent and at a minimum, maintaining the current funding levels for
the 6.2 and 6.3 applied research programs in order to maintain global
superiority in an ever-changing national security environment.
BEHAVIORAL RESEARCH WITHIN THE MILITARY SERVICE LABS AND DOD
The Department of Defense met a previous Senate Appropriations
Committee mandate by producing its report on ``Behavioral, Cognitive
and Social Science Research in the Military''. The Senate requested
this evaluation due to concern over the continuing erosion of DOD's
support for research on individual and group performance, leadership,
communication, human-machine interfaces, and decision-making. In
responding to the committee's request, the Department found that ``the
requirements for maintaining strong DOD support for behavioral,
cognitive and social science research capability are compelling'' and
that ``this area of military research has historically been extremely
productive'' with ``particularly high'' return on investment and ``high
operational impact.''
Within DOD, the majority of behavioral, cognitive and social
science is funded through the Army Research Institute (ARI) and Army
Research Laboratory (ARL); the Office of Naval Research (ONR); and the
Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). These military service
laboratories provide a stable, mission-oriented focus for science,
conducting and sponsoring basic (6.1), applied/exploratory development
(6.2) and advanced development (6.3) research. These three levels of
research are roughly parallel to the military's need to win a current
war (through products in advanced development) while concurrently
preparing for the next war (with technology ``in the works'') and the
war after next (by taking advantage of ideas emerging from basic
research). All of the services fund human-related research in the broad
categories of personnel, training and leader development; warfighter
protection, sustainment and physical performance; and system interfaces
and cognitive processing.
Behavioral and cognitive research programs eliminated from the
mission labs due to cuts or flat funding are extremely unlikely to be
picked up by industry, which focuses on short-term, profit-driven
product development. Once the expertise is gone, there is absolutely no
way to ``catch up'' when defense mission needs for critical human-
oriented research develop. As DOD noted in its own report to the Senate
Appropriations Committee:
``Military knowledge needs are not sufficiently like the needs of
the private sector that retooling behavioral, cognitive and social
science research carried out for other purposes can be expected to
substitute for service-supported research, development, testing, and
evaluation . . . our choice, therefore, is between paying for it
ourselves and not having it.''
The following are brief descriptions of important behavioral
research funded by the military research laboratories:
ARMY RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR THE BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (ARI)
AND ARMY RESEARCH LABORATORY (ARL)
ARI works to build the ultimate smart weapon: the American soldier.
ARI was established to conduct personnel and behavioral research on
such topics as minority and general recruitment; personnel testing and
evaluation; training and retraining; and attrition. ARI is the focal
point and principal source of expertise for all the military services
in leadership research, an area especially critical to the success of
the military as future war-fighting and peace-keeping missions demand
more rapid adaptation to changing conditions, more skill diversity in
units, increased information-processing from multiple sources, and
increased interaction with semi-autonomous systems. Behavioral
scientists within ARI are working to help the Armed Forces better
identify, nurture and train leaders.
Another line of research at ARI focuses on optimizing cognitive
readiness under combat conditions, by developing methods to predict and
mitigate the effects of stressors (such as information load and
uncertainty, workload, social isolation, fatigue, and danger) on
performance. As the Army moves towards its goal of becoming the
Objective Force (or the Army of the future: lighter, faster and more
mobile), psychological researchers will play a vital role in helping
maximize soldier performance through an understanding of cognitive,
perceptual and social factors.
ARL's Human Research & Engineering Directorate sponsors basic and
applied research in the area of human factors, with the goal of
optimizing soldiers' interactions with Army systems. Specific
behavioral research projects focus on the development of intelligent
decision aids, control/display/workstation design, simulation and human
modeling, and human control of automated systems.
OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH (ONR)
The Cognitive and Neural Sciences Division (CNS) of ONR supports
research to increase the understanding of complex cognitive skills in
humans; aid in the development and improvement of machine vision;
improve human factors engineering in new technologies; and advance the
design of robotics systems. An example of CNS-supported research is the
division's long-term investment in artificial intelligence research.
This research has led to many useful products, including software that
enables the use of ``embedded training.'' Many of the Navy's
operational tasks, such as recognizing and responding to threats,
require complex interactions with sophisticated, computer-based
systems. Embedded training allows shipboard personnel to develop and
refine critical skills by practicing simulated exercises on their own
workstations. Once developed, embedded training software can be loaded
onto specified computer systems and delivered wherever and however it
is needed.
AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY (AFRL)
Within AFRL, Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)
behavioral scientists are responsible for basic research on manpower,
personnel, training and crew technology. The AFRL Human Effectiveness
Directorate is responsible for more applied research relevant to an
enormous number of acknowledged Air Force mission needs ranging from
weapons design, to improvements in simulator technology, to improving
crew survivability in combat, to faster, more powerful and less
expensive training regimens.
As a result of previous cuts to the Air Force behavioral research
budget, the world's premier organization devoted to personnel selection
and classification (formerly housed at Brooks Air Force Base) no longer
exists. This has a direct, negative impact on the Air Force's and other
services' ability to efficiently identify and assign personnel
(especially pilots). Similarly, reductions in support for applied
research in human factors have resulted in an inability to fully
enhance human factors modeling capabilities, which are essential for
determining human-system requirements early in system concept
development, when the most impact can be made in terms of manpower and
cost savings. For example, although engineers know how to build cockpit
display systems and night goggles so that they are structurally sound,
psychologists know how to design them so that people can use them
safely and effectively.
DEFENSE GRADUATE PSYCHOLOGY EDUCATION PROGRAM (D-GPE)
Military psychologists also serve in roles other than researchers
within the DOD system--many provide direct clinical care (mental and
behavioral health services) to military personnel and their families
and are responsible for training the next generation of military
psychologists. The Defense Graduate Psychology Education (D-GPE)
Program was launched in fiscal year 2006 to better train both military
and civilian psychologists in providing this care, and APA requests $6
million for D-GPE in fiscal year 2007. The foci will be on mental
health for the severely medically injured (including those with
traumatic brain injury and amputations), trauma and resilience for
those suffering from depression and post traumatic stress disorder, and
post-deployment reintegration and adjustment.
The D-GPE program includes a tri-service Center for Deployment
Psychology (CDP) at the Uniformed Services University of the Health
Sciences (USUHS) with a board of directors from the Army, Air Force,
and Navy Psychology Departments. A website will be developed for
servicemembers, veterans and their families seeking assistance for
mental health related issues, including contact information for
psychologists in their geographic areas. Furthermore, curriculum will
be developed designed to meet the specific needs of returning military
personnel and their families, on topics including trauma and
resilience. In the second year, Postdoctoral Fellows will be added to
the clinical teaching faculty at USUHS and a research component would
be initiated.
SUMMARY
On behalf of APA, I would like to express my appreciation for this
opportunity to present testimony before the subcommittee. Clearly,
psychological scientists address a broad range of important issues and
problems vital to our national security, with expertise in
understanding and optimizing cognitive functioning, perceptual
awareness, complex decision-making, stress resilience, recruitment and
retention, and human-systems interactions. We urge you to support the
men and women on the front lines by reversing another round of
dramatic, detrimental cuts to the overall defense S&T account and the
human-oriented research projects within the military laboratories. We
also urge you to support military personnel and their families even
more directly by providing funds for the new D-GPE program.
Below is suggested appropriations report language for fiscal year
2007 which would encourage the Department of Defense to fully fund its
behavioral research programs within the military laboratories:
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation:
Behavioral Research in the Military Service Laboratories.-- The
Committee notes the increased demands on our military personnel,
including high operational tempo, leadership and training challenges,
new and ever-changing stresses on decision-making and cognitive
readiness, and complex human-technology interactions. To help address
these issues vital to our national security, the committee has provided
increased funding to reverse cuts to basic and applied psychological
research through the military research laboratories: the Air Force
Office of Scientific Research and Air Force Research Laboratory; the
Army Research Institute and Army Research Laboratory; and the Office of
Naval Research.
Senator Stevens. Our next witness is Chris Hahn, executive
director of Mesothelioma--I cannot pronounce that--pardon me,
what's this? Lieutenant Colonel Paul Austin. Pardon me.
Colonel Austin. Good morning, Chairman Stevens.
Senator Stevens. Good morning.
Colonel Austin. Hello, ranking member Inouye.
STATEMENT OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL PAUL N. AUSTIN,
CERTIFIED REGISTERED NURSE ANESTHETIST,
Ph.D., ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAN
ASSOCIATION OF NURSE ANESTHETISTS (AANA)
Colonel Austin. It is an honor and pleasure to provide
testimony on behalf of the American Association of Nurse
Anesthetists. My name is Dr. Paul Austin. I'm a certified
registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), and I retired last year
from the U.S. Air Force after 24 years of proudly serving my
country. For most of this time I served as a nurse anesthesia
educator, serving as the director of the Air Force and
Uniformed Services University nurse anesthesia programs, as
well as the chief consultant to the Air Force Surgeon General
for nurse anesthesia.
The AANA is a professional organization representing 34,000
CRNAs in the United States, including approximately 483 active
duty and 790 reserve military CRNAs. CRNAs participate in about
65 percent of the anesthetics given to patients each year in
the United States. Nurse anesthetists are also the sole
anesthesia providers in more than two-thirds of rural hospitals
assuring access to surgical, obstetrical, and other health care
services. Over 364 nurse anesthetists have been deployed to the
Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation
Enduring Freedom.
Military CRNAs are often the sole anesthesia providers at
certain facilities both at home and forward deployed. For
example, Army CRNA Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Schoneboom,
Director of the Uniformed Services Nurse Anesthesia Program, is
currently deployed as a nurse anesthetist and a detachment
commander for the Fourteenth Combat Surgical Hospital at
Salerno forward operating base in Afghanistan.
In addition, military CRNAs are called upon to assist with
humanitarian efforts, both at the home front and abroad, and
this subcommittee must ensure that we retain and recruit CRNAs
now and in the future to serve in these military overseas
deployments and humanitarian efforts, and to ensure the maximum
readiness of America's armed services.
Today, maintaining adequate numbers of active duty CRNAs is
of the most importance to the Department of Defense to meet its
military medical readiness mission. For several years, the
number of CRNAs serving in active duty has fallen short of the
number authorized by DOD. This is complicated by the strong
demand for CRNAs, both in the public and private sectors. This
considerable gap between civilian and military pay was
addressed in the fiscal year 2003 Defense Authorization Act,
with an incentive special pay, or ISP increase from $15,000 to
$50,000.
Earlier this month, the three services' Nurse Corps leaders
testified before this subcommittee that there is an active
effort to work with the Surgeons General to evaluate and adjust
ISP rates and policies needed to support the recruitment and
retention of CRNAs. The AANA thanks this subcommittee for its
support of the annual ISP for nurse anesthetists. The AANA
strongly recommends the continuation and an increase in annual
funding of the ISP for fiscal year 2007. The ISP continues to
recognize the special skills and advanced education that CRNAs
bring to the Department of Defense health care system.
Last, the establishment of the joint United States Army
Veterans Administration Nurse Anesthesia Program at Fort Sam
Houston in San Antonio continues to hope promise to make
significant improvement to the military and VA CRNA workforce,
as well as improving retention of VA-registered nurses in a
cost-effective manner. These DOD partnerships are a cost-
effective model to fill the needs of the military and VA health
care system.
In conclusion, the AANA believes that recruitment and
retention of CRNAs in the armed services is critical to
America's readiness. By Congress supporting the efforts to
recruit and retain CRNAs, the military can meet the unique
mission of its health care system. The AANA would like to thank
the Surgeons General and Nurse Corps leadership for their
support of the profession within the military workforce, and we
commend and thank this subcommittee for their continued support
of CRNAs in the military.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Paul N. Austin
Chairman Stevens, ranking member Inouye, and Members of the
subcommittee:
The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) is the
professional association representing over 34,000 certified registered
nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) in the United States, including 483 Active
Duty and 790 Reservists in the military reported in May 2005. The AANA
appreciates the opportunity to provide testimony regarding CRNAs in the
military. We would also like to thank this committee for the help it
has given us in assisting the Department of Defense (DOD) and each of
the services to recruit and retain CRNAs.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON NURSE ANESTHETISTS
In the administration of anesthesia, CRNAs perform the same
functions as anesthesiologists and work in every setting in which
anesthesia is delivered including hospital surgical suites and
obstetrical delivery rooms, ambulatory surgical centers, health
maintenance organizations, and the offices of dentists, podiatrists,
ophthalmologists, and plastic surgeons. Today, CRNAs participate in
approximately 65 percent of the anesthetics given to patients each year
in the United States. Nurse anesthetists are also the sole anesthesia
providers in more than two-thirds of rural hospitals, assuring access
to surgical, obstetrical and other healthcare services for millions of
rural Americans.
CRNAs have a personal and professional commitment to patient
safety, made evident through research into our practice. In our
professional association, we state emphatically ``our members' only
business is patient safety.'' Safety is assured through education, high
standards of professional practice, and commitment to continuing
education. Having first practiced as registered nurses, CRNAs are
educated to the master's degree level and meet the most stringent
continuing education and recertification standards in the field. Thanks
to this tradition of advanced education, the clinical practice
excellence of anesthesia professionals, and the advancement in
technology, we are humbled and honored to note that anesthesia is 50
times safer now than 20 years ago (National Academy of Sciences, 2000).
Research further demonstrates that the care delivered by CRNAs,
anesthesiologists, or by both working together yields similar patient
safety outcomes. In addition to studies performed by the National
Academy of Sciences in 1977, Forrest in 1980, Bechtholdt in 1981, the
Minnesota Department of Health in 1994, and others, Dr. Michael Pine MD
MBA recently concluded once again that among CRNAs and physician
anesthesiologists, ``the type of anesthesia provider does not affect
inpatient surgical mortality'' (Pine, 2003). Thus, the practice of
anesthesia is a recognized specialty in nursing and medicine. Both
CRNAs and anesthesiologists administer anesthesia for all types of
surgical procedures from the simplest to the most complex, either as
single providers or together.
NURSE ANESTHETISTS IN THE MILITARY
Since the mid-19th Century, our profession of nurse anesthesia has
been proud to provide anesthesia care for our past and present military
personnel and their families. From the Civil War to the present day,
nurse anesthetists have been the principal anesthesia providers in
combat areas of every war in which the United States has been engaged.
Military nurse anesthetists have been honored and decorated by the
U.S. and foreign governments for outstanding achievements, resulting
from their dedication and commitment to duty and competence in managing
seriously wounded casualties. In World War II, there were 17 nurse
anesthetists to every one anesthesiologist. In Vietnam, the ratio of
CRNAs to physician anesthesiologists was approximately 3:1. Two nurse
anesthetists were killed in Vietnam and their names have been engraved
on the Vietnam Memorial Wall. During the Panama strike, only CRNAs were
sent with the fighting forces. Nurse anesthetists served with honor
during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Military CRNAs have provided
critical anesthesia support to humanitarian missions around the globe
in such places as Bosnia and Somalia. In May 2003, approximately 364
nurse anesthetists had been deployed to the Middle East for the
military mission for ``Operation Iraqi Freedom'' and ``Operation
Enduring Freedom.''
Data gathered from the U.S. Armed Forces anesthesia communities'
reveal that CRNAs have often been the sole anesthesia providers at
certain facilities, both at home and while forward deployed. For
decades CRNAs have staffed ships, isolated U.S. bases, and forward
surgical teams without physician anesthesia support. The U.S. Army
Joint Special Operations Command Medical Team and all Army Forward
Surgical Teams are staffed solely by CRNAs. U.S. Air Force Medical
Special Operation Teams are staffed solely by CRNAs. Anesthesiologists
rarely substitute into these billets. Military CRNAs have a long proud
history of providing independent support and quality anesthesia care to
military men and women, their families and to people from many nations
who have found themselves in harm's way.
In the current mission ``Operation Iraqi Freedom'' CRNAs will
continue to be deployed both on ships and on the ground, as well as in
U.S. special operations forces. In addition, military CRNAs are called
upon to assist with humanitarian efforts on the home front and abroad.
This committee must ensure that we retain and recruit CRNAs now and in
the future to serve in these military overseas deployments and
humanitarian efforts, and to ensure the maximum readiness of America's
armed services.
CRNA RETENTION AND RECRUITING: HOW THIS COMMITTEE CAN HELP THE DEFENSE
DEPARTMENT
In all of the Services, maintaining adequate numbers of active duty
CRNAs is of utmost concern. For several years, the number of CRNAs
serving in active duty has fallen somewhat short of the number
authorized by the Department of Defense (DOD). This is further
complicated by strong demand for CRNAs in both the public and private
sectors.
However, it is essential to understand that while there is strong
demand for CRNA services in the public and private healthcare sectors,
the profession of nurse anesthesia is working effectively to meet this
workforce challenge. Our evidence suggests that while vacancies exist,
there is not a crisis in the number of anesthesia providers. As of
January 2006, there are 99 accredited CRNA schools to support the
profession of nurse anesthesia. The number of qualified registered
nurses applying to CRNA schools continues to climb. The growth in the
number of schools, the number of applicants, and in production
capacity, has yielded significant growth in the number of nurse
anesthetists graduating and being certified into the profession. The
Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists reports that in 2005,
our schools produced 1,790 graduates, an 89 percent increase since
1999, and 1,595 nurse anesthetists were certified. The growth is
expected to continue. The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia
Educational Programs (COA) projects CRNA schools to produce over 1,900
graduates in 2006.
This committee can greatly assist in the effort to attract and
maintain essential numbers of nurse anesthetists in the military by
their support to increase special pays.
INCENTIVE SPECIAL PAY (ISP) FOR NURSE ANESTHETISTS
According to a March 1994 study requested by the Health Policy
Directorate of Health Affairs and conducted by the Department of
Defense, a large pay gap existed between annual civilian and military
pay in 1992. This study concluded, ``this earnings gap is a major
reason why the military has difficulty retaining CRNAs.'' In order to
address this pay gap, in the fiscal year 1995 Defense Authorization
bill Congress authorized the implementation of an increase in the
annual Incentive Special Pay (ISP) for nurse anesthetists from $6,000
to $15,000 for those CRNAs no longer under service obligation to pay
back their anesthesia education. Those CRNAs who remain obligated
receive the $6,000 ISP. New nurse anesthesia graduates should be
eligible to receive the full ISP and not a reduced portion when they
are completing their obligated service.
Both the House and Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2003 Defense
Authorization Act Conference report, H. Rept. 107-772, which included
an ISP increase to $50,000. The report included an increase in ISP for
nurse anesthetists from $15,000 to $50,000. There had been no change in
funding level for the ISP since the increase was instituted in fiscal
year 1995, while it is certain that civilian pay has continued to rise
during this time. Per the testimony provided earlier this month from
the three services Nurse Corps leaders, the AANA is aware that there is
an active effort to work with the Surgeons General to closely evaluate
and adjust ISP rates and policies needed to support the recruitment and
retention of CRNAs. Major General Gale Pollock, MBA, MHA, MS, CRNA,
FACHE, Deputy Surgeon General, Army Nurse Corps of the U.S. Army stated
earlier this month in testimony before this subcommittee,
``I am particularly concerned about the retention of our certified
registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). Our inventory of CRNAs is
currently at 73 percent. The restructuring of the incentive special pay
program for CRNAs last year, as well as the 180 (day)-deployment
rotation policy were good first steps in stemming the loss of these
highly trained providers. We are working closely with the Surgeon
General's staff to closely evaluate and adjust rates and policies where
needed.''
Military CRNAs face frequent and lengthy deployments. The fewer
military CRNAs, the more frequent the deployments, the more frequent
the deployments, the greater the attrition. Congress needs to continue
to support Military education of CRNA programs such as USUHS and FT Sam
that produce our ``replacement'' military CRNAs.
In addition, there still continues to be high demand for CRNAs in
the healthcare community leading to higher incomes, widening the gap in
pay for CRNAs in the civilian sector compared to the military. The
fiscal year 2005 AANA Membership Survey measured income in the civilian
sector by practice setting. The median income in a hospital setting is
$135,000, anesthesiologist group $120,000, and self-employed CRNA
$160,000. These median incomes include salary, call pay, overtime,
bonus/incentives and other income. The median incomes in the Army, Navy
and Air Force are $80,000, $87,750, and $88,824 respectively. These
figures also include salary, call pay, overtime, bonus/incentives and
other income, if applicable.
In civilian practice, all additional skills, experience, duties and
responsibilities, and hours of work are compensated for monetarily.
Additionally, training (tuition and continuing education), healthcare,
retirement, recruitment and retention bonuses, and other benefits often
equal or exceed those offered in the military. Civilian practice offers
a more stable lifestyle without threat of frequent moves or deployment
into harms way. Salaries in the civilian sector will continue to create
incentives for CRNAs to separate from the military, especially at the
lower grades without a competitive incentive from the military to
retain CRNAs. Therefore, it is vitally important that the Incentive
Special Pay (ISP) be increased to ensure the retention of CRNAs in the
military.
The AANA thanks this committee for its support of the annual ISP
for nurse anesthetists. The AANA strongly recommends the continuation
and an increase in the annual funding for ISP for fiscal year 2007. The
ISP recognizes the special skills and advanced education that CRNAs
bring to the Department of Defense healthcare system.
BOARD CERTIFICATION PAY FOR NURSE ANESTHETISTS
Included in the fiscal year 1996 Defense Authorization bill was
language authorizing the implementation of a board certification pay
for certain healthcare professionals, including advanced practice
nurses. AANA is highly supportive of board certification pay for all
advanced practice nurses. The establishment of this type of pay for
nurses recognizes that there are levels of excellence in the profession
of nursing that should be recognized, just as in the medical
profession. In addition, this type of pay may assist in closing the
earnings gap, which may help with retention of CRNAs.
The AANA encourages the Department of Defense and the respective
Services to continue to support board certification pay. We greatly
appreciate the support since it contributes to minimizing the Military/
Civilian pay gap.
DOD/VA RESOURCE SHARING: U.S. ARMY-VA NURSE ANESTHESIA SCHOOL:
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HOUSTON HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER, HOUSTON, TEXAS
The establishment of the joint U.S. Army-VA program in nurse
anesthesia education at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas holds
the promise of making significant improvements in the VA CRNA
workforce, as well as improving retention of VA registered nurses in a
cost effective manner. The current program utilizes existing resources
from both the Department of Veterans Affairs Employee Incentive
Scholarship Program (EISP) and VA hospitals to fund tuition, books, and
salary reimbursement for student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs).
This VA nurse anesthesia program started in June 2004 with three
openings for VA registered nurses to apply to and earn a Master of
Science in Nursing (MSN) in anesthesia granted through the University
of Texas Houston Health Science Center. Due to continued success and
interest by VA registered nurses for the school, the program increased
to five openings for the June 2005 class. This program continues to
attract registered nurses into VA service, by sending RNs the strong
message that the VA is committed to their professional and educational
advancement. The faculty director would like to expand the program with
an additional three VA registered nurses for the June 2006 class. In
order to achieve this goal, it is necessary for full funding of the
current and future EISP to cover tuition, books, and salary
reimbursement.
The 30-month program is broken down into two phases. Phase I, 12
months, is the didactic portion of the anesthesia training at the U.S.
AMEDD Center and School (U.S. Army School for Nurse Anesthesia). Phase
II, 18 months, is clinical practice education, in which VA facilities
and their affiliates would serve as clinical practice sites. In
addition to the education taking place in Texas, the agency will use VA
hospitals in Augusta, Georgia, increasing Phase II sites as necessary.
Similar to military CRNAs who repay their educational investment
through a service obligation to the U.S. Armed Forces, graduating VA
CRNAs would serve a 3-year obligation to the VA health system. Through
this kind of Department of Defense--DVA resource sharing, the VA will
have an additional source of qualified CRNAs to meet anesthesia care
staffing requirements.
At a time of increased deployments in medical military personnel,
VA-DOD partnerships are a cost-effective model to fill these gaps in
the military healthcare system. At Fort Sam Houston nurse anesthesia
school, the VA faculty director has covered her Army colleagues'
didactic classes when they are deployed at a moments notice. This
benefits both the VA and the DOD to ensure the nurse anesthesia
students are trained and certified in a timely manner to meet their
workforce obligation to the Federal government as anesthesia providers.
We are pleased to note that the Department of Veterans' Affairs
Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Health and the U.S. Army Surgeon
General approved funding to start this VA nurse anesthesia school in
2004. With modest levels of additional funding in the EISP, this joint
U.S. Army-VA nurse anesthesia education initiative can grow and thrive,
and serve, as a model for meeting other VA workforce needs,
particularly in nursing.
Department of Defense and VA resource sharing programs effectively
maximize government resources while improving access to healthcare for
Veterans.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the AANA believes that the recruitment and retention
of CRNAs in the armed services is of critical concern. By Congress
supporting these efforts to recruit and retain CRNAS, the military is
able to meet the mission to provide benefit care and deployment care--a
mission that is unique to the military. The AANA would also like to
thank the Surgeons General and Nurse Corp leadership for their support
in meeting the needs of the profession within the military workforce.
Last, we commend and thank this committee for their continued support
for CRNAs in the military.
Senator Stevens. Thank you. We note you have suggested that
the incentive pay be increased to $50,000. How did you arrive
at that figure?
Colonel Austin. Actually, the authorization already went
through for it to be increased to $50,000, and that is
currently being implemented, depending on the number of years
that the member signs his contract.
Senator Stevens. It is already authorized at that level?
Colonel Austin. It is.
Senator Stevens. I didn't understand. Senator Inouye.
Senator Inouye. What is the shortage among nurses?
Colonel Austin. I'm sorry, sir?
Senator Inouye. What is the shortage in the nurse
anesthetist field?
Colonel Austin. Currently, nationwide the vacancy rate is
approximately 10 to 12 percent.
Senator Inouye. Thank you.
Senator Stevens. Well, thank you very much.
Colonel Austin. Thank you, sir.
Senator Stevens. Appreciate your testimony. Now, we will
turn to Chris Hahn with the Applied Research Foundation.
STATEMENT OF CHRIS HAHN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
MESOTHELIOMA APPLIED RESEARCH FOUNDATION
(MARF)
Mr. Hahn. Chairman Stevens, ranking member Inouye, and the
distinguished members of the U.S. Senate Defense Appropriations
Subcommittee, thank you for this opportunity a few days before
Memorial Day to address a fatal disease afflicting our
veterans.
My name is Chris Hahn. I am the Executive Director of the
Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, the national
nonprofit advancing research to develop treatments for
mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma, or Meso, is an aggressive cancer caused by
asbestos exposure. It is among the most painful of cancers, as
the tumor invades the chest wall, destroys vital organs, and
crushes the lungs. It is also among the worst prognoses. Meso
patients survive 4 to 14 months average. There is no cure.
From the 1930s through the 1970s, asbestos was used
literally everywhere on Navy ships, from engine rooms to living
spaces. Millions of servicemen and shipyard workers were
exposed. Today, many of them are developing mesothelioma
following the disease's 10 to 50 year latency period.
These are heroes who served our country's defense. Former
Chief of Naval Operations Elmo Zumwalt developed mesothelioma
in 2000, and died just 3 months later. His son, Colonel James
Zumwalt, is here with us today. Louis Dietz volunteered for the
Navy at age 18. He was decorated for his courage in combat in
Vietnam. On the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk, he tended the boilers. At
age 55, he developed mesothelioma, and died 3 months later.
Admiral Zumwalt's and sailor Dietz's stories are all too
common. Of the 3,000 Americans each year who die of
mesothelioma, one-third were exposed on U.S. ships and
shipyards. That is 1,000 U.S. servicemen and shipyard workers
each year lost through service to our country, just as if they
had been on a battlefield. Many more heroes are being exposed
now, and will develop the disease in the next 10 to 50 years.
9/11 first responders were exposed to hundreds of tons of
pulverized asbestos, and even though asbestos usage is not as
heavy today as in the past, even low dose incidental exposures
can cause Meso.
Minnesota Congressman Bruce Vento happened to work near an
asbestos-insulated boiler at his summer job while putting
himself through college. In 2000, he developed mesothelioma and
died.
Despite this deadly toll on our heroes and patriots,
mesothelioma research has been an orphan. The National Cancer
Institute has provided virtually no funding. Of the $3.75
billion spent so far through the DOD congressionally directed
medical research program, none has been invested in Meso
research, despite the military service connection. As a result,
treatments for mesothelioma lag far behind other cancers. In
fact, for decades, there was no treatment better than doing
absolutely nothing at all.
The hopelessness is starting to lift. Brilliant researchers
and physicians are dedicated to mesothelioma. Just 2 years ago,
the first drug ever for mesothelioma was approved when Doctor
Nicholas Vogelsang, the head of the Nevada Cancer Institute and
a member of our board of directors, proved that it was
effective against the cancer. Dr. Harvey Pass, the Chief of
Thoracic Surgery at NYU, is developing promising biomarkers for
the disease. Gene therapy, anti-angiogenesis, and other
promising approaches are being developed.
There is hope, but we need the Federal Government to make a
concerted investment. So we ask the DOD to include mesothelioma
in the peer-reviewed medical research program. This will enable
Meso investigators to compete for Federal funds, and will
provide urgently needed resources to develop new treatments.
Thank you very much, and we look to the subcommittee for
your leadership to provide hope to our veterans who develop
this cancer.
Senator Stevens. Thank you very much, Mr. Hahn.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Chris Hahn
Chairman Stevens, Ranking Member Inouye, and the distinguished
members of the U.S. Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee:
Thank you for this opportunity, a few days before Memorial Day, to
address a fatal disease afflicting our military veterans, and those who
helped build and protect our Nation. My name is Chris Hahn, I am the
Executive Director of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, the
national nonprofit collaboration of researchers, physicians, advocates,
patients and families dedicated to advancing medical research to
improve treatments for mesothelioma.
MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA
Mesothelioma or meso is an aggressive cancer of the lining of the
lungs, abdomen or heart, caused by asbestos exposure. The mesothelioma
tumor is among the most painful of cancers, as it invades the sensitive
chest wall, destroys vital organs, and crushes the lungs. It is also
among the worst prognosis of cancers. Meso patients survive an average
of 4 to 14 months; today there is no cure.
THE ``MAGIC MINERAL''--EXPOSURES WERE WIDESPREAD
As you may know, asbestos has so many beneficial properties that,
until its fatal toxicity became fully recognized, it was regarded as
the magic mineral. It has excellent fireproofing, insulating, filling
and bonding properties. By the late 1930's and through at least the
late 70's the Navy was using it extensively. It was used in engines,
nuclear reactors, decking materials, pipe covering, hull insulation,
valves, pumps, gaskets, boilers, distillers, evaporators, soot blowers,
air conditioners, rope packing, and brakes and clutches on winches. In
fact it was used all over Navy ships, even in living spaces where pipes
were overhead and in kitchens where asbestos was used in ovens and in
the wiring of appliances. Aside from Navy ships, asbestos was also used
on military planes extensively, on military vehicles, and as insulating
material on quonset huts and living quarters.
As a result, military defense personnel, especially servicemen and
shipyard workers, were heavily exposed. A study at the Groton,
Connecticut shipyard found that over 100,000 workers had been exposed
to asbestos over the years at just this one shipyard. Because of the 10
to 50 year latency of the disease, many of the millions of exposed
servicemen and shipyard workers are just now developing meso.
MESOTHELIOMA TAKES OUR HEROES
These are the people who served our country's defense and built its
fleet. They are heroes like former Chief of Naval Operations Admiral
Elmo Zumwalt, Jr., who led the Navy during Vietnam and was renowned for
his concern for enlisted men. Despite his rank, prestige, power, and
leadership in protecting the health of Navy servicemen and veterans,
Admiral Zumwalt died at Duke University in 2000, just 3 months after
being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Lewis Deets was another of these heroes. Four days after turning
the legal age of 18, Lewis joined the Navy. He was not drafted. He
volunteered, willingly putting his life on the line to serve his
country in Vietnam. He served in the war for over 4 years, from 1962 to
1967, as a ship boilerman. For his valiance in combat operations
against the guerilla forces in Vietnam he received a Letter of
Commendation and The Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon for Exceptional
Service. In December 1965, while Lewis was serving aboard the U.S.S.
Kitty Hawk in the Gulf of Tonkin, a fierce fire broke out. The boilers,
filled with asbestos, were burning. Two sailors were killed and 29 were
injured. Lewis was one of the 29 injured; he suffered smoke inhalation
while fighting the fire. After the fire, he helped rebuild the boilers,
replacing the burned asbestos blocks. In 1999 he developed
mesothelioma, and died 4 months later at age 55.
Admiral Zumwalt's and Boilerman Deets' stories are not atypical. Of
the approximately 3,000 U.S. citizens who die each year of meso, it is
estimated that one-third were exposed on U.S. Navy ships or shipyards.
That's 1,000 U.S. veterans and shipyard workers per year, lost through
service to country, just as if they had been on a battlefield.
In addition to these heroes, exposed 10 to 50 years ago and
developing the disease today, many more are being exposed now and will
develop the disease in 10 to 50 years. There is grave concern now for
the heroic first responders from 9/11 who were exposed to hundreds of
tons of pulverized asbestos at Ground Zero and throughout the city.
Asbestos exposures have been reported among the troops now in Iraq. The
utility tunnels in this very building may have dangerous levels. While
active asbestos usage is not as heavy today as in the past, even low-
dose, incidental exposures can cause meso. Congressman Bruce Vento, the
distinguished Member from Minnesota, happened to work near an asbestos-
insulated boiler in a brewery in Minneapolis for two summers while
putting himself through college. As a result, he died of meso in 2000.
His wife Susan now champions efforts to raise awareness about this
deadly disease and the need for a federal investment in research toward
a cure.
MESOTHELIOMA FUNDING HAS NOT KEPT PACE
Despite this deadly toll on our heroes and patriots, meso has been
an orphan disease. With the huge federal investment in cancer research
through the NCI, and $3.75 billion spent in biomedical research through
the DOD Congressionally Directed Research Program since 1992, we are
winning the war on cancer and many other diseases. But for meso, the
National Cancer Institute has provided virtually no funding, in the
range of only $1.7 to $3 million annually over the course of the last 5
years, and the DOD does not yet invest in any meso research despite the
military-service connection. As a result, advancements in the treatment
of mesothelioma have lagged far behind other cancers. In fact, for
decades, there was no approved treatment better than doing nothing at
all.
NEW OPPORTUNITIES
But there is good news. A small but passionate community of
physicians and researchers is committed to finding a cure. The decades-
long hopelessness that treatment was futile is no longer true. Two
years ago, the FDA approved a drug shown to be effective against the
tumor. This was based on the largest phase III trial ever conducted in
meso, led by Meso Foundation Board of Directors member Nicholas
Vogelzang, head of the Nevada Cancer Institute. Two very promising
biomarkers have just been identified. Two of the most exciting areas in
cancer research generally--gene therapy and anti-angiogenesis--look
particularly applicable in meso. With its seed-money grant funding, the
Meso Foundation is supporting research in these and other areas. To
date we have funded over $3 million to investigators working on novel,
promising research projects. The scientific community believes that we
can continue to advance the treatment of this disease and increase its
survivability if the federal government makes a concerted investment.
Therefore, we urge the DOD to partner in the progress being made,
by including meso as an area of emphasis in the DOD's Peer Reviewed
Medical Research Program. Inclusion in the list of congressionally
identified priority research areas will enable mesothelioma researchers
to compete for Federal funds based on the scientific merit of their
work. This will provide urgently needed resources to explore new
treatments and build a better understanding this disease. We look to
the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to provide leadership
and hope to the servicemen and women and veterans who develop this
cancer after serving our Nation. Thank you for the opportunity to
provide testimony before the subcommittee and we hope that we can work
together to develop life-saving treatments for mesothelioma.
Senator Stevens. Our next witness is--you do not have any
questions, Senator? Senator Inouye, you have any questions?
[No response.]
Senator Stevens. Next is Captain Robert Hurd and Jessica
Vance, a Naval Sea Cadet.
STATEMENTS OF:
PETTY OFFICER FIRST CLASS JESSICA A. VANCE, 2006 NAVAL SEA
CADET OF THE YEAR, U.S. NAVAL SEA CADET CORPS
CAPTAIN ROBERT C. HURD, U.S. NAVY (RETIRED)
Captain Hurd. Good morning, Mr. Chairman, Senator Inouye.
It is my pleasure to introduce Petty Officer Vance, who is
selected as a Naval Sea Cadet Corps cadet of the year, out of
10,000 cadets last year. This Friday, she graduates from high
school and is off to the Naval Academy almost immediately
following that. Petty Officer Vance?
Petty Officer Vance. Good morning. I am Naval Sea Cadet
Corps Petty Officer Jessica Vance, leading Petty Officer of the
Spruance Division in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as well as a
senior at Pine Crest School.
It is an honor to address you on behalf of the Naval Sea
Cadet Corps. There are now just under 10,000 young men and
women ages 11 to 17 and adult volunteers proudly wearing the
Naval Sea Cadet uniform in 374 units throughout the country. We
are a congressionally chartered youth development and education
program sponsored by the Navy League of the United States and
supported by the Navy and Coast Guard. The program's main goals
are development of young men and women while promoting interest
and skill in seamanship and aviation, and instilling a sense of
patriotism, courage, commitment, self-reliance, and honor,
along with other qualities that mold strong moral character and
self-discipline in a drug and gang-free environment.
After completing boot camp, sea cadets choose from a
variety of 2-week summer training sessions, including training
aboard Navy and Coast Guard ships. Last summer, I was
privileged to train aboard a Russian ship as one of the first
U.S. participants in an international exchange program with
Russia. During the year, we drill every weekend, and may
complete Navy correspondence courses for advancement: this
being the basis for accelerated promotion if a cadet should
choose to enlist in the Navy or Coast Guard after leaving the
program.
Four hundred seventy-three former sea cadets now attend the
United States Naval Academy, and approximately 400 former
cadets annually enlist in the armed services, pre-screened,
highly motivated, and well-prepared. I will be joining them in
a few weeks as a new midshipmen at the Naval Academy. Knowing
nothing about the military, the sea cadet program has prepared
me for a life of service. Prior sea cadet experience has proven
to be an excellent indicator of a potentially high career
success rate, both in and out of the military.
Whether or not we choose a service career, we all carry
forth the forged values of good citizenship, leadership, and
moral courage that we believe will benefit us and our country.
A major difference between this and other federally chartered
youth programs is that we are responsible for our own expenses,
including uniforms, travel, insurance and training costs, which
can amount to over $500 a year.
The Corps, however, is particularly sensitive that no young
person is denied access to the program because of socioeconomic
status. Some units are financed in part by local sponsors. Yet
this support, while greatly appreciated, is not sufficient to
support all cadets. Federal funds over the past 6 years have
been used to help offset cadets' out-of-pocket training costs.
However, for a variety of reasons, current funding can no
longer adequately sustain the program. These include inflation,
base closures, and reduced base access, reduced afloat training
opportunities, a lack of previously provided transportation,
on-base berthing and based transportation, increase needs-base
support for the cadets.
We respectfully request your consideration and support for
funding that will allow for the full amount of $2 million
requested for the next year. Unfortunately, time precludes
sharing the many stories that Captain Hurd has shared with your
staffs this year, pointing out the many acts of courage,
community service, and successful youth development of my
fellow sea cadets, as well as those ex-cadets who are serving
in our Armed Forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world.
These stories and many more like them are unfortunately the
youth stories that you do not always read about in the press.
Thank you for this opportunity to speak to you today. I and
the entire Sea Cadet Corps appreciate your support for this
fine program that has meant so much to me over the past 5\1/2\
years, and will continue to influence me for the rest of my
life. Thank you.
Senator Stevens. Thank you very much. That is a nice
statement. And Captain, we appreciate your support and we will
do our best.
Do you have any questions, Senator?
[No response.]
Senator Stevens. Thank you very much. Good luck to you at
the Academy.
Petty Officer Vance. Thank you.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Robert C. Hurd
REQUEST
It is respectfully requested that $300,000 be appropriated for the
NSCC in fiscal year 2007, so that when added to the Navy budgeted
$1,700,000 will restore full funding at the $2,000,000 level. Further,
in order to ensure future funding at the full $2,000,000 requirement,
consideration of including the following conference language is
requested:
``Congress is pleased to learn that Navy has funded the U.S. Naval
Sea Cadet Corps in the fiscal year 2007 budget as urged by the Senate
and House in the 2006 Defense Budget Conference Report. Conferees
include an additional $300,000 for the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, that
when added to the $1,700,000 in the fiscal year 2007 budget request
will fund the program at the full $2,000,000 requested. Conferees urge
the Navy to continue to fund this program and increase the POM level to
$2,000,000 for the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps.''
BACKGROUND
At the request of the Department of the Navy, the Navy League of
the United States established the Naval Sea Cadet Corps in 1958 to
``create a favorable image of the Navy on the part of American youth.''
On September 10, 1962, the U.S. Congress federally chartered the Naval
Sea Cadet Corps under Public Law 87-655 as a non-profit civilian youth
training organization for young people, ages 13 through 17. A national
board of directors, whose chairman serves as the National Vice
President of the Navy League for Youth Programs, establishes NSCC
policy and management guidance for operation and administration. A
full-time executive director and small staff in Arlington, Virginia
administer NSCC's day-to-day operations. These professionals work with
volunteer regional directors, unit commanding officers, and local
sponsors. They also collaborate with Navy League councils and other
civic, or patriotic organizations, and with local school systems.
In close cooperation with, and the support of, the U.S. Navy and
U.S. Coast Guard, the Sea Cadet Corps allows youth to sample military
life without obligation to join the Armed Forces. Cadets and adult
leaders are authorized to wear the Navy uniform, appropriately modified
with a distinctive Sea Cadet insignia.
There are currently over 374 Sea Cadet units with a program total
of over 10,000 participants (2,500 adult officers and instructors and
10,000 cadets (about 33 percent female). This is an all time high
enrollment for the program.
NSCC OBJECTIVES
Develop an interest and skill in seamanship and seagoing subjects.
Develop an appreciation for our Navy's history, customs, traditions
and its significant role in national defense.
Develop positive qualities of patriotism, courage, self-reliance,
confidence, pride in our Nation and other attributes, which contribute
to development of strong moral character, good citizenship traits and a
drug-free, gang-free lifestyle.
Present the advantages and prestige of a military career.
Under the Cadet Corps' umbrella is the Navy League Cadet Corps
(NLCC), a youth program for children ages 11 through 13. While it is
not part of the Federal charter provided by Congress, the Navy League
of the United States sponsors NLCC. NLCC was established ``. . . to
give young people mental, moral, and physical training through the
medium of naval and other instruction, with the objective of developing
principles of patriotism and good citizenship, instilling in them a
sense of duty, discipline, self-respect, self-confidence, and a respect
for others.''
BENEFITS
Naval Sea Cadets experience a unique opportunity for personal
growth, development of self-esteem and self-confidence. Their
participation in a variety of activities within a safe, alcohol-free,
drug-free, and gang-free environment provides a positive alternative to
other less favorable temptations. The Cadet Corps introduces young
people to nautical skills, to maritime services and to a military life
style. The program provides the young cadet the opportunity to
experience self-reliance early on, while introducing this cadet to
military life without any obligation to join a branch of the Armed
Forces. The young cadet realizes the commitment required and routinely
excels within the Navy and Coast Guard environments.
Naval Sea Cadets receive first-hand knowledge of what life in the
Navy or Coast Guard is like. This realization ensures the likelihood of
success should they opt for a career in military service. For example,
limited travel abroad and in Canada may be available, as well as the
opportunity to train onboard Navy and Coast Guard ships, craft and
aircraft. These young people may also participate in shore activities
ranging from training as a student at a Navy hospital to learning the
fundamentals of aviation maintenance at a Naval Air Station.
The opportunity to compete for college scholarships is particularly
significant. Since 1975, 188 cadets have received financial assistance
in continuing their education in a chosen career field at college.
ACTIVITIES
Naval Sea Cadets pursue a variety of activities including
classroom, practical and hands-on training as well as field trips,
orientation visits to military installations, and cruises on Navy and
Coast Guard ships and small craft. They also participate in a variety
of community and civic events.
The majority of sea cadet training and activities occurs year round
at a local training or ``drill'' site. Often, this may be a military
installation or base, a reserve center, a local school, civic hall, or
sponsor-provided building. During the summer, activities move from the
local training site and involve recruit training (boot camp),
``advanced'' training of choice, and a variety of other training
opportunities (depending on the cadet's previous experience and
desires).
SENIOR LEADERSHIP
Volunteer Naval Sea Cadet Corps officers and instructors furnish
senior leadership for the program. They willingly contribute their time
and effort to serve America's youth. The Cadet Corps programs succeed
because of their dedicated, active participation and commitment to the
principles upon which the Corps was founded. Cadet Corps officers are
appointed from the civilian sector or from active, reserve or retired
military status. All are required to take orientation, intermediate and
advanced officer professional development courses to increase their
management and youth leadership skills. Appointment as an officer in
the Sea Cadet Corps does not, in itself, confer any official military
rank. However, a Navy-style uniform, bearing NSCC insignia, is
authorized and worn. Cadet Corps officers receive no pay or allowances.
Yet, they do derive some benefits, such as limited use of military
facilities and space available air travel in conjunction with carrying
out training duty orders.
DRUG-FREE AND GANG-FREE ENVIRONMENT
One of the most important benefits of the sea cadet program is that
it provides participating youth a peer structure and environment that
places maximum emphasis on a drug and gang free environment. Supporting
this effort is a close liaison with the U.S. Department of Justice Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA). The DEA offers the services of all
DEA Demand Reduction Coordinators to provide individual unit training,
as well as their being an integral part of our boot camp training
program.
Among a variety of awards and ribbons that cadets can work toward
is the Drug Reduction Service Ribbon, awarded to those who display
outstanding skills in he areas of leadership, perseverance and courage.
Requirements include intensive anti-drug program training and giving
anti-drug presentations to interested community groups.
TRAINING
Local Training
Local training, held at the unit's drill site, includes a variety
of activities supervised by qualified Sea Cadet Corps officers and
instructors, as well as Navy and Coast Guard instructors.
Cadets receive classroom and hands on practical instruction in
basic military requirements, military drill, water and small boat
safety, core personal values, social amenities, drug/alcohol abuse,
cultural relations, Navy history, naval customs and traditions and
other nautical skills. Training may be held aboard ships, small boats
or aircraft, depending upon platform availability. In their training
cadets also learn about and are exposed to a wide variety of civilian
and military career opportunities through field trips and educational
tours.
Special presentations by military and civilian officials augment
the local training, as does attendance at special briefings and events
throughout the local area. Cadets are also encouraged and scheduled, to
participate in civic activities and events to include parades, social
work and community projects, all part of the ``whole person'' training
concept.
For all Naval sea cadets the training during the first several
months is at their local training site and focuses on general
orientation to and familiarization with, the entire program. It also
prepares them for their first major away from home training event, the
two weeks recruit training which all sea cadets must successfully
complete.
The Navy League Cadet Corps training program teaches younger cadets
the virtues of personal neatness, loyalty, obedience, courtesy,
dependability and a sense of responsibility for shipmates. In
accordance with a Navy-oriented syllabus, this education prepares them
for the higher level of training they will receive as Naval sea cadets.
Summer Training
After enrolling, all sea cadets must first attend a 2-week recruit
training taught at the Navy's Recruit Training Command, at other Naval
Bases or stations, and at regional recruit training sites using other
military host resources. Instructed by Navy or NSCC Recruit Division
Commanders, cadets train to a condensed version of the basic training
that Navy enlistees receive. The curriculum is provided by the Navy and
taught at all training sites. In 2005 there were 19 recruit training
classes at 18 locations, including one class conducted over the winter
holiday break and another held over spring break for the first time.
About 18 nationwide regional sites are required to accommodate the
steady demand for quotas and also to keep cadet and adult travel costs
to a minimum. Approximately 2,000 cadets attended recruit training in
2005 supported by another 300 adult volunteers.
A cadet who successfully completes recruit training is eligible for
advanced training in various fields of choice. Cadets can experience
the excitement of ``hands-on'' practical training aboard Navy and Coast
Guard vessels, ranging from tugboats and cutters to the largest
nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Female cadets may also train aboard
any ship that has females assigned as part of the ship's company.
Qualified cadets choose from such sea cadet advanced training as basic/
advanced airman, ceremonial guard, seamanship, sailing, SEAL training,
amphibious operations, leadership, firefighting and emergency services,
homeland security, mine warfare operations, Navy diving submarine
orientation and training in occupational specialties, including health
care, legal, music, master-at-arms and police science and construction.
The Cadet Corp programs excel in quality and diversity of training
offered, with more than 8,000 training orders carried out for the 2005
summer training program. Cadets faced a myriad of challenging training
opportunities designed to instill leadership and develop self-reliance,
enabling them to become familiar with the full spectrum of Navy and
Coast Guard career fields.
This steady and continuing participation once again reflects the
popularity of the NSCC and the positive results of Federal funding for
2001 through 2005. The NSCC still continues to experience an average
increased recruit and advanced training attendance of well over 2,000
cadets per year over those years in which Federal funding was not
available.
While recruit training acquaints cadets with Navy life and Navy
style discipline, advanced training focuses on military and general
career fields and opportunities, and also affords the cadets many
entertaining, drug free, disciplined yet fun activities over the
summer. The popularity of the training continues to grow not with just
overall numbers but also as evidenced with numerous cadets performing
multiple 2-week training sessions during the summer of 2005.
Training highlights for 2005: The 2005 training focus was once
again on providing every cadet the opportunity to perform either
recruit or advanced training during the year. To that end emphasis was
placed on maintaining all traditional and new training opportunities
developed since Federal funding was approved for the NSCC. These
include more classes in sailing and legal (JAG) training, expanded SEAL
training opportunity, more SCUBA and diving training classes, more
seamanship training onboard the NSCC training vessels on the Great
Lakes, more aviation related training and additional honor guard
training opportunities. Other highlights included:
--With Federal funding continuing to be available, maintained once
again national recruit training opportunities for every cadet
wanting to participate with 19 training camps in 2005.
--In spite of escalating costs and increased competition for base
resources, kept cadet summer training cost at only $40 per week
for the second consecutive year.
--Continued NSCC's expanded use of Army and National Guard facilities
to accommodate demand for quotas for recruit training.
--Maintained an aggressive NSCC Officer Professional Development
Program with three different weekend courses tailored to
improving volunteer knowledge and leadership skills. Between
400 and 500 volunteers attended 2005 training at over 37
different training evolutions. In support of this adult
volunteer training, maintained for a second year NSCC's program
for reducing volunteer out-of-pocket expenses.
--Expanded opportunity for culinary arts training for cadets from one
to three classes at three different locations.
--Implemented for the first time naval engineering classes for NSCC
cadets at the Naval Training Command, Great Lakes.
--Increased attendance at the NSCC Petty Officer Leadership Academies
and implemented a pilot junior petty officer leadership program
for younger and more junior cadets new to the program.
--Expanded sail training to include two additional classes onboard
``tall ships'' in Newport, Rhode Island.
--Conducted first NSCC marksmanship program at ANG Camp Perry, Port
Clinton, Ohio with the assistance and support of the Civilian
Marksmanship Program headquartered there.
--Conducted first NSCC military vehicle maintenance class at Fort
Custer Training Center, Battle Creek, Michigan.
--Placed cadets aboard USCG Barque Eagle for an orientation cruise
from Lisbon, Portugal to New London, Connecticut.
--Placed cadets onboard U.S. Navy ships and USCG stations, cutters
and tenders.
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM
For 2005 the NSCC again continued for the fourth year its'
redesigned and highly competitive, merit based and very low cost to the
cadet, International Exchange Program. Cadets were placed in Australia,
United Kingdom, Sweden, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Korea and Bermuda to
train with fellow cadets in these host nations. The NSCC and Canada
maintained their traditional exchanges in Nova Scotia and British
Columbia and the NSCC hosted visiting cadets in Newport. Rhode Island
and at ANG Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho for 2 weeks of NSCC sponsored
training. New in 2005 were exchanges to Saint Petersberg, Russia and
also to Scotland.
NAVY LEAGUE CADET TRAINING
In 2005, over 1,120 Navy league cadets and escorts attended
orientation training at 17 different sites. This diversity in location
made training accessible and reasonably available to each cadet who
wished to attend. Over 373 league cadets and escorts attended advanced
training at several sites. The advanced program was developed in
recognition of the need to provide follow-on training for this younger
age group to sustain their interest and to better prepare them for the
challenges of Naval Sea Cadet Corps training. Navy league cadets who
attend recruit orientation training are exceptionally well prepared for
sea cadet ``boot camp.''
SCHOLARSHIPS
The Naval Sea Cadet Corps Scholarship program was established to
provide financial assistance to deserving cadets who wished to further
their education at the college level. Established in 1975, the
scholarship program consists of a family of funds: the NSCC Scholarship
Fund; the Navy League Stockholm Scholarship and the NSCC ``named
scholarship'' program, designed to recognize an individual,
corporation, organization or foundation. In 2005, Morgan & Helen Fitch
Scholarship was added to this group. Since the inception of the
scholarship program, 198 scholarships have been awarded to 188 cadets
(includes some renewals) totaling over $229,500.
SERVICE ACCESSIONS
The Naval Sea Cadet Corps was formed at the request of the
Department of the Navy as a means to ``enhance the Navy image in the
minds of American youth.'' To accomplish this, ongoing presentations
illustrate to Naval sea cadets the advantages and benefits of careers
in the armed services, and in particular, the sea services.
While there is no service obligation associated with the Naval Sea
Cadet Corps program, many sea cadets choose to enlist or enroll in
officer training programs in all the Services.
Annually, the NSCC conducts a survey to determine the approximate
number of cadets making this career decision. This survey is conducted
during the annual inspections of the units. The reported cadet
accessions to the services are only those that are known to the unit at
that time. There are many accessions that occur in the 2-5 year
timeframe after cadets leave their units, which go unreported. With
about 80 percent of the units reporting, the survey indicates that 408
known cadets entered the Armed Forces during the reporting year ending
December 31, 2004. Further liaison with the USNA indicates that in
fact, there are currently 482 Midshipmen with sea cadet backgrounds--
almost 10 percent of the entire Brigade. Navy accession recruiting
costs have averaged over $14,500 per person, officer or enlisted, which
applied to the number of sea cadet accessions represents a significant
financial benefit to the Navy. Equally important is the expectation
that once a more accurate measurement methodology can be found, is,
that since sea cadets enter the Armed Forces as disciplined, well
trained and motivated individuals, their retention, graduation and
first term enlistment completion rates are perhaps the highest among
any other entry group. USNA officials are currently studying graduation
rates for past years for ex-sea cadets as a group as compared to the
entire Brigade. Their preliminary opinion is that these percents will
be among the highest. It is further expected that this factor will be
an excellent indicator of the following, not only for the USNA, but for
all officer and enlisted programs the sea cadets may enter:
--Extremely high motivation of ex-cadets to enter the Service.
--Excellent background provided by the U.S. Naval sea cadet
experience in preparing and motivating cadets to enter the
Service.
--Prior U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps experience is an excellent pre-
screening opportunity for young men and women to evaluate their
interest in pursuing a military career. This factor could
potentially save considerable tax-payer dollars expended on
individuals who apply for, then resign after entering the
Academy if they decide at some point they do not have the
interest or motivation.
--U.S. Naval sea cadet experience prior to entering the Service is an
excellent indicator of a potentially high success rate.
Data similar to the above has been requested from the United States
Coast Guard Academy and the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
Whether or not they choose a service career, all sea cadets carry
forth learned values of good citizenship, leadership and moral courage
that will benefit themselves and our country.
PROGRAM FINANCES
Sea cadets pay for all expenses, including travel to/from training,
uniforms, insurance and training costs. Out-of-pocket costs can reach
$500 each year. Assistance is made available so that no young person is
denied access to the program, regardless of social or economic
background.
Federally funded at the $1,000,000 level in fiscal year's 2001,
2002, and 2003, and at $1,500,000 in fiscal year 2004 and $1,700,000 in
2005 (of the $2,000,000 requested), all of these fund were used to
offset individual cadet's individual costs for summer training, conduct
of background checks for adult volunteers and for reducing future
enrollment costs for cadets. In addition to the Federal fund received,
NSCC receives under $700,000 per year from other sources, which
includes around $226,000 in enrollment fees from cadets and adult
volunteers. For a variety of reasons, at a minimum, this current level
of funding is necessary to sustain this program and the full $2,000,000
would allow for program expansion:
--All time high in number of enrolled sea cadets.
--General inflation of all costs.
--Some bases denying planned access to sea cadets for training due to
increased terrorism threat level alerts and the associated
tightening of security measures--requiring cadets to utilize
alternative, and often more costly training alternatives.
--Reduced availability of afloat training opportunities due to the
Navy's high level of operations related to the Iraq war.
--Reduced training site opportunities due to base closures.
--Non-availability of open bay berthing opportunities for cadets due
to their elimination as a result of enlisted habitability
upgrades to individual/double berthing spaces.
--Lack of available ``Space Available'' transportation for group
movements.
--Lack of on-base transportation, as the Navy no longer ``owns''
busses now controlled by the GSA.
--Navy outsourcing of messing facilities to civilian contractors
increases the individual cadet's meal costs.
Because of these factors, cadet out-of-pocket costs have
skyrocketed to the point where the requested $2,000,000 alone would be
barely sufficient to handle cost increases.
It is therefore considered a matter of urgency that the full amount
of the requested $2,000,000 be authorized and appropriated for fiscal
year 2005.
Senator Stevens. Our next witness is Sherry Salway Black,
Executive Director of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.
STATEMENT OF SHERRY SALWAY BLACK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
OVARIAN CANCER NATIONAL ALLIANCE
Ms. Black. Good morning Chairman Stevens, Senator Inouye,
and other members of the subcommittee. My name is Sherry Salway
Black, and I am a 4-year survivor of ovarian and endometrial
cancers. As such, I am lucky to stand before you today as the
Executive Director of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. On
behalf of the Alliance, thank you for the opportunity to
testify about the Ovarian Cancer Research Program at the
Department of Defense.
As a national organization with 50 regional, State, and
local groups, the Alliance unites and reaches more than 800,000
grassroots activists, women health advocates, health care
professionals, and the public, to bring national attention to
ovarian cancer. Since its inception 9 years ago, the Alliance
has worked to increase awareness of ovarian cancer and boost
Federal resources to support scientific research into
diagnostics and treatments of the disease.
Among the most urgent challenges in the ovarian cancer
field is late detection, which leads to poor survival rates. To
that end, the Alliance respectfully requests the subcommittee
to provide a federal investment of $15 million for the DOD
Ovarian Cancer Research Program in fiscal year 2007. This
amount would be a $5 million increase, and would be the first
increase for the program in 4 years. According to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, $2.2 billion is spent on
treatment for ovarian cancer yearly. This figure could be
greatly reduced with an earlier diagnosis, which could only be
achieved through an effective screening tool. Research
conducted through the ovarian cancer research program aims at
developing such a tool.
Like many women, I was lucky when I received my diagnosis.
I am considered truly one of the lucky ones. My two cancers
were found early in stage one when I had the best chance of
surviving, something only 19 percent of women with this disease
can claim. Most of the 20,000 women who will receive a
diagnosis of ovarian cancer this year will never have the
opportunity to speak before this subcommittee, because they
will fight ovarian cancer until it claims their lives.
Currently, almost half, 45 percent, of women with ovarian
cancer die within 5 years of diagnosis.
Like most women diagnosed early, my good fortune was not
the result of my awareness of the symptoms or knowledge that I
was a higher risk, and it was not the result of my having
access to a currently nonexistent early screening test. My good
fortune was the lucky result of my perseverance with my doctor
and my subsequent treatment by an appropriate gynecologic
oncologist specialist.
All women should have the opportunity to survive ovarian
cancer. No one should have to rely on luck for survival.
Consistent investment in ovarian cancer research is vital in
our fight against this deadly disease. The DOD Ovarian Cancer
Research Program is essential in our national research
portfolio. This program strives to fill the myriad of gaps in
our knowledge, and is searching for innovative unique
approaches to solve the enigma of early detection.
Awards made by the DOD ovarian cancer research program are
designed to stimulate research that will attract new
investigators into the field, challenge existing paradigms, and
support collaborative ventures including partnerships with
private and public institutions. The innovation grants offered
by the DOD Ovarian Cancer Research Program are paramount to our
success, since traditional research models have failed to make
timely progress against ovarian cancer.
Today, we rely on the grace of luck for protection against
ovarian cancer, and therefore, mortality rates have not
significantly decreased in decades. If your wife, mother,
daughter, or friend, were diagnosed with ovarian cancer this
year, her chances of surviving ovarian cancer would not be
significantly different than your grandmother's chances. In the
21st century, it is no longer acceptable to depend on luck to
save women's lives. We must continue to learn more about this
disease so we can definitively change the future for our
daughters, granddaughters, and all women.
The DOD Ovarian Cancer Research Program is small but it
does tremendous work for the Nation. It is financially and
scientifically sound, with a track record of success. The
program operated with only a 6 percent management cost in 2005,
and has received accolades. Just last week we learned that the
House committee subcommittee agreed to appropriate $15 million
for the DOD Ovarian Cancer Research Program. For the second
year in a row they have recognized the urgent need to support
this program with a $5 million increase, despite a tough budget
climate.
It is my sincere hope that this subcommittee will join them
by appropriating $15 million to the Ovarian Cancer Research
Program in fiscal year 2007. Thank you for the opportunity to
testify, and I'm happy to answer any questions you might have.
Senator Stevens. Thank you very much. Since this
subcommittee first added money to the defense budget in 1981
for medical research, and it was breast cancer at the time, and
AIDS I think in 1982, it has grown from $25 million a year to
over $1 billion. I expect we will get requests from every
segment here today to increase that funding, but it really has
reached its level where it would be very difficult to increase
that much further, and maintain the support we have to maintain
for our troops in the field. But we will try. Thank you very
much.
Ms. Black. Thank you very much.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Sherry Salway Black
OVARIAN CANCER'S DEADLY STATISTICS
According to the American Cancer Society, in 2006 more than 20,000
American women will be newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and more
than 15,000 women will lose their lives to it, making this disease the
fifth leading cause of cancer death in women. Currently, almost half
(45 percent) of women with ovarian cancer will die within 5 years of
diagnosis. More than 75 percent of women with ovarian cancer are
diagnosed in later stages, when the 5-year survival rate drops below 30
percent. When detected early, the 5-year survival rate increases to
more than 90 percent. The key to increased survival rates is early
detection, but a valid and reliable screening test does not yet exist.
Graph 1
Graph 2
Today, it is both striking and disheartening to see that despite
progress made in the scientific, medical and advocacy communities,
ovarian cancer mortality rates have not significantly decreased. Behind
the sobering statistics are the lost lives of our loved ones,
colleagues and community members. While we have been waiting for the
development of an early detection test, hundreds of thousands of our
loved ones have lost their battle to ovarian cancer.
Today, early diagnosis is rarely a result of a patients' awareness
of symptoms or their physicians' awareness. Rather, early diagnosis is
often the result of pure luck. In a country as wealthy and
scientifically advanced as the United States, women should not have to
rely on luck for their survival. Ovarian cancer research must continue
through all possible avenues, building a comprehensive knowledge of its
symptoms, causes and treatments. All women should have access to
treatment by a specialist. All women should have access to a valid and
reliable screening test. We must deliver new and better treatments to
patients and the health care professionals who treat them. Research
conducted through the DOD Ovarian Cancer Research Program works toward
a better understanding of this cancer in collaboration with the
National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institutes of Health
to avoid duplication of research.
the ovarian cancer research program at the department of defense
Congress has appropriated funds for the DOD Ovarian Cancer Research
Program since 1997. The program was charged to attract new
investigators into the field and fund multidisciplinary research that
investigates innovative study methods for learning about early
detection, screening and treatment of ovarian cancer. The program
offers awards that specifically seek to fill gaps in ongoing research
and to complement initiatives sponsored by other agencies.
Since its inception, the DOD Ovarian Cancer Research Program has
lead to numerous discoveries, including:
--Risk Factor Breakthrough.--The discovery that the hormone progestin
is a key agent in oral contraceptives' activity in reducing the
risk of ovarian cancer.
--Treatment Breakthrough.--The recognition of three new anti-
angiogenesis agents; in cancer, excessive angiogenesis feeds
the cancerous tissue oxygen and nutrients, destroying
surrounding healthy tissues while allowing tumor cells to
metastasize. The development of anti-angiogenesis agents
through ovarian cancer research has had implications for all
cancers.
--Early Detection Breakthrough.--The identification of new biomarkers
which have the potential to improve early detection. Increased
funding will allow investigators to begin early stage clinical
trials to determine the utility of their discoveries.
--Treatment Breakthrough.--The use of alpha radiation to treat
advanced ovarian cancer; alpha radiation efficiently kills
ovarian cancer cells with multivesicular liposomes to control
negative results.
SPRINGBOARD OF DISCOVERY
Research conducted through the DOD Ovarian Cancer Research Program
has contributed 246 publications and 274 abstracts, serving to bolster
and expand the limited body of scientific knowledge of ovarian cancer.
Perhaps most significantly, the Ovarian Cancer Research Program is
responsible for the recruitment of 28 new investigators. Additionally,
the Fox Chase Cancer Center and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research
Center reported that the progress made through their DOD Program
Project Awards enabled both institutions to successfully compete for
NCI SPORE (Specialized Programs of Research Excellence) funding to
pursue additional long-term ovarian cancer research.
This body of scientific accomplishments would enjoy significant
growth with expanded funding. In fiscal year 2005, the Ovarian Cancer
Research Program was only able to fund less than 15 percent of its
received research proposals. With increased funding, additional
research initiatives could be supported, resulting in an increase in
our scientific knowledge of ovarian cancer.
The maturation of the DOD Ovarian Cancer Research Program
infrastructure and management, plus the culmination of past investments
have combined for an explosion of exciting scientific discoveries in
the past 2 years. In 2005 the pace of discovery increased notably.
Researchers funded by the DOD Ovarian Cancer Research Program made
substantial progress with the following breakthroughs:
--Early Diagnosis.--Identification of three genes that control the
development of ovarian cancer, which may serve as molecular
markers for improved early diagnosis.
--Early Diagnosis.--Recognition of two new serum biomarkers expressed
in early stage ovarian cancer, which may serve as the basis for
an early detection test.
--Treatment Improvement.--Discovery of immune cells' role in ovarian
cancer, leading to the development of a new therapy that will
help prevent tumors from receiving the nutrients necessary to
grow and metastasize.
--Treatment Improvement.--Detection of the inhibitory qualities of a
genetically-engineered protein on the growth of ovarian cancer,
which may develop into a viable treatment option.
--Treatment Improvement.--Findings on the benefits of squalamine (an
organic compound) in increasing the effectiveness of classic
ovarian cancer chemotherapy treatments.
These breakthroughs demonstrate that the science is ripe for
significant advancement in our knowledge of ovarian cancer. We must
take advantage of this opportunity by supporting the DOD Ovarian Cancer
Research Program through sustained appropriations in fiscal year 2007.
INCREASED INVESTMENT NEEDED
In fiscal year 2005, the DOD Ovarian Cancer Research Program
received 225 proposals, but due to resource limitations, was only able
to fund 16 awards. The program has achieved great success, but to
decrease ovarian cancer mortality rates we must sustain our investment
in ovarian cancer research. Without enhanced funding the discoveries
outlined in this testimony will never be translated into clinical
research.
Funding allocated in fiscal year 2006 will support grants in three
research areas: (1) etiology and tumor biology, (2) preclinical
development of targeted therapeutics, and (3) early detection and
diagnosis. If granted, fiscal year 2007 funds would help expand these
research areas.
--Concept Awards are grants that focus on attracting researchers who
wish to challenge current approaches in ovarian cancer
research, explore innovative concepts and pursue under-explored
hypotheses.
--Idea Development Awards are grants for researchers who wish to
improve current approaches to prevention, detection, diagnosis
and treatment of ovarian cancer. These awards focus on the
implementation of innovative methods of research or novel
adaptations of existing methods of research.
--Historically Black Colleges & Universities/Minority Institutions
Collaborative Research Awards link novice investigators with
well-established ovarian cancer researchers to encourage the
involvement of minority institutions in the fight against
ovarian cancer.
The DOD Ovarian Cancer Research Program has received $10 million
for each of the past 5 years for which we thank the subcommittee.
However, when biomedical inflation is taken into account, the
allocation represents an overall diminished level of funding--at the
same time ovarian cancer mortality rates remain constant. With
additional funding, the DOD Ovarian Cancer Research Program can support
new grants, provide funding to promising young investigators, and
allocate additional resources to grants that should be extended or
renewed.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
We still do not fully understand the risk factors, symptoms or
causes of ovarian cancer. We still do not have an early detection test
for ovarian cancer. As a result, mortality rates for this deadly
disease have remained constant far too long. Previous appropriations
Congress has made for the DOD Ovarian Cancer Research Program are
appreciated and have helped move the field forward. New resources are
needed in the coming year to sustain current efforts, but more
importantly to continue to reap benefits from previous and current
Federal investments.
The Alliance maintains a long-standing commitment to work with
Congress, the administration, and other policymakers and stakeholders
to improve the survival rate from ovarian cancer through education,
public policy, research and communication. Please know we appreciate
and understand that our Nation faces many challenges and Congress has
limited resources to allocate; however, we are concerned that without
increased funding to bolster and expand ovarian cancer research
efforts, the Nation will continue to see growing numbers of women lose
their battle with this terrible disease.
Thank you for your consideration of our views and for providing $15
million in fiscal year 2007 for the DOD Ovarian Cancer Research
Program.
Senator Stevens. Our next witness is Captain Marshall
Hanson, the National Military Veterans Alliance. Good morning.
Captain Hanson. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
STATEMENT OF CAPTAIN MARSHALL HANSON, UNITED STATES
NAVY RESERVE (RETIRED), CO-DIRECTOR,
NATIONAL MILITARY VETERANS ALLIANCE
Captain Hanson. As co-director of the National Military
Veterans Alliance (NMVA), I am honored to testify on behalf of
the National Military and Veterans Alliance. The Alliance has
grown to 30 military retiree, veterans, and survivor
associations, representing over 3.5 million members. The
overall goal of the NMVA is a strong national defense.
In the long war, recruiting and retention has become
paramount. The willingness of our young people today to serve
in this war will relate to their perception of how the veterans
of this war are being treated. The NMVA supports various
incentives and bonuses to encourage participation. Our serving
members are patriots willing to accept peril and sacrifice to
defend the value of this country. All they ask for is fair
recompense for their actions. At a time of war, compensation
really offsets the risks. Let's not undervalue our young
warriors. These payments are an investment toward our national
security.
The targeted pay increases included in Senate Bill 2766
align with NMVA's goals. It is also crucial that the military
health care is funded. NMVA is concerned that the President's
DOD health care budget may have been underestimated because of
some suggested Pentagon initiatives. We ask that you continue
to fully fund military health care in fiscal year 2007. We do
not want our serving members to be distracted from their
mission with worries about their families' health care. And if
our servicemembers pay that ultimate sacrifice, we need to
provide every financial support to their families to help them
in transition.
The survivor benefit plan dependency and indemnity
compensation offset is a conflict between a purchased annuity
and an indemnity program. It affects our serving members.
Recently, Congress created active duty survivor benefit plan
(SBP) as a benefit intended for families who lost
servicemembers. With the present offsets, the vast majority of
our enlisted families receive no benefit from this new program
because SBP is completely offset by dependency and indemnity
compensation (DIC). This affects both younger and older
surviving families.
Senate Bill 2766, section 642, repeals the requirement of
reducing SBP to offset DIC. The NMVA respectfully requests that
this subcommittee fund that provision.
Further, NMVA supports funding section 606, which extends a
continuation of housing allowances for spouses and dependents
of members who have died on active duty. The NMVA also supports
funding of full payment of premiums for coverage under the
servicemembers' group life insurance program during service in
Operation Enduring Freedom, or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Our Active and Reserve serving members face enough
challenges as they adapt to a lifestyle with an ever-present
war. The NMVA is confident in your ongoing support, and the
Alliance would like to thank the subcommittee for its efforts,
and this opportunity to testify. Please let us know how we can
assist.
Senator Stevens. Well, thank you very much. I think a lot
of the things you suggested require the authorization
subcommittee's concurrence first, before we can appropriate the
moneys, but will follow their lead if we----
Captain Hanson. Right, and they have been placed in the
markup of the bill, and of course the Senate will be looking at
that in the next couple of weeks.
Senator Stevens. All right. Thank you very much.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Marshall Hanson
INTRODUCTION
Mr. Chairman and distinguished Members of the committee, the
National Military and Veterans Alliance (NMVA) is very grateful for the
invitation to testify before you about our views and suggestions
concerning defense funding issues. The overall goal of the National
Military and Veteran's Alliance is a strong National Defense. In light
of this overall objective, we would request that the committee examine
the following proposals.
While the NMVA highlights the funding of benefits, we do this
because it supports National Defense. A phrase often quoted ``The
willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war,
no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they
perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by
their country,'' has been frequently attributed to General George
Washington. Yet today, many of the programs that have been viewed as
being veteran or retiree are viable programs for the young veterans of
this war. This phrase can now read ``The willingness with which our
young people, today, are willing to serve in this war is how they
perceive the veterans of this war are being treated.''
In a long war, recruiting and retention becomes paramount. The
National Military and Veterans Alliance, through this testimony hope to
address funding issues that apply to the veterans of various
generations.
PAY AND COMPENSATION
Our serving members are patriots willing to accept peril and
sacrifice to defend the values of this country. All they ask for is
fair recompense for their actions. At a time of war, compensation
rarely offsets the risks.
The NMVA requests funding so that the annual enlisted military pay
raise equals or exceeds the Employment Cost Index (ECI).
Further, we hope that this committee supports targeted pay raises
for those mid-grade members who have increased responsibility in
relation to the overall service mission.
NMVA would apply the same allowance standards to both Active and
Reserve when it comes to Aviation Career Incentive Pay, Career Enlisted
Flyers Incentive Pay, Diving Special Duty Pay, Hazardous Duty Incentive
Pay and other special pays. We thank Congress for recognizing, last
year that foreign language professional pay was for a special skill
needing to be maintained 365 days a year.
The Service chiefs have admitted one of the biggest retention
challenges is to recruit and retain medical professionals.
NMVA urges the inclusion of bonus/cash payments (Incentive
Specialty pay IPS) into the calculations of retirement pay for military
health care providers. NMVA has received feedback that this would be
incentive to many medical professionals to stay in longer.
FORCE POLICY AND STRUCTURE
End Strength
The NMVA supports funding increases in support of the end strength
boosts of the active duty component of the Army and Marine Corps that
have been recommended by Defense authorizers. New recruits need to be
found and trained now to start the process so that American taxpayer
can get a return on this investment. Such growth is not instantaneously
productive. NMVA also hopes that this subcommittee would include
language reminding the Department of Defense that once appropriated
that each service should proactively recruit to try to attain these
numbers.
The NMVA would like to also put a freeze on reductions to the Guard
and Reserve manning levels. With the Commission on the Guard and
Reserve now active, it makes sense to put a moratorium on changes to
End Strength until after they report back to Congress with
recommendations. NMVA urges this subcommittee to fund to last year's
levels.
SURVIVOR BENEFITS PLAN (SBP) AND SURVIVOR IMPROVEMENTS
The Alliance wishes to deeply thank this subcommittee for your
funding of improvements in the myriad of survivor programs.
However, there are still two remaining issues to deal with to make
SBP the program Congress always intended it to be:
--Ending the SBP/DIC offset and
--Moving up the effective date for paid up SBP to October 1, 2006.
SBP/DIC Offset affects several groups. The first is the family of a
retired member of the uniformed services. At this time the SBP annuity
he or she has paid for is offset dollar for dollar for the DIC survivor
benefits paid through the VA, this puts a disabled retiree in a very
unfortunate position. If he or she is leaving the service disabled it
is only wise to enroll in the Survivor Benefit Plan (perhaps being
uninsurable in the private sector). If death is service connected then
the survivor looses dollar for dollar for what the DIC pays.
SBP is a purchased annuity, an earned employee benefit. It is a
retirement plan for the surviving spouse. Dependency and Indemnity
Compensation (DIC) is an indemnity program to compensate a family for
the loss of a loved one due to his or her military service. They are
different programs created to fill different purposes and needs.
A second group affected by this dollar for dollar offset is made up
of families whose servicemember died on active duty. Recently Congress
created active duty SBP. These service members never had the chance to
pay into the SBP program. But clearly Congress intended to give these
families a benefit. With the present off-set in place the vast majority
of families receive no benefit from this new program, because the vast
number of our losses are young men or women in the lower paying ranks.
SBP is completely offset by DIC payments.
Other affected families are servicemembers who have already served
a substantial time in the military. Their surviving spouse is left in a
worse financial position that a younger widow. The older widows will
normally not be receiving benefits for her children from either Social
Security or the VA and will normally have more substantial financial
obligations (mortgages etc). This spouse is very dependent on the SBP
and DIC payments and should be able to receive both.
Thirty Year Paid-Up SBP.--In the fiscal year 1999 Defense
Authorization Act Congress created a simple and fair paid up provision
for the Survivor Benefit Plan. A member who had paid into the program
for 30 years and reached the age of 70 could stop paying premiums and
still have the full protection of the plan for his or her spouse.
Except that the effective date of this provision is October 1, 2008.
Many have been paying for as long as 34 years.
The NMVA respectfully requests this subcommittee fund the SBP/DIC
offset and 30 year paid-up SBP if authorized.
CURRENT AND FUTURE ISSUES FACING UNIFORMED SERVICES HEALTH CARE
The National Military and Veterans Alliance must once again thank
this committee for the great strides that have been made over the last
few years to improve the health care provided to the active duty
members, their families, survivors and Medicare eligible retirees of
all the Uniformed Services. The improvements have been historic.
TRICARE for Life and the Senior Pharmacy Program have enormously
improved the life and health of Medicare Eligible Military Retirees
their families and survivors. It has been a very successful few years.
Yet there are still many serious problems to be addressed:
Full Funding For The Defense Health Program
The Alliance applauds the subcommittee's role in providing adequate
funding for the Defense Health Program (DHP) in the past several budget
cycles. As the cost of health care has risen throughout the country,
you have provided adequate increases to the DHP to keep pace.
This is again one of the Alliance's top priorities. With the
additional costs that have come with the deployments to Southwest Asia,
Afghanistan and Iraq, we must all stay vigilant against future
budgetary shortfalls that would damage the quality and availability of
health care.
With the authorizers having postponed the Department of Defenses
suggested fee increases, NMVA is concerned that the budget saving have
already been adjusted out of the President's proposed budget. NMVA is
confident that this subcommittee will continue to fund the DHP so that
there will be no budget shortfalls.
The National Military and Veterans Alliance urges the subcommittee
to continue to ensure full funding for the Defense Health Program
including the full costs of all new programs.
TRICARE Pharmacy Programs
DOD is suggesting an increase in co-payments at retail pharmacy
from $3 to $5 for generic prescriptions, and from $9 to $15 for brand
drugs. Generic pharmacy mail order prescriptions would drop from $3 to
$0 to align with military clinics.
DOD's rationalize is that it costs the government twice as much for
a drug through the TRICARE Retail Pharmacy program (TRRx) than it does
for the same drug through the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy Program
(TMOP). DOD believes the rise in the TRRx co-payments will increase
revenue and force beneficiaries migrate to the TMOP program, where the
costs for their prescriptions are lower.
NMVA may understand the motives for this change, but has concerns
about how it is being implemented. Often times the retail pharmacy
network is the only source to immediately fill a prescription, as many
pharmacy beneficiaries are unable to go to a military clinic for the
initial prescription. To truly motivate beneficiaries to a shift from
retail to mail order adjustments need to be made to both generic and
brand name drugs co-payments.
Ideally, the NMVA would like to see the reduction in mail order co-
payments without an increase in co-payments for retail pharmacy, but .
. . .
NMVA suggests that if pharmacy co-payments are adjusted that:
--(1) The higher retail pharmacy co-payments not apply on an initial
prescription, but on refills of a serial maintenance
prescription, and
--(2) If co-payments must be raised on retail pharmacy, that both
generic and brand name mail order prescriptions be reduced to
zero $ co-payments.
The National Military and Veterans Alliance urges the subcommittee
to adequate fund adjustments to co-payments in support of
recommendations from defense authorizers.
TRICARE Standard Improvements
TRICARE Standard grows in importance with every year that the
global war on terrorism continues. A growing population of mobilized
and demobilized Reservists depends upon TRICARE Standard. A growing
number of younger retirees are more mobile than those of the past, and
likely to live outside the TRICARE Prime network.
An ongoing challenge for TRICARE Standard involves creating
initiatives to convince health care providers to accept TRICARE
Standard patients. Health care providers are dissatisfied with TRICARE
reimbursement rates that are tied to Medicare reimbursement levels. The
Alliance was pleased and relieved by the administration's and Congress'
recent corrections and improvements in Medicare reimbursement rates,
which helped the TRICARE program.
Yet this is not enough. TRICARE Standard is hobbled with a
reputation and history of low and slow payments as well as what still
seems like complicated procedures and administrative forms that make it
harder and harder for beneficiaries to find health care providers that
will accept TRICARE. Any improvements in the rates paid for Medicare/
TRICARE should be a great help in this area. Additionally, any further
steps to simplify the administrative burdens and complications for
health care providers for TRICARE beneficiaries hopefully will increase
the number of available providers.
The Alliance asks the Defense Subcommittee to include language
encouraging continued increases in TRICARE/Medicare reimbursement
rates.
TRICARE Retiree Dental Plan (TRDP)
The focus of the TRICARE Retiree Dental Plan (TRDP) is to maintain
the dental health of Uniformed Services retirees and their family
members. Several years ago we saw the need to modify the TRDP
legislation to allow the Department of Defense to include some dental
procedures that had previously not been covered by the program to
achieve equity with the active duty plan.
With ever increasing premium costs, NMVA feels that the Department
should assist retirees in maintaining their dental health by providing
a government cost-share for the retiree dental plan. With many retirees
and their families on a fixed income, an effort should be made to help
ease the financial burden on this population and promote a seamless
transition from the active duty dental plan to the retiree dental plan
in cost structure. Additionally, we hope the Congress will enlarge the
retiree dental plan to include retired beneficiaries who live overseas.
The NMVA would appreciate this committee's consideration of both
proposals.
NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE HEALTH CARE
Funding Improved Tricare Reserve Select
It is being suggested that the TRICARE Reserve Select healthcare
plan be changed to allow the majority of Selected Reserve participate
at a 28 percent co-payment level with the balance of the premium being
paid by the Department of Defense.
NMVA asks the committee for funding to support a revised TRICARE
Reserve Select program.
Mobilized Health Care--Dental Readiness Of Reservists
The number one problem faced by Reservists being recalled has been
dental readiness. A model for healthcare would be the TRICARE Dental
Program, which offers subsidized dental coverage for Selected
Reservists and self-insurance for SELRES families.
In an ideal world this would be universal dental coverage. Reality
is that the services are facing challenges. Premium increases to the
individual Reservist have caused some junior members to forgo coverage.
Dental readiness has dropped. The military services are trying to
determine how best to motivate their Reserve Component members but feel
compromised by mandating a premium program if Reservists must pay a
portion of it.
Services have been authorized to provide dental treatment as well
as examination, but without funding to support this service. By the
time many Guard and Reserve are mobilized, their schedule is so short
fused that the processing dentists don't have time for extensive
repair.
The National Military and Veterans Alliance supports funding for
utilization of Guard and Reserve Dentists to examine and treat
Guardsmen and Reservists who have substandard dental hygiene. The
TRICARE Dental Program should be continued, because the Alliance
believes it has pulled up overall dental readiness.
Demobilized Dental Care
Under the revised transitional healthcare benefit plan, Guard and
Reserve who were ordered to active duty for more than 30 days in
support of a contingency and have 180 days of transition health care
following their period of active service.
Similar coverage is not provided for dental restoration. Dental
hygiene is not a priority on the battlefield, and many Reserve and
Guard are being discharged with dental readiness levels much lower than
when they were first recalled. At a minimum, DOD must restore the
dental state to an acceptable level that would be ready for
mobilization, or provide some subsidize for 180 days to permit
restoration from a civilian source.
Current policy is a 30 day window with dental care being space
available at a priority less than active duty families.
NMVA asks the committee for funding to support a DOD's
demobilization dental care program. Additional funds should be
appropriated to cover the cost of TRICARE Dental premiums and co-
payment for the 6 months following demobilization if DOD is unable to
do the restoration.
OTHER RESERVE/GUARD ISSUES
MGIB-SR Enhancements
Approximately 7.8 percent of the enlisted Reservists have a
Bachelors degree or higher. This makes the Montgomery G.I. Bill for
Selective Reserves (MGIB-SR) an important recruiting and retention
tool. With massive troop rotations the Reserve forces can expect to
have retention shortfalls, unless the government provides incentives
such as a college education. Education is not only a quality of life
issue or a recruiting/retention issue it is also a readiness issue.
Education a Reservist receives enhances their careers and usefulness to
the military. The ever-growing complexity of weapons systems and
support equipment requires a force with far higher education and
aptitude than in previous years.
The problem with the current MGIB-SR is that the Selected Reserve
MGIB has failed to maintain a creditable rate of benefits with those
authorized in Title 38, Chapter 30. Other than cost-of-living
increases, only two improvements in benefits have been legislated since
1985. In that year MGIB rates were established at 47 percent of active
duty benefits. The MGIB-SR rate is 27 percent of the chapter 30
benefits. Overall the allowance has inched up by only 7 percent since
its inception, as the cost of education has climbed significantly.
The NMVA requests appropriations funding to raise the MGIB-SR and
lock the rate at 50 percent of the active duty benefit. Cost: $25
million/first year, $1.4 billion over 10.
Bonuses
Guard and Reserve component members may be eligible for one of
three bonuses, prior enlistment bonus, reenlistment bonus and Reserve
affiliation bonuses for prior service personnel. These bonuses are used
to keep men and woman in mission critical military occupational
specialties (MOS) that are experiencing falling numbers or are
difficult to fill. During their testimony before this committee the
reserve chiefs addressed the positive impact that bonuses have upon
retention. This point cannot be understated. The operation tempo,
financial stress and civilian competition for jobs make bonuses a
necessary tool for the DOD to fill essential positions. Though the
current bonus program is useful there is a change that needs to be
addressed to increase effectiveness.
The primary requirement for eligibility and payment of a bonus upon
reenlistment is that the member must have completed less than 14 years
of total military service and not be paid more than one 6-year bonus or
two 3-year bonuses under this section. Increasing the eligibility for
reenlistment bonuses to 20 years of total military service and
increasing the number of bonuses that can be paid under this section
could expand the available force pool, as mid-level enlisted Reserve
members could take advantage of the new bonus criteria. Using a 20 year
service cutoff instead of a 14 year period would encourage selected
experienced mid-level subject matter experts to reenlist to established
high year of tenure or mandatory separation dates and the added
retained experience would boost each service's retention effort in
critical skill areas. As each Service uses members of the Selected
Reserve in different capacities, each Service Secretary may use this
new authority as required as a force management tool.
The NMVA would like to see the Reserve chiefs receive the funds and
the authority to an increase in eligibility from 14 to 20 years and the
ability for Reservists to receive bonuses while on active duty orders.
Reserve/Guard Funding
We are concerned about ongoing DOD initiatives to end ``2 days pay
for 1 days work,'' and replace it with a plan to provide one-thirtieth
of a month's pay model, which would include both pay and allowances.
Even with allowances, pay would be less than the current system. When
concerns were addressed about this proposal, a retention bonus was the
suggested solution to keep pay at the current levels. Allowances differ
between individuals and can be affected by commute distances and even
zip codes. Certain allowances that are unlikely to be paid uniformly
include geographic differences, housing variables, tuition assistance,
travel, and adjustments to compensate for missing health care.
The NMVA strongly recommends that the Reserve pay system ``2 days
pay for 1 days work,'' be funded and retained, as is.
Ensure adequate funding to equip Guard and Reserve at a level that
allows them to carry out their mission. Do not turn these crucial
assets over to the active duty force. In the same vein we ask that the
Congress ensure adequate funding that allows a Guardsman/Reservist to
complete 48 drills, and 15 annual training days per member, per year.
DOD has been tempted to expend some of these funds on active duty
support rather than personnel readiness.
The NMVA strongly recommends that Reserve Program funding remain at
sufficient levels to adequately train, equip and support the robust
Reserve force that has been so critical and successful during our
Nation's recent major conflicts.
ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOMES
Following Hurricane Kristina, Navy/Marine Corps residents from
AFRJ-Gulfport were evacuated from the hurricane-devastated campus and
were moved to the AFRH-Washington DC campus. Dormitories were reopened
that are in need of refurbishing.
NMVA urges this subcommittee to fund upgrades to the Washington DC
facility, and also provide funding to rebuild the Gulfport facility.
CONCLUSION
Mr. Chairman and distinguished Members of the subcommittee the
Alliance again wishes to emphasize that we are grateful for and
delighted with the large steps forward that the Congress has affected
the last few years. We are aware of the continuing concern all of the
subcommittee's Members have shown for the health and welfare of our
service personnel and their families. Therefore, we hope that this
subcommittee can further advance these suggestions in this committee or
in other positions that the Members hold. We are very grateful for the
opportunity to submit these issues of crucial concern to our collective
memberships. Thank you.
Senator Stevens. Our next witness is Seth Benge, the
Associations for America's Defense. Good morning.
STATEMENT OF SETH BENGE, DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATION,
RESERVE ENLISTED ASSOCIATION, ON BEHALF OF
THE ASSOCIATIONS FOR AMERICA'S DEFENSE
(A4AD)
Mr. Benge. Mr. Chairman, good morning.
As a sergeant in the Marine Corps Reserve, I was deployed
last year to Ramadi, Iraq for 7 months, from March to October.
Presently, I serve as the legislative director for the Reserve
Enlisted Association. I am testifying on behalf of the
Associations for America's Defense. A4AD looks at national
defense, equipment, force structure and policy issues not
normally addressed by the military support community.
First, we would like to thank the subcommittee for the
ongoing stewardship on defense issues at a time of war. Its
pro-defense, nonpartisan leadership sets the example.
Support for our troops fighting the global war on terror is
of primary importance and warrants top priority. The military
needs to continually train with not only the tactics,
techniques, and procedures, but with the equipment they will
use while deployed. It is tempting to focus only on those that
are in the fight. And they should be given what they need to
complete the mission. But before any soldier gets to combat,
they first must be trained, and we should continue to follow
the axiom, ``train as you fight.''
If we could buy enough equipment for units before
deployment, the commanders would have a better chance to
evaluate new gear and give our forces time to become more
proficient in its use. Prior training frees soldiers to engage
in more important aspect of their mission. Armored Humvees,
personal body armor, and improvise explosive device (IED)
jamming devices are saving lives. But we would rather stop the
IEDs before they explode. I saw vehicles with their front ends
blown off, or hit by rocket powered grenades (RPG), with
relatively minor injuries to the crew. Conversely, the
terrorists have tried to overcome the armor by larger
explosives, and changing their tactics.
Having Iraqis tell us the location of the IEDs, individual
soldiers spotting them, or explosive ordnance disposal teams
finding and clearing them, are the most common and preferred
methods of defense against roadside bombs. Trying to master a
vehicle can be a distraction from these important measures.
Equipment is only a tool, and is far more effective when
soldiers are given the time in advance to develop the skills to
use it. A vehicle that weighs several tons more than an
unarmored one drives differently. It turns, accelerates, and
decelerates, and stops differently. The skills required to
operate this equipment need to be learned before driving out
the front gate of a base in a foreign land.
Individual movement with personal gear should be a matter
of muscle memory brought on by months of use. Just moving in
and out of an armored vehicle with full gear and weapons is not
the same as simply getting out of an unarmored Humvee with just
a flack and Kevlar on. Running down streets or climbing over
walls, or going into and out of houses, is also different in
full combat gear. Without practice, it is easy to get tangled,
tripped up, slowed down, and become an easy target.
Recently, there was some debate in the media regarding
marines being issued even more body armor; specifically, side
plates. Many troops feel that the 70-plus pounds of gear,
armor, and ammo, that today's marines and soldiers wear, is too
much. These troops need to wear the gear earlier to adjust.
Otherwise, it may not be worn or shed in the heat of battle.
Another glaring area is with communication equipment.
Currently, we have small handheld radios used to speak among
individuals. But we didn't receive these until we were in the
country for several weeks. In an environment where the enemy
can appear and disappear into the crowd, where there are
firefights around the corner, the ability to share information
horizontally among the soldiers is as important as the ability
to send information up the chain of command. Combat is not the
time or place for hands-on training with such important tools.
In the Guard and Reserve this training is especially
difficult because they have become increasingly underequipped.
With the shift to have these troops train, mobilize, deploy, so
that they can be more operational, we need to assure that the
Guard and Reserve also have the proper funding for equipment.
As you continue to buy new equipment and start to put money
into resetting the force, I would urge the subcommittee to
remember that victory in combat begins the moment that young
men and women step off of a bus and into basic training.
Thank you again for this opportunity to testify before this
subcommittee.
Senator Inouye [presiding]. I thank you very much, sir.
Mr. Benge. Thank you, Senator.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Seth Benge
INTRODUCTION
Mr. Chairman and distinguished Members of the committee, the
Associations for America's Defense (A4AD) are very grateful for the
invitation to testify before you about our views and suggestions
concerning current and future issues facing the defense appropriations.
The Association for America's Defense is an adhoc group of 11
military and veteran associations that have concerns about national
security issues that are not normally addressed by either The Military
Coalition, or the National Military and Veterans Alliance. Among the
issues that are addressed are equipment, end strength, force structure,
and defense policy. Collectively, we represent about members, who are
serving our Nation, or who have done so in the past.
A4AD, also, cooperatively works with other associations, who
provide input while not including their association name to the
membership roster.
CURRENT VERSUS FUTURE; ISSUES FACING DEFENSE
The Associations for America's Defense would like to thank this
subcommittee for the on-going stewardship that it has demonstrated on
issues of defense. At a time of war, its pro-defense and non-partisan
leadership continues to set the example.
Lessons learned from the war have only fueled the debate on what is
needed for National Defense. Your committee faces numerous issues and
decisions. You are challenged at weighing people against technology,
and where to invest dollars. Multi-generations of weapons are being
touted, forcing a competition for limited budgetary resources.
Members of A4AD group are concerned that hasty recommendations
about U.S. Defense policy could place national security at risk.
Careful study is needed to make the right choice. A4AD is pleased that
Congress and this subcommittee continue oversight in these decisions.
Pentagon criticism is that our Armed Forces are archaic; structured
for a Cold War. Yet it has been those legacy systems that have brought
success in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Are Business Practices Practical?
The 2005 QDR emphasizes the needs of the area combat commanders,
and seeks a ``demand driven'' approach to ``reduce unnecessary program
redundancy, improve joint interoperability and streamline acquisition
and budgeting processes.'' In industry ``demand driven'' flow is called
Just-in-Time (JIT) management.
JIT attacks waste in the manufacturing process, working to identify
and reduce or eliminate excess set-up and lead times, inventory, and
scrap by exposing problems and bottlenecks and streamlining production.
DOD's JIT concept is to reduce the amount and length in the
logistics tail. The idea is to minimize investment, and get the bullet
and spare parts to the troops on the line as they need them. The
Pentagon wants to eliminate a ``steel mountain'' of supplies.
Industry has been trying to perfect JIT for 30 years. A few
industries have been able to use it, in others it causes hiccups. The
risk is a shut down in production, and the more complex the system, the
higher the risk. In many cases, the inventorying costs are shifted from
producer to supplier to stock parts at a different site, which
increases the costs of spare parts. Shipping expenses go up, as
shortages tend to be ``overnighted'' when the scheduling goes haywire.
In most cases, the bottom line is a more expensive product, which for
the Pentagon would mean a higher DOD expense.
The Pentagon has suggested the reduction of redundancy by
consolidation and the elimination of military positions which would be
replaced by contractors. The question that arises is ``What are the
elements that ensure successful implementation outcomes between the
government purchasing offices and various commercial contractors?'' If
outcomes become less predictable the risk is not to contractors but to
soldiers, sailors, marines, and airman and the war effort.
Dependence On Foreign Partnership
The QDR highlights DOD's move ``from a large institutional force to
a future force that is tailored for expeditionary operations.'' The QDR
also states that ``the future force must be more tailored, more
accessible to the joint commander, and better configured to operate
with other agencies and international partners in complex operations.''
and that ``combatant commanders will expand the concept of contracting
volunteers . . . ''
Echoing the QDR, Gordon England, the deputy defense secretary
stated in March at the Defense Security Cooperation Agency Worldwide
Conference that in order ``to meet the diverse security challenges of
the future, DOD must strengthen and adapt long-term alliances, as well
as form relationships with new international partners, enabling them to
enhance their capabilities.''
"Effective multinational efforts are essential to solve the
problems we face together,'' England added.
The Navy seeks a ``1,000-ship Navy.'' The Chief of Naval
Operations, Admiral Mike Mullen, called for ``a fleet-in-being . . .
comprised of all freedom-loving nations, standing watch over the seas,
standing watch over each other.'' Mullen's concept is to build on
existing international security agreements to extend the global reach
of sea power. ``We need to be a team player, a leader, for that 1,000-
ship Navy and a citizen in good standing for the city at sea,'' he
said.
The risk of basing a national security policy on foreign interests
and good world citizenship is increasing uncertainty because the United
States does not necessarily control our foreign partners, countries
whose objectives may differ with from own. This is more an exercise of
consensus building rather than security integration. Alliances should
be viewed as a tool and a force multiplier, but not the foundation of
National Security.
While an idea or a vision can be a catalyst to enthusiasm, this
should not lead directly to change. Ideas should be tested and be
judged not by a logic structure but by an outcome. The United States
will always need a minimum force structure that permits us to defend
ourselves.
IS THERE A PLACE FOR LEGACY WEAPONS?
A4AD suggests that existing legacy weapons be shifted from the
active component to the Reserve. The last war's legacy may be the next
war's necessity. Before 9/11 the Navy wanted to eliminate its USNR CB
battalions as being a Cold War legacy. In Operation Iraqi Freedom, not
only is the integrated Active and Reserve CB force national rebuilding,
but is also involved in explosive disposal. In both the Army and the
Marine Corps, artillery units are being retrained in civil affairs, but
if military conflict breaks out in Korea, the units will be needed with
their artillery.
Both the Pentagon and the Task Force on a Unified Security Budget
for the United States have suggested cutting $62 billion from what has
been labeled as Cold War weapons programs. While the Pentagon
emphasizes the need to seek new technologies, the Task Force wants to
use this ``dividend'' for homeland security, halt the spread of nuclear
weapons.
The F-22 fighter, Joint Strike Fighter, the Virginia-class
submarine, the DD(X) destroyer, the V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft and the C-
130J cargo plane are just examples of new technology that has been
labeled as legacy weapons. The key is that these weapons are needed to
replace earlier aging weapons systems.
AGING EQUIPMENT
Crash Highlights An Aging Fleet.--A giant C-5A Air Force cargo
plane that crashed and broke apart while making an emergency landing at
Dover Air Force Base was part of an aging fleet whose future is being
debated. The 21-year-old aircraft that crashed was one that's been
modernized.
The U.S. Military has a number of aging air frames, besides the C-
5A, the Air Force has the F-15 fighter. The Navy and the Marines are
flying C-9 transports and H-46 helicopters. GAO Report 01-163 reported
that tactical Aircraft modernization plans would not reduce the average
age of these aircraft. Nearly 5 years of war have just added to the
wear and fatigue.
Tactical Air
The rapidly aging F-15 Eagle first flew in the 1970s. In mock
combat against MiG, Sukhoi and Mirage fighters, foreign air forces have
scored unexpected successes against the Eagles. Modern, Russian-
designed ``double-digit'' surface-to-air missile systems (SAMs) now
available on the export market have also caught up to the F-15 in
capability. New air dominance platforms are urgently needed. The F/A-22
Raptor and the Joint Strike F-35 fighters represent vital and
complementary capabilities must be fully funded.
The recent Quadrennial Defense Review has cut the Air Force's
planned F-22 buy in half--from 381 to 183 fighters. To compensate, the
Air Force will be forced to extend the service lives of other fighters
and depend more on advanced unmanned systems. Congress should reinstate
full procurement of 381 fighters for a minimum deployment of one
squadron for each of the service's 10 Air Expeditionary Forces.
Air National Guard needs E-8C, A-10, F-16 block 42 re-engining.
A4AD supports modernization of critical USMC aviation capabilities
available through MV-22, JSF-STOVL, and HLR programs. The JSF
development and support of constructive cost-control practices should
be fully funded for both the Navy and Marine Corps.
The Navy and Marine Corps are also approaching aging aircraft in a
different fashion. They are transferring tactical F-18 aircraft from
the Reserve to the Active Component. This will leave Reserve Component
units without hardware this will either reduce readiness of Reserve
operational units, or cause units to be disbanded.
Airlift
Air Mobility Command assets fly 36,478 hours per month and
participate in major operations including earthquake and hurricane
relief, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation
Noble Eagle, and SOUTHCOM. Their contributions in moving cargo and
passengers are absolutely indispensable to American warfighters in the
Global War on Terrorism. Both Air Force and Naval airframes and air
crew are being stressed by these lift missions.
As the U.S. military continues to become more expeditionary, it
will require more airlift. DOD should complete the planned buy of 180
C-17s, and add an additional 60 aircraft at a rate of 15 aircraft per
year to account to ensure an adequate airlift force for the future and
allow for attrition--C-17s are being worn out at a higher rate than
anticipated in the Global War on Terrorism.
DOD should also continue with a joint multi-year procurement of C-
130Js and press ahead with a C-5 Reliability Enhancement and Re-
engining Program test to see where airlift funds may be best allocated.
The Navy and Marine Corps need C-40A replacements for the C-9B
aircraft. The Navy requires Navy Unique Fleet Essential Airlift. The
maximum range for the C-40A is approximately 1,500 miles more than the
C-9 with a greater airlift capacity. The C-40A, a derivative of the
737-700C is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified, while
the aging C-9 fleet is not compliant with either future global
navigation requirements or noise abatement standards that restrict
flights into European airfields. Twenty-two aircraft remain to be
replaced.
Tankers
In need for air refueling is reconfirmed on a daily basis in
worldwide DOD operations. A significant number of tankers are old and
plagued with structural problems. The Air Force would like to retire as
many as 131 of the Eisenhower-era KC-135E tankers by the end of the
decade.
The controversy that surrounded the KC-767 tanker-lease proposal
has delayed acquisition of a new tanker. DOD and Congress must work
together to replacement of these aircraft. A replacement could come in
the form of a hybrid tanker/airlifter aircraft, which when produced
could ``swing'' from one mission to the other as required. Congress
should also look at re-engining a portion of the KC-135 fleet as a
short-term fix until newer platforms come online.
Procurement F-22, F-35, MV-22A, C40A and a replacement for the KC-
135 needs to be accelerated and modernized, and mobility requirements
need to be reported upon.
Navy Fleet Size
The number of ships in the fleet is dropping to 281 ships. The
Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Mike Mullen, has set the target for
the new fleet at 313 ships.
The Administration procurement rate has been too low.
A4AD favors a fleet no smaller than 313 ships because of an added
flexibility to respond to emerging threats. Congress should explore
options to current methods of ship design, configuration, and
shipbuilding that have created billion dollar destroyers.
OTHER ISSUES
Increasing End Strength
Op tempo and deployment rotation will begin to wear. The official
position of rotation of 1 year deployed for 3 years duty for active
duty and 1 year in 6 for the Guard and Reserve are targets, but not yet
reality. Increases are needed in the active component to reduce the
building stress, and to reduce the need for Guard and Reserve call-up.
Any unfunded end-strength increases would put readiness at risk.
The A4AD supports funding increases in support of the end strength
boosts of the Active Duty Component of the Army and Marine Corps that
have been recommended by Defense authorizers.
A4AD also hopes that this subcommittee would include language
reminding the Department of Defense that once appropriated that each
service should proactively recruit to try to attain these numbers.
Now is not the time to be cutting the Guard and Reserve. Incentives
should be utilized to attract prior service members into a growing
Reserve. Additionally, a moratorium on changes to end strength of the
Guard and Reserve should be put into place until Commission on the
Guard and Reserve can report back to Congress with recommendations.
The A4AD would like to also put a freeze on reductions to the Guard
and Reserve manning level, holding to the fiscal year 2006 levels.
Regeneration/Resetting of Equipment
A4AD would like to thank this committee for the regeneration money
that was included in the supplemental.
Aging equipment, high usage rates, austere conditions in Iraq, and
combat losses are affecting future readiness. Equipment is being used
at 5 to 10 times the programmed rate.
Additionally, to provide the best protection possible for soldiers
and marines in the combat theater, many units have left their equipment
behind for follow-on units, and are returning with no equipment.
Without equipment on which to train after de-mobilization, readiness
will become an issue.
The Army, Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Marines and Marine
Forces Reserve need continued funding by Congress for equipment
replacement.
Counter-measures to Improvised Explosive Devices
A4AD would like to commend the committee for supporting enhanced
countermeasures for air and ground troops now deployed. For ground
troops, the biggest threat to safety continues to be the improvised
explosive device or IED.
Cost effective solutions that can provide an enhanced degree of
safety do exist, however, in the form of electronic countermeasures.
These devices work in one of two ways: either by pre-detonating an IED
or by preventing the detonation through jamming of the signal. Officers
returning from the field indicate the better choice is pre-detonation.
Insurgents seem to be able to adapt to jamming technologies.
Also, insurgents can overcome armored protection by increasing the
explosive payload. With the right technology, it could be possible to
detonate these weapons in the workshops.
We encourage the committee to look at specifying additional funds
for the purpose of researching, purchasing and deploying more
electronic countermeasures for ground troops. In this way we can
provide a greater degree of safety to all of the troops facing the IED
threat, no matter what type of vehicle they may be operating.
Continued emphasis is needed for the procurement of sufficient
quantities of electronic countermeasures to protect personnel deployed
in the battle space.
Aircraft Survivability Equipment
Air crews face non-traditional threats used by non-conventional
forces and deserve the best available warning and countermeasure
equipment available to provide the greatest degree of safety possible.
The majority of funds have been expended on fixed aircraft protection;
approximately 75 percent of U.S. air losses have been rotary wing.
A4AD hopes that the committee will continue to support the purchase
and deployment of warning and countermeasures systems with an emphasis
on rotary wing aircraft across all of the services and insure that the
latest and most advanced versions of these protections are made
available to all units now deployed or slated for deployment in the
future--be they Active Duty, Guard or Reserve.
Maintaining the National Guard and Reserve Equipment List
A single equipment appropriation for each service would not
guarantee that the National Guard and Reserve Components would get any
new equipment. The National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account (NGREA)
is vital to ensuring that the Guard and Reserve has some funding to
procure essential equipment that has not been funded by the services.
Without congressional oversight, dollars intended for Guard and Reserve
equipment might be redirected to Active Duty non-funded requirements.
This will lead to decreased readiness.
This move is reminiscent of the attempt by DOD to consolidate all
pay and O&M accounts into one appropriation per service. Any action by
the Pentagon to circumvent congressional oversight should be resisted.
A4AD asks this committee to continue to provide appropriations
against unfunded National Guard and Reserve equipment requirements. To
appropriate funds to Guard and Reserve equipment would help emphasize
that the Active Duty is exploring dead-ends by suggesting the transfer
of Reserve equipment away from the Reservists.
Unfunded Equipment Requirements. (The services are not listed in
priority order.)
[In millions of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agency Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force:
F/A-22 and F/35 Joint Strike Fighter................ ..............
Accelerate C-17 and C-130J procurement.............. ..............
Update Tanker Fleet................................. ..............
E-10 multi-sensor Command and Control Aircraft...... ..............
Space Radar & Transformational Satellite (TSAT) ..............
system.............................................
Air Force Reserve:
C-5A ADS............................................ 11.8
LAIRCM (Large Aircraft I/R Counter Measures)........ 228.5
F-16 ALR-69A........................................ 18.8
C-130 APN-241 Radar................................. 21.0
MC-130E CARA/ETCAS.................................. 14.6
Air Guard:
Helmet Mounted Cueing System (HMCS)................. 270.8
A-10 SATCOM Radio................................... 6.3
KC-135 Night Vision Compatibility Lighting.......... 47.5
C-130, C-5, C-17 LAIRCM/C-5 ADS..................... 656
F-16, A-10, C-130, C-5 Simulators................... ..............
Army:
M88 Improved Recovery Vehicles...................... 331.9
C-47 Chinook Helicopters............................ 331.5
UH-60 Blackhawk replacement Helicopters............. 71
Army Reserve:
Light Medium Tactical Vehicles [LMTV]............... 306
Medium Tractors..................................... 304
Night Vision systems................................ ..............
Chemical/Bio/Radiological detection/alarm systems... .8
Medical Equipment................................... 3
Army Guard:
High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMHWV). 3,285
Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles.................. 4,582
Single Channel Ground Air Radio Sys (SINCGARS 222
replaces VRC-12)...................................
Small Arms.......................................... 96
Night Vision (AN/PVS-14/PAS-13)..................... 1,439
Marine Corps:
V-22 Osprey Aircraft in fiscal year 2007 (2)........ 154
(APN) KC-130J Aircraft Procurement (8).............. 678.7
(PMC) High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) 170.7
(PMC) M777A1 Lightweight 155MM Howitzer (LW 155) 12.4
Program............................................
Reserve Marine Corps:
(OMMCR)--Infantry Combat Equipment (ICE)--Reserves.. 11.7
Field Medical Equipment (FFME)...................... 3.5
Shelter and Tents (Command Post Large Tactical 2.2
Shelter)...........................................
Shelters and Tents (Ultra Lightweight Camouflage Net 5.3
System.............................................
Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK)..................... 3.5
Infantry Combat Equipment (ICE)..................... 11.7
Portable Tent Lighting.............................. 3.5
Navy:
Improvised Explosives Device Countermeasure......... 16.8
MH-60S/MH-60R procurement........................... 140
Lease (3) commercial Scan Eagle (SHUAV) Systems..... 39.7
Expeditionary Riverine Funding...................... 20
Accelerate (2) LCS.................................. 520
Naval Reserve:
Naval Coastal Warfare Table of Allowance Equipment.. 24.3
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Table of Allowance 2.4
Equipment..........................................
NCF Tactical Vehicles and Support Equipment......... 30.1
C-40 A Combo cargo/passenger Airlift................ 76
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONCLUSION
A4AD is a working group of military and veteran associations
looking beyond personnel issues to the broader issues of National
Defense.
Cuts in manpower and force structure, simultaneously in the Active
and Reserve Component are concerns in that it can have a detrimental
effect on surge and operational capability.
This testimony is an overview, and expanded data on information
within this document can be provided upon request.
Thank you for your ongoing support of the Nation, the Armed
Services, and the fine young men and women who defend our country.
Please contact us with any questions.
Senator Inouye. The next witness will be Lieutenant General
Dennis McCarthy.
STATEMENT OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL DENNIS M. McCARTHY,
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS (RETIRED),
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, RESERVE OFFICERS
ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES
General McCarthy. Senator Inouye, thank you very much. And
to the chairman and the members of the subcommittee, I
appreciate the opportunity to give a brief statement.
The magnificent contributions of over 500,000 members of
the Reserve components have enabled our Nation to conduct the
first extended war to be fought with an all volunteer force.
When the concept of an all volunteer force was originated in
the 1970s, it was considered primarily a peacetime solution.
Most believed that an extended war would force the Nation to
return to the draft. Instead, no draft has been necessary
because the Reserve components have surged forward to augment
and reinforce the Active component. In a very real sense, the
Reserve components have saved the country from a draft.
The Reserve component that surged in the past 5 years was
not formed after September 11. It was formed in the 1990s based
on the investments made by the Congress and by the dedication
of its leaders, both Active and Reserve. The condition of the
Reserve today is different than it was 5 years ago. In some
ways, it is better. Almost every leader is a combat-tested
veteran, and experience and confidence abound.
In other ways, however, the condition is worse. Equipment
has been destroyed, worn out, or left overseas. Financial
resources are stressed. And although every defense leader has
recognized the need to reset the force, my concern is that we
are not putting sufficient resources toward resetting the
Reserve force. I see a number of ominous signs.
First, funding for Reserve training has been cut. Aviation
units of several services are transferring aircraft from the
Reserve component to the Active component, and decommissioning
or putting into cadre status squadrons that flew just recently
in combat. There is a widespread lack of equipment needed for
homeland security and consequence management; primarily,
engineering and vehicles. And there continues to be a serious
lack of interoperable communications equipment.
The rationale for these conditions is that current
operations must be funded first, and that maybe the Reserve
should just take a few years off and rest up. I believe that
approach is fatally flawed. The caliber of young men and women
that we have today are not going to sit around empty training
centers and twiddle their thumbs because they do not have the
equipment or funds to train. If the country is not interested
in funding them, they will find other things to do.
History teaches a valuable lesson. At the end of the Korean
War, just about everybody in the Guard and Reserve was a combat
veteran. And the units were probably at the high water mark of
their combat capability. Ten or so years later, in the 1960s,
those same units were in very poor shape. The country lacked
confidence in them, called them ``weekend warriors,'' and used
the draft to fill out the Active force.
If we do not reset the Reserve force starting now, we will
begin the trip down the same road. The next time the Nation
needs its Guard and Reserve, whether at home or abroad, will
they be the combat-capable citizen warriors of 2006, or will
they be the next generation of weekend warriors? Put another
way, will the Reserves be as ready for the next crisis as they
were for this one? If they are not, is the Nation ready for a
draft?
These are tough questions, and I understand the competing
priorities. I thank you and the subcommittee for your
willingness to take action on them. Thank you, sir.
Senator Inouye. Thank you, General McCarthy. And I can
assure you that my colleagues and I are very sensitive to the
questions you just raised.
General McCarthy. Thank you, sir. We know you are.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Dennis M. McCarthy
The Reserve Officers Association of the United States (ROA) is a
professional association of commissioned and warrant officers of our
Nation's seven uniformed services, and their spouses. ROA was founded
in 1922 during the drawdown years following the end of World War I. It
was formed as a permanent institution dedicated to National Defense,
with a goal to teach America about the dangers of unpreparedness. When
chartered by Congress in 1950, the act established the objective of ROA
to: ``. . . support and promote the development and execution of a
military policy for the United States that will provide adequate
National Security.'' The mission of ROA is to advocate strong Reserve
Components and national security, and to support Reserve officers in
their military and civilian lives.
The association's 75,000 members include Reserve and Guard
soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and coast guardsmen who frequently
serve on active duty to meet critical needs of the uniformed services
and their families. ROA's membership also includes officers from the
U.S. Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration who often are first responders during national disasters
and help prepare for homeland security. ROA is represented in each
State with 55 departments plus departments in Latin America, the
District of Columbia, Europe, the Far East, and Puerto Rico. Each
department has several chapters throughout the State. ROA has more than
450 chapters worldwide.
ROA is a member of The Military Coalition where it co-chairs the
Tax and Social Security Committee. ROA is also a member of the National
Military/Veterans Alliance. Overall, ROA works with 75 military,
veterans and family support organizations.
ROA PRIORITIES
The Reserve Officers Association calendar year 2006 legislative
priorities are:
--Full funding of equipment and training requirements for the
National Guard and Reserves.
--Providing adequate resource and authorities to support the current
recruiting and retention requirements of the National Guard and
Reserves.
Issues To Help Fund, Equip, and Train
Fully fund Military Pay Appropriation to guarantee a minimum of 48
drills and 2 weeks training for each selected Reservist in every
service.
Sustain authorization and appropriation to National Guard and
Reserve Equipment Account (NGREA) to permit flexibility for Reserve
Chiefs in support of mission and readiness needs.
Optimize funding for additional training, preparation and
operational support.
Regenerate the Reserve Components (RC) with current field, combat,
and communication compatible equipment.
Keep Active and Reserve personnel and Operation and Maintenance
funding separate.
Equip Reserve Component members with equivalent personal protection
as Active Component Forces.
Issues To Assist Recruiting and Retention
Support incentives for affiliation, reenlistment, retention and
continuation in the RC. Allow RC bonus payments through 20 years of
service.
Pay and Compensation
Differential pay for federal employees.
Professional pay for RC medical professionals.
Eliminate the one-thirtieth rule for Aviation Career Incentive Pay,
Career Enlisted Flyers Incentive Pay, Diving Special Duty Pay, and
Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay.
Education
Increase MGIB-Selected Reserve to 47 percent of MGIB-Active.
Health Care
Expand the 28 percent co-payment to TRICARE Reserve Select to
unemployed and uninsured Ready Reservists.
Extend military coverage for restorative dental care for up to 180
days following deployment.
Spouse Support
Repeal the SBP-Dependency Indemnity Clause (DIC) offset.
ROA's goals come from our members as they identify problems or
suggest improvements to the situations they encounter. Since we are not
in the Department of Defense's chain of command we provide a source for
candid discourse without fear of retaliation. ROA will continue to
support the troops in the field in any way we can.
national guard and reserve equipment and personnel accounts
Resetting the Force
Resetting or reconstitution of the force is the process to restore
people, aircraft and equipment to a high state of readiness following a
period of higher-than-normal, or surge, operations. The purpose of
force reconstitution is to restore optimum combat power.
Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom are consuming the
force's equipment. Wear and tear is at a rate many times higher then
planned. Battle damage expends additional resources. Factors affecting
equipment availability:
--Equipment Left in Theater.--Leaving equipment behind for follow is
practical. Yet, it also affects the returning units from which
the equipment was the original allowance. Future training is
downgraded, directly affecting readiness.
--Repair.--Encompasses cost of parts, stand-down of assets while
waiting for parts, scheduling backlogs for added contingency
equipment into a normal repair cycle. This may require hiring
additional personnel to reduce scheduling overloads.
--Depot Level Maintenance.--Factors in delayed scheduled maintenance
resulting in aircraft and equipment being in violation of
maintenance requirements during engagements.
--Cannibalization.--Can be commonplace as units strip essential parts
and components from already ``broken'' equipment in order to
spare parts. This practice can lead to equipment loss.
--Replace.--Loss of inventory that can't be salvaged and must be
replaced must be considered as part of the reconstitution
effort.
Personnel
Training.--When Reserve Component personnel participate in an
operation they are focused on the needs of the particular mission,
which may not include everything required to maintain qualification
status in their military occupation specialty (MOS, AFSC, NEC).
There are many different aspects of training that are affected.
--Skills that must be refreshed for specialty.
--Training needed for upgrade but delayed.
--Ancillary training missed.
--Professional military education needed to stay competitive.
--Professional continuing education requirements for single-managed
career fields and other certified or licensed specialties
required annually.
--Graduate education in business related areas to address force
transformation and induce officer retention.
Loss.--There are particular challenges that occur to the force when
a loss occurs during a mobilization or operation and depending on the
specialty this can be a particularly critical requirement that must be
met.
--Recruiting may require particular attention to enticing certain
specialties or skills to fill critical billets.
--Minimum levels of training (84 days basic, plus specialty
training).
--Retraining may be required due to force leveling as emphasis is
shifted within the service to meet emerging requirements.
End Strength
The ROA would like to also put a freeze on reductions to the Guard
and Reserve manning levels. ROA urges this subcommittee to fund to last
year's levels.
In a time of war and the highest OPTEMPO in recent history, it is
wrong to make cuts to the end strength of the Reserve Components. The
Commission on National Guard and Reserve will be examining Reserve
Force Structure, and will make recommendations as to size in its report
to the Congress in March 2007.
As Congress maintained the Army Guard strengths, it is essential
that the end strength of the Army Reserve should not be cut either. We
urge you to fund the USAR at 205,000.
To meet the challenge of changes in end strength, the AF Reserve
Command has prioritized all of its unit and IMA personnel positions.
Until recommendations are made by the Commission on the Guard and
Reserve, end strength should not be changed.
The Navy's Reserve has been cut over 18 percent in the last 5 years
and by half in the last 15 years. We need to pause to permit force
planning and strategy to catch-up with budget reductions.
Readiness
Readiness is a product of many factors, including the quality of
officers and enlisted, full staffing, extensive training and exercises,
well-maintained weapons and authorized equipment, efficient procedures,
and the capacity to operate at a fast tempo. The pace of wartime
operations has a major impact on service members.
The Defense Department does not attempt to keep all active units at
the C-1 level. The risk is without resetting the force returning Active
and Reserve units will be C-4 or lower because of missing equipment,
and without authorized equipment their training levels will
deteriorate.
NONFUNDED ARMY RESERVE
Funding must be increased across the board for the Department of
Defense. Shortfalls are especially glaring relative to the Army and the
Army RC components of the Reserve and Guard. We urge substantial
increases in funding for all these Army entities.
If the USAR is to be an operational force in a high OPTEMPO then an
investment must be made. The AR will have a deficit of over $632
million for fiscal year 2007 in its Personnel ($446 million) and
Operations and Maintenance ($186 million) accounts.
The AR is projecting a long-term shortfall of nearly 5,000 company
grade officers, yet its budget for the Army Reserve Basic Officer
Course, which trains both new officers entering the Army Reserve and
the Army National Guard, is funded for about 850 of the 2,300 AR and
ARNG officers programmed for attendance. Similar major shortfalls will
occur in recruiting and retention incentives ($322 million),
sustainment training ($41 million), tuition assistance ($20 million),
and in a variety of programs related to recruiter support ($14
million), family ($9 million), marketing program ($11 million) and
chaplain support ($8 million), and other areas as well.
New Usar Equipment Strategy--How It Works
The Army Reserve has developed a new strategy to make the most
effective and efficient use of its equipment. The new strategy supports
the Army Force Generation and the Army Reserve Expeditionary Force
(AREF) management systems. It ensures the best available equipment is
provided to Army Reserve soldiers where and when they need it, as they
move through the pre-mobilization training phase of the AREF cycle
toward mobilization and deployment.
Individual equipment, such as weapons and masks, will be maintained
at unit stations, with enough of a unit's major items--trucks,
forklifts, etc.--to allow for effective training and to support
homeland defense requirements.
In the new model, units will be moved to the equipment located at
the training sites, rather than moving equipment to the units. Creating
centrally located equipment pools to support directed and focused
training, will enable the Army Reserve to yield efficiencies in
resourcing and maintaining its equipment.
ARMY RESERVE EQUIPMENT PRIORITIES
[In millions of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Procurement of equipment to support modularity:
Light-medium trucks (25 percent compatibility)...... 306
Medium tractors (50 percent compatibility).......... 305
Night vision systems................................ ..............
Chemical/biological/radiological detection/alarm 8
systems............................................
Medical Equipment................................... 3
Sustainment:
Sustainment of depot maintenance levels............. ..............
Recapitalization of tactical truck inventory........ ..............
Army Reserve tactical maintenance contract labor to ..............
reduce mobilization and training equipment backlogs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIR FORCE RESERVE EQUIPMENT PRIORITIES
ROA continues to support military aircraft Multi-Year Procurement
(MYP) for more C-17s and more C-130Js for USAF. The Air Force Reserve
(AFR) is working to continue as an interoperable member of the Total
Air Force to support mission requirements of the joint warfighter. To
achieve interoperability in the future, the Air Force Reserve top five
priorities for ``Other Equipment'' are:
C-5A Airlift Defensive System (ADS)--$11,800,000
Install ADS systems onto AFRC C-5As at Lackland and Wright-
Patterson AFBs where current aircraft do not have defense systems
against IR threats.
Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM)--$228,500,000
Program of record for Mobility Air Forces (MAF) aircraft. The
system increases crew-warning time, decreases false alarm rates and
automatically counters advanced infrared missile systems. The missile
warning subsystem will use multiple sensors to provide full spatial
coverage for C-5B, C-17, C-130 H2/H3/J and HC-130s.
Advanced Threat Warning/Targeting System (ALR-69A-V) for F-16B30/32--
$18,800,000
Program of record for MAF and Air Force Special Operations Forces.
The world's first all-digital radar warning receiver (RWR), the ALR-
69A(V) features capabilities previously unattainable in a tactical RWR:
suppression of enemy air defenses, easy cross-platform integration, and
enhanced spectral and spatial coverage for high-sensitivity detection
in dense signal environments.
Low Power Color Radar (AN/APN-241) for C-130--$21,000,000
Program of record for C-130 Avionics Modernization Program. Radar
capabilities include high-resolution ground mapping that enables
accurate low-level navigation and precision aerial drops.
Enhanced Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (ETCAS) for MC-
130--$14,600,000
Install ETCAS (APN-241) all weather, color radar on MC-130s.
navy reserve equipment priorities
Naval Coastal Warfare Table of Allowance Equipment--$24,300,000
Replacements of over-aged and unreliable tactical vehicles, CSCE
and communications equipment are needed to improve operational support
of Combatant Commanders.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Table of Allowance Equipment--$2,400,000
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Reserve personnel require dive
and protective gear, up-armored vehicles, boats and communications gear
to improve operational support of Combatant Commanders.
NCF Tactical Vehicles and Support Equipment--$30,100,000
Tactical vehicles, CESE and communications equipment are needed to
improve operational support of Combatant Commanders.
C-40 A Combo cargo/passenger Airlift--$75,000,000
The Navy requires a Navy Unique Fleet Essential Airlift Replacement
Aircraft. This aircraft was designated as the C-40A and will replace
the aging C-9 fleet. The maximum range for the C-40A is approximately
1,500 miles more than the C-9.
The C-40A, a derivative of the 737-700C is a Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) certified, high performance, fixed wing aircraft
that will accommodate 121 passengers, or eight pallets of cargo (40,000
lbs), or a combination configuration consisting of 3 pallets and 70
passengers. The Navy's aging C-9 fleet is not compliant with either
future global navigation requirements or noise abatement standards that
restrict flights into European airfields. Twenty-two aircraft remain to
be replaced.
MARINE CORPS RESERVE EQUIPMENT PRIORITIES
[In millions of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Field Medical Equipment (FFME).......................... 3.5
Shelter and Tents (Command Post Large Tactical Shelter). 2.2
Shelters and Tents (Ultra Lightweight Camouflage Net 5.3
System)................................................
Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK)......................... 3.5
Infantry Combat Equipment (ICE)......................... 11.7
Portable Tent Lighting.................................. 3.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE EQUIPMENT ALLOWANCE
Prior to 1997, the National Guard and Reserve Equipment
Appropriation was a critical resource to ensure adequate funding for
new equipment for the Reserve Components. The much-needed items not
funded by the respective service budget were frequently purchased
through this appropriation. In some cases it was used to bring unit
equipment readiness to a needed state for mobilization.
With the war, the Reserve and Guard are faced with mounting
challenges on how to replace worn out equipment, equipment lost due to
combat operations, legacy equipment that is becoming irrelevant or
obsolete, and in general replacing that which is gone or aging through
normal wear and tear. In the past, the use of ``cascading'' equipment
from the Active Component to the Reserve Component has been a reliable
source of serviceable equipment. However, with the changes in roles and
missions that have placed a preponderance of combat support and combat
service support in the reserve components, there has not been much left
to cascade. Funding levels, rising costs, lack of replacement parts for
older equipment, etc. has made it difficult for the Reserve Components
to maintain their aging equipment, not to mention modernizing and
recapitalizing to support a viable legacy force. The Reserve Components
would benefit greatly from a National Military Resource Strategy that
includes a National Guard and Reserve Equipment Appropriation.
To optimize the readiness of the Guard and Reserve it is also
imperative to maintain separate Reserve funds from the Active duty.
Recruiting and Retention
The Reserve Officers Association would like to thank this committee
for it support with funding recruiting and reenlistment bonuses for
both the Active and Reserve.
Army Reserve
As combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan become ``stability''
operations, it is expected that the Army Reserve and National Guard
will make up 50 percent or more of the force. Both the Active Component
and the Reserve Component will move to a rotational plan that will
provide both predictability and stability for soldiers. Recruiting and
retention bonuses are helping meet these requirements. The Army Reserve
needs to fully fund their bonus program with $332 million and increase
AGR recruiter positions with funding to $59.1 million.
Navy Reserve
In March, the Navy Reserve recruited 757 sailors, 87 percent of its
goal. While the Navy's Reserve is downsizing to reach the new end-
strengths set by Congress of 73,100 from 83,400. There still remains a
need to recruit. The enlistment bonus program supports the Navy's
emerging human capital strategy. It enables the Navy to enlist
personnel with the right skill and education mix to meet the needs of
the force.
Air Force Reserve
In a 10-year period the Air Force Reserve went from accessing
50,507 prior service members in 1992 to 14,950 in 2005. This has meant
increased funding of $20.4 million for recruiting of non-prior service
personnel to meet recruitment quotas.
It can take from 1 to 2 years before an individual can perform
military duty somewhat independently. Each year for the past 5 years,
AF Reserve has enhanced its advertising effort due to the need to
compete in the demographic pool with the Active and National Guard
recruiters. The recruiting competition will be stiffer and the
advertising dollar will produce less results.
ROA recommends supporting bonus incentives and reverse cost
avoidance reduction trends that cut the reserve personnel and
technician accounts.
CIOR/CIOMR FUNDING REQUEST
The Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers (CIOR) was
founded in 1948, and its affiliate organization, The Interallied
Confederation of Medical Reserve Officers (CIOMR) was founded in 1947.
The organization is a nonpolitical, independent confederation of
national reserve associations of the signatory countries of the North
Atlantic Treaty (NATO). Presently there are 16 member delegations
representing over 800,000 reserve officers.
CIOR is recognized as the representative of NATO's Reserve Forces,
formalized in 1976. An International Staff Liaison Officer is
designated and has, on behalf of the NATO Secretary General,
responsibility for formal contacts between NATO and CIOR and for
providing political advice. A Reserve Affairs Advisor has been
appointed at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). This
officer's principle duties include liaison with CIOR for Allied Command
Europe (ACE).
CIOR supports four programs to improve professional development and
international understanding.
Military Competition.--The CIOR Military Competition is a strenuous
3 day contest on warfighting skills among Reserve Officers teams from
member countries. These contests emphasize combined and joint military
actions relevant to the multinational aspects of current and future
Alliance operations.
Language Academy.--The two official languages of NATO are English
and French. As a non-government body, operating on a limited budget, it
is not in a position to afford the expense of providing simultaneous
translation services. The Academy offers intensive courses in English
and French at proficiency levels 1, 2 and 3 as specified by NATO
Military Agency for Standardization. The Language Academy affords
national junior officer members the opportunity to become fluent in
English as a second language.
Partnership for Peace (PfP).--Established by CIOR Executive
Committee in 1994 with the focus of assisting NATO PfP nations with the
development of reserve officer and enlisted organizations according to
democratic principles. CIOR's PfP Committee, fully supports the
development of civil-military relationships and respect for democratic
ideals within PfP nations. CIOR PfP Committee also assists in the
invitation process to participating countries in the Military
Competition.
Young Reserve Officers Workshop.--The workshops are arranged
annually by the NATO International Staff (IS). Selected issues are
assigned to joint seminars through the CIOR Defense and Security Issues
(SECDEF) Commission. Junior grade officers work in a joint seminar
environment to analyze Reserve concerns relevant to NATO.
Dues do not cover the workshops and individual countries help fund
the events. The Department of the Army as Executive Agent hasn't been
funding these programs.
ROA LAW CENTER
It was suggested that ROA could incorporate some federal military
offices, such as recruiting offices, into the newly remodeled ROA
Minuteman Memorial building. ROA would be willing to work with this
committee on any suggestion.
The Reserve Officers Association's recommendation would be to
develop a Servicemembers Law Center, advising Active and Reserve
servicemembers who have been subject to legal problems that occur
during deployment.
A legal center would help encourage new members to join the Active,
Guard and Reserve components by providing a non-affiliation service to
educate prior service about USERRA and Servicemember Civil Relief Act
(SCRA) protections, and other legal issues. It would help retention as
a member of the staff could work with Active and Reserve Component
members to counsel those who are preparing to deploy, deployed or
recently deployed members facing legal problems.
The Legal Center could advise, refer by providing names of
attorneys who work related legal issues and amicus curiae briefs,
encourage law firms to represent service members, and educate and
training lawyers, especially active and reserve judge advocates on
servicemember protection cases. The center could also be a resource to
Congress.
ROA would set-aside office spaces. ROA's Defense Education Fund
would hire an initial staff of one lawyer, and one administrative law
clerk to man the Servicemembers Law Center to counsel individuals and
their legal representatives.
Anticipated startup cost, first year: $750,000.
CONCLUSION
DOD is in the middle of executing a war and operations in Iraq are
directly associated with this effort. The impact of the war is
affecting the very nature of the Guard and Reserve, not just the
execution of roles and missions. Without adequate funding, the Guard
and Reserve may be viewed as a source to provide fund to the Active
Component. It makes sense to fully fund the most cost efficient
components of the Total Force, its Reserve Components.
At a time of war, we are expending the smallest percentage of GDP
in history on National Defense. Funding now reflects about 3.8 percent
of GDP. ROA has a resolution urging that defense spending should be 5
percent to cover both the war and homeland security. While these are
big dollars, the President and Congress must understand that this type
of investment is what it will take to equip, train and maintain an all-
volunteer force for adequate national security.
The Reserve Officers Association, again, would like to thank the
subcommittee for the opportunity to present our testimony. We are
looking forward to working with you, and supporting your efforts in any
way that we can.
Senator Inouye. Our next witness is Dr. Gene E. Feigel,
President of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Welcome, doctor.
Dr. Feigel. Thank you.
STATEMENT OF GENE E. FEIGEL, Ph.D., PRESIDENT, AMERICAN
SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS (ASME)
Dr. Feigel. Good morning, Mr. Chairman. My name is Gene
Feigel. I'm President of ASME, a 120,000 member professional
organization focused on technical, educational, and research
issues of importance to the engineering community.
Engineers are a major portion of this Nation's technology
base, a base that is essential for our defense and our economic
vitality. We appreciate the opportunity to present our views on
the DOD's science and technology programs, the S&T programs,
which include basic and applied research, and advanced
technology development programs at DOD.
I want to specifically thank this subcommittee and
especially you, Mr. Chairman, for the past and ongoing support
you've shown for the defense S&T programs.
The President's fiscal year 2007 budget request for defense
S&T is $11 billion, which is $2 billion less than the fiscal
2006 appropriated amount of $13 billion, representing a steep
16 percent reduction.
The 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), the Defense
Science Board, as well as senior Defense Department officials
and commanders from the Air Force, Army, and Navy, have voiced
strong support for the future allocation of at least 3 percent
of the overall DOD budget for S&T programs. The fiscal 2007
request if implemented would represent a significantly reduced
investment in defense S&T.
We strongly urge this subcommittee to consider additional
resources to maintain at least stable funding in the S&T
funding portion of the DOD budget. At a minimum, $13.2 billion,
or approximately $2.1 billion above the President's request, is
required to meet the 3 percent of total obligation authority
guideline set in the 2001 QDR, and is also supported by many
members of Congress.
We also urge this subcommittee to support the university
research initiative by restoring funds for the program to the
fiscal 2006 level of $272 million for the forthcoming budget. A
recent study by the National Academy of Sciences entitled,
``Rising Above the Gathering Storm; Energizing and Employing
America for a Brighter Economic Future,'' evaluated the
position of the United States in several critical measures of
technology, education, innovation, and high-skilled workforce
development. While the report indicated that the United States
maintains a slight lead in research and discovery, the academy
committee observed that it is, quotes, ``deeply concerned that
the scientific and technological building blocks critical to
our economic leadership are eroding at a time when many other
nations are gaining strength.''
Proper attention should be given to the vital role that DOD
S&T programs play in meeting this challenge. Study after study
has linked over 50 percent of our economic growth over the past
50 years to technological innovation. The ``Gathering Storm''
report places special emphasis on information sciences and
basic research conducted by the DOD, because of its large
influence on technological innovation and workforce
development.
The DOD funds 40 percent of all engineering research
performed at our universities. The technological superiority of
our young men and women in the services and in the campaigns
waged in Afghanistan and Iraq is a direct result of investments
made in S&T several decades ago.
Moreover, this research is truly dual-use. As well as
directly being critical to national security, it is critical to
educating new generations of scientists and engineers.
Thank you for the opportunity to present our views on this
very important subject.
Senator Inouye. Thank you very much, Dr. Feigel.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Gene E. Feigel, Ph.D.
INTRODUCTION
Greetings Mr. Chairman, ranking member, and Members of the
committee. My name is Gene Feigel and I am honored to be here as the
President of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) to
share our perspectives on the fiscal year 2007 budget request for the
Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) and the Science and
Technology (S&T) portion of the Department of Defense budget request.
With 120,000 members, ASME is a worldwide engineering society
focused on technical, educational and research issues. It conducts one
of the world's largest technical publishing operations, holds
approximately 30 technical conferences and 200 professional development
courses each year, and sets many industry and manufacturing standards.
This testimony represents the considered judgment of experts from
universities, industry, and members from the engineering and scientific
community who contribute their time and expertise to evaluate the
budgets requests and legislative initiatives the DOD sends to Congress.
Our testimony addresses three (3) primary funding areas: overall
Engineering (RDT&E); Science and Technology (S&T); and the University
Research Initiative (URI). Our testimony also outlines the consequences
of inadequate funding for defense research. These include a degraded
competitive position in developing advanced military technology versus
potential peer competitors, which could harm the United States' global
economic and military leadership.
The fiscal year 2007 request, if implemented, would represent a
significantly reduced investment in Defense S&T. We strongly urge this
committee to consider additional resources to maintain stable funding
in the S&T portion of the DOD budget. At a minimum, $13.2 billion, or
about $2.1 billion above the President's request is required to meet
the 3 percent of Total Obligational Authority (TOA) guideline set in
the 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review and by Congress.
DOD REQUEST FOR RDT&E
The administration requested $73.156 billion for the Research,
Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) portion of the fiscal year
2007 DOD budget. These resources are used mostly for developing,
demonstrating, and testing weapon systems, such as fighter aircraft,
satellites, and warships. This amount represents growth from last
year's appropriated amount of $71.046 billion of about 3.0 percent.
Therefore, when adjusted for inflation, this represents a reduction of
about 0.8 percent in real terms. Funds for Operational Test and
Evaluation (OT&E) function remain low, where the proposed funding of
$182 million is little more than half of the 2005 appropriated amount
of $310 million. The OT&E organization and the testing it conducts was
mandated by Congress, and is intended to insure that weapon systems are
thoroughly tested so that they are effective and safe for our troops.
While this testimony focuses on the fiscal year 2007 budget, the
task force notes that the last multi-year spending plan from 2006, as
provided in the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP), generally shows
reduced spending in RDT&E accounts over the next 5 years, with spending
in fiscal year 2011 being just $59.7 billion, or a 18.4 percent
reduction from current levels. This reduced spending in R&D is
inconsistent with the goal of developing new systems with advanced
capabilities that support military transformation.
DOD REQUEST FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
The fiscal year 2007 budget request for Defense Science and
Technology (S&T) is $11.083 billion, which is $2.11 billion less than
the fiscal year 2006 appropriated amount of $13.191 and represents a 16
percent reduction. The S&T portion of overall DOD spending of $439
billion would remain at 2.5 percent. The 2001 Quadrennial Defense
Review (QDR), the Defense Science Board (DSB), as well as senior
Defense Department officials and commanders from the Air Force, Army,
and Navy have voiced strong support for the future allocation of at
least three (3) percent for S&T programs. Clearly, this budget request
is inadequate to meet the country's need for robust S&T funding.
A relatively small fraction of the RDT&E budget is allocated for
S&T programs. While the fiscal year 2007 S&T request represents only
about 15 percent of the RDT&E total, these accounts support all of the
new knowledge creation, invention and technology developments for the
military. Funds for Basic Research (6.1), Applied Research (6.2), and
Advanced Technology Development (6.3) and all categories are programmed
for significant funding reductions.
Basic Research (6.1) accounts would decrease from $1.47 billion to
$1.43 billion, a 2.7 percent decline. While basic research accounts
comprise only a small percentage over all RDT&E funds, the programs
that these accounts support are critically important to fundamental,
scientific advances and for maintaining a highly skilled science and
engineering workforce.
Basic research accounts are used mostly to support science and
engineering research and graduate, technical education at universities
in all 50 States. Almost all of the current high-technology weapon
systems, from laser-guided, precision weapons, to the global
positioning satellite (GPS) system, have their origin in fundamental
discoveries generated in these basic research programs. Proper
investments in basic research are needed now, so that the fundamental
scientific results will be available to create innovative solutions for
future defense challenges. In addition, many of the technical leaders
in corporations and government laboratories that are developing current
weapon systems, such as the F-22 and Joint Strike Fighter, were
educated under basic research programs funded by DOD. Failure to invest
sufficient resources in basic, defense-oriented research will reduce
innovation and weaken the future scientific and engineering workforce.
The Task Force recommends that Basic Research (6.1) be funded at a
minimum level of $1.7 billion.
Applied Research (6.2) would be reduced from $5.17 billion to $4.48
billion, a 13 percent reduction. The programs supported by these
accounts apply basic scientific knowledge, often phenomena discovered
under the basic research programs, to important defense needs. Applied
research programs may involve laboratory proof-of-concept and are
generally conducted at universities, government laboratories, or by
small businesses. Many of the successful demonstrations led to the
creation of small companies, like the Small Business Innovative
Research (SBIR) programs. Some devices created in these defense
technology programs have dual use, such as GPS, and the commercial
market far exceeds the defense market. However, without initial support
by Defense Applied Research funds, many of these companies would not
exist. Failure to properly invest in applied research would prevent
stifle a key source of technological development and stunt the creation
and growth of small entrepreneurial companies.
The largest reduction would occur in Advanced Technology
Development (6.3), which would experience a 21.5 percent decline, from
$6.603 billion to $5.183 billion. These resources support programs that
ready technology to be transitioned into weapon systems. Without the
real system level demonstrations funded by these accounts, companies
are reluctant to incorporate new technologies into weapon systems
programs.
The individual service's S&T accounts reflect the general trend of
large reductions described above. However the largest reductions are in
the Army's accounts, where Basic Research would be cut by 16.2 percent,
Applied Research by 45.2 percent, and Advanced Technology Development
by 48.0 percent. The only major S&T components with increases are
``Defense-Wide'' Basic Research (6.1) and Applied Research (6.2) where
9.1 percent and 6.5 percent increases are proposed respectively. We
strongly support these increases, especially the 10.6 percent boost in
the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) to $3.3 billion.
DOD REQUEST FOR THE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH INITIATIVE (URI)
The University Research Initiative (URI) supports graduate
education in Mathematics, Science, and Engineering and would see a $23
million decrease from $272 million to $249 million in fiscal year 2007
next year, a 3.2 percent reduction. Sufficient funding for the URI is
critical to educating the next generation of engineers and scientist
for the defense industry. Since the URI programs were devolved, the
services have not given a high priority to these programs. A lag in
program funds will have a serious long-term negative consequence on our
ability to develop a highly skilled scientific and engineering
workforce to build weapons systems for years to come. While DOD has
enormous current commitments, these pressing needs should not be
allowed to squeeze out the small but very important investments
required to create the next generation of highly skilled technical
workers for the American defense industry. This would be shortsighted.
REDUCED S&T FUNDING THREATENS AMERICA'S NATIONAL SECURITY
Since World War II the United States has led the world in science,
innovation, and defense technology. However, this lead is quickly
eroding and within the next few years may be substantially reduced or
may completely evaporate in some areas. A recent study performed by the
National Academy of Sciences, entitled ``Rising Above the Gathering
Storm: Energy and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future,''
evaluated the position of the United States in several critical
measures of technology, education, innovation, and high skilled
workforce development. While the report indicated that the U.S.
maintains a slight lead in research and discovery, the committee states
that it is ``deeply concerned that the scientific and technological
building blocks critical to our economic leadership are eroding at a
time when many other nations are gaining strength.'' Proper attention
should be given to the vital role that DOD S&T programs play in meeting
this challenge.
S&T have played a historic role in creating an innovative economy
and a highly skilled workforce. Study after study has linked over 50
percent of our economic growth over the past 50 years to technological
innovation. The ``Gathering Storm'' report places a ``special emphasis
on information sciences and basic research'' conducted by the DOD
because of large influence on technological innovation and workforce
development. The DOD, for example, funds 40 percent of all engineering
research performed at our universities. U.S. economic leadership
depends on the S&T programs that support the Nation's defense base,
promote technological superiority in weapons systems, and educate new
generations of sciences and engineers.
Prudent investments also directly affect U.S. national security.
There is a general belief among defense strategist that the United
States must have the industrial base to develop and produce the
military systems required for national defense. Many Members of
Congress also hold this view. A number of disconcerting trends, such as
outsourcing of engineering activities and low participation of U.S.
students in science and engineering, threaten to create a critical
shortage of the native, skilled, scientific and engineering work force
is required. Programs that boost the available number of highly
educated workers who reside in the United States are important to stem
our growing reliance on foreign nations, including potentially hostile
ones, to fill the ranks of our defense industries and to ensure that we
continue to produce the innovative, effective defense systems of the
future.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In conclusion, we thank the subcommittee for its ongoing support of
Defense S&T. This committee appreciates the difficult choices that
Congress must make in this tight budgetary environment. We believe,
however, that there are critical shortages in the DOD S&T areas,
particularly in those that support in basic research and technical
education that are critical to U.S. military and economic leadership.
The Task Force recommends the following:
--We urge this subcommittee to support an appropriation of $13.2
billion for S&T programs, which is 3 percent of the overall
fiscal year 2007 DOD budget. This request is consistent with
recommendations contained in the 2001 Quadrennial Defense
Review and made by the Defense Science Board (DSB), as well as
senior Defense Department officials and commanders from the Air
Force, Army, and Navy, who have voiced support for the future
allocation of 3 percent as a worthy benchmark for science and
technology programs.
--We also recommend that the subcommittee support the University
Research Initiative by restoring funds for the program to the
fiscal year 2006 level of $272 million to the URI program for
fiscal year 2007. A strong investment in advanced technical
education will allow the Nation's armed services to draw from a
large pool of highly-skilled, native-born workers for its
science and engineering endeavors.
ASME International is a non-profit technical and educational
organization with 125,000 members worldwide. The Society's members work
in all sectors of the economy, including industry, academic, and
government. This statement represents the views of the ASME Department
of Defense Task Force of ASME's Technical Communities and is not
necessarily a position of ASME as a whole.
Senator Inouye. Our next witness is Command Chief Master
Sergeant Mark H. Olanoff, United States Air Force, retired,
representing the Armed Forces Top Enlisted Association.
STATEMENT OF COMMAND CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT MARK H.
OLANOFF, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE (RETIRED),
ON BEHALF OF THE ARMED FORCES TOP ENLISTED
ASSOCIATION
Sergeant Olanoff. Good morning, Senator Inouye.
Senator Inouye. Good morning, sir.
Sergeant Olanoff. It is nice to see you again. Thank you
for everything that you've done for us in the past. And we know
sometimes that we are preaching to the choir to you and Senator
Stevens, because you've both done so much for us. I know time
is short. There were comments earlier about the issues that we
have to deal with--with the authorization committee, and we
realize that, and you know that we brought up the issues here
to you about the survivor benefits and the increases in
retirement pay, the TRICARE problems, and those things.
But there is one thing from a standpoint of appropriations
that I think that is interesting. I've put it in my full
statement, but I want to read you a portion of what the
Government Accountability Office (GAO) said about ways to
increase collections for health care for DOD, which is very
similar to what the Department of Veterans Affairs can do. GAO
says that: ``DOD's failure to effectively bill and collect from
third-party insurers in effect reduces the amount third-party
private sector insurance companies must pay out in benefits and
unnecessarily add to DOD's increasing health care budget
financed by taxpayers. While DOD has limited control over the
burgeoning cost of providing health care benefits to DOD
retirees and their dependents, and active duty dependents, DOD
has an opportunity to offset the impact of its rising health
care costs by collecting amounts due from its third-party
collection program.''
Now you know, Senator, that the Defense Department has
proposed that military retirees pay more, and both the House
and the Senate have rejected that. However, they haven't put
the funding back into place, and it is about $735 million that
needs to be funded.
But overall, there is an imbalance between the
discretionary funding and the mandatory funding; the
operational cost and the personnel cost. And many of us have
come before you over the years here, many of the associations,
to bring this up. And we realize that although the
authorization committees have to do things, we bring these
things to your attention because many of us get to come here,
and unfortunately the Armed Services Committee hearings are
very limited. So we ask you to fully fund health care, and to
look at all these other programs that we talk about in our
statements, although we realize that the authorization
committees have to do some things.
The last issue I want to talk about is the Reserve
component. You just heard a little bit of testimony about that.
In the President's budget, he has asked to cut the Reserve
components by 22,800 people, specifically the Army National
Guard by 17,100. And as someone who's very familiar with the
Guard and Reserve, I find it very unbelievable that the
Secretary of Defense and others come before these committees
and ask you, and explain to you that the Guard and Reserve need
to do more, but now we want to propose cuts in their manning.
It just doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
And as you know, the National Guard is going to be
supporting a mission to go to the border. And although the
Secretary of Defense testified to you last week and said that
most of that is going to be done through annual training tours,
that can only be sustained for a very limited period of time.
So I realize time is short, and I have provided detailed
explanation in my written statement, and hopefully the
subcommittee will do what they can this year to support the
programs. Thank you, Senator Inouye.
Senator Inouye. I can assure you that we will study your
proposal very carefully, because we are concerned about the
cutback.
Sergeant Olanoff. Thank you, Senator Inouye.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Mark H. Olanoff
AFTEA MISSION
The AFTEA mission is to advocate a strong national defense that
will protect the security of the United States. We support a defense
budget that will provide modern and sufficient equipment so that our
military personnel can safely and effectively accomplish their mission.
We seek to educate the public and Members of Congress about the
uniformed services and their most important asset, its people.
We promote improved quality-of-life and economic fairness that will
support the well-being of the men and women of America's Uniformed
Services and their families. We give voice to members' concerns about
military pay, health care, pension and disability, survivor benefits,
education, housing, child care, and other quality-of-life programs.
The Armed Forces Top Enlisted Association is a non-profit 501C(19)
veteran's organization, representing the professional and personal
interests of Active Duty and retired men and women of America's
Uniformed Services, National Guard and Reserve. Members in AFTEA are
Sergeant Majors, Master Chief Petty Officers, Master Gunnery Sergeants,
and Chief Master Sergeants from all branches of the Uniformed Services:
Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corp, and Coast Guard. We are unique in
that each member must have either retired as or currently hold the
grade of E-9.
Mr. Chairman and distinguished Members of the subcommittee: On
behalf of our National President, Command Sergeant Major Albert G.
Ybanez, USA (Ret), we are grateful to the subcommittee for this
opportunity to express our views concerning the fiscal year 2007
Department of Defense budget as it relates to issues affecting the
uniformed service community.
IMBALANCE BETWEEN OPERATIONAL AND PERSONNEL COSTS
Our National President recently said: ``Faced with a budget that
forced choices between costly weapons systems, first envisioned for war
against the Soviets, and ground troops to fight wars like those in
Afghanistan and Iraq, the Pentagon went for hardware. The 2007 budget
gives hardware higher priority than men and women in uniform.''
This budget proposes sharp increases in health care costs
(enrollment fees, co-payments and deductibles) for the men and women of
the armed services who served a career for their Nation, and are not
yet eligible for TRICARE for Life (TFL). Further, this budget proposes
increases in health care costs for those currently serving in reserve
components. With the Nation at war, this is not the time to increase
fees and co-payments for those who are currently serving and those who
have served.
Over the past years, Congress has significantly improved pay for
the men and women serving on Active Duty and in the Reserve Components.
Also, Congress has improved benefits for those who have served,
including significant progress in receipt of retired pay for those with
service-connected disabilities, full commissary benefits for grey-area
reserve retirees, and increased survivor benefits for widows and
widowers of military retirees.
Yet, senior Defense Department officials have publicly stated in
numerous newspaper ``op-eds'' and in testimony before committees of the
Congress that these increased benefits are a ``drain on the defense
budget.''
Pentagon officials told the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on
Personnel that ``. . . a rich benefits package, coupled with expanded
retiree coverage, has thrust the Pentagon into the same financial
predicament that is threatening the profitability of such major
companies as General Motors Corp.'' Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr.,
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, told the
subcommittee ``. . . the facts show that our expansion of health
benefits, such as those for our senior retirees, underlies the growth,
and that growth could put today's operations and sustainability at
risk.'' He went on to say ``. . . caring for military retirees is the
principle underlying factor of the rising costs.''
DOD has also convinced the Joint Chiefs of Staff to endorse these
fee increases, saying the budget savings are needed to help fund
weapons and other needs. Only a few years ago, then chairman of the
Joint Chiefs General Shelton told the Congress that the Nation had a
moral obligation to those who served their Nation and are now retired.
So if the budget savings from these sharply higher costs to the men
and women who served our Nation are needed to help fund weapons and
other needs, let's take a look at DOD's track record of defense
acquisitions according to the Government Accountability office (GAO).
According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), GAO-06-
391, Defense Acquisitions: Assessments of Selected Major Weapon
Programs, dated March 31, 2006, ``In the last 5 years, the Department
of Defense has doubled its planned investments in new weapon systems
from about $700 billion in 2001 to nearly $1.4 trillion in 2006''.
Further, GAO states ``GAO's reviews over the past 30 years have found
consistent problems with weapon acquisitions such as cost increases,
schedule delays and performance shortfalls''. GAO also states ``DOD
often exceeds development cost estimates by approximately 30 to 40
percent and experiences cuts in planned quantities, missed deadlines,
and performance shortfalls. Such difficulties, absent definitive and
effective reform outcomes, are likely to cause great turmoil in a
budget environment in which there are growing fiscal imbalances as well
as increasing conflict over increasingly limited resources''.
On April 14, 2006 the GAO reported again, GAO-06-368, Defense
Acquisitions: Major Weapon Systems Continue to Experience Cost and
Schedule Problems under DOD's Revised Policy. GAO states ``The
Department of Defense (DOD) is planning to invest $1.3 trillion between
2005 and 2009 in researching, developing, and procuring major weapon
systems. How DOD manages this investment has been a matter of
congressional concern for years. Numerous programs have been marked by
cost overruns, schedule delays, and reduced performance. Over the past
3 decades, DOD's acquisition environment has undergone many changes
aimed at curbing cost, schedule, and other problems. In order to
determine if the policy DOD put in place is achieving its intended
goals, we assessed the outcomes of major weapons development programs
initiated under the revised policy. Additionally, we assessed whether
the policy's knowledge-based, evolutionary principles are being
effectively implemented, and whether effective controls and specific
criteria are in place and being used to make sound investment
decisions. Changes made in DOD's acquisition policy over the past 5
years have not eliminated cost and schedule problems for major weapons
development programs. Of the 23 major programs we assessed, 10 are
already expecting development cost overruns greater than 30 percent or
have delayed the delivery of initial operational capability to the
warfighter by at least 1 year. The overall impact of these costly
conditions is a reduction in the value of DOD's defense dollars and a
lower return on investment. Poor execution of the revised acquisition
policy is a major cause of DOD's continued problems. DOD frequently
bypasses key steps of the knowledge-based process outlined in the
policy, falls short of attaining key knowledge, and continues to pursue
revolutionary--rather than evolutionary or incremental--advances in
capability. Nearly 80 percent of the programs GAO reviewed did not
fully follow the knowledge-based process to develop a sound business
case before committing to system development. Most of the programs we
reviewed started system development with immature technologies, and
half of the programs that have held design reviews did so before
achieving a high level of design maturity. These practices increase the
likelihood that problems will be discovered late in development when
they are more costly to address. Furthermore, DOD's continued pursuit
of revolutionary leaps in capability also runs counter to the policy's
guidance. DOD has not closed all of the gaps in the policy that GAO
identified nearly 3 years ago, particularly with regard to adding
controls and criteria. Effective controls require decision makers to
measure progress against specific criteria and ensure that managers
capture key knowledge before moving to the next acquisition phase.
However, DOD's policy continues to allow managers to approach major
investment decisions with many unknowns. Without effective controls
that require program officials to satisfy specific criteria, it is
difficult to hold decision makers or program managers accountable to
cost and schedule targets. In this environment, decision-making
transparency is crucial, but DOD is lacking in this area as well.
It appears to us that the country (and the tax payers) would be
best served by the Defense Department ``cleaning up'' its acquisition
policies and practices, and stop trying to balance their budget on the
backs of the uniformed services men and women who serve and have
served. A record budget that focuses more on modernization than people
programs is forgetting that it is people who make the military run.
AFTEA was unable to find any GAO reports about planned investments
in ``people programs''.
AFTEA recommends an oversight hearing to include a complete review
of the issues of entitlement and discretionary spending for the
Department of Defense.
DOD HEALTH CARE
Over the past few years, Congress has recognized the contributions
of the men and women in the armed services who served a career for
their Nation, and then retired. One important recognition is now
referred to as TRICARE for Life (TFL).
Now, the administration has proposed sharp increases in enrollment
fees, co-payments and deductibles for those who have retired and are
not yet eligible for TFL, specifically those under the age of 65. We
view the Defense Department's proposal as a ``roll-back'' in the health
care benefit that career military men and women earned.
A great deal of the Pentagon's concern over rising health care
costs involves the nearly $9 billion annual deposit to the Medicare-
Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund that the administration wrongly
counts against the defense budget.
Two years ago, when Defense leaders said the administration was
making them take this deposit ``out of hide'' at the expense of other
Defense programs, the Armed Services Committees acted to change the law
to shift that deposit from the Defense budget to the U.S. Treasury
budget. The clear intent was that TFL expenses were not to come at the
expense of other readiness needs. Congress passed that provision as
part of the fiscal year 2005 Defense Authorization Act (Public Law 108-
375). Section 725 provided revised funding methodology for military
retiree health care benefits. Section 1116 of title 10, United States
Code was amended. Section 1116(a) states: ``At the beginning of each
fiscal year after September 30, 2005, the Secretary of Treasury shall
promptly pay into the Fund from the General Treasury''. Subsections (1)
and (2) provide for how the amount is determined. This section deals
with the accrual amount for military retiree health care for those
using TRICARE for Life.
But the Office of Management and Budget has since worked against
the clear letter of the law and has continued to charge the deposit
against the defense budget. That's why the administration has wrongly
forced the Joint Chiefs of Staff to choose between retiree health
funding and weapons programs.
The fiscal year 2007 NDAA that was marked-up by the House Armed
Services Committee includes a provision (section 589) to correct this
error. Section 589(b) states ``No funds authorized or appropriated to
the Department of Defense may be used to fund, or otherwise provide
for, the payments required by this section''.
The President's budget request for the Office of Personnel
Management (OPM) for fiscal year 2007 includes funding for the
government's share of the cost of health insurance for annuitants,
which includes retirees (Title 5, USC 8901, subsection 3A). This
section also covers Members of Congress and the President. The funding
requested for fiscal year 2007 is $8.78 billion.
AFTEA urges the subcommittee to:
--Fully fund DOD's health care account.
--Appropriate the costs for military health care similar to federal
civilians and retirees enrolled in the Federal Employee Health
Benefits Plan (FEHBP). Provide the accrual funding for TRICARE
For Life and the deposit to the Medicare-Eligible Retiree
Health Care Fund by the Treasury, and not the Department of
Defense.
--Direct report language that specifically prohibits the Department
of Defense from raising any TRICARE co-payments or enrollment
fees to include TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Extra, TRICARE Standard,
TRICARE for Life, TRICARE Reserve Select, TRICARE Dental and
TRICARE Prescriptions in fiscal year 2007.
On February 20, 2004, the General Accounting Office (now Government
Accountability Office), sent a report to the House Subcommittee on
National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations,
Subject: Military Treatment Facilities: Improvements Needed to Increase
DOD Third-Party Collections. On page 2 under ``Results in Brief'', GAO
stated ``Based on our previous audit work and our analysis or reports
issued by military service auditors, conservatively, tens of millions
of dollars are not being collected each year because key information
required to effectively bill and collect from third-party insurers is
often not properly collected, recorded, or used by MTFs. DOD's failure
to effectively bill and collect from third-party insurers, in effect,
reduces the amount third-party private sector insurance companies must
pay out in benefits and unnecessarily adds to DOD's increasing health
care budget--financed by taxpayers. While DOD has limited control over
the burgeoning cost of providing health care benefits to DOD retirees
and their dependents and active duty dependents, DOD has an opportunity
to offset the impact of its rising health care costs by collecting
amounts due from its Third Party Collection Program.''
AFTEA urges the subcommittee to:
--Direct DOD to improve its collection of third-party insurance as
recommended by the GAO.
--Support the House Armed Services Committee version of the fiscal
year 2007 NDAA that directs a complete study of DOD's
Healthcare system.
CONCLUSION
AFTEA is very concerned about the imbalance between ``operational''
and ``personnel'' costs. We are also concerned that DOD has proposed
shifting greater health care costs to beneficiaries to help fund
weapons and other hardware needs.
Defense Department officials would have the public believe that the
growth in personnel costs, particularly for health care and retiree and
survivor entitlements, is impacting on the military funding needed to
carry out the Nation's wartime mission. They have complained about the
cost of TRICARE for Life, concurrent receipt, SBP, and argued that
these and other recent improvements in military and retirement benefits
are unwarranted and will somehow bankrupt the defense budget.
We believe that argument by the DOD to be false. Instead of
balancing the budget on the backs of the men and women who serve and
have served, our leaders should be honestly considering the requisite
level of defense funding during this time of war. They must realize
that defending the Nation costs money and the cost goes up with demand
during wartime.
This is a Nation of enormous wealth and it has not been the
American tradition since the Civil War to spend, in support of war,
with the intensity of war itself. Health care and other personnel costs
are an ongoing cost of war. The administration and Congress need to
adequately fund the war in all its dimensions, and mobilize and unit
the country for the effort, and share in the sacrifice. However we
fight the war, and whatever combination of military and nonmilitary
means we use to win it, the war effort depends on the ability of the
country to muster the needed resources and political will to pay for
it.
AFTEA is very grateful for this opportunity to testify before the
Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and would like to thank Chairman
Stevens and ranking member Inouye for their military service and many
years of support to the defense of our country.
We look forward to supporting a fiscal year 2007 Defense
Appropriations bill that will not increase DOD's bottom line with ill-
timed increases for those beneficiaries who have made a significant
contribution to our Nation.
Senator Inouye. Our next witness is Colonel Steven
Strobridge, United States Air Force, retired, co-chairman of
the Military Coalition. Colonel, welcome, sir.
STATEMENT OF COLONEL STEVEN P. STROBRIDGE, UNITED
STATES AIR FORCE (RETIRED), DIRECTOR,
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, THE MILITARY
COALITION
Colonel Strobridge. Thank you very much, Senator Inouye,
for the opportunity to be here today.
The Military Coalition is concerned, like the previous
witnesses have stated, that the defense budget is being
squeezed significantly on a variety of fronts. We are
particularly troubled that this is happening even as our
military members and their families, who comprise less than 1
percent of Americans, are being asked to bear virtually 100
percent of the national burden of sacrifice in the global war
on terror. Our forces are undermanned for the mission they are
being asked to bear. We are having difficulty recruiting new
servicemembers, and increasing numbers of today's forces are
wondering whether the rewards inherent in a military career are
worth the sacrifices.
These concerns are being compounded as some in government
now seek to carve funds from programs that are essential to
sustain our troops and families through their extended trials.
Our fervent hope is that the subcommittee will not allow that
to happen.
We urge full funding for the troop levels recommended
earlier this month by the Armed Services Committee, an increase
of 30,000 for the Army, 1,000 for the Marine Corps, and 17,000
for the Army National Guard. These are all above the amounts
requested in the President's budget, and additional funding is
essential to ensure that the Pentagon is not forced to absorb
these added costs in an already constrained budget.
Ensuring full funding of the defense health program is
another top priority. Both the House and the Senate Armed
Services Committees have already categorically rejected
Pentagon plans to double or triple military retiree health
fees. The problem is that the President's budget already
reduced the defense health program by $735 million in the
expectation that these fees would dramatically reduce demand.
And that is just not going to happen, and the $735 million
needs to be restored, or military medicine is going to run out
of money next summer.
The House Appropriations Committee did not restore the
necessary funding, saying it would wait to see what the
authorizers would do. That has now been decided. They are not
going to allow the fees. So it falls on this subcommittee to
protect the integrity of the defense health program, and
hopefully restore that vital $735 million.
The coalition also asks the subcommittee to fund the full
military pay raise proposed by the Armed Services Committee,
including the additional targeted raises proposed for warrant
officers and certain enlisted members. Family support funding
is another vital area of interest. Military members will endure
a lot in serving their country. Retention is a family issue.
And military families are under a great deal of stress.
Programs for Guard and Reserve families, most of whom do not
live near military installations, are a continuing special
priority.
As base realignment and closure (BRAC) and global re-basing
begins, we will be relocating large numbers of families between
installations. Funding simply has to be provided to ensure that
support facilities at closing bases continue until the families
are gone, and we must fund housing, schools, health care
networks, and child care needs, among other things, so those
facilities are fully ready at gaining installation before the
incoming thousands of families arrive.
Finally, we've just seen reports that at least some
services are dramatically curtailing funding for some on-base
facilities, such as libraries, swimming pools, gymnasiums, and
other base support facilities, in order to make up for
operations and equipment shortfalls. We hope you will provide
the operation and maintenance (O&M) funding as needed, and
check into that so that these services do not have to further
compound the already inordinate sacrifices the families are
observing through these kinds of penny-wise and pound-foolish
tradeoffs.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Senator Inouye, for this
opportunity to provide the coalition's inputs.
Senator Stevens [presiding]. Thank you for your testimony.
Senator, do you have any questions?
[No response.]
Senator Stevens. No. We appreciate, and we share your
feelings.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Steven P. Strobridge
Mr. Chairman and distinguished Members of the committee. On behalf
of The Military Coalition, a consortium of nationally prominent
uniformed services and veterans' organizations, we are grateful to the
committee for this opportunity to express our views concerning issues
affecting the uniformed services community. This testimony provides the
collective views of the following military and veterans' organizations,
which represent approximately 5.5 million current and former members of
the seven uniformed services, plus their families and survivors.
--Air Force Association
--Air Force Sergeants Association
--Air Force Women Officers Associated
--American Logistics Association
--AMVETS (American Veterans)
--Army Aviation Association of America
--Association of Military Surgeons of the United States
--Association of the United States Army
--Chief Warrant Officer and Warrant Officer Association, U.S. Coast
Guard
--Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health
Service, Inc.
--Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States
--Fleet Reserve Association
--Gold Star Wives of America, Inc.
--Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America
--Marine Corps League
--Marine Corps Reserve Association
--Military Chaplains Association of the United States of America
--Military Officers Association of America
--Military Order of the Purple Heart
--National Association for Uniformed Services
--National Guard Association of the United States
--National Military Family Association
--National Order of Battlefield Commissions
--Naval Enlisted Reserve Association
--Naval Reserve Association
--Non Commissioned Officers Association
--Reserve Enlisted Association
--Society of Medical Consultants to the Armed Forces
--The Retired Enlisted Association
--United Armed Forces Association
--United States Army Warrant Officers Association
--United States Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association
--Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
--Veterans' Widows International Network
The Military Coalition, Inc., does not receive any grants or
contracts from the Federal Government.
Mr. Chairman, The Military Coalition (TMC) thanks you and the
entire subcommittee for your continued, unwavering support of our
active duty, Guard, Reserve, retired members, and veterans of the
uniformed services, to include their families and survivors.
In testimony today, The Military Coalition offers its collective
recommendations on what needs to be done to address these important
issues and sustain long-term personnel readiness.
HEALTH CARE
Full Funding for the Defense Health Program.--The Defense
Department, Congress and The Military Coalition all have reason to be
concerned about the rising cost of military health care. But it is
important to recognize that the bulk of the problem is a national one,
not a military-specific one. It's also important, in these times of
focus on deficits, to keep in perspective the government's unique
responsibility as the recruiter, retainer, employer, and custodian of a
career military force that serves multiple decades under
extraordinarily arduous conditions to protect and preserve our national
welfare.
In this regard, the government's responsibility and obligations to
its servicemembers go well beyond those of corporate employers. The
Constitution itself puts the responsibility on the government to
provide for the common defense, and on Congress to raise and maintain
military forces. No corporate employer shares any such awesome
responsibility and obligation, and there is no other employee
population upon whom the entire Nation depends for its very freedom.
Congress has pursued its responsibilities with vigor on behalf of
those who are sacrificing, have sacrificed, and will continue to
sacrifice so much for the rest of America. Continuing those vigorous
efforts will be essential in addressing the budget challenges of the
years ahead.
The Military Coalition urges the subcommittee to ensure continued
full funding for Defense Health Program needs.
Protecting Beneficiaries Against Cost-Shifting.--The administration
is proposing a significant increase in fees paid by retired uniformed
services beneficiaries under age 65, including doubling or tripling
enrollment fees for TRICARE Prime and tripling or quadrupling fees for
TRICARE Standard. In addition, the President's budget recommends a 67-
percent increase in retail pharmacy fees for all Active Duty, Guard,
Reserve, retired, and survivor beneficiaries.
Eroding benefits for career service can only undermine long-term
retention/readiness. Today's troops are very conscious of Congress'
actions toward those who preceded them in service. One reason Congress
enacted TRICARE For Life is that the Joint Chiefs of Staff at that time
said that inadequate retiree health care was affecting attitudes among
active duty troops.
Reducing military retirement benefits would be penny-wise and
pound-foolish when recruiting is already a problem and an overstressed
force is at increasing retention risk.
The Coalition believes strongly that these proposed increases are
disproportional, inequitable, inappropriate, and unwise.
The Coalition recommends against implementing any increases in
health fees for uniformed services beneficiaries this year. The
Coalition believes strongly that America can afford to and must pay for
both weapons and military health care.
Unrealistic Budget Assumptions Will Leave TRICARE Underfunded.--The
DOD budget proposal assumes the proposed fee increases and co-payment
changes will save money by shifting 14 percent of pharmacy users away
from retail outlets and causing hundreds of thousands of current
beneficiaries to exit TRICARE by 2011. Thus, DOD has reduced the amount
budgeted for health care on the assumption that it will be treating
fewer beneficiaries.
Many Defense and Service analysts believe it is unrealistic to
assume that this number of beneficiaries will leave TRICARE if such
fees are introduced, largely because switching to civilian coverage
usually would entail even larger fees for beneficiaries.
Because the assumed level of beneficiary flight is extremely
unlikely to occur, the Department almost certainly will experience a
substantial budget shortfall before the end of the year. This would
then require supplemental funding, further benefit cutbacks, and even
greater efforts to shift more costs to beneficiaries in future years.
Thus, the most likely result of this misguided cost-shifting
proposal would be to disproportionately penalize retirees, undermine
military health benefits, and further threaten future retention and
readiness.
Alternative Options to Make TRICARE More Cost-Efficient.--The
Coalition believes strongly that the Defense Department has not
sufficiently investigated other options to make TRICARE more cost-
efficient without shifting costs to beneficiaries. The Coalition has
offered a long list of alternative cost-saving options, including:
--Eliminating DOD-unique administrative requirements that drive
higher overhead fees.
--Changing the law to limit incentives private firms can offer
employees to shift to TRICARE, or require such matching
payments to TRICARE.
--Improving education on the advantages of using the mail-order
pharmacy.
--Centralizing the military treatment facility pharmacy budget/
funding process, with emphasis on accountability.
Pharmacy Copayment Changes.--The Coalition is concerned that, 5
years after pharmacy copayment levels were established, the Department
is proposing a 67-percent increase in retail copayments. The rationale
for the proposed increase is the rapid growth in retail pharmacy use
since enactment of TRICARE For Life.
The Coalition believes strongly that uniformed services
beneficiaries deserve more stability in their benefit levels, and that
DOD has not performed due diligence in exploring other ways to reduce
pharmacy costs without shifting such increased expense burdens to
beneficiaries. Thus far, the Department has refused to negotiate with
drug companies for discounts in the retail arena. Not enough has been
done to educate beneficiaries and providers on the advantages of the
mail-order program. The Department has failed to centralize purchasing
and filling of prescriptions for high-cost drugs, as the Air Force has
done successfully.
The Department has ignored what the Coalition believes would create
the most powerful incentive for beneficiaries to shift from the more
costly retail program to the mail order program--eliminating mail-order
copays. The average drug purchased in the mail-order system saves the
government $58 to $157 relative to providing the drug through the
retail system. If all mail-order copayments would be eliminated, the
savings would still be at least $50 per prescription. Elimination of
mail-order copays would save the government $20 million for each 1
percent of prescriptions that migrate from the retail to the mail-order
pharmacy system.
The Coalition recommends eliminating beneficiary copayments in the
mail-order pharmacy system for generic and brand name medications to
incentivize use of this lowest-cost venue and generate substantial cost
savings.
ACTIVE FORCE ISSUES
The Coalition appreciates the subcommittee's many actions to help
relieve the stress of repeated deployments--end strength increases,
bonus improvements, family separation, and danger area pay increases,
and more.
From the servicemembers' standpoint, the increased personnel tempo
necessary to meet continued and sustained training and operational
requirements has meant having to work progressively longer and harder
every year. They are enduring longer duty days; increased family
separations; cutbacks in installation services; less opportunity to use
education benefits; and significant out-of-pocket expenses with each
permanent change of station move.
Intensified and sustained operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are
being met by servicemembers' patriotic dedication, but retention must
be an increasing concern as 1 percent of Americans continue to bear
virtually 100 percent of the burden of national sacrifice in the global
war on terrorism. Service leaders may tout seemingly high retention
figures, but the Coalition cannot reconcile this with the ever-
increasing stresses on military families.
Military families have continued to demonstrate their exceptional
support of servicemembers' long, recurring deployments; yet, many
servicemembers and their families debate among themselves whether the
rewards of a service career are sufficient to offset the attendant
demands and sacrifices inherent in uniformed service. Unless they see
some prospect of near-term respite, many of our excellent soldiers,
sailors, airmen and marines will opt for civilian career choices, not
because they don't love what they do, but because their families just
can no longer take the stress. High retention simply cannot continue to
co-exist with such levels of high operations tempo and family
separations, despite the reluctance of some to see anything but rosy
scenarios.
The Coalition views with alarm the Defense Department's
determination to sacrifice troop levels to pay for weapons systems,
with seemingly little regard for the impact these decisions will have
on servicemembers and their future retention. The finest weapon systems
in the world will be of little use if the services don't have enough
high quality, well-trained people to operate, maintain and support
them.
The Coalition believes the ``weapons or people'' debate is a
patently false one--akin to forcing a choice between one's left and
right arms.
Pay Raises.--Since 1999, when the cumulative gap between military
and private sector pay raises reached 13.5 percent--resulting in
predictable readiness crises--this subcommittee has provided funding
for increased military raises--reducing the pay gap to 4.5 percent in
2006.
The subcommittee also has supported previous Department of Defense
plans to fix problems within the basic pay table by authorizing special
``targeted'' adjustments for specific grade and longevity combinations
in order to align career servicemembers' pay with private sector
earnings of civilians with similar education and experience.
The Coalition believes it is essential to continue that progress as
the global war on terror enters its sixth year.
The Military Coalition strongly recommends providing military pay
raises that exceed the Employment Cost Index until such time as full
military pay comparability has been restored. The Coalition further
recommends targeted increases for selected non-commissioned officers/
petty officers and warrant officers as needed to attain the 70th-
percentile comparability standard.
Maintain Well-funded Family Readiness, Support Structure, and
Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Programs.--Today, two-thirds of
active duty families and virtually all Guard and Reserve families live
off military installations, and more than one-half of these
servicemembers are married. A fully funded family readiness program to
include financial education and benefit information has never been a
more crucial component to the military mission and overall readiness
than it is today, especially when military families are coping with the
increased deployments and separation.
More needs to be done to ``connect'' servicemembers and their
families with important resources. Military One Source has provided a
great start to improve family readiness; however, a more aggressive
outreach effort is needed to educate servicemembers and their families
on the benefits and programs to which they are entitled. These outreach
efforts need to address the unique needs of National Guard and Reserve
families to include transitioning to and from active duty status.
Traditional delivery systems of ``build it and they will come'' no
longer serve the transforming military community of today that is
increasingly non-installation based. More robust outreach delivery
systems and programs are called for that can be accessed anywhere and
anytime.
Because of multiple DOD modernization efforts (global rebasing,
Army modularity, and BRAC initiatives) that are occurring
simultaneously, TMC is concerned about the synchronization, pace of
planning, implementation timetables, timing of budgets and resource
allocations, and the evaluation of the rebasing and BRAC plans. TMC
asks Congress to ensure necessary family support/quality of life
program dollars are in line with the DOD/Military Services overseas
rebasing and BRAC plans. Further, the Coalition urges Congress to
insist that support services and infrastructure remain in place at both
the closing and the gaining installations, throughout the transition
period.
The Coalition appreciates the recent congressional enhancements in
military childcare, family readiness, and supportive counseling
programs to assist families in dealing with deployments and the return
of servicemembers. Family support, Quality of Life, and MWR programs
are especially critical to the readiness of our forces and the support
of their families during periods of conflict and extended separations.
In order for these programs to flourish, they require consistent
sourcing, deliberate outreach, and must remain flexible to meet
emerging challenges.
The Military Coalition urges Congress to maintain a well-funded
family readiness and support structure to enhance family well-being and
to improve retention and morale.
The Coalition also asks Congress to highlight and protect the
interests of all beneficiaries impacted by overseas rebasing, Army
modularity, and BRAC and ensure support services and infrastructure
remain in place throughout the entire transition period for all
beneficiary populations.
Personnel Strengths.--The Coalition has been disappointed at the
Defense Department's annual resistance to Congress' repeated offers to
permanently increase service end strength to relieve the stress on
today's Armed Forces. While we are encouraged by the subcommittee's
work to fund increased Army and Marine Corps end strength and much
needed recruiting and retention bonuses; however, we are deeply
concerned that administration-proposed plans rely too heavily on overly
optimistic retention assumptions, overuse of the Guard and Reserves,
optimistic scenarios in Southwest Asia, and the absence of new
contingency needs.
The Department has indicated that it prefers to ``transform''
forces, placing non-mission essential resources in core war fighting
skills, and transferring certain functions to civilians. However, any
such implementation will take a long time while we continue to exhaust
our downsized forces.
In addition, the Department is already cutting back even on those
plans, proposing to reduce six Army National Guard brigades, reduce
planned growth in the number of active duty brigades, continue
systematic personnel reductions within the Navy, and impose further
dramatic reductions in Air Force personnel. Media reports indicate that
previous plans to civilianize military positions have been changed, and
that substantial numbers of military positions now will simply be
eliminated, without civilian replacements--imposing even greater stress
on the remaining force.
Force reductions envisioned in the Quadrennial Defense Review are
being undertaken not because of any reduction in mission, but simply to
free up billions of dollars for weapons programs.
Defense leaders warn that the long-term mission against terrorism
will require sustained, large deployments to Central Asia and
elsewhere, but the Services are being denied the manpower to meet those
requirements without unacceptable impacts on members' and families'
quality of life.
If the administration does not recognize when extra missions exceed
the capacity to perform them, Congress must assume that obligation.
Deferral of additional meaningful action to address this problem cannot
continue without risking serious consequences.
The Military Coalition strongly urges funding to sustain end
strengths to meet mission requirements, and opposition to force
reductions that have the primary purpose of paying for other programs.
Dependent Education Needs.--Quality education is an instrumental
retention tool for DOD--we recruit the member, but retain the family.
However, many ongoing initiatives--housing privatization, Service
transformation, overseas rebasing, and BRAC--will have a direct impact
on the surrounding communities that provide educational programs for
our military families. A positive step in the right direction is
reflected by the subcommittee's efforts that provided increased Impact
Aid funding for highly impacted school districts with significant
military student enrollment.
The Coalition urges the subcommittee to continue its priority of
providing additional funding to support schools educating military
children.
GUARD AND RESERVE ISSUES
More than a half million members of the National Guard and Reserve
have been mobilized since September 11, 2001, and many thousands more
are in the activation pipeline. Today, they face the same challenges as
their active counterparts, with a deployment pace greater than at any
time since World War II.
Guard/Reserve operational tempo has placed enormous strains on
Reservists, their family members, and their civilian employers that
were never anticipated by the designers of Guard and Reserve personnel
and compensation programs.
The Coalition fully supports the prominent role of the Guard and
Reserve forces in the national security equation. However, many Guard
and Reserve members are facing increased family stresses and financial
burdens under the current policy of multiple extended activations over
the course of a Reserve career. Many Reserve component leaders are
rightly alarmed over likely manpower losses if action is not taken to
relieve pressures on Guard and Reserve troops.
The Coalition believes it is essential to substantively address
critical Guard and Reserve personnel, pay, and benefits issues--along
with active duty manpower increases--to alleviate those pressures and
help retain these qualified, trained professionals.
We believe that more must be done to ensure that Guard and Reserve
members' and their families' readiness remains a viable part of our
national security strategy. It is clear that our country is absolutely
dependent on these valuable members of our national military team to
meet ongoing readiness requirements.
Guard/Reserve Health Care.--The Military Coalition recognizes
Congress' significant progress over the last 2 years in authorizing and
funding ``TRICARE Reserve Select'' coverage for all drilling Guard and
Reserve members. Nevertheless, the Coalition believes strongly that the
program approved last year fall short of meeting the needs of these
members and their families.
We believe the enrollment fees will prove cost-prohibitive for
members who have not been mobilized since 9/11, and the high fees
represent an ill-advised deterrent to members we need to retain in the
Reserve components. Such fees are particularly unfair for members who
do not have access to other health insurance coverage.
The Coalition strongly recommends funding to increase subsidy
levels for TRICARE coverage for drilling Guard/Reserve members not yet
mobilized and having one premium for all members of the Guard and
Reserve who continue to be drilling members.
Guard and Reserve Family Support Programs.--The increase in Guard
and Reserve operational tempo is taking a toll on the families of these
servicemembers. These families are routinely called upon to make more
and more sacrifices as the global war on terror continues. Reserve
component families live in communities throughout the Nation, and most
of these communities are not close to military installations. These
families face unique challenges in the absence of mobilized members,
since they don't have access to traditional family support services
enjoyed by active duty members on military installations.
Providing a core set of family programs and benefits that meet the
unique needs of these families is essential to meeting family readiness
challenges. These programs would promote better communication with
servicemembers, specialized support for geographically separated Guard
and Reserve families, and training (and back-up) for family readiness
volunteers. Such access would include:
--Web-based assistance programs such as Military OneSource and Guard
Family.org;
--Expanded programs between military and community religious leaders
to support servicemembers and families during all phases of
deployments;
--Robust preventive counseling services for servicemembers and
families and training so they know when to seek professional
help related to their circumstances;
--Enhanced education for Guard and Reserve family members about their
rights and benefits;
--Meeting needs for occasional child care, particularly for
preventive respite care, volunteering, and family readiness
group meetings and drill time;
--A joint family readiness program to facilitate understanding and
sharing of information between all family members, no matter
what the service.
TMC urges Congress to continue and expand its emphasis on providing
consistent funding and increased outreach to connect Guard and Reserve
families with these support programs.
overseas rebasing, base realignment and closure (brac) issues
Thousands military members and families will be under great stress
in the months and years ahead as a result of rebasing, closure, and
transformation actions. But the impact extends beyond the active duty
personnel currently assigned to the affected installations. The entire
local community--school districts, chambers of commerce, Guard/Reserve,
retirees, survivors, civil servants, and others--experiences the
traumatic impact of a rebasing or closure action. Jobs are lost or
transferred, installation support facilities are closed, and
beneficiaries who relied on the base for support are forced to search
elsewhere.
The Coalition urges the subcommittee to ensure rebasing plans are
not executed without ensuring full support funding is available to
families as long as they are present at losing installations and before
they arrive at gaining installations. The critical family support/
quality of life programs include MWR, childcare, exchanges and
commissaries, housing, health care, education, family centers, and
other traditional support programs.
The Coalition will actively be engaged in ensuring the
implementations of the BRAC decisions, Service transformation
initiatives, global repositioning, and Army modularity initiatives not
only take each beneficiary community into consideration, but also to
advocate for beneficiaries significantly impacted by these initiatives.
The Military Coalition urges the subcommittee to monitor the
implementation of rebasing, BRAC, and Service Transformation
initiatives to ensure protection of funding for support services for
all military members and their families.
CONCLUSION
The Military Coalition reiterates its profound gratitude for the
extraordinary progress this subcommittee has made in funding a wide
range of personnel and health care initiatives for all uniformed
services personnel and their families and survivors in recent years.
The Coalition is eager to continue its work with the subcommittee in
pursuit of the goals outlined in our testimony. Thank you very much for
the opportunity to present the Coalition's views on these critically
important topics.
Senator Stevens. Our next witness is Dr. Edwin Thomas from
the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies. Good morning.
STATEMENT OF DR. EDWIN THOMAS, PROFESSOR, FOUNDING
DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR SOLDIER
NANOTECHNOLOGIES, MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE
OF TECHNOLOGY (MIT)
Dr. Thomas. Good morning, Chairman Stevens, Senator Inouye.
I'm a professor at MIT, and it is a great honor to be able to
testify before this subcommittee. I have written testimony, and
I have some Powerpoints, and I do not know if you can find
them. I might take you through them. My testimony is somewhat
visual, but perhaps I can do it with words, as well.
Key thing here is that 4 years ago, the Army decided to put
together a competition for a university affiliated research
center that would focus on soldier protection using
nanotechnology. About 50 schools competed, and this university
affiliated research center was placed at MIT in 2002.
Well, nanotechnology is certainly in the news these days,
and the notion here is to try to use nano approaches for
soldier protection. Of course, a millennia-old problem of how
to protect soldiers.
One of the sort of visions of the Institute for Soldier
Nanotechnology (ISN) is to look at a typical paratrooper, who
is carrying 120 pounds, a very bulky, heavy, good equipment but
very burdensome. And these young men and women that we send
into battle are not as well protected as one would hope, and
they are burdened with heavy amounts of weight. So the notion
and the vision of the ISN is to really use nanotechnology to
dramatically decrease the weight and the volume that the
warfighters need. So it is basic 6.1 research. It is
nonclassified on-campus research.
Our vision is something called a dynamic battle suit. And
if I might, when you get in your vehicle in the morning, you do
not ask yourself the question whether or not you take your
airbag. It is always there. And if you are in an accident, you
do not reach over and say, ``Ah, time to activate the airbag.''
The airbag system is all autonomous. It senses a threat, and it
deploys to mitigate that threat.
Our notion for soldiers is in fact a dynamic battle suit
that would have attributes of, kind of, airbags, except these
would be defense mechanisms that would sense bio and chemical
threats. They would sense ballistic and blast threats, and they
would then act quickly, using nanotechnologies to mitigate
those threats, and protect the soldier.
Let me take you through three kinds of examples of things
we've been working on. Some are further off in the future, and
some are in fact in Iraq right now. The first one is on
situational awareness. We envision fibers that can actually see
color and hear. So part of the fabric of the soldier's battle
suit of the future would have these fibers that would have the
ability to detect whether a soldier was being lazed, and by
what wavelength the laser was. So in a sense, they could see in
color, 360 degrees. This could be terrific, for example,
avoiding fratricide, identification of friend or foe.
Another technology that we are working on is body armor. As
you know, the interceptor body armor right now has been
improved. I guess if you're not wearing it, it is improved. If
you're wearing it, it went from 16 pounds to 31 pounds, and so
we are asking our men and women to carry 31\1/2\ pounds of
Kevlar and ceramic, not including the batteries and the bullets
and the water, and all the rest of the kit that they have to
carry. So a clear need that nano may be able to do something
about is improved body armor.
And finally, an area that is something that is actually
molecules, I'm proud to say, that are made in Cambridge,
Massachusetts, are working to protect men and women in Iraq.
These are molecules that can detect TNT, which is the main
component in the IED threats. Working with an industrial
partner called Nomadics, a sensor has been developed. The
sensor works in the hands of an 18-year-old when it is hot and
muddy and wet. It will actually work underwater. It will work
in diesel fuel. It is being mounted and incorporated onto
robots. They've been putting these at checkpoints, and instead
of having a soldier go up with a handheld device to be able to
check for TNT in a vehicle or on a person, they are actually
able to send a robot up and thus get standoff, and save lives.
Thank you.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Edwin L. Thomas
The Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies (ISN) is dedicated to
the development of nano-enabled technologies to protect dismounted
soldiers. Nanotechnological research approaches have not previously
been significantly applied to soldier protection, thus presenting many
opportunities for revolutionary advances in soldier survivability.
Nanoscience and nanoengineering will lead to the development of new
materials and properties unattainable with conventional materials. Nano
allows minaturization and increased response speed for devices, key
attributes for dramatic improvements of the soldier's kit.
The ISN mission is to increase capabilities while simultaneously
decreasing the weight soldiers must carry. Present day soldiers, like
the young paratrooper from northern Iraq, often carry in excess of 120
pounds of equipment, which reduces their effectiveness and
survivability in the field. The ISN is an on-campus basic, 6.1 research
center (a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC)) started in
2002. The ISN vision is to design from the ground up, a new battlesuit
with a number of integrated systems that sense for threats and
automatically activate protection-on-demand, much in the same way as
airbags deploy in automobiles. The future battlesuit will include
sensing subsystems to detect chemical and biological threats as well as
perform physiological monitoring. It will further provide mechanical
performance enhancements, integrated power, and informational systems.
Blast and ballistic protection are of key importance. Novel lightweight
materials that can adapt and transform their properties are essential
enabling components. Nanotechnology will help us to realize new
properties and attributes and to integrate these many functions into
the uniform. One materials platform we envision is the fabric of the
uniform itself wherein a diversity of functional nanostructured fibers,
will be developed which provide massive new capabilities to the soldier
with an insignificant increase in weight and no loss of mobility. The
ISN has over 30 active research projects, but today I will focus on
three examples of new nanotech systems for enhanced situational
awareness, flexible body armor and IED detection.
New nanostructured fibers have been developed to detect specific
wavelengths of light from targeting lasers or to detect a local change
in surface temperature, for example, from a wound. These fibers are
comprised of semiconductors, metals and polymers and are produced by a
drawing process. When illuminated with light, electrical currents are
generated between the electrodes or if a fiber is exposed to a higher/
lower temperature, the electrical current is altered. Thus, these
fibers can ``see'' and ``feel''. We are currently working on additional
fibers with piezoelectric materials inside, so that the future
battlesuit can also ``hear.''
A huge need is to provide future soldiers with lightweight,
flexible body armor that not only protects from ballistic threats
(bullets, shrapnel etc.) but also protects from blast pressure waves.
Current body armor weights 15 lbs. and the new add-on body armor pushes
the weight up to 31.5 lbs. Engineers create lightweight, stiff and
strong structures--such as cellphone towers using truss designs. Our
idea is to extend this concept down to the nanometer regime using
photolithography to sculpt polymers into ultralight, breatheable
microtrusses for unprecedented soldier protection. Interestingly, the
``nano'' sized nature of the struts in the truss structure imparts
exciting new toughed mechanical behavior, highly promising for soldier
protection.
We have also developed networks of photonic molecular wires for the
detection of explosives. These materials are electronic plastics that
absorb and emit light and have a high sensitivity to explosives like
TNT. The polymer chains have the unusual ability to self-amplify their
own sensory responses due the transport of energy packets throughout
the network. This process behaves similarly to a string of holiday
lights wherein only one light need be broken to cause the entire system
to become dark. When illuminated using ultraviolet light, the set of
sensor wires glows green. When molecules of TNT vapor bind to the
polymers, the fluorescence is quenched--that is the green light goes
out signaling detection of TNT. To transition our 6.1 proof of concept
to an actual fieldable technology for the military, the ISN works with
partner companies, both large and small, distributed throughout the
United States. MIT has licensed our explosives detection technology to
Nomadics, a small company based in Oklahoma, which has developed small,
ultra-sensitive explosive detectors. The Nomadics sensor, known as
FidoTM, detects vapors of explosives as they pass through a
capillary containing a nanocoating of the MIT electronic plastic. These
systems can rapidly detect explosive vapors at distances more than 2
meters away from the source. Only trained dogs are capable of similar
detection limits, and hence Fido represents an important new capability
for our soldiers.
Fido sensors are undergoing evaluation in Iraq both as hand held
systems and on robotic platforms. This integrated system can be used at
checkpoints for vehicle interrogation at safe distances. It can also be
used for investigating potential roadside bombs and identifying
individuals who have recently handled explosives. The feedback from
soldiers in Iraq to date has been very promising. This is a great
example of how basic research at universities guided by Army needs with
close coupling to industry has paid off.
The research portfolio of the ISN continues to evolve as faculty
bring their ideas on how nano can provide for soldier and first
responder needs. Exciting new areas of research have been initiated via
a combination of applications-pull and fundamental discovery-push.
Science for the soldier is one way that universities can both work at
the cutting edge of research and help with national needs.
Senator Stevens. Well, thank you. I do not understand that
one exhibit you have, which shows the bullet still traveling
through the fabric. What's that meant to mean?
Dr. Thomas. What we imagined they are on the bullet going
to the fabric, these are fibers that would sense temperature.
So one of the problems is when someone is wounded, the medic
who comes up doesn't know where the wound is, generally, and
has to strip search the person, taking off that 120 pounds
worth of stuff to find the worst wound.
The notion here is that these fibers would be incorporated
into the uniform next to the body, and would measure the
temperature of the body at all times. So when you are wounded,
the notion is there would be blood flow, say, and then there
would be a local excursion of temperature that would be a way
to wirelessly communicate to the medic that (a) ``tell the
person, tell the medic that someone's down,'' and (b) where to
look on that person to look for the wound.
Senator Stevens. Well, we appreciate your statement. We are
quite interested in that, and we will be pleased to follow up
on it. I do think that there's a lot to reducing the weight. We
had one young woman who came to testify, and she weighed less
than the pack she jumped with. So it is a real problem.
Dr. Thomas. Yes, sir.
Senator Stevens. Thank you very much.
Our next witness is Master Chief Joseph Barnes, the
National Executive Secretary of the Fleet Reserve Association.
STATEMENT OF MASTER CHIEF JOSEPH L. BARNES, UNITED
STATES NAVY (RETIRED), NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
SECRETARY, FLEET RESERVE ASSOCIATION
Chief Barnes. Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity
to present the Fleet Reserve Association's (FRA's) views on the
2007 defense budget.
FRA's top priority is supporting adequate funding for
protective devices, body armor, equipment, and specially
outfitted combat vehicles, to protect personnel serving in
Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
We must also ensure that resources are available so that
wounded troops, their families, and the survivors of those
killed in action, are cared for by a grateful nation.
Fleet Reserve Association is committed to working with
Congress and DOD to ensure full funding of the defense health
budget, and ensure access to the health care system for all
uniformed services beneficiaries. This is critical to readiness
and the retention of qualified uniform services personnel. FRA
opposes the establishment of a TRICARE standard enrollment fee,
and supports the restoration of $735 million to the defense
health care budget. FRA believes other cost-saving initiatives
should be implemented as alternatives to DOD's drastic plan to
shift health care costs to military retirees.
The association also supports appropriations to make
TRICARE available on an optional basis for all selected
reservists and families, on a cost-sharing basis. FRA supports
appropriations necessary to implement a 2.7 percent across-the-
board military pay increase on one January 2006, plus funding
for additional targeted pay increases for senior enlisted
personnel, and certain officer grades.
These increases will help achieve additional progress
toward closing the pay gap between military and civilian pay
levels. Adequate Active and Reserve end strengths are important
to maintaining readiness, and FRA strongly supports increasing
the Marine Corps end strength to 180,000. If force size is
inadequate and op tempo too intense, the performance of
individual servicemembers is negatively affected.
An issue important to FRA's membership is the acceleration
of SBP paid update from 2008 to 2006 for participants having
paid premiums for 30 years, and being at least 70 years of age.
If authorized, the association asks for support from this
distinguished subcommittee to fund this enhancement.
FRA also supports funding to maintain the commissary
benefit, increase Reserve Montgomery G.I. bill (MGIB) education
benefits, fund family readiness and spouse employment
opportunities, and supplemental impact aid funding for school
districts with large numbers of military-sponsored students.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity to present the
association's recommendations.
Senator Stevens. Thank you, Chief. We appreciate your
testimony.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Joseph L. Barnes
Mr. Chairman and other distinguished Members of the subcommittee:
The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) is most grateful for your support
of our military men and women and, particularly, those serving or
having served in Afghanistan, Iraq and other troubled spots around the
globe. At the top of the association's gratitude list is the quality of
life improvements funded during the First Session of the 109th
Congress. Thanks so much for the effort. FRA appreciates the support to
making a tough life much easier for those that might make the ultimate
sacrifice in the service of this Nation. BRAVO ZULU.
This statement lists the concerns of our members, keeping in mind
that the association's primary goal is to endorse any positive safety
programs, rewards, and quality of life improvements that support
members of the uniformed services, particularly those serving in
hostile areas, and their families, and survivors.
FRA remains concerned that many of our sailors, marines and coast
guardsmen serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation
Enduring Freedom (OEF) may not be fully armed with the best protective
devices available for their personal safety. Advocating the funding for
and receipt of these protective devices; including vehicle protection,
armor and electronic equipment to disrupt IEDs for every uniformed
member sent into harm's way is FRA's No. 1 priority.
The association's next priority is to ensure adequate resources so
our wounded troops, their families, and the surviving families of the
men and women killed in action are cared for by a grateful Nation.
HEALTH CARE
Full Funding for the Defense Health Program: A top priority for FRA
is to continue to work with Congress and DOD to ensure adequate funding
for the Defense Health Program in order to meet readiness needs, and
improve access to all beneficiaries regardless of age, status, or
location. FRA believes other cost saving options should be reviewed by
DOD before TRICARE fees are increased as proposed in the
administration's fiscal year 2007 budget request. DOD has not
sufficiently investigated other options to make TRICARE more cost-
efficient as alternatives to shifting costs to retiree beneficiaries
who have earned this benefit by serving their country.
FRA recommends making TRICARE a true second-payer to other health
insurance. The association questions DOD's assumptions about driving
some 150,000 retirees with other health care coverage away from
TRICARE.
DOD should also negotiate with drug manufacturers for retail
pharmacy discounts, or change the law to mandate Federal pricing for
the retail pharmacy network. FRA believes this change could result in
significant savings to the Defense Health System.
DOD should eliminate all mail-order co-pays to boost use of this
lowest cost option for beneficiaries to receive prescription
medications. The elimination of all co-pays will help drive many more
beneficiaries to this pharmacy cost-savings benefit option.
Accelerating DOD/VA cost sharing initiatives will ensure full
implementation of seamless transition, including electronic medical
records and one stop military discharge physicals--all strongly
supported by FRA.
The proposed future fee adjustments which are pegged to health care
inflation will also significantly erode the value of retired pay,
particularly for enlisted retirees who retired prior to larger and
targeted recent pay adjustments enacted to close the pay gap. Military
service is very different from work in the corporate world and requires
service in often life threatening duty commitments and the associated
benefits offered in return must be commensurate with these realities.
PROTECT PERSONNEL PROGRAMS
FRA is concerned about DOD's apparent decision to reduce end
strength to pay for weapons systems. DOD's priority of money for
weapons before people will have an impact on retention and recruitment.
Active Duty Pay.--FRA supports additional annual active duty pay
increases that are at least .05 percent above the Employment Cost Index
(ECI) along with increases for mid-career and senior enlisted personnel
to help close the pay gap between active duty and private sector pay,
and work to restore the ratio of pay between junior and senior enlisted
personnel which existed prior to the advent of the All Volunteer Force.
For fiscal year 2007, the administration recommended a 2.2 percent
across the board basic pay increase for members of the Armed Forces.
This increase will be the smallest increase since 1994.
The statutory requirement to peg annual active duty pay adjustments
at 0.5 percent above the Employment Cost Index (ECI) expired in fiscal
year 2006. Compensation is directly related to recruitment and
retention of quality personnel in an all-volunteer environment and FRA
believes that maintaining a high level of morale and readiness is
critical in winning the war on terror. With the addition of targeted
raises authorized by Congress since fiscal year 2001, the formula has
reduced the pay gap with the private sector from 13.5 percent to 4.4
percent. These targeted pay increases for middle grade and senior petty
and noncommissioned officers and warrant officers have contributed
significantly to improved morale, readiness, and retention, and the
Association strongly supports targeted increases for fiscal year 2007.
Military service is very different from work in the private sector
and often involves life threatening duty assignments, with long periods
of separation from service member's families. Their pay and benefits
must reflect these realities.
Commissaries.--FRA supports adequate funding for the Defense
Commissary Agency (DeCA) to preserve the value of the current benefit
for all patrons. FRA is concerned about store closures, staff
reductions, or other initiatives that may diminish the scope and
quality of the benefit.
Family Readiness and Support.--FRA supports a well-funded family
readiness and support structure to enhance family cohesion that will
improve retention and recruitment. It's most important that DOD and the
military services concentrate on providing information and education
programs for the families of our service members. There are a number of
existing spousal and family programs that have been fine tuned and are
successfully contributing to the well-being of this community. The
Navy's Fleet and Family Centers and the Marines' Marine Corps Community
Services (MCCS) and Family Services programs are providing
comprehensive, 24/7 information and referral services to the service
member and family through its One Source links. One Source is
particularly beneficial to mobilized reservists and families who are
unfamiliar with benefits and services available to them.
It's true that ``the servicemember enlists in the military
service--but it's the family that reenlists.'' To ensure the family
opts for a uniformed career, the family must be satisfied with life in
the military. To assist in bringing that satisfaction, FRA recommends
the following.
Child and Youth Programs.--Both programs rank high in priority for
the families of sailors and marines. As an integral support system for
mission readiness and deployments, its imperative these programs
continue to be improved and expanded to cover the needs of both married
and single parents. Currently, the Navy's program cares for over 31,000
children 6 months to 12 years in 227 facilities, and in 3,180 on and
off base licensed child development homes. However the Navy continues
to fall short on child care development homes. Access to child care is
important and FRA urges Congress to authorize adequate funding for this
important benefit.
Spousal Employment.--The association urges Congress to continue its
support of the military's effort to affect a viable spousal employment
program and to authorize sufficient funds to assure the program's
success. Today's all-volunteer environment requires the services to
consider the whole family. It is no longer adequate to focus only on
the morale and financial well-being of the member. Now, his or her
family must be considered. A major consideration for spousal employment
is that it could be a stepping-stone to retention of the service
member--a key participant in the defense of this Nation.
DOD Schools.--FRA recommends that the subcommittee provide the
necessary funds to continue the effective operation of the Department
of Defense's school system and to cease and desist from using
appropriated funds to find ways and means to close or transfer its
school system to local school districts. Further threats of closures
impact the morale of our Nation's military personnel and families. FRA
notes with concern the Department of Defense's (DOD's) repeated quest
to close some or all DOD-sponsored schools operating on military
installations in CONUS. FRA is adamantly opposed to reducing the
quality of education now enjoyed by the children of military personnel
by forcing them to enroll in public schools.
Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Programs (MWR).--FRA recommends the
subcommittee increase funding for MWR programs. FRA believes these
programs are vital to supporting the servicemember and his or her
family. They include recreation, fitness, social and community support
activities, spouse employment, personal financial management,
counseling, family advocacy, safety, transition and relocation
programs--all having a positive affect on fleet readiness. Sailors have
consistently ranked fitness centers and gyms available to them a top
priority and are the most used MWR program.
Currently, the shortage of funds is curtailing or closing some of
the activities while the costs of participating in others have recently
increased. Regarding Navy fitness centers, the biggest challenge is to
update older fitness structures and providing the right equipment, and
ensure availability of trained staff.
Active Duty and Reserve Component Personnel End Strengths.--FRA
strongly supports adequate end strength to win the war on terror and to
maintain other needed military commitments around the world. America is
at war and FRA believes the Sea Services should have adequate numbers
of personnel to meet the demands of fighting the war on terror and
sustain other operational commitments. Many are concerned that the
fiscal year 2007 DOD budget request sacrifices manpower for technology
and does not address adequate service end strengths. Accordingly, FRA
strongly supports increased USMC end strength of 180,000. The
association is also concerned about the impact of Navy end strength
reductions of 12,000, a 3 percent cut from last year. Inadequate end
strengths increase stress on the military personnel and their families
and contribute to greater reliance on the Guard and Reserves.
Education Funding.--FRA strongly supports supplemental Impact Aid
for highly impacted school districts. FRA is most appreciative for the
Impact Aid authorized in previous defense measures. FRA believes it is
important to ensure our service members, many serving in harm's way,
have less concern about their children's educations but more to do with
the job at hand.
Reform of PCS Process.--FRA supports upgrading permanent change-of-
station allowances to reflect the expenses members are forced to incur
in complying with government-directed relocations. Specifically, the
overwhelming majority of service families own two privately owned
vehicles, driven by the financial need for the spouse to work, or the
distance some families must live from an installation and its support
services. FRA supports funding necessary to ship a second POV at
government expense to overseas accompanied assignments. In many
overseas locations, families have difficulty managing without a second
family vehicle because family housing is often not co-located with
installation support services. FRA also continues to support resources
necessary to provide full replacement value for lost or damaged
household goods during the PCS process.
RESERVE ISSUES
FRA stands foursquare in support of the Nation's Reservists. They
were once known as ``weekend warriors.'' But today, it's a different
story. Given the pressure of the war on terror, Reserve units are now
increasingly being mobilized to augment active duty components. Up to
75 percent of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve has been mobilized, with
many members serving multiple tours of active duty in support of
contingency operations. More than 5,000 Reserve sailors are mobilized,
mostly in the desert. In fact, wherever active-duty marines are engaged
around the world, Marine Reservists are there.
Inadequate benefits for Reservists and the Guard can only undermine
long-term retention and readiness. Because of increasing demands on
these personnel to perform multiple missions abroad over longer periods
of time, it's essential to improve compensation and benefits packages
to attract recruits and retain currently serving personnel.
Healthcare.--FRA supports making the TRICARE program available on
an optional basis for all selected Reservists and families on a cost-
sharing basis. FRA recommends funding to increase subsidy levels for
TRICARE coverage for drilling Reserve members not yet mobilized and
having one premium for all members of the Guard and Reserve who
continue to be drilling members. TRICARE Reserve Select is a very
important benefit, particularly because consistency of healthcare
benefits and continuity of care are major concerns for Reserve
personnel and their families. DOD must rely more heavily upon the Guard
and Reserve personnel to prosecute the war and sustain other
operational commitments. In addition, deployments are also becoming
longer and more frequent and these personnel are indispensable to our
Armed Forces.
Retirement.--FRA recommends that Congress reduce the age when
Reserve members are eligible for retirement pay, particularly for those
members who have experienced extended mobilizations.
Family Readiness.--FRA supports more emphasis on providing
consistent funding and increased outreach to connect Guard and Reserve
families with these support programs. FRA therefore supports increasing
funding for family readiness especially for those geographically
dispersed and not readily accessible to military installations and
inexperienced with the military. Unlike active duty families who often
live near military facilities and support services, many Reserve
families live in civilian communities. This poses a major challenge for
them, because military information and support is not readily
available. Congressional hearing witnesses have indicated that many of
the half million mobilized Guard and Reserve personnel have not
received transition assistance services they and their families need to
make a successful transition back to civilian life.
BASE CLOSINGS
BRAC.--FRA strongly supports resources to support retention of
military treatment and other facilities at BRAC sites that are
patronized by sizeable retiree and Reserve populations. Thousands of
military members and families will be under great stress in the months
and years ahead as a result of rebasing, closure, and transformation
actions. But the impact extends beyond the active duty personnel
currently assigned to the affected installations. The entire
beneficiary community--Reserve, retirees, survivors, veterans, and
others--experience the traumatic impact of a realignment and closure
actions. Support facilities are usually closed, and beneficiaries who
relied on the base for support are forced to search elsewhere.
CONCLUSION
FRA is grateful for the opportunity to present the organization's
views to this distinguished subcommittee. The association reiterates
its profound gratitude for the extraordinary progress this subcommittee
has made in advancing a wide range of military personnel benefits and
quality-of-life programs for all uniformed services personnel and their
families and survivors. Thank you again for the opportunity to present
the FRA' views on these critically important topics.
Senator Stevens. Our next witness is Lesli Foster of
Channel 9 News.
I hope you all realize what we are doing. There are votes
going on on the floor, and Senator Inouye goes to vote, and
then he comes back, and then I go to vote. Thank you.
Good morning.
STATEMENT OF LESLI FOSTER MATHEWSON, WEEKEND ANCHOR,
CHANNEL 9 NEWS, WASHINGTON, DC
ACCOMPANIED BY JOHN MATHEWSON, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, THE HSC
FOUNDATION
Ms. Foster. Good morning. Chairman Stevens, thank you for
the opportunity to share my thoughts. My name is Lesli Foster
Mathewson, and I am a news anchor and reporter for WUSATV9 in
Washington, DC. I am here today with my husband, a proud
prostate cancer survivor, to share our story about fighting
this disease.
I feel it is personally important for us to be here because
cancer happens to the family, not just the man who is impacted
by the disease.
Our story is that 89 days after we got married in September
2004, my husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I was
stunned, scared, and worried about the prospect of what I'd do
without the love of my life. And I thought, like many, that
prostate cancer was a disease that struck only older men. My
grandfather succumbed to prostate cancer just 4 years earlier.
It is still hard for me to reconcile this in my head some
days, because John was active and committed to healthy living,
and we had a lifetime ahead of us. Why him? Why us?
Surgery was the best option because of the age and stage of
his particular cancer, but his treatment did present one
significant challenge. We would have a good chance to eradicate
the cancer from his body, but in doing so we would lose our
opportunity to conceive children naturally. We only had 6 weeks
prior to his surgery to try and conceive, and thankfully, we
were able to get pregnant with what we call our miracle baby
before my husband had his surgery in February 2005 at Johns
Hopkins. We gave birth to our daughter, Jordan Elise, in
October of last year, and best of all, John has remained
cancer-free.
I am relieved and feel incredibly blessed to know that John
is healthy, and we certainly hope that he will be around for us
to celebrate many more years together, and he'll be able to see
our daughter grow up. But I am always concerned about his
cancer because we still need to do more research to determine
why young men like him are being stricken at alarming rates,
and what if anything we can do to prevent this disease.
Mr. Mathewson. Senator Stevens, thank you also for the
opportunity to share my thoughts. My name is John Mathewson,
and I serve as Executive Vice President of the HSC Foundation,
a nonprofit hospital system based here in Washington. I am
especially proud to be here with my rock and pillar, my wife. I
am so fortunate that she was and is unwavering in her support.
Shocked, scared, queasy, why me. At 45 years old, at the
time I was too young. It doesn't run in my family. I do not
smoke. How long do I have to live? Will it hurt? My wife is
only 30. Those are just some of the thoughts that ran through
my mind on December 2, 2004. I understand how to access the
health care system. Outside of my age, my greatest risk factor
for prostate cancer was being an African-American male.
And like so many other diseases, the incidence among black
men compared to other culture groups is agonizing. We tend to
be diagnosed later, have a form of the disease that advances
faster, and have a higher mortality rate than whites. Good
treatment options are fine, but wouldn't it be better if we
could do a better job of preventing the disease in the first
place?
I should share that since I had been treated, one of my
older brothers has also now been diagnosed with the disease. He
was 62 at the time, and had never had a PSA exam. So now all
the remaining four of my brothers must get checked annually.
If I could leave you with two things today, they would be
this: the public as well as primary care physicians need better
education about prostate cancer. I had a false sense of
security about my health, largely revolving around the
education that is available for prostate cancer prevention,
because I didn't know enough until I was finally treated at
Hopkins.
The next is that it takes 5 to 7 years to develop this
disease. So waiting until age 40 to educate African-American
men is too late. It needs to begin in their 30s.
I also hope that there is a significant acknowledgment
about how deadly this disease is for all men. All men are at
risk.
In closing, I want to say that we support the National
Prostate Cancer Coalition, and I urge you to fund the Prostate
Cancer Research Program in the Department of Defense at $85
million for fiscal year 2007. We urge you to continue to
support these programs that provide access to new discoveries
that will help us understand and cure prostate cancer.
This concludes our testimony. Thank you for the privilege
to present our story.
Senator Stevens. And thank you very much, both of you. I
guess you know I'm a survivor of prostate cancer also, so I
appreciate your testimony very much.
I'm going to go out of order and ask Dr. Polly to come up
now, with Senator Inouye's consent. I am going to have to leave
and not come back because I'm one of the people that has to go
meet the Speaker for the joint session. But Dr. Polly, Senator
Inouye knows, is the only reason I'm sitting up here, and can
walk and run and play tennis and lift weights. So I honor you,
Doctor, and would like to hear your statement.
STATEMENT OF DR. DAVID W. POLLY, JR., M.D., ON BEHALF
OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORTHOPAEDIC
SURGEONS
Dr. Polly. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My name is Dr. David
Polly, and I'm speaking on behalf of the American Academy of
Orthopaedic Surgeons.
As a graduate of West Point and an airborne ranger who
served as a line officer in the Army, I subsequently attended
medical school at the Uniformed Services University, and then
trained in orthopaedic surgery at Walter Reed. I have
personally cared for injured soldiers at Walter Reed during
four different military conflicts, and have served in a war
zone as a military orthopaedic surgeon. My last assignment
before retiring was as chair of Orthopaedic Surgery at Walter
Reed.
I'm here today to thank the members of the subcommittee for
establishing and funding the fiscal year 2006 orthopaedic
trauma research program at the Institute of Surgical Research,
at Brooke. I urge continuation of funding for this vital
program. More than half of the trauma out of Afghanistan and
Iraq is orthopaedic related, with a vast majority being to the
upper and lower extremities, as well as the spine.
Body armor, as you've heard earlier, does a remarkable job
of protecting the soldier's torso, but his or her extremities
are particularly vulnerable, especially to IEDs. Wounded
soldiers who have died in previous conflicts are now surviving,
and have to recover from these devastating injuries. These
injuries are producing unprecedented numbers of mangled
extremities, with severe reconstructive challenge. And
infection is often a problem.
What has been done so far? An extremity war injury
symposium was held here in Washington, DC, in January 2006 as a
partnership between organized orthopaedic surgery industry and
military surgeons. And I'd like to thank you, sir, for
attending that conference. Proceedings of the symposium
included a list of prioritized research needs that closely
parallels those released on February 13 for the Orthopaedic
Trauma Research Program.
Among these priorities include reduction of infection,
improved healing of segmental bone defects, and many others.
The intent of the Orthopaedic Trauma Research Program is to
foster collaboration between civilian and military orthopaedic
surgeons and researchers. Civilian researchers have the
expertise and the resources to assist their military colleagues
with the growing number of musculoskeletal war wound
challenges, to augment military research efforts. This
collaboration will provide wide-ranging benefits to civilian
trauma patients, as well.
Senator Stevens. Doctor, I'm summoned. I do thank you for
coming. And again, I honor you, my friend. Thank you.
Dr. Polly. Thank you, sir.
Early stages of the program revealed a strong interest.
Close to 100 pre-proposals have been received, totaling over
$20 million in requests. Of these, 76 merited full proposal
submission, and will be reviewed in July. Intelligence
surveillance reconnaissance (ISR) expects to receive much
higher numbers of proposals in subsequent years when the time
line is less compressed.
With orthopedic trauma being the most common form of trauma
seen in military conflicts, it is crucial that there be funding
dedicated specifically to the enhancement of orthopaedic trauma
research. The academy has worked closely with top orthopaedic
surgeons in the military to identify the gaps in research and
care, and the needs are overwhelming. Especially considering
that military trauma is not a research focus for the National
Institutes of Health (NIH).
I commend Congress for its commitment to amputee care
funding, but our goal must be to do everything we can to avoid
having this need to provide this care, and to salvage these
injured limbs in the first place. Expanded Federal commitment
to the orthopaedic extremity trauma research program would move
us closer to this goal. On behalf of America's soldiers,
military orthopedic surgeons, and the American Academy of
Orthopaedic Surgeons, I respectfully request that the
subcommittee continue the Orthopaedic Trauma Research Program
at a funding level of $25 million. As this program is only in
its infancy, continuity is critical to its future success.
Thank you once again for this opportunity, and I'd be glad
to answer any questions.
Senator Inouye [presiding]. You may be assured that we will
do our best, sir.
Dr. Polly. Yes, sir. Thank you for your efforts in the
past, and your continuing efforts today.
Senator Inouye. Thank you.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of David W. Polly, Jr.
Chairman Stevens, ranking member Inouye, Members of the Senate
Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to
testify today. My name is David W. Polly, Jr., M.D., and I speak today
on behalf of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), of
which I am an active member, as well as on behalf of military and
civilian orthopaedic surgeons involved in orthopaedic trauma research
and care.
I am a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point
and as an airborne ranger, served as a line officer in the Army.
Subsequently, I attended medical school at the Uniformed Services
University of the Health Sciences and trained in orthopaedic surgery at
Walter Reed Army Medical Center. I have personally cared for injured
soldiers at Walter Reed during four different military conflicts and
have been deployed to a war zone as a military orthopaedic surgeon. My
last assignment was as chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
and Rehabilitation at Walter Reed. I retired at the end of 2003 after
more than 24 years of service. I am currently professor of Orthopaedic
Surgery and Chief of Spine Surgery at the University of Minnesota.
First and foremost, I am here today to thank the Members of this
subcommittee for establishing funding in fiscal year 2006 for the
Orthopaedic Trauma Research Program (OTRP) and urge continuation of
funding for this vital program. I will discuss the common types of
orthopaedic trauma seen out of Iraq and Afghanistan and offer a
military perspective on the direction in which orthopaedic research
should head in order to better care for soldiers afflicted with
orthopaedic trauma. Finally, I will provide an update on the progress
of OTRP, which is administered by the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical
Research (USAISR).
ORTHOPAEDIC TRAUMA FROM OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM AND OPERATION ENDURING
FREEDOM
The Armed Forces are attempting to return significantly injured
soldiers to full function or limit their disabilities to a functional
level in the case of the most severe injuries. The ability to provide
improved recovery of function moves toward the goal of keeping injured
soldiers part of the Army or service team. Moreover, when they do leave
the Armed Forces, these rehabilitated soldiers have a greater chance of
finding worthwhile occupations outside of the service to contribute
positively to society. The Army believes that it has a duty and
obligation to provide the highest level of care and rehabilitation to
those men and women who have suffered the most while serving the
country.
It probably comes as no surprise that more than half of the trauma
seen out of Iraq and Afghanistan is orthopaedic-related, especially
upper and lower extremity and spine. From October, 2001 through
January, 2005, extremity injuries alone accounted for 54 percent of the
wounds sustained in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation
Enduring Freedom (OEF) according to the Joint Theater Trauma Registry,
a database of medical treatment information from a theater of combat
operations treated at U.S. Army medical treatment facilities. Other
reports suggest this number is closer to 60-70 percent for OIF, and
these estimates do not include non-American and civilians receiving
medical care through U.S. military facilities. By comparison to
previous wars, the current conflicts are experiencing a greater
proportion of upper extremity fractures in particular.
Of 256 battle casualties treated at the Landstuhl Regional Medical
Center in Germany during the first 2 months of OIF, 68 percent
sustained an extremity injury. The reported mechanism of injury was
explosives in 48 percent, gun-shot wounds in 30 percent and blunt
trauma in 21 percent. As the war has moved from an offensive phase to
the current counter-insurgency campaign, higher rates of injuries from
explosives can be expected. (Johnson BA. Carmack D, Neary M, et al.
Operation Iraqi Freedom: the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center
experience. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2005; 44:177-183.) According to the
JTTR, between 2001 and 2005, explosive mechanisms accounted for 78
percent of the war injuries compared to 18 percent from gun shots.
While medical and technological advancements, as well as the use of
fast-moving Forward Surgical Teams, have dramatically decreased the
lethality of war wounds, wounded soldiers who may have died in previous
conflicts from their injuries are now surviving and have to learn to
recover from devastating injuries. While body armor does a great job of
protecting a soldier's torso, his or her extremities are particularly
vulnerable during attacks.
Characteristics of Military Orthopaedic Trauma
According to the New England Journal of Medicine, blast injuries
are producing an unprecedented number of ``mangled extremities''--limbs
with severe soft-tissue and bone injuries. (``Casualties of War--
Military Care for the Wounded from Iraq and Afghanistan,'' NEJM,
December 9, 2004). The result of such trauma is open, complex wounds
with severe bone fragmentation. Often there is nerve damage, as well as
damage to tendons, muscles, vessels, and soft-tissue. In these types of
wounds, infection is often a problem. According to the JTTR, 53 percent
of the extremity wounds are classified as penetrating soft-tissue
wounds, while fractures compose 26 percent of extremity wounds. Other
types of extremity wounds composing less than 5 percent each are burns,
sprains, nerve damage, abrasions, amputations, contusions,
dislocations, and vascular injuries.
Military Versus Civilian Orthopaedic Trauma
While there are similarities between orthopaedic military trauma
and the types of orthopaedic trauma seen in civilian settings, there
are several major differences that must be noted. First, with
orthopaedic military trauma, there are up to five echelons of care,
unlike in civilian settings when those injured are most likely to
receive the highest level of care immediately. Instead, wounded
soldiers get passed from one level of care to the next, with each level
of care implementing the most appropriate type of care in order to
ensure the best possible outcome. The surgeon in each subsequent level
of care must try to recreate what was previously done. In addition, a
majority of injured soldiers have to be medevaced to receive care and
transportation is often delayed due to weather or combat conditions. It
has been our experience that over 65-percent of the trauma is urgent
and requires immediate attention.
Second, soldiers wounded are often in fair or poor health, are
frequently malnourished, and usually fatigued due to the demanding
conditions. This presents many complicating factors when determining
the most appropriate care.
Third, the setting in which care is initially provided to wounded
soldiers is less than ideal, to say the least, especially in comparison
to a sterile hospital setting. The environment, such as that seen in
Iraq and Afghanistan, is dusty and hot, leading to concerns about
sterilization of the hospital setting. For example, infection from
acinetobacter baumanni, a ubiquitous organism found in the desert soil
of Afghanistan and Iraq, is extremely common. In addition, the surgical
environment is under constant threat of attack by insurgents. In fact,
a considerable percentage of the care provided by military surgeons is
for injured Iraqis, both friendly and hostile. Finally, the surgical
team is faced with limited resources that make providing the highest
level of care difficult.
While, as I have stated, there are many unique characteristics of
orthopaedic military trauma, there is no doubt that research done on
orthopaedic military trauma benefits trauma victims in civilian
settings. Many of the great advancements in orthopaedic trauma care
have been made during times of war, such as the external fixateur,
which has been used extensively during the current conflict as well as
in civilian care.
Future Needs of Orthopaedic Trauma Research
An Extremity War Injuries (EWI) Symposium was held in Washington,
DC on January 24-27, 2006. This extraordinary symposium was a
partnership effort between organized orthopaedic surgery, military
surgeons and industry. It was attended by 98 military and civilian
physicians and researchers committed to the care of extremity injuries.
The symposium addressed current challenges in the management of
extremity trauma associated with recent combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The focus of the symposium was to identify opportunities to improve
the care for the sons and daughters of America who have been injured
serving our Nation. Proceedings from the symposium included a list of
prioritized research needs:
Timing of Treatment.--Better data are necessary to establish best
practices with regard to timing of debridement, timing of temporary
stabilization and timing of definitive stabilization. Development of
animal models of early versus late operative treatment of open injuries
may be helpful. Prospective clinical comparisons of treatment groups
will be helpful in gaining further understanding of the relative role
of surgical timing on outcomes.
Techniques of Debridement.--More information is necessary about
effective means of demonstrating adequacy of debridement. Current
challenges, particularly for surgeons with limited experience in wound
debridement, exist in understanding how to establish long-term tissue
viability or lack thereof at the time of an index operative
debridement. Since patients in military settings are typically
transferred away from the care of the surgeon performing the initial
debridement prior to delivery of secondary care, opportunities to learn
about the efficacy of initial procedures are lost. Development of
animal models of blast injury could help establish tissue viability
markers. Additional study is necessary to understand ideal frequencies
and techniques of debridement.
Transport Issues.--Clinical experience suggests that current air
evacuation techniques are associated with development of complications
in wound and extremity management although the specific role of
individual variables in the genesis of these complications is unclear.
Possible contributing factors include altitude, hypothermia and
secondary wound contamination. Clinical and animal models are necessary
to help develop an understanding of transport issues. Development,
testing and approval of topical negative pressure devices for use
during aeromedical transport should be facilitated.
Coverage Issues.--Controlled studies defining the role of timing of
coverage in outcome following high-energy extremity war injuries are
lacking. Also necessary is more information about markers and
indicators to help assess the readiness of a wound and host for
coverage procedures. Both animal modeling and clinical marker
evaluation are necessary to develop understanding in this area.
Antibiotic Treatments.--Emergence of resistant organisms continues
to provide challenges in the treatment of infection following high-
energy extremity war injuries. Broader prophylaxis likely encourages
development of antibiotic resistance. In the context of a dwindling
pipeline of new antibiotics, particularly those directed toward gram-
negative organisms, development of new technologies to fight infection
is necessary. This patient population offers opportunity to assess
efficacy of vaccination against common pathogens. Partnerships with
infectious disease researchers currently involved in addressing similar
questions should be developed.
Management of Segmental Bone Defects.--A multitude of different
techniques for management of segmental bone defects is available. These
include bone transport, massive onlay grafting with and without use of
recombinant proteins, delayed allograft reconstruction, and acute
shortening. While some techniques are more appropriate than others
after analysis of other clinical variables, controlled trials comparing
efficacy between treatment methods are lacking. Variables that may
affect outcome can be grouped according to patient characteristics
including co-morbidities, injury characteristics including severity of
bony and soft-tissue wounds, and treatment variables including method
of internal fixation selected. Evaluation of new technologies for
treatment of segmental bone defects should include assessment of
efficacy with adequate control for confounding variables and assessment
of cost-effectiveness.
Development of an Animal Model.--A large animal survival military
blast injury model is necessary to serve as a platform for multiple
research questions including: VAC v. bead pouch v. dressing changes;
Wound cleaning strategy; Effect of topical antibiotics; Modulation of
inflammatory response; Timing of wound closure; and Vascular shunt
utilization.
Amputee Issues.--Development and validation of ``best practice''
guidelines for multidisciplinary care of the amputee is essential.
Treatment protocols should be tested clinically. Studies should be
designed to allow for differentiation between the impacts of the
process versus the device on outcome. Failure analysis as a tool to
evaluate efficacy of treatment protocols and elucidate shortcomings
should be utilized. Clinically, studies should focus on defining
requirements for the residual limb length necessary to achieve success
without proceeding to higher level amputation. Outcomes based
comparisons of amputation techniques for similar injuries and similar
levels should be performed. Use of local tissue lengthening and free
tissue transfer techniques should be evaluated. In the context of
current results and increasing levels of expectation for function
following amputation, development of more sensitive and military
appropriate outcomes monitors is necessary.
Heterotopic Ossification.--Animal models of heterotopic
ossification should be utilized to develop early markers for
heterotopic ossification development that could identify opportunities
for prevention. Better information is needed about burden of disease
including prevalence following amputation for civilian versus military
trauma and frequency with which symptoms develop. Treatment methods
such as surgical debridement, while effective, necessarily interrupt
rehabilitation. Prevention could expedite recovery and potentially
improve outcome.
Data Collection System.--A theme common to virtually all
discussions on research and patient care for our soldiers has been the
need for access to better longitudinal patient data. Current patient
care processes both in theatre and at higher echelon care centers do
not include data captured in a way that allows simple electronic
linkage of medical records from one level of care to the next. At least
two electronic medical records systems are in use, and they are not
necessarily compatible with one another. Any electronic medical record
used should be web based to allow for linkage of patient data from the
earliest echelon of documented care through the VA system. The system
must be user friendly and not cumbersome to encourage entry of
information critical to outcomes analysis. An example of one system
with some of the necessary components is the current Joint Patient
Tracking Application (JPTA). The system unfortunately lacks integration
with a trauma registry or database to allow for retrospective or
prospective analyses of specific injuries and treatments. Funding is
necessary for platform development, information systems infrastructure
and data entry personnel.
Stories from the Frontlines
There have been many heroic stories of injured soldiers struggling
to regain function and to return to normal life, or even back to
service. A story highlighted in a March 2005 National Public Radio
(NPR) series titled ``Caring for the Wounded: The Story of Two
Marines,'' followed two Marines injured in Iraq: 1st Sgt. Brad Kasal
and Lance Cpl. Alex Nicoll. Lance Cpl. Nicoll had to have his left leg
amputated as a result of his injuries from gunshot wounds. Nicoll has
undergone physical therapy at Walter Reed to adjust to his new
prosthetic leg, made from graphite and titanium. While Sgt. Kasal was
so seriously injured that he lost four inches of bone in his right leg,
due to medical advances in limb salvaging, he did not have to have his
leg amputated. Kasal underwent a bone growth procedure, called the
Illizarov Technique, which grows the bone one millimeter a day.
The Iraq war has created the first group of female amputees. Lt.
Dawn Halfaker is one of approximately 11 military women who have lost
limbs from combat injuries in Iraq, compared to more than 350 men. She
lost her arm to a life-threatening infection, after sustaining major
injuries, along with another soldier, when on a reconnaissance patrol
in Baqouba, Iraq, a rocket-propelled grenade exploded inside her
armored Humvee. Maj. Ladda ``Tammy'' Duckworth lost both legs when a
rocker-propelled grenade slammed into her Black Hawk helicopter near
Balad. Juanita Wilson, an Army staff sergeant, lost her left hand when
an improvised bomb exploded near her Humvee on a convoy mission north
of Baghdad. All three women are successfully moving forward in military
or civilian careers.
Bone problems, seldom seen in soldiers from previous wars who have
lost limbs, have complicated recoveries for Iraq and Afghanistan-
stationed soldiers. Heterotopic ossification, or H.O., a condition in
which bone grows where it doesn't belong, has developed in nearly 60
percent of 318 amputees treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Nearly 70 patients from across the military have been treated for H.O.
at Brooke Army Medical Center. Rarely occurring in civilian amputees,
high-intensity blasts, which can shred muscles, tendons and bone,
appears to stimulate adult stem cells to heal damage, but repair
signals often go awry. Advances in body armor resulting in higher
survival rates and ability to preserve more damaged tissue, have lead
to the high number of H.O. cases where little research exists on how to
treat the condition among amputees. (``Bone condition hampers soldiers'
recovery,'' USA TODAY, February 12, 2006)
These stories clearly illustrate the benefits of, and need for,
orthopaedic trauma research for America's soldiers.
Orthopaedic Trauma Research Program
The AAOS and military and civilian orthopaedic surgeons and
researchers are grateful that the subcommittee included language in the
fiscal year 2006 Defense Appropriations Bill to create the
``Orthopaedic Trauma Research Program'' (OTRP) as part of the Medical
Research and Material Command's (MRMC) medical research program,
administered by the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR)
at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
The OTRP is the first program created in the Department of Defense
dedicated exclusively to funding peer-reviewed intramural and
extramural orthopaedic trauma research. Having the program administered
by the USAISR ensures that the research funding follows closely the
research priorities laid out by the Army and the Armed Forces, and
ensures collaboration between military and civilian research
facilities. USAISR has extensive experience administering similar grant
programs and is the only Department of Defense Research laboratory
devoted solely to improving combat casualty care.
The intent of the OTRP is to foster collaboration between civilian
and military orthopaedic surgeons and researchers. Civilian researchers
have the expertise and resources to assist their military colleagues
with the growing number of patients and musculoskeletal war wound
challenges, to build a parallel research program in the military.
Civilian investigators are interested in advancing the research and
have stepped up to engage in these efforts, which will also provide
wide ranging benefits to civilian trauma patients as well.
It is important to note that military orthopaedic surgeons, in
addition to personnel at the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel
Command, Fort Detrick, have had significant input into the creation of
this program and fully support its goals. The $7.5 million awarded for
OTRP in fiscal year 2006 is hopefully the beginning of a stronger focus
of a core mission in the military to dedicate Department of Defense
research resources to injured soldiers.
The Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for the OTRP grants was
released on February 13, 2006, and identified the following basic,
transitional and clinical research funding priorities: Improved healing
of segmental bone defects; improved healing of massive soft tissue
defects; improved wound healing; tissue viability assessment and wound
irrigation and debridement technologies; reduction in wound infection;
prevention of heterotopic ossification; demographic and injury data on
the modern battlefield and the long-term outcomes of casualties (i.e.
joint theatre trauma registry); and improved pre-hospital care of
orthopaedic injuries.
The number of full proposals submitted under this program will be
up to 76 grant applications by the time they are reviewed, expected in
July of this year. This number is relatively high considering the
shortened time period this year for submitting pre-proposals, due by
the first week in May, and considering the funding level of $7.5
million. Close to 100 pre-proposals were received for consideration,
with 76 invited to compete with a full proposal. An upper limit of
$500,000 has been established for any one grant, to give a reasonable
number of grantees an opportunity to participate. Ordinarily grants
would generally be awarded for much higher amounts to support the
research required. Larger multi-institutional studies had to limit what
they were proposing.
More funding would allow for a broader scope of work and multi-
institutional collaboration. The requests from these 76 proposals for
year one of the grants totaled over $20 million and several grants
requested funding for multiple years. USAISR expects to receive a much
higher number of pre-proposals in subsequent years, when the timeline
for submission will be longer, with more lead time in notification.
With orthopaedic trauma being the most common form of trauma seen
in military conflicts, it is crucial that there be funding dedicated
specifically to the advancement of orthopaedic trauma research. The
AAOS has worked closely with the top military orthopaedic surgeons, at
world-class facilities such as the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical
Research, Brooke Army Medical Center, and Walter Reed Army Medical
Center to identify the gaps in orthopaedic trauma research and care and
the needs are overwhelming. Especially considering military trauma is
not a research focus for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
CONCLUSION
I hope that I have given you a well-rounded perspective on the
extent of what orthopaedic trauma military surgeons are seeing and a
glimpse into the current and future research for such trauma. Military
trauma research currently being carried out at military facilities,
such as WRAMC and the USAISR, and at civilian medical facilities, is
vital to the health of our soldiers and to the Armed Forces' objective
to return injured soldiers to full function in hopes that they can
continue to be contributing soldiers and active members of society.
Mr. Chairman, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, as well
as the entire orthopaedic community, stands ready to work with this
subcommittee to identify and prioritize research opportunities for the
advancement of orthopaedic trauma care. Military and civilian
orthopaedic surgeons and researchers are committed to advancing
orthopaedic trauma research that will benefit the unfortunately high
number of soldiers afflicted with such trauma and return them to full
function. It is imperative that the Federal Government, when
establishing its defense health research priorities in the fiscal year
2007 Defense Appropriations bill, ensure that orthopedic trauma
research is a top priority.
I urge you to continue the Orthopaedic Trauma Research Program at a
funding level of $25 million. While Congress funds an extensive array
of medical research through the Department of Defense, with over half
of military trauma being orthopaedic-related, no other type of medical
research would better benefit our men and women serving in the war on
terror and in future conflicts. Especially as this program is only in
its infancy stage, continuity is critical to its success.
Senator Inouye. Our next witness, Dr. Robert Recker,
National Coalition for Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases.
Dr. Recker.
STATEMENT OF DR. ROBERT RECKER, M.D., DIRECTOR,
OSTEOPOROSIS RESEARCH CENTER, CREIGHTON
UNIVERSITY, ON BEHALF OF THE NATIONAL
COALITION FOR OSTEOPOROSIS AND RELATED BONE
DISEASES
Dr. Recker. Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, I
am Dr. Robert Recker, Director of the Osteoporosis Research
Center at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, and I am
testifying on behalf of the National Coalition for Osteoporosis
and Related Bone Diseases, the Bone Coalition.
The Bone Coalition is committed to research and education
that reduces the impact of bone diseases. It includes the
American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, the National
Osteoporosis Foundation, the Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Foundation, and the Paget Foundation. We appreciate this
opportunity to discuss funding of the Bone Health and Military
Medical Readiness Research Program within the Department of
Defense.
The purpose of this program is to improve the bone health
of our military personnel. Current efforts focus on eliminating
stress fractures during training and deployment. Stress
fractures occur in military recruits and trainees who undergo
rigorous physical conditioning in a brief period of time.
Increases in military recruitment have led to an upsurge in
stress fracture cases. In soldiers on lengthy deployments,
medical dispensaries report stress fractures in unprecedented
numbers.
Among new recruits, approximately 40 percent of men and 60
percent of women with stress fracture do not complete basic
training. Those who do return to duty must first undergo a
rehabilitation period of 80 to 120 days. Stress fractures are a
significant health and financial burden, increasing training
time, program costs, and time to military readiness.
It is critical that we continue to build on recent findings
that have led to the following advances: one, an Army-wide
physical training program with reduced running and increased
resistance training, without compromising physical fitness.
Studies of this new program continue.
Modifications in the physical fitness program for female
Marine Corps recruits in training, without compromising
physical fitness.
Animal studies showing that short-term exercise training
improves material and structural properties of bone, improving
fatigue resistance by 80-fold. Studies are underway in humans.
Discovery that a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication
slows stress fracture healing in animals. A study of these
medications in humans is nearing completion.
To eliminate stress fracture in basic training, to optimize
physical training and nutrition standards, and to develop
practical methods to predict impending injury; expanded
research is needed that will one, utilize genetic, lifestyle,
and other risk factors, to establish a risk factor profile that
identifies individuals at high risk for stress fracture; expand
on pulmonary findings of gender differences in their response
of bone to physical training; study the relationship between
exercise training regimen: timing, type, volume of training,
and onset of micro damage in bone; examine the impact of load
bearing and muscle fatigue on bone during prolonged standing
and marching; and finally, to test promising interventions that
might improve bone quality prior to entry into basic training.
These studies and other DOD studies in progress will
determine cost effective approaches to diagnose, prevent, and
treat stress fractures, and accelerate return to duty.
Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, stress
fractures continue to be a critical obstacle to military
readiness and deployment. It is imperative that the Department
of Defense build on recent findings, and maintain an aggressive
and sustained bone health and military medical readiness
program. The National Coalition for Osteoporosis and Related
Bone Diseases urges you to fund this program at a level of $5
million in fiscal year 2007. We appreciate the opportunity to
express our concerns.
Senator Inouye. Doctor, we assure you we will do our utmost
on this one.
Dr. Recker. Thank you.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Robert Recker
Mr. Chairman and Members of the committee: I am Robert Recker,
M.D., Director of the Osteoporosis Research Center at Creighton
University in Omaha, Nebraska and I am testifying on behalf of the
National Coalition for Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases (the Bone
Coalition).
The Bone Coalition is committed to reducing the impact of bone
diseases through expanded basic, clinical, epidemiological and
behavioral research leading to improvement in patient care. The
Coalition participants are leading national bone disease
organizations--the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, the
National Osteoporosis Foundation, the Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Foundation, and the Paget Foundation for Paget's Disease of Bone and
Related Disorders.
We appreciate this opportunity to discuss with you the necessity
for continued funding of the Bone Health and Military Medical Readiness
Program within the Department of Defense.
The purpose of this small, but important, program is to improve the
bone health of our military men and women. An effort currently underway
is targeting the elimination of stress fractures that occur during
training and deployment. Stress fracture has been a principal concern
to military readiness and a major cause of low soldier retention during
basic training and thereafter.
Stress fractures are usually reported in young military recruits
and trainees who are subjected to rigorous physical conditioning over a
relatively short period of time. According to the Bone Health and
Military Medical Readiness program, recent increases in military
recruitment have led to an upsurge in the number of reported stress
fracture cases. An additional concern is the increased number of
documented stress fractures over the last 2 years in soldiers who have
recently returned from lengthy deployments. Reports from troop medical
clinics indicate that these soldiers are sustaining stress fractures in
unprecedented numbers.
Among new recruits, approximately 40 percent of men and 60 percent
of women who sustain a stress fracture do not complete basic training.
For soldiers who are able to return to duty, a rehabilitation period of
80-120 days is necessary prior to resumption of training. The high
incidence of stress fractures has a marked impact on the health of
recruits and imposes a significant financial burden on the U.S. Armed
Forces by increasing the length of training time, program costs and
time to military readiness.
It is critical that we continue to build on the promising results
emanating from this research program. Recent findings have led to:
--Recommendations to implement a new Army-wide physical training
program that emphasizes reduced running and increased
resistance training without compromising physical fitness at
the end of basic training. Studies are underway to determine
the efficacy of this new program in reducing stress fracture
and other overuse injuries in soldiers.
--Modifications in the physical fitness conditioning programs for
female Marine Corps recruits in training, again without
compromising physical fitness of trainees.
--Animal studies revealing that short-term exercise training improves
both material and structural properties of bone that increase
fatigue resistance by 80-fold. Studies are ongoing to determine
if similar exercise programs lead to improved bone strength in
humans.
--Research demonstrating that the use of a non-steroidal anti-
inflammatory medication slows stress fracture healing in rats.
A study to assess the effect of these commonly used medications
on bone in humans is nearing completion.
To eliminate stress fracture in basic training in the military; to
optimize physical training and nutrition standards for healthy young
men and women; and to develop practical methods and markers to predict
impending injury, expanded investigations are needed that will:
--Utilize genetic, lifestyle, and other risk factors to establish a
risk factor profile that identifies individuals at high risk
for stress fracture injury.
--Expand on preliminary findings that revealed gender differences in
the response of bone to physical training.
--Study the relationship between exercise training regimen (timing,
type and volume of training) and onset of microdamage in bone.
--Examine the impact of load bearing and/or muscle fatigue on bone
strain during prolonged standing and marching activities.
--Test promising interventions that might improve bone quality prior
to entry into basic training.
These studies, along with other DOD studies in progress, will
determine the most cost effective approach to diagnosis and treatment
of stress fracture, and accelerate return to duty. An improved
understanding of these injuries will also form the basis of potential
preventive measures.
Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, stress fractures
continue to be a critical obstacle to military readiness and time to
deployment. Therefore, it is imperative that the Department of Defense
build on recent findings and maintain an aggressive and sustained Bone
Health and Military Medical Readiness program. The National Coalition
for Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases urges you to fund this
program at a level of $5 million in fiscal year 2007.
We appreciate the opportunity to testify before the committee.
Senator Inouye. Our next witness is the President of the
National Breast Cancer Coalition, Fran Visco. Ms. Visco.
STATEMENT OF FRAN VISCO, J.D., PRESIDENT, NATIONAL
BREAST CANCER COALITION
Ms. Visco. Thank you, Senator Inouye, and I want to thank
you for your continued leadership and support for the DOD peer-
reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program, and also of course
thank Chairman Stevens and the other members of the
subcommittee.
As you know, this program has been an enormous success. And
I am here today as a wife, a mother, and as the head of the
National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC). When I was 39 years
old, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My son was 14 months
old. I'm fortunate, because after surgery, a very toxic
treatment with lifelong side effects, I am still here today to
testify to you about this extraordinary program, and on behalf
of NBCC, a coalition of more than 600 member organizations, and
tens of thousands of individuals.
The DOD peer-reviewed Breast Cancer Program is incredibly
efficient. More than 90 percent of the funds appropriated fund
research. It is unbelievably effective. It fills gaps in
traditional funding mechanisms and supports new ideas. And our
collaboration among the advocacy community, the worldwide
scientific committee, and the United States Army, has created
new models for biomedical research and for decisionmaking, that
have been copied by other Army programs, by other institutions,
agencies, even States and other countries.
This program has had an independent review on three
separate occasions. And those reviews have stressed the unique
role the program plays, that it is not duplicative, and has
given incredibly high praise for the substance of the program.
It is transparent. It is accountable to the public. It is--
every 2 years we have an Era of Hope meeting where everything
that has been funded with taxpayer dollars is reported to the
public.
We are proud to be partners with the Army in this program.
The women across the country, their families, their friends,
their supporters, look to this program because this is where we
are saving lives of breast cancer. So I want to again thank you
so very much for your continued support, and I look forward to
continuing our collaboration and partnership.
Thank you very much.
Senator Inouye. I thank you very much, Ms. Visco. As you
know, we will do our best.
Ms. Visco. Yes, I know. Thank you.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Fran Visco
Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Appropriations
Subcommittee on Defense, for the opportunity to talk to you about a
program that has made a significant difference in the lives of women
and their families. You and your committee have shown great
determination and leadership in searching for answers by funding the
Department of Defense (DOD) Peer-Reviewed Breast Cancer Research
Program (BCRP) at a level that has brought us closer to eradicating
this disease. Chairman Stevens and ranking member Inouye, we have
appreciated your support of this program in the past. I am hopeful that
you and your committee will continue that determination and leadership.
I am Fran Visco, a breast cancer survivor, a wife and mother, a
lawyer, and President of the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC).
On behalf of NBCC, and the more than 3 million women living with breast
cancer, I would like to thank you again for the opportunity to testify.
As you know, the National Breast Cancer Coalition is a grassroots
advocacy organization made up of hundreds of organizations and tens of
thousands of individuals and has been working since 1991 toward the
eradication of breast cancer through advocacy and action. NBCC supports
increased funding for breast cancer research, increased access to
quality health care for all women, and increased influence of breast
cancer activists at every table where decisions regarding breast cancer
are made. That is why this program is so important in the fight against
this disease.
Much of the progress toward ending breast cancer has been made
possible by the Appropriations Committee's investment in breast cancer
research through the DOD BCRP. This program has launched new models of
biomedical research that have benefited other agencies and both public
and private institutions. It has changed for the better the way
research is performed and has been replicated by programs focused on
other diseases, by other countries and individual States. To support
this unprecedented progress moving forward, we ask that you support a
separate, $150 million appropriation for fiscal year 2007. In order to
continue the success of this program, you must ensure that it maintains
its integrity and separate identity, in addition to the requested level
of funding. This is important not just for breast cancer, but also for
all biomedical research that has benefited from this incredible
government program. In addition, as an Institute of Medicine (IOM)
report concluded in 2004, there continues to be excellent science that
goes unfunded, but for this program. It is only through a separate
appropriation that this program is able to continue to focus on breast
cancer yet impact all other research, rapidly respond to changes and
new discoveries in the field and fill the gaps created by traditional
funding mechanisms.
Despite the enormous successes and advancements in breast cancer
research made through funding from the DOD BCRP, we still do not know
what causes breast cancer, how to prevent it, or how to cure it. It is
critical that innovative research through this unique program continues
so that we can move forward toward eradicating this disease.
OVERVIEW OF THE DOD BREAST CANCER RESEARCH PROGRAM
The DOD Peer-Reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program has
established itself as model medical research program, respected
throughout the cancer and broader medical community for its innovative
and accountable approach. The groundbreaking research performed through
the program has the potential to benefit not just breast cancer, but
all cancers, as well as other diseases. Biomedical research is being
transformed by the BCRP's success.
This program is both innovative and incredibly streamlined. It
continues to be overseen by a group of distinguished scientists and
activists, as recommended by the IOM. Because there is little
bureaucracy, the program is able to respond quickly to what is
currently happening in the scientific community. Because of its
specific focus on breast cancer, it is able to rapidly support
innovative proposals that reflect the most recent discoveries in the
field. It is responsive, not just to the scientific community, but also
to the public.
Since its inception, this program has matured from an isolated
research program to a broad-reaching influential voice forging new and
innovative directions for breast cancer research and science. The
flexibility of the program has allowed the Army to administer this
groundbreaking research effort with unparalleled efficiency and
effectiveness.
In addition, an integral part of this program has been the
inclusion of consumer advocates at every level. As a result, the
program has created an unprecedented working relationship between the
public, scientists and the military, and ultimately has led to new
avenues of research in breast cancer. Since 1992, over 400 breast
cancer survivors have served on the BCRP review panels. Their vital
role in the success of the BCRP has led to consumer inclusion in other
biomedical research programs at DOD. This program now serves as an
international model.
It is important to note that the DOD Integration Panel that designs
this program has a plan of how best to spend the funds appropriated.
This plan is based on the state of the science--both what scientists
know now and the gaps in our knowledge--as well as the needs of the
public. This plan coincides with our philosophy that we do not want to
restrict scientific freedom, creativity or innovation. While we
carefully allocate these resources, we do not want to predetermine the
specific research areas to be addressed.
UNIQUE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Developments in the past few years have begun to offer breast
cancer researchers fascinating insights into the science of breast
cancer and have brought into sharp focus the areas of research that
hold promise and will build on the knowledge and investment we have
made. The Innovative Developmental and Exploratory Awards (IDEA) grants
of the DOD program have been critical in the effort to respond to new
discoveries and to encourage and support innovative, risk-taking
research. The IDEA grants have been instrumental in the development of
promising breast cancer research. These grants have allowed scientists
to explore beyond the realm of traditional research and have unleashed
incredible new ideas and concepts. IDEA grants are uniquely designed to
dramatically advance our knowledge in areas that offer the greatest
potential.
IDEA grants are precisely the type of grants that rarely receive
funding through more traditional programs such as the National
Institutes of Health, and private research programs. Therefore, they
complement, and do not duplicate, other federal funding programs. This
is true of other DOD award mechanisms as well.
For example, the Innovator awards are structured to invest in world
renowned, outstanding individuals, rather than projects, from any field
of study by providing funding and freedom to pursue highly creative,
potentially breakthrough research that could ultimately accelerate the
eradication of breast cancer. The Era of Hope Scholar is intended to
support the formation of the next generation of leaders in breast
cancer research, by identifying the best and brightest independent
scientists early in their careers and giving them the necessary
resources to pursue a highly innovative vision toward ending breast
cancer.
Also, Historically Black Colleges and Minority Universities/
Minority Institutions Partnership Awards are intended to provide
assistance at an institutional level. The major goal of this award is
to support collaboration between multiple investigators at an applicant
Minority Institution and a collaborating institution with an
established program in breast cancer research, for the purpose of
creating an environment that would foster breast cancer research, and
in which Minority Institution faculty would receive training toward
establishing successful breast cancer research programs.
These are just a few examples of innovative approaches at the DOD
BCRP that are filling gaps in breast cancer research. It is vital that
these grants are able to continue to support interest in breast cancer
research--$150 million for peer-reviewed research will help sustain the
program's momentum.
The DOD BCRP also focuses on moving research from the bench to the
bedside. A major feature of the awards offered by the BCRP is that they
are designed to fill niches that are not offered by other agencies. The
BCRP considers translational research to be the application of well-
founded laboratory or other pre-clinical insight into a clinical trial.
To enhance this critical area of research, several research
opportunities have been offered. Clinical Translational Research awards
have been awarded for investigator-initiated projects that involve a
clinical trial within the lifetime of the award. The BCRP expanded its
emphasis on translational research by offering five different types of
awards that support work at the critical juncture between laboratory
research and bedside applications.
The Centers of Excellence awards mechanism brings together the
world's most highly qualified individuals and institutions to address a
major overarching question in breast cancer research that could make a
major contribution towards the eradication of breast cancer. These
centers put to work the expertise of basic, epidemiology and clinical
researchers, as well as consumer advocates to focus on a major question
in breast cancer research. Many of these centers are working on
questions that will translate into direct clinical applications.
SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS
The BCRP research portfolio is comprised of many different types of
projects, including support for innovative ideas, infrastructure
building to facilitate clinical trials, and training breast cancer
researchers.
A groundbreaking outcome of research funded by the BCRP was the
development of Herceptin, a drug that prolongs the lives of women with
a particularly aggressive type of advanced breast cancer; and has been
shown in recent studies to decrease relapses in women with this type of
breast cancer, which constitute about 25 percent of those diagnosed.
This drug could not have been developed without first researching and
understanding the gene known as HER-2/neu, which is involved in the
progression of some breast cancers. Researchers found that over-
expression of HER-2/neu in breast cancer cells results in very
aggressive biologic behavior. Most importantly, the same researchers
demonstrated that an antibody directed against HER-2/neu could slow the
growth of the cancer cells that over-expressed the gene. This research,
which led to the development of the drug Herceptin, was made possible
in part by a DOD BCRP-funded infrastructure grant. Other researchers
funded by the BCRP are currently working to identify similar kinds of
genes that are involved in the initiation and progression of cancer.
They hope to develop new drugs like Herceptin that can fight the growth
of breast cancer cells.
Another example of success from the program is a study of sentinel
lymph nodes (SLNs). This study confirmed that SLNs are indicators of
metastatic progression of disease. The resulting knowledge from this
study and others has lead to a standard of care that includes lymph
node biopsies. If the first lymph node is negative for cancer cells,
then it is unnecessary to remove all the lymph nodes. This helps
prevent lymphodema, which can be painful and have lasting
complications.
Those are just two example of success stories come out of the DOD
BCRP. In addition, there are still other studies in earlier stages of
research coming out of the program that could lead to important
breakthroughs in our knowledge of the disease, as well as how to treat
it. For example, some studies are using advances in gene expression
profiling technologies to allow them to identify breast cancer
``types''. Researchers have found that there are different kinds of
breast cancer, each responding differently to different treatments. The
recognition that breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease will allow
for more targeted therapies and better selection of patient subgroups
for clinical trials.
Finally, some studies are using nanotechnology to identify the
location and size of a cancerous tumor. In addition, that same
technology is being studied to determine whether it is possible to
deliver treatment directly to the tumor and destroying it, but leaving
other, non-cancerous tissue in tact.
FEDERAL MONEY WELL SPENT
The DOD BCRP is as efficient as it is innovative. In fact, 90
percent of funds go directly to research grants. The flexibility of the
program allows the Army to administer it in such a way as to maximize
its limited resources. The program is able to quickly respond to
current scientific advances, and fulfills an important niche by
focusing on research that is traditionally under funded. This was
confirmed and reiterated in an IOM report released in 2004. It is
responsive to the scientific community and to the public. This is
evidenced by the inclusion of consumer advocates at both the peer and
programmatic review levels. The consumer perspective helps the
scientists understand how the research will affect the community, and
allows for funding decisions based on the concerns and needs of
patients and the medical community.
Since 1992, the BCRP has been responsible for managing $1.81
billion in appropriations. From its inception through fiscal year 2004,
4,293 awards at over 420 institutions throughout the United States and
the District of Columbia have been awarded. Approximately 150 awards
will be granted for fiscal year 2005. The areas of focus of the DOD
BCRP span a broad spectrum and include basic, clinical, behavioral,
epidemiology, and alternative therapy studies, to name a few. The BCRP
benefits women and their families by maximizing resources and filling
in the gaps in breast cancer research. Scientific achievements that are
the direct result of the DOD BCRP grants are undoubtedly moving us
closer to eradicating breast cancer.
The outcomes of the BCRP-funded research can be gauged, in part, by
the number of publications, abstracts/presentations, and patents/
licensures reported by awardees. To date, there have been more than
9,500 publications in scientific journals, more than 9,600 abstracts
and more than 300 patents/licensure applications. The Federal
Government can truly be proud of its investment in the DOD BCRP.
INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENTS OF PROGRAM SUCCESS
The National Breast Cancer Coalition has been the driving force
behind this program for many years. The success of the DOD Peer-
Reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program has been illustrated by several
unique assessments of the program. The IOM, which originally
recommended the structure for the program, independently re-examined
the program in a report published in 1997. They published another
report on the program in 2004. Their findings overwhelmingly encouraged
the continuation of the program and offered guidance for program
implementation improvements.
The 1997 IOM review of the DOD Peer-Review Breast Cancer Research
Program commended the program and stated that, ``the program fills a
unique niche among public and private funding sources for cancer
research. It is not duplicative of other programs and is a promising
vehicle for forging new ideas and scientific breakthroughs in the
Nation's fight against breast cancer.'' The IOM report recommended
continuing the program and established a solid direction for the next
phase of the program. The 2004 report reiterated these same statements
and indicated that is important for the program to continue. It is
imperative that Congress recognizes the independent evaluations of the
DOD Breast Cancer Research Program, as well as reiterates its own
commitment to the program by appropriating the funding needed to ensure
its success.
The DOD Peer-Reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program not only
provides a funding mechanism for high-risk, high-return research, but
also reports the results of this research to the American people at a
biennial public meeting called the Era of Hope. The 1997 meeting was
the first time a federally funded program reported back to the public
in detail not only on the funds used, but also on the research
undertaken, the knowledge gained from that research and future
directions to be pursued. The transparency of the BCRP allows
scientists, consumers and the American public to see the exceptional
progress made in breast cancer research.
At the 2005 Era of Hope meeting, all BCRP award recipients from the
past 2 years were invited to report their research findings, and many
awardees from previous years were asked to present advancements in
their research. Themes for the 2005 meeting included: Understanding
Risk--A Different Perspective; Understanding Who Needs Intervention and
Understanding Treatments--Effectively Treating Primary and Metastatic
Disease. Researchers presented their research on many important topics
ranging from the development of new techniques for detecting breast
cancer to identifying and destroying progenitor breast cancer cells to
determining ways to stop tumor growth by preventing angiogenesis to
applying new models for developing and implementing communications
strategies in order to enhance decision making and improve quality of
life for breast cancer patients.
The DOD Peer-Reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program has attracted
scientists across a broad spectrum of disciplines, launched new
mechanisms for research and has continued to facilitate new thinking in
breast cancer research and research in general. A report on all
research that has been funded through the DOD BCRP is available to the
public. Individuals can go to the Department of Defense website and
look at the abstracts for each proposal at http://cdmrp.army.mil/
bcrp/.
COMMITMENT OF THE NATIONAL BREAST CANCER COALITION
The National Breast Cancer Coalition is strongly committed to the
DOD program in every aspect, as we truly believe it is one of our best
chances for finding cures and preventions for breast cancer. The
coalition and its members are dedicated to working with you to ensure
the continuation of funding for this program at a level that allows
this research to forge ahead.
Over the years, our members have showed their continuing support
for this program through petition campaigns, collecting more than 2.6
million signatures, and through their advocacy on an almost daily basis
through the country asking for support of the DOD BCRP.
As you know, there are 3 million women living with breast cancer in
this country today. This year more than 40,000 will die of the disease
and nearly 220,000 will be diagnosed. We still do not know how to
prevent breast cancer, how to diagnose it truly early or how to cure
it. While the mortality rate seems to be decreasing, it is not by much
and it is not for all groups of women. The incidence of breast cancer
continues to rise. It is an incredibly complex disease. We simply
cannot afford to walk away from these facts, we cannot go back to the
traditional, tried and not so true ways of dealing with breast cancer.
We must, we simply must, continue the innovative, rapid, hopeful
approach that is the DOD BCRP.
Just a few weeks ago, many of the women and family members who
supported the campaign to gather the 2.6 million signatures came to
NBCCF's Annual Advocacy Training Conference here in Washington, D.C.
More than 600 breast cancer activists from across the country,
representing groups in their communities and speaking on behalf of tens
of thousands of others, joined us in continuing to mobilize our efforts
to end breast cancer. The overwhelming interest in, and dedication to
eradicate this disease continues to be evident as people not only are
signing petitions, but were willing to come to Washington, D.C. from
across the country to tell their Members of Congress about the vital
importance of continuing the DOD BCRP.
Since the very beginning of this program in 1992, Congress has
stood with us in support of this important investment in the fight
against breast cancer. In the years since, Mr. Chairman, you and this
entire committee have been leaders in the effort to continue this
innovative investment in breast cancer research.
NBCC asks you, the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, to
recognize the importance of what you have initiated. You have set in
motion an innovative and highly efficient approach to fighting the
breast cancer epidemic. What you must do now is support this effort by
funding the program at $150 million and maintaining its integrity. This
is research that will help us win this very real and devastating war
against a cruel enemy.
Thank you again for the opportunity to testify and for giving hope
to the 3 million women in the United States living with breast cancer.
Senator Inouye. Our next witness is Rear Admiral Casey
Coane, the United States Navy Executive Director of the Naval
Reserve Association. Admiral.
STATEMENT OF REAR ADMIRAL CASEY COANE, UNITED STATES
NAVY (RETIRED), EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NAVAL
RESERVE ASSOCIATION
Admiral Coane. Senator Inouye, on behalf of the 22,000
members of the Naval Reserve Association and the 70,000 serving
Navy reservists, I want to thank you and the entire
subcommittee for your continued unwavering support of our Navy,
Navy Reserve, Navy veterans, and their families. We are
grateful for the opportunity to submit testimony, and for your
efforts in this hearing.
Your willingness to address and correct issues facing
Reservists affirms their value to the defense of our great
Nation. Your willingness to look at issues related to the use
of the Reserve on the basis of national security and homeland
defense is very important.
In the interest of time, I will depart from our written
testimony and get straight to the point. I will raise two broad
issues, and then get to Navy Reserve equipment.
First, we see a trend developing whereby the Active
components are taking Guard and Reserve equipment from those
units in order to replace shortfalls on the active ledger. The
long war is using up mechanized equipment and flying years off
of our aircraft of all types. We do not see a plan within DOD
for the replacement of this equipment. The subcommittee is
certainly aware of that within Navy, all Navy Reserve squadrons
are being decommissioned--that is Navy Reserve patrol
squadrons--are being decommissioned, and their aircraft have
already been transferred to the Active squadron. The same thing
is happening now with our Navy Reserve FA-18 squadrons,
including VFA-201 in Dallas, which was mobilized and carried
out some of the very first strikes as Operation Iraqi Freedom
began. Navy Reserve combat support helicopter squadrons HCS-4
and -5 have had detachments in Baghdad for over 3 years
straight. They are set to merge with three other Reserve
squadrons, with the result being that what was once five will
become three, with three squadrons' worth of aircraft.
All this is being accomplished under the banner of
integration. We believe it is a fiscal decision, not a national
readiness decision. Second, Guardsmen and Reservists need
equipment on which to train. It is what motivates them and
brings them to the table. It is what allows our country to
maintain the reservoir of combat skill sets that enable the VFA
201 to respond to the call, and out perform every other
squadron in its air wing.
History tells us that when that squadron decommissions, the
vast majority of its reservists will leave the service, those
hard-earned combat skills lost to the country forever. Now, the
Navy Reserve does have an unfunded list this year. Greater Navy
chose not to put any of those items on its unfunded list. The
Navy had begun to buy C-40 aircraft to replace its rapidly
aging DC-9's. Boeing has made a very attractive accelerated
purchase offer to the Navy, which would save the taxpayers
millions of dollars.
All Navy airlift is in the Reserve component. And if the C-
9s are not replaced, the Navy will lose the capability that it
has argued for years that it must have. We particularly urge
the subcommittee to fund these aircraft, at least two of them,
this year.
For years, the Navy Reserve has been the Navy leader in
port security in the brown water Navy. The Reserve tactical
vehicles and communications gear is aging and needs replacement
now. The Navy has just stood up its new Riverine Squadron, and
while the second squadron is to be a Reserve squadron, the
Reserve piece is not in the program objective memorandum (POM).
We urge the subcommittee to fund this squadron.
We also ask the subcommittee to address the other items on
the Navy unfunded list, and ensure that reservists continue to
have equipment on which to train.
We thank you for your time.
Senator Inouye. Admiral, I thank you very much, and I'm
certain the chairman joins me. We will do our very best, sir.
Admiral Coane. Thank you, sir.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Rear Admiral Casey Coane
THE NAVY RESERVE ASSOCIATION
Chairman Stevens, Senator Inouye and distinguished Members of the
subcommittee: The Naval Reserve Association thanks you and the entire
subcommittee for your continued, unwavering support of our Navy
Reserve, Navy Active Duty, retired members, and veterans of the
uniformed services, to include their families and survivors.
On behalf of our 22,000 members, and in advocacy for the 72,000
active Naval Reservists and the interest of all Guard and Reserve
personnel, we are grateful for the opportunity to submit testimony, and
for your efforts in this hearing. Your willingness to address and
correct issues facing Reservists affirms their value to the defense of
our great Nation. Your willingness to look at issues related to the use
of the Reserve on the basis of national security sets the Legislative
Branch apart from the Executive Branch which seemingly develops its
positions on the basis of cost.
We hope that many of these equipment issues will be addressed by
the Commission on the Guard and Reserve. We look forward to that body
giving Congress and the administration a holistic view of the myriad
issues facing today's Guard and Reserve but, as you know, they have
just begun their review.
NAVY RESERVE EQUIPMENT
That said, there are equipment issues that need to be addressed by
this committee and this Congress, now. As you know, DOD and the
services have not provided all necessary hardware for the Guard and
Reserve forces throughout recent history. The Senate has led the way in
providing the right equipment at the right time for our Guard and
Reserve forces, and especially for the Navy Reserve force.
It is imperative that at this time you recognize that in
transforming and rebalancing the Navy Reserve, Navy has made a decision
to disestablish Navy Reserve hardware units. We believe this is based
solely on budgetary reasons, since no vision of the Navy Reserve exists
for review.
To put this in perspective, in 2003 the Chief of Naval Reserve
testified before this committee that he needed a variety of additions
and upgrades to Reserve equipment. In 2004 a different chief testified
before this committee and while he thanked the committee for the 2004
National Guard and Reserve equipment appropriation; he made no further
request for equipment or upgrades to equipment. He did tout the
extraordinary performance of Strike Fighter Squadron 201 which had been
mobilized aboard Theodore Roosevelt and Helicopter Combat Support
Squadrons 4 and 5 for their deployments to Iraq.
These were the first Navy Reserve squadron fighter and helicopter
squadron call-ups since Korea and, as was testified to by their Chief
of Navy Reserve, they performed superbly--better than other air wing
squadrons in the case of VFA-201. HCS-4 and 5 have no Active Component
counterparts but performed equally well. These deployments validated
the wisdom of having assets in reserve that the country could call
upon. Today those same squadrons are scheduled to be decommissioned!
Within the last 5 years, Navy, has disestablished--60 percent of
the Navy Air Reserve force, with most of the remaining force on the
books to disestablish. 33 percent of the Navy Surface Reserve force has
been lost. This has occurred in a time of increased usage of Reservists
by the Navy. Some of these units are described as excess, yet they have
proven the wisdom of having them available.
While it may be understandable that Navy has the right to shape the
force, it seems to me that for the tax payers--the Navy Reserve
hardware units are a fantastic buy for the tax payer's dollar. They
cost one-third less, and provide surge capabilities when called. VFA-
201 is serving as the Navy's surge ready fighter/attack squadron at
this time. And, they do respond when called. VFA-201 (Texas), HSC 4-5
(California, Virginia), Naval Coastal Warfare (nationwide), Seabees
(nationwide), ELF (nationwide), and VR (nationwide)--are just some
examples of Naval Reservist doing what the country needs and wants--
when we need and want them! Yet--Navy is well on the way to
disestablishing all air assets for budgetary reasons. We believe you
must provide for these capabilities, and maintain these capabilities
that are being utilized, are needed, and do respond to our national
security requirements and to our national homeland defense
requirements.
The recent QDR indicates a continued requirement for our Armed
Forces to be engaged worldwide. To meet the national security strategy,
the homeland security strategy and to ensure that our country meets the
emerging threats of the long war and global war on terrorism it is
evident that we will need the Navy Reserve well into the 21st Century
to meet world wide threats. We are activating these citizen sailors
today for OIF, OEF, and worldwide GWOT operations. I hasten to add that
when concerns are raised by our association we are often accused of
living in the past; of not understanding the newly-integrated Navy
Reserve mission. It is not the past that concerns us but the
unpredictability of the future and future military requirements.
The Senate has frequently reminded DOD that they do not plan well
for the next war. That is why we have maintained assets and skills in a
Reserve force--because we can't predict accurately. The Navy now seems
bent on a Reserve force that functions only as a day to day operational
manpower pool. We have strong reservations that going forward this will
not provide surge capability nor will it result in the retention of
skill sets that are maintained today because Reservists have their own
equipment on which to train.
Within the units that the Navy says it will retain, there are
significant Navy Reserve equipment shortages that need your attention.
The following items are both necessary and affordable for the country,
in this time of increased utilization and requirements as forecast by
the QDR.
C-40A.--Navy Reserve transport squadrons provide 100 percent of the
Navy's intra theater logistic requirements. The C-40 will replace aging
and expensive C-9B aircraft. Boeing has made significant accelerated
purchase offers to the Navy at great savings to the taxpayer. We urge
you to fund these aircraft, and to provide resources for two (2) C-40s
this year.
Naval Coastal Warfare Equipment.--The Navy Reserve has been the
leader in port security and the brown-water Navy. These units have
existed in the Navy Reserve for sometime. Their equipment is ageing and
needs replacement. They supplied initial response during 9/11, and have
responded to our Nations call for OIF and OEF. As the Active component
moves into addressing the brown water Navy requirements--we have to
keep the Navy Reserve fully equipped with reliable tactical vehicles,
communications equipment, and combat support equipment.
Naval Expeditionary Equipment.--The Navy Reserve expeditionary
forces are actively and constantly engaged in OIF and OEF. They are an
integral part of the Defense Department's homeland defense strategy.
Tactical vehicles and small arms simulators are critically needed to
make sure Navy Reservist are effectively and efficiently trained for
deployments.
The Naval Reserve Association asks that you provide committee
language to cease disestablishment of Navy Reserve hardware units,
maintain and fund hardware units in the Navy Reserve before the
capabilities are cut, and that you fund the three critical equipment
shortages listed.
OTHER CRITICAL NAVY RESERVE, GUARD AND RESERVE PROGRAMS REQUIREMENTS
End Strength
The NRA would like to also put a freeze on reductions to the Guard
and Reserve manning levels. With the Commission on the Guard and
Reserve now active, it makes sense to put a moratorium on changes to
end strength until after they report back to Congress with
recommendations. NRA urges this subcommittee to fund end strength for
Navy Reserve to last year's levels.
Survivor Benefits Pan (SBP) and Survivor Improvement
The Naval Reserve Association thanks this subcommittee for your
funding of improvements in the myriad of survivor programs. However,
there are still two remaining issues to deal with to make SBP the
program Congress always intended it to be:
--Ending the SBP/DIC offset and
--Moving up the effective date for paid up SBP to October 1, 2006.
SBP is a purchased annuity. It is an earned employee benefit. It is
a retirement plan for the surviving spouse. Dependency Indemnification
Compensation's (DIC) is an indemnity program to compensate a family for
the loss of a loved one due to his or her military service. They are
different programs created to fill different purposes and needs.
SBP/DIC Offset affects several groups.
--The first is the family of a retired member of the uniformed
services. At this time the SBP annuity he or she has paid for
is offset dollar for dollar for the DIC survivor benefits paid
through the VA. This puts a disabled retiree in an unfortunate
position. If death is service connected then the survivor
looses dollar for dollar for what the DIC pays.
--A second group affected by this dollar for dollar offset is made up
of families whose servicemember died on Active Duty. Recently
Congress created Active Duty SBP. These servicemembers never
had the chance to pay into the SBP program. But clearly
Congress intended to give these families a benefit. With the
present off-set in place the vast majority of families receive
no benefit from this new program, because the vast number of
our losses are young men or women in the lower paying ranks.
SBP is completely offset by DIC payments.
--Other affected families are servicemembers who have already served
a substantial time in the military. Their surviving spouse is
left in a worse financial position that a younger widow. The
older widow's will normally not be receiving benefits for her
children from either Social Security or the VA and will
normally have more substantial financial obligations. This
spouse is very dependent on the SBP and DIC payments and should
be able to receive both.
Thirty Year Paid Up SBP.--In the fiscal year 1999 Defense
Authorization Act Congress created a simple and fair paid up provision
for the Survivor Benefit Plan. A member who had paid into the program
for 30 years and reached the age of 70 could stop paying premiums and
still have the full protection of the plan for his or her spouse.
Except that the effective date of this provision is October 1, 2008.
Many have been paying for as long as 34 years.
The Naval Reserve Association respectfully requests this
subcommittee fund the SBP/DIC offset and 30 year paid-up SBP if
authorized.
Full Funding for the Defense Health Programs
The Naval Reserve Association thanks the subcommittee's role in
providing adequate funding for the Defense Health Program (DHP) in the
past several budget cycles. As the cost of health care has risen
throughout the country, you have provided adequate increases to the DHP
to keep pace.
This is again one of our membership's top priorities. With the
additional costs that have come with the deployments to Southwest Asia,
Afghanistan and Iraq, we must all stay vigilant against future
budgetary shortfalls that would damage the quality and availability of
health care.
With the authorizers having postponed the Department of Defenses
suggested fee increases, NRA is concerned that the budget saving have
already been adjusted out of the President's proposed budget. We ask
this subcommittee to continue to fund the DHP so that there will be no
budget shortfalls.
The Naval Reserve Association urges the subcommittee to continue to
ensure full funding for the Defense Health Program including the full
costs of all new TRICARE Reserve Select programs.
MGIG-SR Enhancements
The Department of the Navy has changed requirements for enlisted to
advancement. Future enlisted leaders will be required to have associate
and bachelor degrees in order to advance. This requirement will apply
to Navy Reservists and will be difficult to obtain. This makes the
Montgomery G.I. Bill for Selective Reserves (MGIB-SR) an important
recruiting and retention tool as well as mandatory for those currently
serving. With massive rotations the Reserve forces can expect to have
retention shortfalls, unless the government provides incentives such as
a college education. Education is not only a quality of life issue or a
recruiting/retention issue it is also a readiness issue. Education a
Reservist receives enhances their careers and usefulness to the
military. The ever-growing complexity of weapons systems and support
equipment requires a force with far higher education and aptitude than
in previous years.
The problem with the current MGIB-SR is that the Selected Reserve
MGIB has failed to maintain a creditable rate of benefits with those
authorized in Title 38, Chapter 30. Other than cost-of-living
increases, only two improvements in benefits have been legislated since
1985. In that year MGIB rates were established at 47 percent of active
duty benefits. The current MGIB-SR rate is 27 percent of the Chapter 30
benefits. Overall the allowance has inched up by only 7 percent since
its inception, as the cost of education has climbed significantly.
The NRA requests appropriations funding to raise the MGIB-SR and
lock the rate at 50 percent of the Active Duty benefit.
The Naval Reserve Association is fully appreciative of the
subcommittee's actions and concerns for the health and welfare of our
service personnel and their families. Therefore, we hope that this
subcommittee can further advance these suggestions in this committee.
We are very grateful for the opportunity to submit these issues of
crucial concern to our collective memberships.
I thank the committee for consideration of these equipment and
manpower requirements that greatly impact our Active Duty and Reserve
Component programs to assist the Navy Reserve in an age of increased
sacrifice and utilization of these forces.
Senator Inouye. Our next witness is the President of the
Morris Heritage Foundation, Robert V. Morris.
STATEMENT OF ROBERT V. MORRIS, PRESIDENT, MORRIS
HERITAGE FOUNDATION, INC.
Mr. Morris. Thank you, Senator Inouye, and it is certainly
nice to see you again.
The historic educational recognition opportunity--HERO--
pilot program is critical to the future of America's armed
forces and the long-term defense of our Nation. HERO seeks to
stimulate the learning environment of America's diverse teenage
population with accurate portrayals of black and female
contributions to military history and their impact on equal
opportunity in greater society. This youth education will
enhance their understanding of and support for America's armed
forces leading to escalating enlistment in the face of sharp
declines, and of the long-term educational and socioeconomic
benefits of military service.
The number of blacks and females enlisting in America's
armed forces has been in steady decline, reaching 40 percent
for blacks over the past 5 years while black high school
dropout, unemployment, and incarceration rates continue to
increase. Black Army troops declined from 23.5 percent in
fiscal year 2000 to 14 percent in fiscal year 2005, with
females sliding from 22 to 17 percent over the same period.
Contributing factors such as an improving economy, increased
college enrollments, and fear of combat death in Iraq and
Afghanistan, are shrinking black and female enlistment levels.
In a rapidly expanding war against terrorism and
aggression, direct and long-term action is needed to reverse
this trend and revive black and female interest in military
service. According to recruiters, respect for and knowledge of
military service within a recruit's family, race, or gender,
are proven determinants of enlistment, and current recruitment
efforts are not going far enough.
The HERO pilot program will create multicultural non-sexist
academic lessons promoting the racial and gender equality
legacy of the American military in the spirit of our patriarch,
Lieutenant James B. Morris, who graduated the first Army black
officers candidate class at Fort Des Moines in 1917, and led
the U.S. Army 92d division, 366th infantry, in World War I
France in 1918.
The 5-year pilot program funding will be replaced by long-
term private sector support and will initially target six
public school districts of various sizes and geographic areas.
The success of the bipartisan HERO pilot program will allow
expansion to other minority groups in the future to invigorate
the military enlistment pool for years to come.
The HERO pilot program has been affirmatively reviewed by
the U.S. Army recruiting command and consulting educators at
the University of Iowa and U.S. Military Academy, among others.
HERO has also been personally reviewed and acknowledged by a
number of prominent military leaders and educators, including
former Secretary of State General Colin Powell, and Major
General Thomas Bostic, the Commander of the U.S. Army
Recruiting Command.
With this testimony, we request a $3.25 million
appropriation for the HERO pilot program as a direct grant
through the U.S. Army operations and maintenance funding.
Thank you very much.
Senator Inouye. I thank you, sir. Would you care to have
this pamphlet made part of the record?
Mr. Morris. Yes.
Senator Inouye. Without objection, so ordered.
Mr. Morris. Thank you.
Senator Inouye. And I thank you, sir.
[The information follows:]
Historic Educational Recognition Opportunity (HERO) Pilot Program 2006
THE MISSION
To win the hearts and minds of American's diverse teenage
population with an accurate portrayal of black and female contributions
to military history and their impact on equality in greater society
through a consulting relationship with two legendary educational
institutions. This youth education will stimulate their understanding
of and support for America's Armed Forces leading to escalating
enlistments in the face of sharp declines and of the long-term
educational and socio-economic benefits of military service.
THE PROJECT
With youth education a primary goal of the Morris Heritage
Foundation, Inc. (MHF), and in consultation with the University of Iowa
and the United States Military Academy, we are creating multi-cultural,
non-sexist academic lessons promoting the racial and gender equality
history of the U.S. military in the spirit of our founders. The target
audience for the lessons will be black and female youth who possess a
limited historical knowledge of multi-cultural military contributions
to the Nation. Initial public funding for the program will be replaced
with long-term private sector support through success and exposure.
This pilot program will target public school districts in six (6)
target States representing diverse geographic and population
characteristics. Pilot program success will key expansion to include
other minority groups including Hispanic, Native, Asian and Pacific
Islander. The HERO program is bi-partisan and non-political regarding
any current issues or events.
THE ORGANIZATION
MHF is an educational not-for-profit (IRS 501c3) organization based
in Des Moines, Iowa founded in 2004. Our patriarch, Lt. James B.
Morris, Sr., (1890-1977) graduated the Army's first black officer
candidate class at Fort Des Moines, Iowa on October 15, 1917 and served
with the American Expeditionary Force 3rd Battalion, 92nd Division,
366th Infantry on the battlefields of WWI France where he survived two
combat wounds in 1918. He returned to Iowa in 1919 where he began a
legendary career as lawyer, educator and publisher of the oldest black
newspaper west of the Mississippi River while co-founding the National
Bar Association (NBA) in 1925 and the National Newspaper Publishers
Association (NNPA) in 1940. His son, Captain James B. Morris, Jr.
(1919-1976) served with the 6th Army in the WWII South Pacific where he
won 4 bronze star medals of valor with an integrated intelligence unit
within a racially segregated Army. His youngest son and MHF president
Robert V. Morris created the $10 million Fort Des Moines Memorial Park
to honor the original black officer class 1997 and chronicled Morris
military achievements in Tradition And Valor: A Family Journey
(Sunflower Press 1999). Fort Des Moines was also the birthplace of the
WWII Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in 1942.
THE PROBLEM: BLACK AND FEMALE ENLISTMENT DECLINE
The number of blacks and females enlisting in America's Armed
Forces has been in steady decline reaching forty percent over the past
5 years while black high school drop outs, unemployment and
incarceration rates continue to increase. Black Army troops have
declined from 23.5 percent in fiscal year 2000 to less than 14 percent
in fiscal year 2005 with females sliding from 22 percent to 17 percent
over the same period. Questionable factors including an improving
economy, increased college enrollment, long-term engagements and fear
of combat deaths particularly in Iraq are pushing black troop levels
toward general population levels of 12 percent. In a rapidly expanding
war against terrorism and aggression, direct action is needed to
reverse this trend and revive black and female interest in military
service. According to recruiters, respect for and knowledge of military
service within a recruit's family, race or gender have long been key
determinants of potential military service. These factors are the
direct target of the HERO program.
THE CURRICULUM
To implement the program, 40 lessons will be developed which focus
upon the stories and ideals representative of racial and gender
equality in the Armed Forces and greater society. The lessons will
focus upon the backgrounds, goals, motivations and achievements of
black and female troops throughout history. Other lessons will present
the social contexts of race and gender by defining the status and roles
of blacks and women in America during the first half of the 20th
century so the uniqueness and far-sightedness of the military can be
appreciated. Twenty lessons will be created for upper-elementary or
middle school students and 20 for high school students taking United
States History during their sophomore and junior years. At each level,
the curriculum will also be adult friendly. Besides content and appeal,
the lessons will share the following qualities:
Self-Contained.--Because most teachers are severely overworked and
have little time to research and develop quality lessons themselves,
each lesson will be self-contained so that teachers will have all the
materials and directions needed to implement the lesson in their
classroom whether it be in a large city or small, isolated rural
community.
Interactive Nature.--Every lesson will include interactive
materials of high interest to students. For example, a lesson about the
traits and backgrounds of those who entered the black officers training
program at Fort Des Moines in 1917 will direct students to existing
data bases in order to develop hypotheses about the socio-economic
characteristics of those attracted to the program. Another lesson could
do the same on the women of the WAC.
Diverse Learning.--In order to broaden the appeal and use of
lessons they will appeal to diverse learning styles and abilities. For
example, students who learns hands-on will use gaming programs in the
lessons which present problems such as issues of racial and gender
discrimination while younger learners deal with how to survive boot
camp in which both groups develop strategies for overcoming the
obstacles.
Primary Source Materials.--Drawing from the MHF data base, the
lessons will include primary source materials including reproduced
letters, photos, film clips, training manuals, newspaper articles and
other documents. Not only will students use primary sources as
essential components of the lessons, but will the MHF data base and
other sources.
Independent Nature.--One problem teachers of history and social
sciences experience is the dilemma of too much material and too little
time to teach it which discourages teachers from using materials which
do not fit the learning objectives of courses they teach.
Independent Study.--All lessons will be linked to an ``independent
study'' strand utilizing the data base so that students (and adults)
individually may work the lessons without teacher assistance.
Internet Distribution.--Lessons will be made available to teachers,
students and adults via MHF website and other curriculum distribution
sites. This is essential because printed lessons are often lost or
discarded making them unavailable to new teachers of the subjects.
Teacher Guide.--Each lesson will include a teacher guide, student
pages, related research and primary sources and internet links to other
sites. The Internet pages will be exciting, youth friendly, and will
include animation and simulations. It is estimated that each lesson
will require approximately 15 internet pages, so the entire project
will require over 600 new pages on the website.
CURRICULUM DISTRIBUTION METHODS
In order to market the lessons to school districts and teaching
professionals, project staff will conduct workshops at selected teacher
conferences and market the program through educational like the
Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development and the National
Middle School Association. In addition, our staff will utilize existing
educational distribution sources like Scholastic, Channel One and
AOL@SCHOOL and link to key websites.
TELEVISION PRODUCTION
MHF will produce five (5) high definition (HD) television
documentaries of 28:00 in length which will be broken into 14:00 shorts
for classroom use. The documentaries will bring history to life and
feature animation and celebrity narrators in bi-lingual formats and
also be available for telecast on Armed Forces Television world-wide.
INITIAL LESSON TOPICS
The original eleven (11) lesson topics analyze how the military led
greater American society toward racial and gender equality, including:
The Revolution.--Black freeman Crispus Attucks became the first
soldier to die in the Revolutionary War. The tragic incident began the
long history of black military service in support of the United States
of America.
Slavery and the Civil War.--The slave revolts of Nat Turner and
abolitionist John Brown highlight the cruel and savage industry of
American slavery. How the slaves reacted to the Civil War and black
troop participation in the Union Army changed America forever. Lessons
will examine slave culture, the underground railroad and black military
participation in the Civil War as well as post-war freemen flight to
the north and western United States that often ended in disaster.
Buffalo Soldiers and Western Expansion.--After the Civil War, many
Union Army soldiers and freemen formed four legendary black units on
the plains and in the southwest. The U.S. Army's 9th and 10th Cavalry
``Buffalo Soldiers'' and the 24th and 25th Infantry fought Indians,
Mexicans and whites in a variety of settings and also performed tedious
and dangerous assignments rooted in racial discrimination. Lessons will
separate fact from fiction as to who these men were and what they did
during and after their military service.
WWI Black Officers Take Charge.--The Army's first officer candidate
class for blacks drew an elite group of men to Fort Des Moines, Iowa in
1917. Although three blacks had previously graduated West Point, the
1,250 candidates of the 17th Provisional Training Regiment represented
the first group training ever performed. The class consisted of 1,000
college graduates and faculty and 250 non-commissioned officers from
the 9th and 10th Cavalry ``Buffalo Soldiers'' and the 24th and 25th
Infantry stationed on the plains and in the southwest. The 639
graduating captains and lieutenants served valiantly with the 3rd
Battalion 92nd Division of the American Expeditionary Force on the
battlefields of World War One France in 1918 as the first black combat
regiment commanded by black officers. Lessons will explore who these
men were and their impact on the military command structure and greater
society.
WWI Negrophilia and the New Negro.--The black officers of the U.S.
Army played a major role in the European avant-garde cultural
revolution during and after World War One. Lt. John Reece Europe's
fabulous ``Hell Fighters Band,'' along with others, introduced the
continent to the jazz craze that drove Paris wild and impacted every
aspect of European culture between 1918 and 1930. Paralleling the
Harlem (New York) Renaissance, participants ranged from entertainers
Josephine Baker and Paul Robeson to legendary French artist Picasso.
The highly educated black officers, labeled ``New Negroes'' by the
French, presented a direct contradiction to the popular European
colonial concept of primitivism. These lessons are culture and arts
oriented.
WWII Women at War and Beyond.--Over 72,000 women trained at Fort
Des Moines, Iowa between 1942 and 1945 including 7,000 college educated
officers becoming the first female Army troops. The racially integrated
training contained 3,600 black enlisted women and 118 officers. Lessons
will preview who they were, where they came from and what they did
during and after World War Two. What they and their military
descendants' impact was on gender equality throughout the military and
greater society.
WWII Tuskegee Airmen.--Within a legendary World War Two combat
unit, Iowan Luther Smith could be the greatest Tuskegee Airmen story of
them all. After 133 combat missions, a fiery plane crash with severe
injuries and 7 months as a Nazi POW, how could Captain Smith survive to
become NASA's first black aerospace engineer and one of seven veterans
invited to accompany President William Clinton to Europe for the 50th
anniversary of WWII? Lessons will study unit history and individual
stories of the Tuskegee Airmen themselves and their impact of greater
society.
Korea and Combat Integration.--After President Truman's 1948
executive order ending racial segregation in America's Armed Forces was
effectively ignored by military leaders, China's entrance into the
Korean conflict made black troopers the combat replacement of choice. A
new level of popularity and danger led to heroic service by black
troops in the midst of discrimination and hatred but opened the door
for integration on the battlefield. Lessons will discuss the many
contradictions of the Korean War and the fledgling civil rights
movement back home.
Black Troops in Vietnam.--From the ``Black Power'' movement of
urban America to the dangerous jungles of Vietnam, black troops served
with distinction in an unpopular war. The Vietnam War contradicted the
racial segregation of WWII by loading combat units with black draftees
resulting in disproportionately high casualty rates. Lessons will
examine the racial, socio-economic and political reasons black troops
fought overseas and protested at home and what American society learned
from this controversial period.
The War on Terrorism.--International relations from century old
European colonialism to religious, ethnic and racial intolerance
provide a bloody history creating today's events. Distinguish players
in the deadly game of international and domestic terrorism and their
impact on American society before and after 9/11 are identified and
analyzed. Lessons will concentrate on understanding all aspects of
terrorism and its roots.
Today's Military.--Discusses the socio-economic and educational
opportunities and risks of service in today's modern military in every
branch and the future. The impact of military service alternatives on
black and female high school drop-out, teen-pregnancy, unemployment and
incarceration rates are analyzed. Lessons will also review selected
military careers and resulting career opportunities after service.
ACADEMIC NEED
According to the U.S. Department of Education, youth residing in
both urban and rural areas have limited exposure to accurate multi-
cultural historical curricula and thus possess a narrow interpretation
of American history. The Federal Government, and most States, mandate
multi-cultural non-sexist education. Although very worthy, little has
been done by educational agencies to help teachers fulfill their multi-
cultural non-sexist goals. The problem is particularly critical for
teachers in small rural school districts where they are often assigned
many duties and academic preparations and have little time to develop
effective lessons with multi-cultural, non-sexist themes. The problem
is accentuated by the reality that because an aging national teacher
workforce, more young, inexperienced teachers are assigned to teach
history courses.
PROGRAM EVALUATION
HERO pilot project success will be evaluated in a number of ways
including:
--Number of hits on project website and internet surveys.
--Evaluations from teachers who attend in-service presentations
conducted by project staff and follow-up questionnaires.
--Evaluations from focus groups of teachers from targeted school
districts.
--Surveys from participating faculty and students in targeted school
districts.
--Increase in black and female military enlistments from targeted
school districts.
PILOT PROGRAM
This original program will be implemented in selected school
districts in six (6) States and school districts representing the
Nation's geographic resources and large to small black population areas
according to the 2004 U.S. Census and National Center for Education
Statistics, including:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Black High School Black
State Population School District Students Percent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York.................................. 3,361,053 New York City................ 1,049,831 34.4
Texas..................................... 2,633,219 Houston ISD.................. 210,950 31.3
Georgia................................... 2,612,936 Atlanta City................. 56,586 89.2
California................................ 2,436,678 Los Angeles Unified.......... 735,058 12.4
Michigan.................................. 1,450,583 Detroit City................. 166,675 90.8
Iowa...................................... 67,596 Des Moines Independent....... 32,010 15.3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Program Budget (estimated) Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Website development..................................... $50,000
HD Television production................................ 400,000
Project staff........................................... 980,000
Equipment and office expenses........................... 250,000
Marketing and distribution.............................. 950,000
Travel and entertainment................................ 270,000
School District Participation Fee (6)................... 250,000
Education consultants (curriculum and program 100,000
development)...........................................
---------------
Total............................................. 3,250,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BUDGET NARRATIVE
Website Development.--A new website with over forty (40) new web
pages requires a professional developer who will also provide on-going
updates and maintenance. This expense includes creation, page design
and 60-months of website hosting, $50,000.
Documentary Production.--The expense includes pre-production
including script development, high definition (HD) production and post-
production services with 3D and 2D digital effects of the ten 28:00
programs broken into 14:00 blocks. It also includes program satellite
uplink, website upload or DVD and VHS bicycling as needed to distribute
the products. This category also includes director and crew services
and remote and post-production equipment and services, $400,000.
Project Staff.--The project team will include full time director
and administrative assistant with two part-time researchers and two
teacher advisory committees totaling $980,000.
--Project Director will be an experienced educator and energetic
self-starter with solid leadership and communications skills.
The director will possess considerable teaching, writing and
research skills and a firm command of the Internet, anticipated
costs are $75,000 salary and $15,000 (20 percent) for benefits
or $90,000 for 5 years totaling $450,000.
--Project Coordinator supports project director with administrative
and managerial services and provides secondary leadership to
project operations. This position includes non-profit
managerial and accounting experience working with accounting
and auditing support to insure financial, insurance and
institutional efficiency and support, $50,000 salary and
$10,000 (20 percent) benefits.
--Administrative Assistant is a full-time position including all
administrative and clerical duties over a 5 year period. Salary
is $20,000 plus $4,000 (20 percent) benefits or $24,000 at 5
years $120,000.
--Research Assistants consist of two (2) experienced part-time
researchers for content and curriculum development and then
statistical recovery, interpretation and analysis throughout
the project term. They will assist director and pre-production
script development. Anticipated cost for each part-time
researcher are $25,000 salary and $5,000 (20 percent) for
benefits with a 5 year total of $300,000.
--Teacher Advisors will consist of eight (8) experienced history
teachers, including military history, who possess knowledge of
electronically provided lessons at the upper elementary, middle
and high school levels. This group will also participate in
focus groups and receive $2,400 per year and related expenses
for their 2 years of time for a total of $40,000.
Equipment Expenses at base office consist of computer hardware and
software and additional office rent, utilities, equipment and furniture
totaling $250,000 including:
--Office rent, utilities, etc.
--Desk (3) and laptop (3) computers with software.
--Color printer, scanner, copy and fax machines with telephone
system.
--HD video recorder/players with time code readers and monitor for
logging tapes and pre-paring rough edit cuts will reduce final
edit costs.
Marketing and Public Relations includes professional agency
services to directly reach high school administrators, educators,
students and parents with an uplifting and positive message about the
program and its long-range benefits. These activities include
developing press releases and custom kits, fact sheets, Q&As and
testimonials from successful black and female veterans and selected
celebrities. Establishing distribution collaborations with AOL@SCHOOL,
scholastic and other existing educational networks and scheduling
interviews for radio, television, print media and direct group
presentations by staff, veterans and selected celebrities, $950,000.
Travel and Entertainment consists of staff travel to selected
educational, historical and military conferences and for meetings with
participant school districts, media entities and corporate sponsors.
All per diem and related expenses will be consistent with federal
government guidelines, $270,000.
School District Participation Fees will reimburse six public
districts for efforts in implementing and reporting the program results
in their respective cities reducing political and anti-military
resistance, $250,000.
Educational Consultants include industry professionals, the
University of Iowa and U.S. Military Academy providing assistance in
curriculum development, program implementation and success reporting
and interpretation from participating districts, $100,000.
COMPLETION SCHEDULE
Upon funding confirmation and team hiring, the following schedule
will be completed over a 24-month development and 36-month maturation
period are as follows:
--Month 1: Identify teacher advisory teams and website and
distribution experts.
--Month 2-7: Perform research, interviews including research trips as
mentioned in the narrative.
--Month 8: Present research to teacher teams and develop lesson
formats.
--Month 9-14: Develop lessons and perform lesson planning and
documentary pre-production.
--Month 15: Perform lesson revisions including evaluation process and
conference presentation formats.
--Month 16-19: Pilot lessons ready, finish website, data base and
documentary production.
--Month 20: Final revisions of lessons with modifications from
teacher advisors.
--Month 21-24: Website, data base and documentary post-production
completed with marketing activities in full swing.
--Month 25-60: Marketing to grow project to full pilot state and
national recognition.
PROJECT LEADERSHIP
The project leadership team includes a wide-variety of
distinguished professionals and educational institutions bringing
considerable expertise to all elements of the HERO project including:
MORRIS HERITAGE FOUNDATION, INC.
Morris Heritage Foundation, Inc. (MHF) is a 501c3 not-for-profit
Iowa corporation specializing in mass communications and educational
projects and based in Des Moines, Iowa. MHF president Robert V. Morris,
who created the HERO program, is a consultant, educator, publisher,
author and television producer. A 1982 graduate of the University of
Iowa and former Iowa State University journalism instructor (1994), he
founded the $10 million Fort Des Moines Memorial Park in 1997, the Iowa
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial in 2002 and the Architecture, Construction and
Engineering (ACE) Mentor Iowa program in 2005. Morris has produced
numerous educational mass media projects including the award winning
documentary Tradition And Valor (56:00) with Iowa Public Television in
1994. MHF board of directors includes Steven T. Berry, a masters
graduate of the prestigious UCLA Film School and a professor of mass
communications at Howard University in Washington, DC., Robert A.
Wright, Sr., a noted attorney and former national board member of the
NAACP and Luther H. Smith a legendary WWII Tuskegee Airman, aerospace
engineer and educator.
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
Professor Frederick Woodard is an intellectual historian heading
the African-American English department at the prestigious Big 10
University and will lead a graduate student consulting team on an as
needed basis. Professor Woodard is the author of Reasons To Dream (UI
Press) and has produced international documentaries on Africa for the
U.S. Information Agency.
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY
Col. Lance Betros, history department head at the historic United
States Military Academy at West Point, New York will provide historical
consultation on a voluntary as-needed basis.
NOTE: Additional professional consultants could be utilized on an
as needed basis.
GEN. COLIN L. POWELL, USA (RET)
The HERO Program was reviewed by former U.S. Secretary of State and
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Colin L. Powell who
responded affirmatively on April 2, 2006.
U.S. ARMY RECRUITING COMMAND
M/Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, commander, U.S. Army Recruiting Command
at Fort Knox. Kentucky since October 2005 is a West Point and Stanford
University graduate who personally reviewed the HERO program. HERO was
also evaluated by USAREC G-5 office of marketing, partnerships and
outreach and a program content support letter was released on March 28,
2006.
PILOT PROGRAM PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICT CONTACTS (PENDING CONTACT
AND CONFIRMATION)
Atlanta Public School District--Beverly L. Hall, Ed.D,
superintendent, 130 Trinity Avenue, SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. Tel:
404-802-2820.
Des Moines Independent School District--Linda Lane, superintendent,
1801 16th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50314-1902, Tel: 515-242-7837.
Detroit Public Schools--Beverly A. Gray, Ed.D, curriculum
development, Albert Kahn Building, 7430 2nd Avenue, 3rd Floor, Detroit,
Michigan 48202, Tel: 313-873-7705.
Houston Independent School District--Dr. Abelardo Saavedra,
superintendent, 3830 Richmond Avenue, Houston, Texas 77027. Tel: 713-
892-6300.
Los Angeles Unified--Roy Romer, superintendent, 333 South Beaudry
Avenue, 24th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90017, Tel; 213-241-7000.
New York City Public School District--Laura Kotch, executive
director of curriculum development, 52 Chambers Street, New York, New
York 10007, Tel; 212-374-0396.
POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES
Funding ($3.25 million) for the HERO pilot program will be sought
from one or a combination of the following sources upon proposal
finalization.
--U.S. Congressional Defense (O-1) ``Civilian Education and
Training'' earmark for fiscal year 2007 submitted to the Senate
Defense Appropriations Subcommittee chaired by Senator Ted
Stevens (R-AK) with ranking member Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI)
sponsored by appropriations committee member Senator Tom Harkin
(D-IA) with support from finance committee chairman Senator
Charles Grassley (R-IA). Note: MHF President Morris has
testified four times before the committee winning $8.5 million
in three earmarks for Fort Des Moines Memorial Park between
1998-2002.
--Corporate Prime Defense Contractor foundations of top industry
companies will be approached including: Northrop Grumman,
Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Raytheon, Boeing, etc.
Senator Inouye. Our next witness is the Deputy Director of
the American Legion, Mr. Dennis Duggan.
STATEMENT OF DENNIS DUGGAN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, AMERICAN
LEGION
Mr. Duggan. Good morning, Senator Inouye. It is good to see
you again, sir.
Senator Inouye. Welcome, sir.
Mr. Duggan. On behalf of the Nation's largest organization
of wartime veterans, the American Legion is always grateful to
you and members of the subcommittee, in order to present its
views on defense appropriations for fiscal year 2007. We have
always valued your leadership, as well as your extensive
experience as a veteran, sir, and the most highly decorated
one, at that, in assessing and authorizing adequate
appropriations for a strong national defense, especially during
this challenging war on terrorism, in which are Active,
Reserves, and National Guard, are fighting, and are being
wounded and killed practically daily.
Although the President's 2007 defense budget represents
about 3.9 percent of the gross domestic product, we understand,
we have been reminded, particularly by the Army, that past
defense budgets during time of war and in some buildups have
been nearly twice that percentage at about 8 percent of gross
domestic product.
We are aware that there is an accompanying supplemental
budget also to pay for the cost of the war, as well.
This defense budget has several--in fact, a number of
major, major, hefty objectives; that is, to continue to advance
ongoing efforts to prevail in the global war on terror, defend
the homeland against threats, maintain America's military
superiority, and to support servicemembers and their families.
The administration's proposed 2.2 percent pay raise in the
face of an increasing inflation rate, we believe needs to be
raised to 2.7 percent in the Senate, as was previously done in
the House.
As mentioned previously, the American Legion also believes
that the Army and Marine Corps manpower strength should be
statutorily increased to 30,000 more for the Army, 1,000 for
the Marine Corps, and some 17,000 for the National Guard.
With the Army's recruiting picture somewhat improved, the
Army has indicated that they have been trying to recruit
actually for an increased authorization, and they are making
some progress in that regard.
Likewise, TRICARE fees for working military retirees under
the age of 65 should not be increased, we believe. We believe
that should be set aside, and for sure not increased for fiscal
year 2007. What we are saying here is that the defense health
program, as originally programmed, we believe should be fully
funded.
Likewise we believe, though, that the premium-based TRICARE
health care plan--and I know this will be expensive--should be
extended to drilling reservists and guardsmen, or what they
call a Select Reserve, a measure which we believe passed the
Senate last year, but not the House.
We are particularly supportive of a bill also, and it was
sponsored by Senator Boxer from California, and recognizably,
this is an authorization issue and not strictly an
appropriations one. But it would provide for the posthumous
awarding of purple hearts for American prisoners of war who
died in or due to hostile captivity. Amazingly, that provision
is not provided for in service or Purple Heart regulations. And
we would like to see it taken back, applied to any member of
the Armed Forces who was held as a prisoner of war in any
conflict after December 7, 1941.
Finally, Senator Inouye, we would ask that the defense
prisoner of war (POW) missing in action (MIA) personnel office
be fully funded now and in the future years, so they can
continue in their essential function of attempting to achieve
full accounting, mainly through excavations, in Vietnam and
Korea.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my statement, and again we
appreciate this opportunity very much, and thank you for all
you do for the national defense of this country.
Senator Inouye. I thank you very much. Your recommendation
on POW purple hearts and the MIA is not only reasonable; I
think it should be done right away.
Mr. Duggan. Okay, sir.
Senator Inouye. Thank you, sir.
Just in case some of you are wondering why this empty
chamber, at this moment the House and Senate Members are
gathering to listen to the speech of the new prime minister of
Israel. And so I'm here to listen to you.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Dennis Michael Duggan
Mr. Chairman: The American Legion is grateful for the opportunity
to present its views on defense appropriations for fiscal year 2007.
The American Legion values your leadership in assessing and authorizing
adequate funding for quality-of-life (QOL) features of the Nation's
Armed Forces to include the Active, Reserve and National Guard forces
and their families, as well as quality of life for military retirees
and their dependents.
Since September 2001, the United States has been involved in the
war against terrorism in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
American fighting men and women are again proving they are the best-
trained, best-equipped and best-led military in the world. As Secretary
of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has noted, the war in Iraq is part of a
long, dangerous global war on terrorism. The war on terrorism is being
waged on two fronts: overseas against armed insurgents and at home
protecting and securing the homeland. Casualties in the shooting wars,
in terms of those killed and seriously wounded, continue to mount
daily. Indeed, most of what we as Americans hold dear is made possible
by the peace and stability that the Armed Forces provide by taking the
fight to the enemy.
The American Legion adheres to the principle that this Nation's
Armed Forces must be well-manned and equipped, not just to pursue war,
but to preserve and protect the peace. The American Legion strongly
believes past and current military downsizing were budget-driven rather
than threat-focused. Once Army divisions, Navy warships and Air Force
fighter squadrons are downsized, eliminated or retired from the force
structure, they cannot be reconstituted quickly enough to meet new
threats or emergency circumstances. The Active-Duty Army, Army National
Guard and the Reserves have failed to meet their recruiting goals, and
the Army's stop-loss policies have obscured retention and recruiting
needs. Clearly, the Active Army is struggling to meet its recruitment
goals. Military morale undoubtedly has been adversely affected by the
extension and repetition of Iraq tours of duty.
The administration's fiscal year 2007 budget requests more than
$441 billion for defense or about 17 percent of the total budget. The
fiscal year 2007 defense budget represents a 6.8 percent increase in
defense spending over current funding levels. It also represents about
3.9 percent of our Gross National Product. Active duty military
manpower end-strength is now over 1.41 million. Selected Reserve
strength is about 863,300 or reduced by about 25 percent from its
strength levels during the Gulf War of 14 years ago.
Mr. Chairman, this budget must advance ongoing efforts to prevail
in the global war on terrorism, defend the homeland against threats,
maintain America's military superiority, and to support servicemembers
and their families. A decade of over-use of the military and past
under-funding, necessitates a sustained investment. The American Legion
believes the budget must continue to maintain Army end-strengths, fully
fund Tricare programs, accelerate improved Active and Reserve
Components' quality of life features, provide increased funding for the
concurrent receipt of military retirement pay and VA disability
compensation (``Veterans Disability Tax'') and elimination of the
offset of survivors benefit plan (SBP) and Dependency and Indemnity
Compensation (DIC) that continues to penalize military survivors.
If we are to win the war on terror and prepare for the wars of
tomorrow, we must take care of the Department of Defense's greatest
assets--the men and women in uniform. They do us proud in Iraq,
Afghanistan and around the world. They need our help.
In order to attract and retain the necessary force over the long
haul, the Active Duty force, Reserves, and National Guard continue to
look for talent in an open market place and to compete with the private
sector for the best young people this Nation has to offer. If we are to
attract them to military service in the Active and Reserve Components,
we need to count on their patriotism and willingness to sacrifice, to
be sure, but we must also provide them the proper incentives. They love
their country, but they also love their families--and many have
children to support, raise and educate. We have always asked the men
and women in uniform to voluntarily risk their lives to defend us; we
should not ask them to forego adequate pay and allowances, adequate
health care and subject their families to repeated unaccompanied
deployments and sub-standard housing as well. Undoubtedly, retention
and recruiting budgets need to be substantially increased if we are to
keep and recruit quality servicemembers.
The President's fiscal year 2007 defense budget requests over $10.8
billion for military pay and allowances, including a 2.2 percent
across-the-board pay raise. This pay raise is inadequate and needs to
be substantially increased. It also includes billions to improve
military housing, putting the Department on track to eliminate most
substandard housing by 2007--several years sooner than previously
planned. The fiscal year 2006 budget further lowered out-of-pocket
housing costs for those living off base. The American Legion encourages
the subcommittee to continue the policy of no out-of-pocket housing
costs in future years and to end the military pay differential with the
private sector.
Together, these investments in people are critical, because smart
weapons are worthless to us unless they are in the hands of smart,
well-trained soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guard
personnel.
The American Legion National Commander has visited American troops
in Europe, Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, and South Korea as well as a number of
installations throughout the United States, including Walter Reed Army
Medical Center and Bethesda National Naval Medical Center. During these
visits, he was able to see first-hand the urgent, immediate need to
address real quality of life challenges faced by servicemembers and
their families. Severely wounded servicemembers who have families and
are convalescing in military hospitals clearly need to continue to
receive the best of care, particularly for PTSD, and the DOD interface
with the VA must be seamless. Also, the medical evaluation board
process needs to be expedited so that military severance and disability
retirement pays will be more immediately forthcoming. The soldiers'
best interests must be fairly represented before the medical evaluation
boards. Our national commanders have spoken with families on Women's
and Infants' Compensation (WIC), which is an absolute necessity to
larger military families. Quality-of-life issues for servicemembers,
coupled with combat tours and other operational tempos, play a role in
recurring recruitment and retention efforts and should come as no
surprise. The operational tempo and lengthy deployments, to include
multiple combat tours, must be reduced or curtailed. Military missions
were on the rise before September 11 and deployment levels remain high.
The only way to reduce repetitive overseas tours and the overuse of the
Reserves is to recruit and fill authorized Army endstrengths and
perhaps Reserve endstrengths for the services.
Military pay must be on a par with the competitive civilian sector.
Activated Reservists must receive the same equipment, the same pay and
timely health care as Active Duty personnel. The Reserve Montgomery GI
Bill must be as lucrative as the MGI Bill for Active Duty personnel. If
other benefits, like health care improvements, commissaries, adequate
quarters, quality child care and impact aid for DOD education are
reduced, they will only serve to further undermine efforts to recruit
and retain the brightest and best this Nation has to offer.
To step up efforts to bring in enlistees, all the Army components
are increasing the number of recruiters. The Army National Guard sent
1,400 new recruiters into the field last February. The Army Reserve is
expanding its recruiting force by about 80 percent. If the recruiting
trends and the demand for forces persist, the Pentagon under current
policies could eventually ``run out'' of Reserve forces for war zone
rotation, a Government Accountability Office expert warned. The
Pentagon projects a need to keep more than 100,000 Reservists
continuously over the next 3 to 5 years. The Defense Appropriations
bill for fiscal year 2005 provided the funding for the first year force
level increases of 10,000. The Army's end-strength increased 30,000 and
the Marine Corps end-strength increased 3,000.
Army restructuring would have increased the number of Active Army
maneuver brigades by 30 percent by fiscal year 2007. Neither Active
Duty nor National Guard combat brigades should be reduced. Clearly,
reducing combat units during wartime should not be the bill payer for
modernization.
The budget deficit is projected to be $427 billion which is the
largest in U.S. history, and it appears to be heading higher perhaps to
$500 billion. National defense spending must not become a casualty of
deficit reduction.
force health protection (fhp)
As American military forces are again engaged in combat overseas,
the health and welfare of deployed troops is of utmost concern to The
American Legion. The need for effective coordination between the
Department of Veterans Affairs and the DOD in the force protection of
U.S. forces is paramount. It has been 15 years since the first Gulf
War, yet many of the hazards of the 1991 conflict are still present in
the current war.
Prior to the 1991 Gulf War deployment, troops were not
systematically given comprehensive pre-deployment health examinations
nor were they properly briefed on the potential hazards, such as
fallout from depleted uranium munitions they might encounter. Record
keeping was poor. Numerous examples of lost or destroyed medical
records of Active Duty and Reserve personnel were identified. Physical
examinations (pre/and post-deployment) were not comprehensive and
information regarding possible environmental hazard exposures was
severely lacking. Although the government had conducted more than 230
research projects at a cost of $240 million, lack of crucial deployment
data resulted in many unanswered questions about Gulf War veterans'
illnesses.
The American Legion would like to specifically identify an element
of FHP that deals with DOD's ability to accurately record a
servicemember's health status prior to deployment and document or
evaluate any changes in his or her health that occurred during
deployment. This is exactly the information VA needs to adequately care
for and compensate servicemembers for service-related disabilities once
they leave active duty. Although DOD has developed post-deployment
questionnaires, they still do not fulfill the requirement of
``thorough'' medical examinations nor do they even require a medical
officer to administer the questionnaires. Due to the duration and
extent of sustained combat in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring
Freedom, the psychological impact on deployed personnel is of utmost
concern to The American Legion. VA's ability to adequately care for and
compensate our Nation's veterans depends directly on DOD's efforts to
maintain proper health records/health surveillance, documentation of
troop locations, environmental hazard exposure data and the timely
sharing of this information with the VA.
The early signs of PTSD must be detected early-on and completely
treated by the military and the VA. The American Legion strongly urges
Congress to mandate separation physical exams for all servicemembers,
particularly those who have served in combat zones or have had
sustained deployments. DOD reports that only about 20 percent of
discharging servicemembers opt to have separation physical exams.
During this war on terrorism and frequent deployments with all their
strains and stresses, this figure, we believe, should be substantially
increased.
MILITARY QUALITY OF LIFE
Our major national security concern continues to be the enhancement
of the quality of life issues for Active Duty servicemembers,
Reservists, National Guardsmen, military retirees and their families.
During the last congressional session, President Bush and the Congress
made marked improvements in an array of quality of life issues for
military personnel and their families. These efforts are vital
enhancements that must be sustained.
Mr. Chairman, during this period of the war on terrorism, more
quality of life improvements are required to meet the needs of
servicemembers and their families as well as military retiree veterans
and their families. For example, the proposed 2.2 percent pay-raise
needs to be significantly increased. The 4.4 percent military
comparability gap with the private sector needs to be eliminated; the
improved Reserve MGIB for education needs to be completely funded as
well; combat wounded soldiers who are evacuated from combat zones to
military hospitals need to retain their special pays and base pay and
allowances continued at the same level so as not to jeopardize their
family's financial support during recovery. Furthermore, the medical
evaluation board process needs to be expedited and considerate of the
soldiers' best interest so that any adjudicated military severance or
military disability retirement payments will be immediately
forthcoming; recruiting and retention efforts, to include the provision
of more service recruiters, needs to be fully funded as does recruiting
advertising. The Defense Health Program and, in particular, the Tricare
healthcare programs need to be fully funded.
The Defense Department, Congress and The American Legion all have
reason to be concerned about the rising cost of military healthcare.
But it is important to recognize that the bulk of the problem is a
national one, not a military specific one. It is also extremely
important, in these days of record deficits, that we focus on the
government's unique responsibility and moral obligation to fully fund
the Defense Health program, particularly its Tricare programs, to
provide for the career military force that has served for multiple
decades under extraordinarily arduous conditions to protect and
preserve our national welfare. In this regard, the government's
responsibility and obligations to its servicemembers and military
retirees go well beyond those of corporate employers. The Constitution
puts the responsibility on the government to provide for the common
defense and on the Congress to raise and maintain military forces. No
corporate employer shares such awesome responsibilities.
The American Legion recommends against implementing any increases
in healthcare fees for uniformed services and retiree beneficiaries.
Dr. William Winkenwerder, Assistant Secretary of Defense (Heath
Affairs), briefed The American Legion and other VSOs/MSOs that rising
military healthcare costs are ``impinging on other service programs.''
Other reports indicate that the DOD leadership is seeking more funding
for weapons programs by reducing the amount it spends on military
healthcare and other personnel needs. The American Legion believes
strongly that America can afford to, and must, pay for both weapons and
military healthcare. The American Legion also believes strongly that
the proposed defense budget is too small to meet the needs of national
defense. Today's defense budget, during wartime, is less than 4 percent
of GDP, well short of the average for the peacetime years since WWII.
Defense leaders assert that substantial military fee increases are
needed to bring military beneficiary costs more in live with civilian
practices. But such comparisons with corporate practices is
inappropriate as it disregards the service and sacrifices military
members, retirees and families have made in service to the Nation.
The reciprocal obligation of the government to maintain an
extraordinary benefit package to offset the extraordinary sacrifices of
career military members is a practical as well as moral obligation.
Eroding benefits for career service can only undermine long-term
retention and readiness. One reason why Congress enacted Tricare for
Life is that the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the time said that inadequate
retiree healthcare was affecting attitudes among active duty troops.
The American Legion believes it was inappropriate to put the Joint
Services in the untenable position of being denied sufficient funding
for current readiness needs if they didn't agree to beneficiary benefit
cuts.
Reducing military retirements budgets, such as Tricare healthcare,
would be penny-wise and pound-foolish when recruiting is already a
problem and an overstressed and overstrengthened force is at increasing
retention risks. Very simply the DOD should be required to pursue
greater efforts to improve Tricare and find more effective and
appropriate ways to make Tricare more cost-effective without seeking to
``tax'' beneficiaries and making unrealistic budget assumptions.
The American Legion applauds Congress for extending Tricare Reserve
Select coverage to all members of the Selected Reserve. DOD is relying
on the Guard and Reserve more heavily and deployments are becoming
longer and more frequent as they are indispensable parts of our Armed
Forces, and many Reservists and their families have no medical
insurance.
Likewise, military retiree veterans as well as their survivors, who
have served their country for decades in war and peace, require
continued quality of life improvements as well. First and foremost, The
American Legion strongly urges that FULL concurrent receipt and Combat-
Related Special Compensation (CRSC) be authorized for disabled retirees
whether they were retired for longevity (20 or more years of service)
or military disability retirement with fewer than 20 years. In
particular, The American Legion urges that disabled retirees rated 40
percent and below be authorized CRPD and that disabled retirees rated
between 50 percent and 90 percent disabled be authorized non-phased-in
concurrent receipt. Additionally, The American Legion strongly urges
that all military disability retirees with fewer than 20 years service
be authorized to receive CRSC and VA disability compensation provided,
of course, they're otherwise eligible for CRSC under the combat-related
conditions. The funding for these military disability retirees with
fewer than 20 years is a ``cost of war'' and perhaps should be paid
from the annual supplemental budgets.
Secondly, The American Legion urges that the longstanding inequity
whereby military survivors have their survivors benefit plan (SBP)
offset by the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) be
eliminated. This ``Widows' Tax'' needs to be corrected as soon as
possible. It is blatantly unfair and has penalized deserving military
survivors for years. A number of these military survivors are nearly
impoverished because of this unfair provision. As with concurrent
receipt for disabled retirees, military survivors should receive both
SBP AND DIC. They have always been entitled to both and should not have
to pay for their own DIC. The American Legion will continue to convey
that simple, equitable justice is the primary reason to fund FULL
concurrent receipt of military retirement pay and VA disability
compensation, as well as the SBP and DIC for military survivors. Not to
do so merely perpetuates the same inequity. Both inequities need to be
righted by changing the unfair law that prohibits both groups from
receiving both forms of compensation.
Mr. Chairman, The American Legion as well as the Armed Forces and
veterans continue to owe you and this subcommittee a debt of gratitude
for your support of military quality of life issues. Nevertheless, your
assistance is needed in this budget to overcome old and new threats to
retaining and recruiting the finest military in the world.
Servicemembers and their families continue to endure physical risks to
their well-being and livelihood as well as the forfeiture of personal
freedoms that most Americans would find unacceptable. Worldwide
deployments have increased significantly and the Nation is at war. The
very fact that over 300,000 Guardsmen and Reservists have been
mobilized since September 11, 2001 is first-hand evidence that the
United States Army desperately needs to increase its end-strengths and
maintain those end-strengths so as to help facilitate the rotation of
Active and Reserve component units to active combat zones.
The American Legion congratulates and thanks congressional
subcommittees such as this one for military and military retiree
quality of life enhancements contained in past National Defense
Appropriations Acts. Continued improvement however is direly needed to
include the following:
--Completely Closing the Military Pay Gap with the Private Sector.--
With U.S. troops battling insurgency and terrorism in Iraq and
Afghanistan, The American Legion supports a proposed 3.1
percent military pay raise as well as increases in Basic
Allowance for Housing (BAH).
--Commissaries.--The American Legion urges the Congress to preserve
full federal subsidizing of the military commissary system and
to retain this vital non-pay compensation benefit for use by
Active Duty families, Reservist families, military retiree
families and 100 percent service-connected disabled veterans
and others.
--DOD Domestic Dependents Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS).--
The American Legion urges the retention and full funding of the
DDESS as they have provided a source of high quality education
for military children attending schools on military
installations.
--Funding the Reserve Montgomery GI Bill for Education.
--Providing FULL concurrent receipt of military retirement pay and VA
disability compensation for those disabled retirees rated 40
percent and less; providing non-phased concurrent receipt for
those disabled retirees rated between 50 percent and 90 percent
disabled by the VA; and authorizing those military disability
retirees with fewer than 20 years service to receive both VA
disability compensation and Combat-Related Special Compensation
(CRSC).
--Eliminating the offset of the survivors benefit plan (SBP) and
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for military
survivors.
OTHER QUALITY OF LIFE INSTITUTIONS
The American Legion strongly believes that quality of life issues
for retired military members and their families are augmented by
certain institutions which we believe need to be annually funded as
well. Accordingly, The American Legion believes that Congress and the
administration must place high priority on insuring these institutions
are adequately funded and maintained:
--The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.--The
American Legion urges the Congress to resist any efforts to
less than fully fund, downsize or close the USUHS through the
BRAC process. It is a national treasure, which educates and
produces military physicians and advanced nursing staffs. We
believe it continues to be an economical source of CAREER
medical leaders who enhance military health care readiness and
excellence and is well-known for providing the finest health
care in the world.
--The Armed Forces Retirement Homes.--The United States Soldiers' and
Airmen's Home in Washington, D.C. and the United States Naval
Home in Gulfport, Mississippi, have been under-funded as
evidenced by the reduction in services to include on-site
medical health care and dental care. Increases in fees paid by
residents are continually on the rise. The medical facility at
the USSAH has been eliminated with residents being referred to
VA Medical Centers or Military Treatment Facilities such as
Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The Naval Home at Gulfport,
Mississippi was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, The American
Legion recommends that the Congress conduct an independent
assessment of the USSAH facilities and the services being
provided with an eye toward federally subsidizing the Home as
appropriate. The facility has been recognized as a national
treasure until recent years when a number of mandated services
had been severely reduced and resident fees have been
substantially increased.
--Arlington National Cemetery.--The American Legion urges that the
Arlington National Cemetery be maintained to the highest of
standards. We urge also that Congress mandate the eligibility
requirements for burial in this prestigious Cemetery reserved
for those who have performed distinguished military service and
their spouses and eligible children.
--2005 Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission.--The American
Legion was disappointed that certain base facilities such as
military medical facilities, commissaries, exchanges and
training facilities and other quality of life facilities were
not preserved for use by the Active and Reserve components and
military retirees and their families. We urge that Walter Reed
Medical Center be rebuilt at the National Naval Medical Center
and that the Fort Belvoir Medical Facility be expanded.
--Finally, The American Legion urges that the Navy continue to
maintain 12 aircraft carriers as the minimum essential.
THE AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK
The American Legion continues to demonstrate its support and
commitment to the men and women in uniform and their families. The
American Legion's Family Support Network is providing immediate
assistance primarily to activated National Guard families as requested
by the director of the National Guard Bureau. The American Legion
Family Support Network has reached out through its departments and
posts to also support the Army Wounded Warrior program (AW2). Many
thousands of requests from these families have been received and
accommodated by the American Legion Family across the United States.
Military family needs have ranged from requests for funds to a variety
of everyday chores which need doing while the ``man or woman'' of the
family is gone. The American Legion, whose members have served our
Nation in times of adversity, remember how it felt to be separated from
family and loved ones. As a grateful Nation, we must ensure than no
military family endures those hardships caused by military service, as
such service has assured the security, freedom and ideals of our great
country.
CONCLUSIONS
Thirty-three years ago, America opted for an all-volunteer force to
provide for the national defense. Inherent in that commitment was a
willingness to invest the needed resources to bring into existence and
maintain a competent, professional and well-equipped military. The
fiscal year 2007 defense budget, while recognizing the war on terrorism
and homeland security, represents another good step in the right
direction. Likewise our military retiree veterans and military
survivors, who in yesteryear served this Nation for decades, continue
to need your help as well.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes our statement.
Senator Inouye. Our next witness is the Deputy Director of
Government Relations of the National Military Family
Association, Ms. Kathleen Moakler.
STATEMENT OF KATHLEEN B. MOAKLER, DEPUTY DIRECTOR,
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, NATIONAL MILITARY
FAMILY ASSOCIATION
Ms. Moakler. Thank you, Senator Inouye. The National
Military Family Association (NMFA) would like to thank you and
Chairman Stevens for the opportunity to present testimony to
this subcommittee on quality of life issues affecting
servicemembers and their families. We thank you for your
continued focus on these issues.
In our written testimony we discuss many issues of
importance to military families. This morning I will highlight
some of the most critical.
Family member readiness is imperative for servicemember
readiness. Family readiness requires the availability of
coordinated, consistent family support provided by well-trained
professionals and volunteers. Adequate child care, easily
unavailable preventative mental health counseling, as well as
therapeutic mental health care. Employment assistance for
spouses, and youth programs that assist parents to effectively
address the concerns of their children, especially during times
of deployment.
Paramount among these issues is the family's ability to
access quality health care in a timely manner and at a cost
that is commensurate with the sacrifices made by both
servicemembers and families.
This year, with the proposal by DOD to raise TRICARE fees
by exorbitant amounts, families are concerned. They see the
proposal as an effort to change an earned entitlement to health
care into an insurance plan. We appreciate congressional
recognition that more study is needed before increases are
imposed. NMFA is most concerned however about the $735 million
shortfall that will exist because DOD deducted this from the
budget proposal in anticipation of fee increases. NMFA urgently
requests that this amount be reinstated to maintain quality
health care for our servicemembers and their families.
As the length and danger of deployments increase, there is
a greater need for confidential preventative mental health
services. NMFA believes that Government-provided access to
appropriate services for both servicemembers and their families
need to be available for the long term.
In 2005, NMFA received almost 1,600 responses to its web
survey on the cycles of deployment. The message from military
families came through loud and clear: Families cannot, nor
should they have to make it through a deployment alone. Though
much has been done to improve existing deployment support
programs and develop new initiatives, deployment support
requires consistent funding, training of family readiness
support volunteers, and information and support provided across
the board. Military Onesource, DOD's virtual assistance
program, continues to be an excellent resource for military
families. NMFA is pleased that DOD has committed to funding the
counseling provided under the Onesource contract, and
appreciates congressional support for this program.
NMFA recently asked military service family program
personnel what they needed to meet the challenges their
families faced. Each identified unfunded requirements within
their service budgets, and requested additional dedicated
resources for family readiness. Common in all requests was the
need for additional funding to improve outreach and support to
Active duty, National Guard, and Reserve families, through
programs and increased staff, enhanced counseling services and
resources, the ability to make childcare more available, and
the ability to provide additional support for volunteers.
NMFA asks Congress to provide the services with sufficient
resources to sustain robust quality of life and family support
programs through the entire deployment cycle, and recommends
that at least $20 million be allocated to the individual
military service, operations, and maintenance accounts to be
directed toward these programs, with more dedicated to services
bearing the largest deployment burden.
Thank you for your kind attention this morning, and I'm
ready to answer any questions you may have.
Senator Inouye. I thank you very much. How large is your
membership?
Ms. Moakler. We represent all military family members,
whether they are members of our organization or not.
Senator Inouye. Thank you very much.
Ms. Moakler. You're welcome.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Kathleen B. Moakler
Mr. Chairman and distinguished Members of this subcommittee, the
National Military Family Association (NMFA) would like to thank you for
the opportunity to present testimony on quality of life issues
affecting servicemembers and their families. Once again, we thank you
for your focus on many of the elements of the quality of life package
for servicemembers and their families: housing, health care, family
support, and education.
FAMILY READINESS
Servicemember readiness is imperative for mission readiness. Family
readiness is imperative for servicemember readiness. Family readiness
requires the availability of coordinated, consistent family support
provided by well trained professionals and volunteers; adequate child
care; easily available preventative mental health counseling as well as
therapeutic mental health care; employment assistance for spouses, and
youth programs that assist parents to more effectively address the
concerns of their children, particularly during stressful times.
However, no one issue is more important to family readiness than the
family's ability to access quality health care in a timely manner and
at a cost that is commensurate with the sacrifices made by both
servicemembers and families.
Health Care
NMFA thanks this subcommittee for continued funding to provide for
a robust military health care system. This system must continue to meet
the needs of servicemembers and the Department of Defense (DOD) in
times of armed conflict. It must also acknowledge that military members
and their families are indeed a unique population with unique duties,
who earn an entitlement to a unique health care program.
The proposal by DOD to raise TRICARE fees by exorbitant amounts has
resonated throughout the beneficiary population. Beneficiaries see the
proposal as a concentrated effort by DOD to change their earned
entitlement to health care into an insurance plan. NMFA appreciates the
concern shown by Members of Congress since the release of DOD's
proposals regarding the need for more information about the budget
assumptions used to create the proposals, the effects of possible
increases on beneficiary behavior, the need for DOD to implement
greater efficiencies in the Defense Health Care Program (DHP), and the
adequacy of the DHP budget as proposed by DOD. We appreciate the many
questions Members of Congress are asking about these proposals and urge
Congress to continue its oversight responsibilities on these issues.
NMFA believes DOD has many options available to make the military
health system more efficient and thus make the need for large increases
in beneficiary cost shares unnecessary. We encourage DOD to investigate
cost saving measures such as: a systemic approach to disease
management, a concentrated marketing campaign to increase use of the
TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy, eliminating contract redundancies,
delaying the recompetition of the TRICARE contracts, speeding
implementation of the Uniform Formulary process, and optimizing
military treatment facilities.
NMFA is especially concerned about DOD's proposal to create a
TRICARE Standard enrollment fee. The precursor to TRICARE Standard, the
basic benefit provided for care in the civilian sector, was CHAMPUS,
which was then, as TRICARE Standard is now, an extension of the earned
entitlement to health care. Charging a premium (enrollment fee) for
TRICARE Standard moves the benefit from an earned entitlement to an
opportunity to buy into an insurance plan. Also, because TRICARE Prime
is not offered everywhere, Standard is the only option for many
retirees and their families and survivors who need to access their
military health care benefit.
In the current debate about whether or not to raise beneficiary
fees for TRICARE, NMFA believes it is important to understand the
difference between TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Standard and to
distinguish between creating a TRICARE Standard enrollment fee and
raising the Standard deductible amount. TRICARE Prime has an enrollment
fee for military retirees; however, it offers enhancements to the
health care benefit: lower out-of-pocket costs, access to care within
prescribed standards, additional preventive care, assistance in finding
providers, and the management of one's health care. In other words,
enrollment fees for Prime are not to access the earned entitlement, but
for additional services. These fees, which have not changed since the
start of TRICARE, are $230 per year for an individual and $460 per year
for a family.
DOD's proposal to increase TRICARE Prime enrollment fees, while
completely out-of-line dollar wise, is not unexpected. In fact, NMFA
was surprised DOD did not include an increase as it implemented the new
round of TRICARE contracts last year. NMFA does have concerns about the
amount of DOD's proposed increases for TRICARE Prime and the plan to
impose a tiered system of enrollment fees and TRICARE Standard
deductibles. We believe the tiered system is arbitrarily devised and
fails to acknowledge the needs of the most vulnerable beneficiaries:
survivors and wounded servicemembers.
Acknowledging that the annual Prime enrollment fee has not
increased in more than 10 years and that it may be reasonable to have a
mechanism to increase fees, NMFA has presented an alternative to DOD's
proposal should Congress deem some cost increase necessary. NMFA
suggests DOD apply the cumulative retiree cost of living adjustment
(COLA) to the base annual Prime enrollment fee of $230 for an
individual and $460 for a family. Using the 31.4 percent cumulative
COLA for the years from 1995 through 2006, the annual fee would rise to
approximately $302 for a single retiree and $604 for a family. If DOD
thought $230/$460 was a fair fee for all in 1995, then it would appear
that raising the fees simply by the percentage increase in retiree pay
since then is also fair. NMFA also suggests that, to avoid another
``sticker shock,'' fees be raised annually by the same percent as the
retiree COLA. NMFA further believes adjusting the current fees over a
2-year period would decrease the effect of ``sticker shock'' and allow
families to adjust their budgets. We are aware the current system does
require retirees/survivors with smaller incomes to pay a higher
percentage of their pension/annuity for Prime than those with higher
incomes; however, we believe the benefits of simply updating the
current fees are greater for almost all concerned than devising another
option, especially an arbitrarily-designed tier system. NMFA also
suggests it would be reasonable to adjust the TRICARE Standard
deductibles in the same manner: cumulative COLA for the years since
1995 and then tie future increases to the percent of the retiree annual
COLA.
NMFA applauds DOD's proposal to encourage migration to the TRICARE
Mail Order Pharmacy (TMOP) by removing cost shares for generic
medications. NMFA and other associations have long encouraged DOD to
launch a concentrated marketing effort to promote use of the TMOP, as
it provides significant savings to beneficiaries as well as huge
savings to the Department. The proposed beneficiary cost share
increases in the pharmacy retail network program (TRRx) are not as
exorbitant as the proposals for increases in Prime enrollment fees, the
premium to access TRICARE Standard, or the increase in Standard
deductibles, but do represent a 67 percent increase for all
beneficiaries. If some additional cost share for TRRx is instituted,
NMFA believes it should not be implemented until all of the medications
available through TRRx are also available through TMOP and DOD joins
the associations in actively and strongly promoting use of the TMOP.
It is imperative that adequate funding be restored to the Defense
Health Budget should Congress reject TRICARE fee increases for this
year. Based on beneficiary input--most recently in an NMFA web survey
completed by approximately 600 respondents--NMFA believes the military
health system is operating close to the financial edge and that the
strains of meeting the military mission and providing care to active
duty families, military retirees, their families, and survivors are
taking a toll on the system, especially in the direct care system.
Beneficiaries repeatedly tell NMFA of difficulties in obtaining timely
appointments and that prescribed access standards are not being met for
enrolled TRICARE Prime beneficiaries at military treatment facilities
(MTFs). No one is more cognizant of the need for superior health care
to be provided to servicemembers in harm's way than their families. In
addition, no one is more willing to change providers or venues of care
to accommodate the need for military health care providers to deploy
than the families of those deployed. However, a contract was made with
those who enrolled in Prime. Beneficiaries must seek care in the manner
prescribed in the Prime agreement, but in return they are given what
are supposed to be guaranteed access standards.
MTFs must have the resources and the encouragement to ensure their
facilities are optimized to care for the most beneficiaries possible
and must be held accountable for meeting stated access standards. If
funding or personnel resource issues are the reason access standards
are not being met, then assistance must be provided to ensure MTFs are
able to meet access standards, support the military mission, and
continue to provide quality health care. NMFA urgently requests that
the $735 million deducted by DOD from the budget proposal for the
Defense Health Program to reflect its savings due to increased TRICARE
fees be reinstated.
As servicemembers and families experience numerous lengthy and
dangerous deployments, NMFA believes the need for confidential,
preventative mental health services will continue to rise. The Services
must balance the demand for mental health personnel in theater and at
home to help servicemembers and families deal with unique emotional
challenges and stresses related to the nature and duration of continued
deployments. NMFA remains concerned about access to mental health care,
both preventative and therapeutic, for the long haul. Unfortunately the
costs of war may linger for servicemembers and their families for many
years. It is imperative that whether or not the member remains on
active duty and entitled to military health care there are provisions
for both servicemembers and their families to access appropriate mental
health services paid for by their government.
Caring for Military Children and Youth
Frequent deployments and long work hours make the need for quality
affordable and accessible child care critical. We thank Congress for
making additional funding available for child care since the beginning
of the global war on terror. Currently, DOD estimates it has a shortage
of 31,000 child care spaces within the system, not counting the demand
from the mobilized Guard and Reserve community. While efforts are being
made to bridge this gap, thanks in part to congressional funding for
child care over the past few years, innovative new strategies are
needed--sooner rather than later. We congratulate the Navy for the
incredible 24-hour centers they have opened in Norfolk and Hawaii.
These centers provide a home-like atmosphere for children of sailors
working late night or varying shifts. More of these centers are needed,
but they need to be funded at a level that enables them to provide the
same quality of care as the standard the Navy has established in its
first two centers. Providing high quality, after-hours care for service
members working long hours in support of the mission is a cost of that
mission.
Families continually tell NMFA that respite and drop-in care is in
critically short supply worldwide. Families who cannot access military
child development centers or family child care providers talk about the
expense and difficulty they face in finding quality, affordable care.
Programs such as Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood and Operation
Military Child Care, which assist military families in finding and
paying for child care, are welcome pieces of the solution, but are
insufficient to completely meet the needs of our families.
Older children and teens cannot be overlooked. Schools want to be
educated on issues affecting military students. Teachers and
administrators want to be sensitive to the needs of military children.
To achieve this goal they need tools. Parents are the primary advocates
for their children and they also want the resources to help them
accomplish this task. NMFA is working to meet this need through
programs such as our Operation Purple summer camps and a pilot after
school program for children of deployed servicemembers.
Schools serving military children, whether DOD or civilian schools,
need the resources to meet military parents' expectation that their
children receive the highest quality education possible. Because Impact
Aid funding from the Department of Education is not fully funded and
has remained flat in recent years, NMFA recommends increasing the DOD
supplement to Impact Aid to $50 million to help districts better meet
the additional demands caused by large numbers of military children,
deployment-related issues, and the effects of military programs and
policies such as family housing privatization. Initiatives to assist
parents and to promote better communication between installations and
schools should be expanded across all Services.
Spouse Employment
DOD has sponsored a variety of programs, including a partnership
with Monster.com, to promote spouse employment. Spouses can also
receive career counseling through Military OneSource. However, with
700,000 active duty spouses, the task of enhancing military spouse
employment is too big for DOD to handle alone. Improvements in
employment for military spouses and assistance in supporting their
career progression will require increased partnerships and initiatives
by a variety of government agencies and private employers. NMFA was
concerned by recent press reports chronicling the end of a Department
of Labor grant program that provided employment assistance to military
spouses at several installations across the United States. We urge
Congress to ensure funds are available to assist the military Services
in initiatives to encourage more private employers to step up to the
plate and form partnerships supporting military spouse employment and
career progression. We encourage DOD to reach out to potential
employers and acquaint them with the merits of hiring members of this
talented and motivated work force. DOD must also encourage military
spouses to use all available resources to educate themselves about
factors to consider regarding employment benefits, to include
investments, health care, portability and retirement.
What's Needed for Family Readiness?
NMFA recognizes and appreciates the continued focus that all the
Services are placing on the issue of family readiness. In particular,
the increased access to information for family members has had a
tremendous positive impact on their ability to sustain ``normal'' lives
while dealing with the issues that arise in military life. There is,
however, still much to be done. DOD must continue to refine and improve
family readiness programs not only because it is the right thing to do,
but also to retain highly trained and qualified servicemembers.
NMFA has found Military OneSource, DOD's virtual assistance
program, to be an excellent resource for military families. OneSource
provides 24/7 access to counselors and information through the web
(www.militaryonesource.com) and toll-free phone number. Because it is
available 24/7, families do not have to wait for the installation
family center to open or for someone to return a call. It also helps
returning servicemembers and families access local community resources
and receive up to six free face-to-face mental health visits with a
professional outside the chain of command. NMFA is pleased DOD has
committed to funding the counseling provided under the OneSource
contract and appreciates congressional support for this program. This
counseling is not medical mental health counseling, but rather
assistance for family members in dealing with the stresses of
deployment or reunion. It can be an important preventative to forestall
more serious problems down the road.
FAMILIES AND DEPLOYMENT
From April through November, 2005, NMFA received 1,592 responses to
its web survey on the Cycles of Deployment. The message from military
families came through loud and clear: families cannot, nor should they
have to, make it through a deployment alone. They expect family support
to be available to all military families, regardless of their Service
component or where the family lives. Respondents acknowledged they had
a role to play in their own family readiness; however they looked to
their commands, their unit volunteers, and their communities to
recognize their sacrifice and help them make it through a deployment.
NMFA could not agree more. Although much has been done to improve
existing deployment support programs and develop new initiatives to
meet emerging needs, deployment support requires consistent funding,
training of family readiness/support volunteers, and information and
support provided across installations, services, and components.
Deployment support programs must also have the potential to be
``purple.'' According to our survey respondents, ``The Military'' has
established an expectation that the uniformed services are family
friendly. Families assume all the support systems should work together.
They do not know (and do not really care) who is in charge of what, who
is paid or not. How far the family lives from the unit does not really
matter, nor do service or component distinctions. What does matter is
that the promised support and information are provided.
The Services are making strides in providing more staffing--whether
uniformed or civilian--to support the logistics of family support, but
NMFA believes they must have additional resources to meet ongoing
deployment needs and be ready to meet emerging ones. NMFA recently
asked family readiness professionals from each Service what they needed
to meet the challenges their families faced. In addition to initiatives
funded at the Defense-wide level, each identified unfunded requirements
within their Service budgets and requested additional dedicated
resources for family readiness in their individual Service Operations
and Maintenance accounts. Common in all requests was the need for
additional funding to improve outreach, communication, and support to
Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve families; increase the
availability of counseling resources; make child care services more
available; and provide additional support for volunteers.
Higher stress levels caused by open-ended and multiple deployments
require a higher level of community support. We ask Congress to provide
the Services with sufficient resources to sustain robust quality of
life and family support programs during the entire deployment cycle:
pre-deployment, deployment, post-deployment, and in that critical
period between deployments. To ensure a solid, but by no means gold-
plated family readiness program to support families throughout this
cycle, NMFA recommends additional funding be provided in the individual
military Service Operations and Maintenance accounts to be directed
toward enhancing family support initiatives such as outreach,
counseling, aligning Guard and Reserve support programs with their
active counterparts, child care, and providing assistance and training
for family support volunteers. NMFA recommends that at least $20
million be allocated to each Service Operations and Maintenance
account, with more dedicated to Services bearing the largest deployment
burden.
FAMILIES AND TRANSITION
Transitions are part of the military life. For the individual
military family, transitions start with the servicemember's entrance in
the military and last through changes in duty station until the
servicemember's separation or retirement from the service. Another
transition comes with the injury or death of the servicemember.
National Guard and Reserve families face a transition with each call-up
and demobilization of the member. The transition to a restructured
military under Service transformation initiatives, Global Rebasing, and
Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) will affect servicemembers, their
families, and their communities.
Transformation, Global Rebasing, and BRAC
As the Global Rebasing and the BRAC process are implemented,
military families look to Congress to ensure key quality of life
benefits and programs remain accessible. Members of the military
community, especially retirees, are concerned about the impact base
closures will have on their access to health care and the commissary,
exchange, and MWR benefits they have earned. They are concerned that
the size of the retiree, survivor, Guard, and Reserve populations
remaining in a location will not be considered in decisions about
whether or not to keep commissaries and exchanges open. In the case of
shifts in troop populations because of Service transformation
initiatives, such as Army modularity and changes in Navy home ports, or
the return of servicemembers and families from overseas bases,
community members at receiving installations are concerned that
existing facilities and programs may be overwhelmed by the increased
populations.
Quality of life issues that affect servicemembers and families must
be considered on an equal basis with other mission-related tasks in any
plan to move troops or to close or realign installations. Maintaining
this infrastructure cannot be done as an afterthought. Ensuring the
availability of quality of life programs, services, and facilities at
both closing and receiving installations, and easing servicemembers and
families' transition from one to another, will take additional funding
and personnel. NMFA looks to Congress to ensure that DOD has programmed
for costs of family support and quality of life as part of its base
realignment and closure calculations from the beginning and receives
the resources it needs. DOD cannot just program for costs of a new
runway or tank maintenance facility. It must also program in the cost
of a new child development center or new school, if needed.
NMFA cannot emphasize enough the urgency for DOD and Congress to
allocate resources now to support communities involved in movements of
large numbers of troops. The world in which the American overseas
downsizing occurred a decade ago no longer exists. Troop movements and
installation closings and realignments today occur against the backdrop
of the ongoing war on terror and a heavy deployment schedule. The
military of today is more dependent on contractors and civilian
agencies to perform many of the functions formerly performed by
uniformed military members. Changes in the military health care system
and the construction and operation of military family housing will have
an impact on the ability of an installation to absorb large numbers of
servicemembers and families returning from overseas. Increased
visibility of issues such as the smooth transition of military children
from one school to another and a military spouse's ability to pursue a
career means that more family members will expect their leadership to
provide additional support in these areas.
We thank Congress for providing funds to assist schools in meeting
the additional costs that come with the arrival of large numbers of
military students. We believe this DOD funding--$7 million appropriated
for this year--will be needed in larger amounts for several years until
districts are able to secure resources from other Federal, State or
local resources. We want these districts to welcome military children
and not blame them for cutbacks in services because the schools could
not receive DOD funds to assist them in supporting these children.
NMFA looks to Congress to ensure DOD's plans for these troop shifts
will maintain access to quality of life programs and support facilities
until the last servicemember and family leaves installations to be
closed. In the same manner, we ask you to ensure that housing, schools,
child development and youth programs, and community services are in
place to accommodate the surge of families a community can expect to
receive as a result of the movement of troops to a new location.
Survivors
We believe the obligation as articulated by President Lincoln, ``.
. . to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow
and his orphan,'' is as valid today as it was at the end of the Civil
War. NMFA appreciates the work done this year by DOD and Services to
improve the education of casualty assistance officers and to make sure
survivors are receiving accurate information in a timely manner. While
we still hear from some widows that they received wrong or incomplete
information from their casualty assistance officer, these problems are
quickly resolved when surfaced to the higher headquarters. We are
concerned, however, about the widows or parents who still do not know
who to call when there is a problem.
A new DOD publication is now available on the DOD Military
Homefront website (www.militaryhomefront.DOD.mil) for each surviving
spouse and/or parent outlining the benefits available to them. This on-
line document can be easily updated as changes occur. It will be
supplemented by Service-specific information. NMFA also looks forward
to the results of the GAO study on the casualty notification and
assistance process.
NMFA believes the benefit change that will provide the most
significant long term advantage to the surviving family's financial
security would be to end the Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
offset to the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). DIC is a special indemnity
(compensation or insurance) payment that is paid by the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) to the survivor when the servicemember's service
causes his or her death. It is a flat rate monthly payment of $1,033
for the surviving spouse and $257 for each surviving child. The SPB
annuity, paid by the Department of Defense (DOD) reflects the longevity
of the service of the military member. It is ordinarily calculated at
55 percent of retired pay. Those who give their lives for their country
deserve more fair compensation for their surviving spouses. NMFA urges
Congress to authorize legislation to eliminate the offset and to
provide funding necessary to implement such legislation.
Wounded Service Members Have Wounded Families
Post-deployment transitions could be especially problematic for
injured servicemembers and their families. NMFA asserts that behind
every wounded servicemember is a wounded family. Spouses, children,
parents, and siblings of service members injured defending our country
experience many uncertainties. Fear of the unknown and what lies ahead
in future weeks, months, and even years, weighs heavily on their minds.
Other concerns include the injured servicemember's return and reunion
with their family, financial stresses, and navigating the transition
process to the VA. When designing support for the wounded/injured in
today's conflict, the government, especially the VA, must take a more
inclusive view of military families. Those who have the responsibility
to care for the wounded servicemember must also consider the needs of
the spouse, children, and the parents and siblings of single
servicemembers.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
NMFA appreciates the pay raises for servicemembers over the past
several years. They serve as both an acknowledgement of service and
recognition of the need for financial incentives as a retention tool.
As DOD prepares its Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation, NMFA
hopes that Congress, in evaluating its recommendations, considers the
effects of those recommendations on the whole pay and compensation
package. Changes in individual elements of that package can have
unintended consequences on other elements or on the package as a whole.
And, while pay raises are important, equally important is the need to
maintain the non-pay benefit package that makes up such a vital part of
military compensation.
Funding for Commissaries, MWR and Other Programs
Commissaries, exchanges, recreational facilities and other Morale,
Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) programs are an integral part of military
life and enhance the overall quality of life for servicemembers and
their families. Respondents to NMFA's recent survey on military
benefits spoke emphatically about the value of commissaries, exchanges,
and MWR programs. This spring, as in previous years, NMFA has been
dismayed to hear from families and installation leaders that
installations are being forced to cut MWR services, reduce child
development center hours, and limit access to facilities because of the
shortage of base operating funds. At high deployment installations,
just when families needed them the most, they are routinely being asked
to do without. Commanders should not have to make a choice between
paying the installation utility bills or providing family support
services. While we understand the Services have obligated additional
funds to installation operations accounts, we still hear from families
that some services are being cut back or that these accounts are being
funded at less than 100 percent of the need. We urge increased funding
for installation operations so that valuable support programs remain
available to communities undergoing the multiple stresses of deployment
and high operations tempo at home.
FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY
Military families are members of many communities. NMFA has heard
how these communities want to help the uniformed service families in
their midst. As the sacrifice of servicemembers and families continue
in the global war on terror, many States have implemented military
family friendly programs and passed legislation to support families.
NMFA applauds the States assisting servicemembers and their families
with in-State tuition, unemployment compensation for spouses, licensing
reciprocity, and education and sports provisions for military children.
The DOD State Liaison office works to promote these policies and
publicizes them on the DOD website USA4MilitaryFamilies.org, a web
forum for sharing information about State and local initiatives to
support military families.
Concern for deployed servicemembers from North Carolina, and
compassion for their loved ones left behind, prompted the creation of a
unique partnership to help the combatants' families, particularly those
in remote areas. The Citizen-Soldier Support Program (CSSP) is a
collaborative effort, funded by Congress through a DOD grant, and
coordinated by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. CSSP is
designed to mobilize communities and make them aware of the needs of
local military families so people can reach out and help when help is
needed. The program is designed as a preventative measure, as opposed
to a crisis-response structure, to help with little things before they
become big things. The support program uses existing agencies within
counties and communities to broadcast the needs of military families.
Other States have expressed interest in starting similar programs. We
hope North Carolina will be the training center to expand the program
to other States and communities.
NMFA recommends increased funding for community-based programs,
including the North Carolina Citizen-Soldier Support Program, to reach
out to meet the needs of geographically dispersed servicemembers and
their families.
NMFA would like to thank these military community members,
especially the community organizations, schools, youth groups,
fraternal and service groups, and churches, who reach out the military
families in their midst and offer them support, a hug, a listener, a
lawn mowed, a tire changed. They too are part of the tapestry of
support. By keeping military families strong, they are ensuring the
force will remain strong.
Senator Inouye. Our next witness is Brigadier General
Stephen Koper, retired, President of the National Guard
Association of the United States. General Koper, welcome, sir.
STATEMENT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL STEPHEN KOPER, UNITED
STATES NATIONAL GUARD (RETIRED), PRESIDENT,
NATIONAL GUARD ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED
STATES
General Koper. Thank you, Senator Inouye, and thanks to
you, Chairman Stevens, and members of the subcommittee for the
opportunity to testify before you again today. The National
Guard Association thanks you for your many years of outstanding
support to the National Guard.
I want to share with you a couple of critical resources so
necessary for the National Guard to carry out its growing role
in the Nation's defense. It comes as no surprise to this
subcommittee that these items are holdovers from our testimony
1 year ago.
While we are encouraged by the establishment of TRICARE
Reserve Select 2 years ago, a program where members earn
medical coverage through deployments, and then the addition of
a tiered system which provides for two more categories of
health care coverage for the Guard and Reserve, we do not
believe it offers the final answer. More importantly, we have
created a system of haves and have-nots within the Guard and
Reserve, each category of member having a level of merit for
health care coverage as reflected by a higher or lower premium
rate.
This is the sixth year that our association has brought the
health care issue before you. We appreciate the efforts made
here on the Hill to provide for our soldiers and airmen, and we
hope that you will join with the House in providing language
that would bring us to a simple one level of premium program
for all members of the Guard and Reserve who are members of
drilling units.
Another issue of serious concern is full-time manning for
the Army National Guard. While already engaged in conflicts
worldwide, the Army National Guard continues to prepare for
future missions. The vision of a more responsive force capable
of full spectrum dominance to meet threats whenever and
wherever they arise is a reality for the National Guard. The
National Guard Association has worked with Congress to effect
an Army National Guard full-time manning ramp to 71 percent
over a 10-year period by 2012.
The United States Army validated the ramp and began funding
in fiscal year 2003, and has continued funding this requirement
through fiscal year 2006.
The National Guard Association believes there is a
requirement to reach the 71 percent of full-time manning level
by 2010, versus the target of 2012. The full-time manning issue
will bear even closer scrutiny as the Army National Guard
continues to transform, modularize, and reset. No matter what
final decisions are made on Guard end strength and force
structure, the availability of full-time manning is paramount
to the Guard's continued success.
I want to turn now to a concern that goes to the very heart
of the National Guard. Bold and innovative Members of the
Senate and the House and have recently introduced Senate 2658
and its companion, H.R. 5200, the National Defense Enhancement
and National Guard Empowerment Act of 2006. This legislation
offers solution to the institutional bias within the Active
components that has plagued the National Guard, or militia,
since the birth of the Republic. In our view, this situation
can no longer be swept under the rug. We must do all that we
can to provide the American people the most cost-effective
defense structure. Certainly we believe that structure in many
cases is the National Guard.
The Department of Defense announced this week its
opposition to all sections of S. 2658, and launched a campaign
in Congress to either delay consideration of the legislation by
referring it to the Commission on the National Guard and
Reserve, or to dismiss the bill completely on the grounds that
neither the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, nor the Secretary of
Defense, believe the changes are either necessary or warranted.
Unfortunately, this same dismissive response to the Guard
reaching out to be heard as strategic level force structure,
policy, and funding decisions are being made, is the very
reason this legislation is needed. Senior Pentagon officials
will openly tell you that the Guard has been and is at the
table, and that except for a few isolated incidences, their
inputs are being regularly factored into decisionmaking.
If that were true, then why wasn't the Guard in the huddle
for the Quadrennial Defense Review, and other high-level budget
debates that ultimately led to proposed cuts of 17,000
personnel in the Army Guard, and 14,000 less in the Air
National Guard? The fact of the matter is that senior Guard
leadership has only been involved in Pentagon decisionmaking as
an afterthought, requiring the Adjutants General, Governors,
Congress, this association, and others, to launch vigorous
campaigns to reverse decisions that were made without adequate
Guard input. Action by the Senate was necessary to remind the
Army of this very fact earlier this year.
The Guard's only goal is to have a seat at the table, and a
relative voice in the decisions that affect our readiness.
Based on the Pentagon's standard response to these entreaties,
we now have the National Guard Empowerment Act of 2006 as a
means to achieve the level of Defense Department involvement we
have earned and deserve.
In closing, NGAUS would ask that this subcommittee lend its
full support to favorable consideration of S. 2658. While the
Secretary of Defense is wont to say the war on terror could not
be fought without the National Guard, clearly a serious
disconnect still exists. Senator Inouye, our thanks to you and
Chairman Stevens and the subcommittee, for the opportunity.
I'll be glad to answer any questions.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Stephen M. Koper
Chairman Stevens, Members of the committee, thank you for this
opportunity to testify before you again today and the National Guard
Association thanks you for your many years of outstanding support to
the National Guard.
I want to share with you a couple of those critical resources so
necessary for the National Guard to carry out its growing role in the
Nation's defense. It comes as no surprise to this committee that these
items are hold-overs from our testimony 1 year ago.
At the top of that list of resources is access to health care. The
National Guard Association believes every member of the National Guard
should have the ability to access TRICARE coverage, on a reasonable
cost-share basis, regardless of duty status.
While we are encouraged by the establishment of TRICARE Reserve
Select 2 years ago, a program where members ``earn'' medical coverage
through deployments, and the addition of the ``tiered system'' which
provides for two more categories of health care coverage for the Guard
and Reserve, we don't believe it offers the final answer. More
importantly, we have created a system of haves and have-nots within the
Guard and Reserve, each category of member having a level of merit for
health care coverage as reflected by a higher or lower premium rate.
This is the sixth year that our association has brought the health
care issue before you. We appreciate the efforts made here on the Hill
to provide for our soldiers and airmen. From the beginning we have felt
that there were some underlying justifications for our health care
proposal:
--Healthcare coverage for our members is a readiness issue. Guard
members called to duty are expected to be ``ready for duty''.
--TRICARE coverage for all would finally end the turbulence visited
on soldiers and their families who are forced to transition
from one health care coverage to another each time they answer
the Nation's call.
--Access to TRICARE would also be a strong recruitment and retention
incentive. In an increasingly challenging recruiting/retention
environment, TRICARE could make a significant difference.
Currently TRICARE language to accompany H.R. 5122 (NDAA) is in
place. This section would provide coverage under the TRICARE Standard
program to all members of the Selected Reserves and their families
while in a non-active duty status. Participants would be required to
pay a premium that would be 28 percent of the total amount determined
by the Secretary of Defense as being reasonable for the TRICARE
coverage. Further, it would repeal the three tiered cost share TRICARE
program for reserves established by the fiscal year 2006 National
Defense Authorization Act. We believe this is the appropriate solution.
We are seeking similar language from the long-time TRICARE stalwarts
here in the Senate. We earnestly request this committee's support for
such action.
Another issue of serious concern is full time manning for the Army
National Guard. While already engaged in conflicts worldwide, the Army
National Guard continues to prepare for future missions. The vision of
a more responsive force capable of full-spectrum dominance to meet
threats whenever and wherever they arise is a reality for the National
Guard.
The National Guard Association of the United States has worked with
Congress to affect an Army National Guard full-time manning ramp to 71
percent over a 10-year period (by 2012). The United States Army
validated the ramp and began its funding in fiscal year 2003 and has
continued funding this requirement through fiscal year 2006. The
National Guard Association of the United States believes there is a
requirement to reach the 71 percent full-time manning level by 2010
versus the current target of 2012.
The full-time manning issue will bear close scrutiny as the Army
National Guard continues to transform, modularize and reset. No matter
what final decisions are made on Guard end strength and force
structure, the availability of full-time manning is paramount to the
Guard's continued success.
This committee has always been particularly sensitive to the
equipment needs of the National Guard and generous in funding the
National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account (NGREA). Mr. Chairman,
each and every dollar that has been appropriated over the years in this
account has purchased combat capability. This account is absolutely
essential to both the Army and Air National Guard and we thank you for
your continued support of NGREA.
I want to turn now to a concern that goes to the very heart of the
National Guard. Bold and innovative Members of the Senate and House
have recently introduced S. 2658 and its companion H.R. 5200, The
National Defense Enhancement and National Guard Empowerment Act of
2006. This legislation offers solutions to the institutional bias
within the active components that has plagued the National Guard
(militia) since the birth of the Republic. In our view, this situation
can no longer be swept under the rug. We must do all that we can to
provide the American people with the most cost effective defense
structure. Certainly we believe that structure, in many cases, is the
National Guard.
The Department of Defense announced this week its opposition to all
sections of S. 2658 and launched a campaign in Congress to either delay
consideration of the legislation by referring it to the Commission on
the National Guard and Reserves or dismiss the bill completely on the
grounds that neither the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs or Secretary of
Defense believes the changes are either necessary or warranted.
Unfortunately, this same dismissive response to the Guard reaching
out to be heard as strategic level force structure, policy, and funding
decisions are being made is the very reason this legislation is needed.
Senior Pentagon officials will openly tell you that the Guard has been
and is ``at the table'' and that except for a few isolated incidences,
their inputs are being regularly factored into strategic
decisionmaking. If that were true, then why wasn't the Guard ``in the
huddle'' for the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) and other high level
budget debates that ultimately led to proposed cuts of 17,000 personnel
in the Army National Guard and 14,000 less in the Air National Guard.
The fact of the matter is that senior Guard leadership has only
been involved in Pentagon decisionmaking as an afterthought, requiring
the adjutant's general, governors, Congress and NGAUS to launch
vigorous campaigns to reverse decisions that were made without adequate
Guard input. Action by the Senate was necessary to remind the Army of
this very fact earlier this year.
The Guard's only goal is to have a seat at the table and a relative
voice in the decisions that affect our readiness. Based on the
Pentagon's standard response to these entreaties, we now have the
National Guard Empowerment Act of 2006 as a means to achieve that level
of Defense Department involvement we have earned and deserve.
In closing, NGAUS would ask that this committee lend its full
support to favorable consideration of S. 2658. While the Secretary of
Defense is wont to say, ``The War on Terror could not be fought without
the National Guard'', clearly a serious disconnect still exists.
Mr. Chairman, Members of the committee, I sincerely thank you for
your time today and am happy to answer any questions.
Senator Inouye. I thank you very much, General. What are
the latest statistics relating to recruiting and retention in
the Army National Guard?
General Koper. The Army National Guard recruiting slope is
definitely strongly up. We did suffer a minor setback in April.
However, we believe, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau has
said in testimony, he believes they will meet the 350,000
authorized strength by the end of the fiscal year. They have a
tremendously innovative Guard Recruiting Assistant Program (G-
RAP) recruiting program that is doing wonders. Individual
guardsmen are bringing other recruits in and receiving bonuses
for that, and true to the American spirit, they are great
marketeers. They are doing a pretty fantastic job.
Senator Inouye. That is encouraging. Thank you very much,
sir.
General Koper. Thank you, sir.
ADDITIONAL SUBMITTED STATEMENTS
Senator Inouye. That is the last of the witnesses.
If there are any additional statements from witnesses, they
will be included in the record.
[The statements follow:]
Prepared Statement of the National Brain Injury Research, Treatment, &
Training Foundation
My name is Dr. George Zitnay, and I am the founder of the National
Brain Injury Research, Treatment and Training Foundation (NBIRTT) \1\
and a co-founder of the Defense and Veterans Head Injury Program
(DVHIP). On behalf of the thousands of military personnel sustaining
brain injuries, I respectfully request $19 million be provided in the
Department of Defense (DOD) Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2007
for the Defense and Veterans Head Injury Program (DVHIP). This request
includes the $7 million in the DOD's POM, and an additional $12 million
to allow the important work of the program to continue during this
critical time in the war on terrorism.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ NBIRTT is a non-profit national foundation dedicated to the
support of clinical research, treatment and training.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
traumatic brain injury is the signature injury of the war on terrorism
Over 1,500 military personnel involved in the global war on terror
have been seen and treated by DVHIP. At Walter Reed alone, over 650
soldiers with brain injuries from Iraq and Afghanistan have been
treated. Forty percent of those injured in a blast/explosion and seen
at Walter Reed had a traumatic brain injury. A little more than half
(50 percent) of these injuries are moderate to severe and will require
life long support.
One of the greatest challenges the military health care and
veterans systems face is to assure that no one falls through the
cracks. More than ever we need congressional support to provide for
active duty soldiers and veterans who suffered a brain injury in Iraq
and Afghanistan, as a result of explosions, penetrating head injury,
crashes, and other assaults.
Improved body armor, the significance of even mild brain injury,
and the high frequency of troops wounded in blasts all lead to blast-
induced TBI being an important health issue in this war. Many of the
soldiers and veterans with brain injury treated by DVHIP also have Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder and other medical complications.
the defense and veterans head injury program (dvhip)
The DVHIP is a component of the military health care system that
integrates clinical care and clinical follow-up, with applied research,
treatment and training. The program was created after the first Gulf
War to address the need for an overall systemic program for providing
brain injury specific care and rehabilitation within DOD and DVA. The
DVHIP seeks to ensure that all military personnel and veterans with
brain injury receive brain injury-specific evaluation, treatment and
follow-up.
Clinical care and research is currently undertaken at seven DOD and
DVA sites and two civilian treatment sites.\2\ In addition to providing
treatment, rehabilitation and case management at each of the nine
primary DVHIP centers, the DVHIP includes a regional network of
additional secondary veterans' hospitals capable of providing TBI
rehabilitation, and linked to the primary lead centers for training,
referrals and consultation. This is coordinated by a dedicated central
DVA TBI coordinator and includes an active TBI case manager training
program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC; James A. Haley
Veterans Hospital, Tampa, Florida; Naval Medical Center San Diego, San
Diego, California; Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center,
Minneapolis, Minnesota; Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System,
Palo Alto, California; Virginia Neurocare, Inc., Charlottesville,
Virginia; Hunter McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Richmond,
Virginia; Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas;
Conemaugh Health System, Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DVHIP continues to ensure optimal care, conduct clinical research,
and provide educational programs on TBI for Active Duty military and
veterans. All DVHIP sites have maintained and many have increased
treatment capacity. This has been a direct response to the influx of
patients seen secondary to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation
Enduring Freedom (OEF). WRAMC receives more casualties from theater
than all of the other military treatment facilities (MTFs) in the
continental United States. Patients are often seen at WRAMC within a
week or two after injury and many of these patients have multiple
injuries (e.g., TBI, traumatic amputations, shrapnel wounds, etc.).
To meet the increased demand, screening procedures were developed
by DVHIP headquarters and clinical staff. The DVHIP clinical staff
reviews all incoming casualty reports at WRAMC and screens all patients
who may have sustained a brain injury based on the mechanism of injury
(i.e., blast/explosion, vehicular accident, fall, gunshot wound to the
head, etc.). DVHIP screening is catching TBI patients that might
otherwise go undetected, posing a potential threat to patients and, in
the case of premature return to Active Duty, military readiness.
To date, DVHIP staff has accomplished the following:
Clinical Care
Developed the Military Acute Concussion Evaluation (MACE) for use
in all operational settings, including in-theater.
Developed management guidelines for mild, moderate, and severe TBI
in-theater.
Established a telemedicine network linking DVHIP's military and VA
sites.
Initiated a care coordination capacity for persons with TBI in
regions remote from one of the DVHIP core sites. Still needed (and
planned if funding is available) are greater treatment capacity,
particularly at the community reentry level, and an expanded care
coordination system that meets the special needs of persons with TBI
and is widely distributed across the country.
Research
Commenced multiple new projects and collaborations focused on
defining and understanding blast-related TBI.
Continued active medication treatment trials for TBI-related
symptoms.
Presented preliminary scientific reports on patterns of TBI
emerging from OIF and OEF.
Initiated development of a clinical platform for the testing of a
promising novel rehabilitation intervention for TBI based on animal
experiments with environmental enrichment.
Still needed (and planned if funding is available) are more DVHIP-
based investigators and other research personnel to address further the
many TBI-related issues emerging from OIF and OEF.
Education and Training
Developed a syllabus for training first responders in the
management of moderate and severe TBI in-theater.
Developed the first two modules of a course for first responders
and other clinicians in the assessment and management of mild TBI.
Initiated a public awareness campaign on TBI called ``Survive,
Thrive, & Alive,'' the centerpiece of which is a documentary on TBI in
military and veterans that will be released this summer.
Developed an outreach team to train clinical personnel at non-DVHIP
sites in the assessment and management of mild TBI.
Still needed (and planned if funding is available), is to build on
the public awareness campaign and develop a broadly available
multimedia educational capacity for military and veteran TBI patients,
their families, clinicians, and all other persons who are touched by
this significant public health problem.
our injured troops need support
There is no cure for brain injury. That is why the research being
carried out by DVHIP is critical. We must find a way through research
to help our injured soldiers with brain injury to return to as near
normal life as possible.
Since many of the soldiers with brain injuries will have life long
needs resulting from their injuries, we need to make sure community
services are available wherever the soldier lives. This will be done
through local case management program and linkage to DVHIP sites.
DVHIP has reached out to screen troops returning from the field to
make sure no one with a brain injury falls through the cracks. Teams
from DVHIP have been sent to Fort Dix, Fort Campbell, Fort Knox, Camp
Pendleton, Fort Carson, Fort Irwin, Fort Bragg, Tripler Army Medical
Center and others as requested by base commanders. Teams have also
traveled to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany to provide
evaluation and treatment on an ongoing basis. The DVHIP is an important
tool to assure a continuum of care, but the program requires additional
resources to assure that no TBI is overlooked or misdiagnosed.
$19 million is needed in fiscal year 2007 for the dvhip
The DVHIP needs a plus up of at least $12 million to care for these
injured soldiers and their families. Last year Congress instructed the
DVHIP to move to Fort Detrick. This has been accomplished. Our request
for the DVHIP is simple. In addition to the $7 million in the POM, the
DVHIP needs a minimum of $12 million dedicated to the work of the DVHIP
to provide state-of-the-art care to brain injured soldiers regardless
of where they live, and to continue our scientific research aimed at
improving outcomes from brain injury, especially from blast injuries.
Please support $19 million for the DVHIP in the fiscal year 2007
Defense Appropriations bill under AMRMC, Fort Detrick to continue this
important program.
Thank you.
______
Prepared Statement of Vietnam Veterans of America
Chairman Stevens, ranking member Inouye, and distinguished Senators
of the Defense Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, on
behalf of VVA National President John P. Rowan and all of our members,
we thank you for giving Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) the
opportunity to make our views known about the fiscal needs of America's
service persons and our soon-to-be veterans.
THE SEARCH FOR AMERICA'S MIA/POWS
First and foremost, I wish to note that the highest priority of VVA
for 25 years has been, achieving the fullest possible accounting of
those who are still unaccounted for in Vietnam. Today there are 1,805
missing and unaccounted for since the end of the Vietnam War since
1975; 1,380 in Vietnam, 364 in Laos, 54 in Cambodia and 7 in PRC
territorial waters. VVA commends the Defense Prisoners of War and
Missing in Action Office (DPMO) for their outstanding work in assisting
with the recovery of our missing Americans.
The Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) budget for 2006 fell
about $3.6 million short and caused the cancellation and scaling back
of many investigative and recovery operations. VVA urges Congress to
ensure JPAC receives the dedicated funding level of $65 million in
fiscal year 2007 and that JPAC funding be a mandatory single line item
budget just as DIA's Stoney Beach Team and DPMO so that these
accounting operations don't have to compete with other funding
priorities.
Mr. Chairman, every President since President Gerald Ford has noted
that the Nation's highest priority is the fullest possible accounting
for our Missing in Action (MIAs), whether they be Prisoners of War or
that this activity be recovery of remains, and returning these remains
to American soil. In any case, resolution for the families involved is
essential and we urge this distinguished body, as we approach Memorial
Day and as ``Rolling Thunder'' is bearing down on the Capitol in honor
of POW/MIAs, and to press for the fullest possible accounting of our
MIAs and POWs, to ensure that the resources are there to do the job
right.
TRICARE
VVA strongly opposes the inordinate and unfair increases being
discussed for TriCare recipients. These increases would impose yet
another disincentive for patriotic Americans to serve their career in
uniform defending our Nation, and do great injustice to those who have
already done so, and to their families.
DOD claims rising health costs impinge on weapons programs. The
Joint Chiefs endorse the fee hikes because their leaders tell them that
this is the only way there will be enough money to fund needed weapons
systems, new equipment, and other materiel needed for the defense of
the Nation.
For senior Department of Defense leadership to juxtapose caring for
service members and former service members when they become veterans
with acquiring hardware is so outrageous that it should be cause for
public chastisement by the President. If memory serves, the leadership
of the Senate Armed Services Committee did rebuke that official at the
first public declaration, in a bi-partisan manner. Yet the persistent
pattern that would translate this unfortunate attitude into policy and
practice continues unabated. You have the ability to call a halt to
this affront to the men and women of our Armed Forces by stopping the
proposed sharp increases in TriCare cost-shifting to the service
members and their families.
Those who prepare the Defense budget request assume the changes
will save money by causing hundreds of thousands of retirees to stop
using their earned military benefits. This is a morally wrong policy.
Top DOD leaders continue to say fees should bring military closer to
civilian practices. Military service is not analogous to civilian-
sector jobs. Some of those who maintain that it is would better
understand if they had personally had the honor and privilege of
serving our country in the military, particularly during wartime. Any
comparison with private sector benefits and health care practices is
simply mistaken and inappropriate.
Traditionally, providing first rate military medical and retirement
benefits have helped make up for the pay differentials with the private
sector, and serve as something of a reward for enduring many years of
often very difficult service. The medial care of retirees is not low-
cost or no-cost. Rather, it is a ``pre-paid'' medical cost by virtue of
a hard 20 years or more of military service and sacrifice. Recruiting
problems today show few Americans are willing to pay that heavy premium
for that benefit.
VVA notes that the DOD proposed increases for health care would far
outstrip annual retired pay increases and would greatly erode retired
compensation value. Again this year, as was the case in the last few
years, Congress wisely has refused to accept VA health fee increases
for veterans who are not service connected disabled who had served as
few as 2 years.
Tripling and quadrupling fees for those who served their best adult
years in uniform would be even more inappropriate than charging non-
career veterans exorbitant fees at VA. Our government has a moral
obligation to provide benefits commensurate with the extraordinary
commitments it demands from career service members.
VVA notes that dramatically raising TriCare to what for many
retirees will be virtually unaffordable levels will also drive many
retirees, particularly those who are service-connected disabled, into
what is already an overburdened and under-funded VA healthcare system.
While the care at VA is excellent when access is gained, there just are
not enough personnel to meet the demand as it is. The additional burden
of driving retirees to that system will only displace the burden in an
inappropriate manner.
Although we would certainly hope this is not the case, perhaps it
is the explicit or inadvertent wish of some at DOD to foist their
responsibilities for the health of service members and former service
members off onto the VA in a less than responsible manner. Whether this
is the intent or not, it would certainly be the effect. However, we
trust that this subcommittee will not allow such tactics, recognizing
that caring for the men and women who have faithfully and honorably
served our Nation is in fact an indispensable element of the essential
cost of national defense, and keeping America free.
ELIMINATE THE ``WIDOWS'' TAX
VVA strongly urges that fiscal year 2007 must be the year that we
as a Nation move to eliminate the ``widow's tax.'' I speak of course of
the situation in which there is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) vs. the Survivor Benefits
Plan (SBP) annuity payments. VVA encourages the Senate not wait for the
Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission report to do what is so
clearly the right thing. VVA urges that you end the dollar-for-dollar
deduction of VA benefits for service-connected deaths from survivors'
SBP annuities.
Further, we urge that you move the effective date of the 30-year
paid-up SBP coverage to October 1, 2005, (this measure affects retired
military who pay for SBP). VVA believes that there is no justification
for further delay in eliminating what is essentially an unjust tax on
widows of our service members.
RESEARCH: EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCKWAVE THERAPY (ESWT)
The number and variety of burns and other terrible wounds
afflicting OIF/OEF veterans have caused great problems with
regenerating tissue and skin over significant sections of the bodies of
our wounded soldiers and marines. VVA participated in a briefing last
weekend with Admiral Donald Arthur, Surgeon General of the Navy, and
many key staff of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National
Naval Medical Center (Bethesda) regarding ESWT or a private company,
Tissue Regeneration Technologies (TRT), which is bringing this
technology to the United States, made this compelling presentation. All
are intersted in bringing this hopeful new technology to our wounded.
The MTS 180 multiwave device is quite simple to use, takes minimal
time and effort to apply, and most importantly has been demonstrated
clearly to do no harm. There will be a direct benefit for U.S. soldiers
wounded in battle should this be approved. TRT believes, as does the
clinical staff at WRAMC and NNMC, that the multiwave device can provide
much quicker healing of the war wounds presented and thus save limbs
from amputation and have each young man and woman return to a more
normal life with their families after their duty in the military. The
device promises to have a huge impact on those patients who have a
difficult time recovering from wounds received in the line of duty.
Research on this therapy worldwide has demonstrated ingrowth of new
blood vessels in areas lacking such, destruction of bacterial
pathogens, production of growth factors and other processes that lead
to healing of tissues (bone and skin) in a rapid fashion. TRT has
agreed to donate a device to the WRAMC, assist in writing the protocol,
and provide Dr. Wolfgang Schaden (with TRT) expertise, training and
guidance for a study involving those wounded men and women. The Henry
M. Jackson Foundation has agreed to assist in supporting this effort.
The end goal, should the device prove efficacious, would be to provide
devices on the field of battle that would readily support limb- and
life-saving therapy.
What is needed is approximately $17 million specifically designated
large-scale study that would involve WRAMC, NNMC, and hopefully the
Uniformed Services University (USU), and the National Institutes of
Health (NIH) in assembling a combined Institutional Review Board (IRB),
and for actually conducting a rigorous clinical outcomes study of this
seemingly extraordinary tool.
An additional benefit of ensuring that this is collaborative effort
or with a common protocol IRB is to set the stage for many other
vitally needed clinical research projects that are likely to directly
and immediately help to provide even more magnificent care than our
grievously wounded are already receiving today. The cooperation of the
Department of Veteran Affairs is all that is needed to make this a
complete loop, and assist with strengthening the continuum of care for
the seriously wounded and injured.
DISPOSITION OF THE AIR FORCE HEALTH STUDY (AFHS) DATA AND SPECIMENS
The Air Force Health Study (AFHS), more commonly known as the
``Ranch Hand Study,'' is coming to a close. This study, which has
spanned more than 25 years (1979 to the end date of September 30,
2006), has produced a wealth of data about the participants. In
addition, there are more than 60,000 blood and tissue samples
(biospecimens) that the AFHS never had the time or resources to even
test, much fully analyze.
In response to the mandate of being directed to do so pursuant to
Public Law 108-183, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs contracted with
the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies of Sciences
to consider the question of whether this data and biospecimens should
be retained for future analysis and additional study; and, if so, where
the repository of these biospecimens and data sets should be, in order
that the integrity of the data and physical samples be preserved and
that the chain of custody be maintained.
The IOM recommended three possible sites for this repository,
assuming that arrangements and permission can be obtained from the
National Archives: one of the two Epidemiological Information and
Research Centers (ERICs) of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and,
the Medial Follow-Up Agency (MFUA) of the Institute of Medicine.
Vietnam Veterans of America testified that the only one of these
three that everyone could have full confidence in was MFUA, as it has a
history of exemplary and impartial scientific work extending back to at
least World War II. However, any of these three options need additional
resources to take on this burden. The IOM estimated that it will take
up to $300,000 per year to manage and support the custodian's data
management responsibilities, and approximately the same amount to care
for the biospecimens. First-year costs would be higher because of the
transfer and set-up costs.
The time is short, and the funds to maintain the data and
biospecimens must be available on October 1, 2006 in order to maintain
the chain of custody, keep the freezers on for the biospecimens, and
handle all the myraid activities that must be done. Further, the IOM
recommended that a minimum of 5 years would be needed, with at least
$250,000 for small grants, to discover whether the reposited material
and data are of the unique scientific value they are assured to have.
For all of the reasons outlined above, VVA strongly urges the
subcommittee to make available $1 million for fiscal year 2007, with a
commitment of $800,000 in each of the succeeding 4 fiscal years, and
direct that the data be transitioned to the Medical Follow-Up Agency
(MFUA) of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies of
Science (NAS). Further, VVA asks that report language direct the Air
Force to ensure that there is no lapse in the transition, and that the
physical integrity and chain of custody be fully maintained, whether by
Air Force personnel or by the current contractors working on the AFHS.
HEALTH CARE SCREENING FOR DEPLOYING AND RETURNING TROOPS
The force readiness plan being developed by the Pentagon at the
behest of Congress must include a full medical examination, to include
a blood draw and a psychosocial history by a qualified clinician, for
all troops prior to their deployment overseas and upon their
redeployment. This must include a face-to-face mental health care
encounter. VVA is greatly perturbed by reports of troops on heavy
medications being sent to the war zones, and of those who receive
mental health profiles while in Iraq or Afghanistan being sent back
into combat situations.
The traditional role of military medicine has always been ``Force
Readiness,'' i.e., how quickly can service members be returned to full
duty with a minimal expenditure of resources, and delivery of treatment
as far forward as possible. In the past 10 years, there has been an
effort to shift to a model of ``Force Health Protection'' that seeks to
safeguard to long-term health of the individual service member and
reduce or avoid severe health consequences of military service in the
future. However, when there is a situation such as exists today, where
virtually every service member (or member of the National Guard or
Reserves) is needed to maintain the mission, ``Force Readiness'' trumps
all other considerations.
MENTAL HEALTH AND PTSD
The problem is that sending troops back into the war zone for a
forced second or third tour, including those who already have Post-
Traumatic Stress (PTSD) problems, is to ensure that the severity and
chronicity of the problems that these individuals will suffer in the
future will be much more acute. News reports that many who are already
on medication, including psychotropic and/or heavy anti-depression
medications because of mental health problems stemming from their
previous tour(s), are also being forced to deploy yet again are really
disturbing.
DOD has long discriminated against anyone who has come forth to
report any such problems, causing service members who wish to stay in
the service and wish to be promoted not to seek help from military
medical personnel, but rather to self medicate and/or seek help at
their own expense from civilian sources. Now it seems that DOD wants to
have it both ways, i.e., not promote these service members but still
send them back to the war zone knowing this will worsen and/or
exacerbate their condition. How many suicides or breakdowns in the
field will it take to stop this shortsighted approach?
Similarly disturbing are reports that both Army and Navy physicians
have been forbidden to use the diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder, which is in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV),
as a valid diagnosis. Rather, we understand that military physicians at
many sites are instructed to use ``combat stress,'' or ``personality
disorder,'' or other euphemisms in their notes, despite the fact that
these euphemisms are not defined, validated, or recognized by the
American Psychiatric Association (APA), the American Medical
Association (AMA), or any other legitimate medical entity. This is
apparently being done despite the fact that many of these individuals
clearly meet all or many of the 14 classic symptoms of PTSD. Why would
anyone do that? The answer is that because it is not a recognized
diagnosis, it does not qualify the service member for a medical
retirement.
Because our newest veterans appear to be suffering the
psychological stresses and disorders in far greater numbers than even
the Vietnam generation, it is imperative that after deployments a
system of acute stress counseling and PTSD counseling be emplaced, a
system that is funded by DOD and delivered by VA personnel and private
practitioners. What is needed is some sort of ``firewall.'' If the
individual gets better, then he or she will pass their pre-deployment
face-to-face mental health encounter, and be stronger for having
admitted to the problem and getting effective help. If they are
experiencing mental health difficulties, then that same clinical
encounter will screen them out, whether they have sought treatment or
not.
This counseling must be made available to Reservists and members of
the National Guard and their families in addition to active-duty troops
when they have returned. As about 60 percent of the Guard and Reserve
members live in towns of 2,500 or less, there needs to be creative
solutions in order to get these folks the help they and their families
so often need. To treat PTSD in the service member or veteran, one must
treat the whole family or the chances of success are greatly
diminished. Currently there is little or nothing being done for the
Guard and Reserve members, or their families, who are far from any
military hospital, or even a VA facility.
In this same regard, reports persist that the problem documented by
Senators Bond and Leahy (co-chairs of the National Guard and Reserve
Caucus in the Senate) 3 years ago that National Guard and Reserve
troops were waiting inordinately long periods for medical care at
military medical facilities has not gone away, and in fact is again
becoming widespread. Much of the problem, VVA believes, is that like
most of the military, the military medical organizational capacity has
been too far downsized in the name of ``streamlining'' and
``modernizing.'' We urge the subcommittee to increase the funding
allocation for the number of physicians and allied healthy care
personnel for fiscal year 2007, with appropriate report language that
directs DOD to track the care and waiting periods of these individuals,
who are so vital to the total force concept, to ensure that they are
not being treated as ``second class citizens'' in the military medical
system, thereby worsening the medical conditions of these soon-to-be
veterans.
MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA
It has become clear in the last decade that sexual harassment and
sexual abuse are far more rampant than what had been acknowledged by
the military. Reported instances of sexual harassment and abuse
represent only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. While we are pleased
that both the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs seem now to
be taking this seriously, finally explicitly acknowledging sexual
trauma as a crime under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) in
the Defense Authorization Act of 2005, there is still a long road to
travel to change the current atmosphere that conditions victims of
sexual abuse to not report this abuse to authorities. VVA urges you to
include report language directing a comprehensive review of the
penalties for military sexual trauma under the Uniform Code of Military
Justice to determine if the penalties are commensurate with the
offenses, and to act to ensure uniform enforcement in all branches of
the military, and to explore such mechanisms to achieve quality
assurance on uniformity of enforcement such as a worldwide Internet
address and a nationwide toll-free number, that would be staffed by
counselors 24/7 trained to effectively assist, counsel, and refer
service members (or family members) who have been the victim of sexual
assault. VVA believes that only by means of such a mechanism that is
not dependent on local command can there be uniformity of quality
assistance and equal application of justice.
Further, VVA urges that report language direct DOD to do a better
job of establishing a continuum of care for victims with the VA, so
that these individuals go from the military into appropriate care at
the VA nearest to their home.
NATIONAL VIETNAM VETERANS LONGITUDINAL STUDY (NVVLS)
While it is not specifically within the purview of this
subcommittee, VVA brings to your attention the requirement in Public
Law 106-419, The Veterans' Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of
2000, that the VA contract to do a follow-up to the National Vietnam
Veterans Readjustment Study, done some 20 years ago. Several of the
distinguished Senators on this subcommittee are also on the Military
Construction and VA Subcommittee, and all of the distinguished Senators
are on the full Appropriations Committee. VA has delayed, dithered, and
is now refusing to do the replication of the earlier study, utilizing
the very same people--veterans who served in Vietnam, veterans who
served in the Vietnam Era but who did not serve in Southeast Asia, and
a non-veteran cohort matched for socio-economic and educational
factors. The VA is now refusing to do the study, and is in defiance of
the law and of the Congress. VVA believes that some in the VA and the
Office of Management and Budget do not want to complete this study
because of what they believe the results will be in terms of lifetime
mortality and morbidities of combat veterans. As such, they are being
contemptuous of the law and the Congress by their continued refusal.
As the Judiciary is loath to do so in cases such as this (where
there is a dispute between the other two branches of government such as
a study mandated by the Congress and the Executive branch does not do
it), only the Congress can compel the Executive branch to complete this
legally mandated study, and the only means to that is by means of the
appropriations process. This study, known as the National Vietnam
Veterans Longitudinal Study (NVVLS), must be funded--and the VA
compelled to immediately re-initiate this statutorily mandated study
and bring it to an early and proper conclusion.
The NVVLS represents the last best chance we have of understanding
the nature and scope of the health problems of Vietnam veterans. The
results of this study will also greatly assist Congress in planning not
just for the health care needs of Vietnam veterans, but anticipating
the long-term health care problems of our troops risking their lives in
Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere in the world today.
Line item funding for this study and strong explicit report
language are needed to compel the VA to fulfill its responsibility to
comply with the mandate set by Congress.
transition assistance program must be mandatory for commanders
The greatest barrier to benefits and entitlements that soon-to-be
separated veterans face is that they simply do not know about them. The
``Transition Assistance Program'' (TAP) has been developed in the past
20 years to help remedy this situation. Unfortunately, this program is
very uneven. This is due partly because it is an ancillary duty for
most of the people involved, whether they be from the VA, the State
workforce development agency (funded by the Department of Labor-
Veterans Employment and Training Service), or others in the veterans
service matrix. The most important thing that this committee can do is
direct that sufficient resources be allocated for this program, and
that successfully and effectively mounting TAP sessions for all
personnel be made a mandatory item on the Officer Efficiency Report and
evaluation for commanders.
It is imperative for their future and the well-being of the Nation
that the transition from service member to fully employed veteran be
achieved in the overwhelming majority of cases. This includes providing
all the assistance needed especially for disabled veterans, to be able
to obtain and sustain meaningful employment at a living wage. Much of
the key to accomplishing this goal is simply provides useful
information and educating the departing service member. Former service
members who successfully transition into civilian life are the very
best recruiters the services have, and a better-administered TAP
program will greatly aid that effective and speedy transition.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my remarks. Again, VVA thanks you for
the opportunity to present our views here today regarding a number of
essential points regarding the fiscal year 2007 Defense Appropriations
legislation.
______
Prepared Statement of the Coalition of EPSCoR/IDeA States
Mr. Chairman and Members of the subcommittee, thank you for the
opportunity to submit this testimony regarding the Department of
Defense basic scientific research program and the Defense Experimental
Program to Stimulate Competitive Research or ``DEPSCoR.''
I am Royce Engstrom, Provost and Vice President for Academic
Affairs at the University of South Dakota. I am also chair of the
Coalition of EPSCoR/IDeA States, which is a non-profit organization
that promotes the importance of strong science and technology research
infrastructure, and works to improve the research competitiveness of
States that have historically received less federal research funding.
Previously, I was Vice President for Research at USD. I mention my
background because I have had the opportunity to observe from several
career points that there is great truth in the concept that all States
and regions have impressive science and technology resources that can
benefit mission agencies like the Department of Defense.
I am submitting this statement on behalf of the Coalition of 24
EPSCoR States in support of increasing the fiscal year 2007 budgets of
both the Department of Defense's science and engineering research
program for basic research, and an important component of that program,
DOD's Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR).
These States have one-fifth of the Nation's academic science and
engineers and represent an important resource for developing the pool
of S&T talent that can serve DOD.
First, I would like to thank the chairman and the rest of the
subcommittee for your leadership and long-term support of the Defense
Departments science and technology programs. America's uniformed men
and women benefit greatly from the high tech products produced through
DOD funding. Academic basic research is the first step in the process
of bringing discovery in the research labs to applied research and
ultimately to development and product creation and availability for the
front line.
The Coalition of EPSCoR/IDeA States strongly support increasing the
Department's budget for basic research. The coalition urges the
Congress and the administration to provide a significant investment in
the Science and Technology (S&T) programs of the Department of Defense.
The EPSCoR/IDeA States are in full agreement with the recommendation
contained in the National Academies (NAS) report, Rising Above the
Gathering Storm, and call for a 10-percent increase in basic defense
research in fiscal year 2007.
DOD-funded research is an essential component to meeting both the
economic and security challenges facing our Nation now and in the
future In the past, national defense investments in science and
engineering have helped to create a well-trained cadre of U.S.
scientists and engineers and have provided important educational
opportunities for several generations of soldiers, veterans, and
citizens while strengthening our national and economic security.
DEPSCoR is a small, but significant, part of this larger, multi-
faceted DOD research program. The coalition recommends that Congress
appropriate $20 million to the Department of Defense budget for the
DEPSCoR Program in fiscal year 2007. DEPSCoR was initially authorized
by section 257 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 1995
(Public Law 103-337), and was created to help build national
infrastructure for research and education by funding research
activities in science and engineering fields that are important to
national defense. DEPSCoR's objectives are: (1) To enhance the
capabilities of institutions of higher education in DEPSCoR States to
develop, plan, and execute science and engineering research that is
competitive under the merit review systems used for awarding federal
research assistance; and (2) To increase the probability of long-term
growth in the competitively awarded financial assistance that DEPSCoR
universities in eligible States receive from the Federal government for
science and engineering research.
I would now like to highlight a few ``DEPSCoR-funded'' success
stories of research projects that have and are, presently, contributing
to our national defense interests. In my own State of South Dakota,
three significant research projects at the South Dakota School of Mines
and Technology are under investigations through the DEPSCoR program. In
one project, aluminum nanoparticles are being studied for their unique
energy release characteristics, which can increase the metal
acceleration from an explosive weapon. The particles also have
potential use in primers, low-collateral warheads, and solid propellant
additives. In another project, novel polycarbonate polymers are being
developed for incorporation into transparent armor for face shields,
goggles, and windshields. Finally, scientists are developing new
``spintronic'' devices that combine electronic, magnetic, and optical
properties into a single chip, resulting in powerful devices that
operate on a fraction of the energy of today's devices and with much
less weight.
Projects from other EPSCoR states include:
--The University of Alaska Fairbanks' researchers at the Institute of
Arctic Biology are examining the central human nervous system
with potential applications for reducing the severity of combat
casualties by extending the window of opportunity for transport
to medical facilities.
--The University of Hawaii at Manoa's researchers are using DEPSCoR
funding to improve tropical cyclone forecasts for the Joint
Typhoon Warning Center, which is DOD's operational center for
tropical cyclone forecasting in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
--University of Kentucky researchers are working on a novel high-
throughput Piezoelectric Technology, and have built and tested
working prototypes and signal processing software. This will
allow, for the first time, high-throughput genetic approaches
that may answer fundamental questions about sleep and wake
behavior. In turn, this knowledge is likely to suggest both new
pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to deal with
performance decrements from sleep disruptions that are so
common during military operations.
--University of Montana researchers are working to understand the
cause of oxidative stress in war fighters. This will have a
direct impact on every soldier working in extreme environments
while carrying heavy equipment. Often these men and women
suffer from short-term impairment of metabolic function and
cognitive ability. Long-term effects of oxidative stress
include neurodegenerative disease and cancer. Understanding
this condition in military personal will allow for the design
of treatment protocols to minimize this aberrant metabolic
state and its subsequent short- and long-term health effects.
--University of Nevada, Las Vegas researchers are working to further
the number of applications for wireless sensor networks in
military surveillance and civilian areas. For DOD, the use of
unmanned surveillance and monitoring systems using wireless
senor networks is of great practical importance, bringing
energy efficiency, scalability, dependability, and security to
military efforts. These characteristics obviously also can
enhance civilian endeavors as well.
--North Dakota State University is conducting research aimed at
lengthening the life of ship structures. This research will
lead to significant savings in military spending on marine
fuel, maintenance and replacement of ships.
Again, these are only a few of the many DEPSCoR-funded research
initiatives that add to our national body of knowledge on varying
national security issues.
DEPSCoR awards are provided to mission-oriented individual academic
investigators to conduct research that has practical military
applications. However, the program as it is currently implemented has
not taken into account the significant benefits that can be derived
from pooling individual investigators efforts into ``centers'' of
research that meet the ever-increasing challenges and needs of the
Department of Defense and the Services.
The DEPSCoR States propose restructuring the program into two
components. The first component would retain the current structure
whereby the single investigators are invited to compete for research
awards in areas identified by the Department and the Services. The
second and new component would award funding to mission-oriented
``centers.'' These centers of defense excellence would be
interdisciplinary areas and would build defense research capacity.
To achieve important defense research objectives of both the
components of the program, the DEPSCoR States suggest that the program
be funded at $20 million for fiscal year 2007 with $10 million
obligated to the individual investigator awards and $10 million for the
mission-oriented centers initiative. This twin approach to funding will
enhance the Department's ability to tap into the best ideas that the
DEPSCoR States have to offer in support of the Nation's security needs.
In conclusion, it is important that DOD is able to utilize the
resources of all States and regions universities and the science and
technology talent that reside in these institutions. DEPSCoR works to
enable these resources to be available to advance the DOD mission.
DEPSCoR is a wise and worthwhile investment of scarce public resources,
and will continue to contribute research that supports national defense
needs. Thank you for your consideration of this request.
______
Prepared Statement of Florida State University
Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank you and the Members of the
subcommittee for this opportunity to present testimony before this
committee. I would like to take a moment to briefly acquaint you with
Florida State University.
Located in Tallahassee, Florida's capitol, FSU is a comprehensive
Research I university with a rapidly growing research base. The
university serves as a center for advanced graduate and professional
studies, exemplary research, and top-quality undergraduate programs.
Faculty members at FSU maintain a strong commitment to quality in
teaching, to performance of research and creative activities, and have
a strong commitment to public service. Among the current or former
faculty are numerous recipients of national and international honors
including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and several members
of the National Academy of Science. Our scientists and engineers do
excellent research, have strong interdisciplinary interests, and often
work closely with industrial partners in the commercialization of the
results of their research. Florida State University had over $182
million this past year in research awards.
Florida State University attracts students from every State in the
Nation and more than 100 foreign countries. The university is committed
to high admission standards that ensure quality in its student body,
which currently includes National Merit and National Achievement
Scholars, as well as students with superior creative talent. We
consistently rank in the top 25 among U.S. colleges and universities in
attracting National Merit Scholars to our campus.
At Florida State University, we are very proud of our successes as
well as our emerging reputation as one of the Nation's top public
research universities.
Mr. Chairman, let me briefly tell you about the projects we are
pursuing this year. The first project is an FSU-led DARPA project that
involves several other State universities in Florida. The work will
focus on an Integrated Cryo-cooled High Power Density System,
particularly as it relates to these systems and their applications in
electric power systems. The objective of this multi-university research
program is to achieve cryo-cooled high power densities through improved
management and integration within the electric power system of heat
generation and removal. This systems approach to solving this critical
issue begins with identifying the enabling technologies needed, and
then pursuing new systems approaches to advance the enabling
technologies necessary for solution of these problems. Immediate
applications could be with various electric drive systems currently
under development by the various services and would include electric-
drive ships, land vehicles, and other emerging electric drive power
systems.
The research activities supported within this project will be
directed in several areas that include development of new materials
that could be included in conductors, semi-conductors, and insulation
that would become critical components in cryo-thermal systems and
system components. The systems integration approach will be critical to
this entire effort at FSU. We are requesting $3,000,000 for this very
important new project.
Our next project is entitled Nanotubes Optimized for Lightweight
Exceptional Strength (NOLES)/Composite Materials, and is a continuing
project with the U.S. Army. The U.S. Army's objective of developing a
lighter fleet of fighting and personnel vehicles may be achieved
through the diminutive single-walled carbon nanotubes that (1) are the
strongest fiber known, (2) have a thermal conductivity two times higher
than pure diamond, and (3) have unique electrical conductivity
properties as either semi-conducting or metallic based on their
structure. Work under previous Army funding has led the development and
production of lightweight multifunctional composite structures. These
structures are uniquely-created by resins impregnated with carbon
nanotubes; these new composite materials hold the promise of creating
structures, which, pound for pound, will be the strongest ever known,
and hence offer maximum personnel and vehicle protection. Benefits are
apparent not only to defense, but also throughout the commercial world.
Partnered with the Army Research Laboratory and a number of defense
companies, Florida State University's team of multi-disciplinary
faculty and students has developed unique computational, analytical,
and experimental capabilities in the field of nano-composite research.
This research is leading to vital defense applications. For instance,
in a partnership with Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control-
Orlando, FSU researchers are developing nanotube/polycarbonate (CNT/PC)
composites that are expected to exhibit outstanding properties for an
armor program. Initial testing showed that the FSU CNT/PC materials
demonstrated favorable properties and deserved further investigation.
The FSU researchers recently delivered the second batch of test
materials. Additional field tests of the materials have been scheduled.
In addition, FSU's nanotube composites are being tested for missile
wings, UAVs, thermal management and missile guidance systems by Boeing,
Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon.
Three foci are envisioned for fiscal year 2007: (1) to develop
nanotubes as a material platform for a new generation of devices and
systems, giving special attention to the design and demonstration of
defense applications; (2) to use nanotubes and biological polymers in
harvesting and conversion of solar and RF energy across the electro-
magnetic spectrum; and (3) to develop processing technology for ultra
lightweight, exceptionally strong composite materials to improve glass
transition temperature, through-thickness strength and fire retardance.
We are requesting $3,000,000 for this project in fiscal year 2007.
Our third project involves the U.S. Navy, and it examines experts'
ability to maintain superior performance under stress. The project is
entitled, Refined Assessment and enhances Acquisition of Skilled
Performance in the U.S. Navy. It includes a focus on designing
assessment and training procedures to enhance performance. This project
will be undertaken by FSU's Learning Systems Institute (LSI), which is
used for multidisciplinary research on performance; in addition, the
Virtual Human Performance Laboratory (vHPL) at LSI will enable the
remote assessment and training of Navy fighter pilots. Researchers will
utilize the results of studies of expert performance conducted with ONR
together with new data on real-world and simulated performance under
stress collected to design assessment and training procedures for
skilled performance for these key Navy personnel. This research is
designed to support ``An Evolving Joint Perspective: U.S. Joint Warfare
and Crisis Resolution in the 21st Century,'' and is being conducted in
accordance with current CNO guidance. We are requesting $1,500,000 for
this project.
Our final project involves the Integration of Electro-kinetic
Weapons into Next-Generation Navy Ships. The U.S. Navy is developing
the next generation war ship that will be based on an all-electric
platform of propulsion loads and electric power systems with rapid
reconfigurable distribution systems for integrated fight-through power
(IFTPS). Through the IFTP system, large amounts of energy could be made
available to new pulsed power weapon systems and other directed energy
weapons. Many challenging technical issues arise before implementing a
combat ready system. These include the appropriate topology for the
ship electric distribution system for rapid reconfiguration to battle
readiness and the energy supply technology for the weapon systems.
The goal of this initiative is to investigate the energy delivery
technologies for electro-kinetic weapons systems and investigate the
integration and interface issues of these weapons as loads on the ship
IFTPS through system simulations and prototype tests, and assess the
capability and security of various system topologies and control
schemes to operate the weapon systems. The results will provide the
Navy and its ship-builders with vital information on design of the ship
power system and weapon power supplies.
With significant support from the Office of Naval Research (ONR),
FSU has established the Center for Advanced Power Systems (CAPS). CAPS
has integrated a real-time digital power system simulation and modeling
capability and hardware test-bed, capable of testing IPS power system
components at ratings up to 5MW, offering unique hardware-in-the-loop
simulation capabilities hitherto unavailable anywhere in the world.
In support of the proposed initiative, the National High Magnetic
Field Laboratory (NHMFL) will utilize its world-class research
expertise and infrastructure for the proposed development. FSU's
partnership with University of Florida and Los Alamos National
Laboratory is a key part of the NHMFL. This initiative will be also
conducted in cooperation with the University of Texas-Austin and
University of Missouri-Columbia. Each institution offers unique
capabilities in design and prototyping of the energy storage and pulse
forming networks needed. We are requesting $3,000,000 for this project.
Mr. Chairman, we believe the research described above is vitally
important to our country and the various military services. We would
appreciate your support.
______
Prepared Statement of the Air Force Sergeants Association
Mr. Chairman and distinguished subcommittee Members, on behalf of
the 130,000 members of the Air Force Sergeants Association, thank you
for this opportunity to offer the views of our members on the fiscal
year 2007 funding priorities of the Department of Defense. This hearing
will address issues critical to those serving and who have served our
Nation. AFSA represents Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, retired, and
veteran enlisted Air Force members and their families. Your continuing
efforts toward improving the quality of their lives has made a real
difference, and our members are grateful. In this statement, I will
list several specific goals that we hope this committee will consider
funding during fiscal year 2007 on behalf of current and past enlisted
members and their families. The content of this statement reflects the
views of our members as they have communicated them to us. As always,
we are prepared to present more details and to discuss these issues
with your staffs.
HEALTH CARE ISSUES
Defense Health Program Funding.--AFSA urges the subcommittee to
ensure continued full funding for Defense Health Program needs. AFSA
maintains that this Nation can afford to and must be dedicated to
funding the weapons systems and the military health care system. We
strongly recommend against DOD's desire to establish an annual
enrollment fee for TRICARE Standard. We urge the subcommittee to
require DOD to pursue greater efforts to improve TRICARE and find more
effective and appropriate ways to make TRICARE more cost-efficient
without seeking to shift the burden to those who have already paid a
great price for their retirement health care benefits. Additionally,
the DOD plan is based upon questionable assumptions of prospective
changes in human behavior--a dangerous way to steer a fiscal course.
Furthermore, if the assumptions upon which the DOD TRICARE plan is
based are incorrect, military beneficiaries would likely face an ever-
increasing cost for benefits they already paid for by facing unlimited
liability for an entire career.
Promoting TRICARE Standard Providers.--One of the great problems
with TRICARE itself is that many doctors refuse to participate because
it is not worth their while. AFSA urges this subcommittee to designate
sufficient funding that will enhance provider participation and thus
contribute to denying beneficiaries access to care.
Pharmacy Copayments.--AFSA asks the subcommittee to provide the
necessary funding prevent DOD plans to once again change the copayment
rates for prescriptions until all medications are available in the mail
order program and limiting any future pharmacy copayment increases to
the lesser of the percentage increase in basic pay or retired pay,
rounded down to the next lower dollar. The coalition recommends
eliminating beneficiary copayments in the mail-order pharmacy system
for generic and brand name medications to incentivize use of this
lowest-cost option and to generate substantial cost savings.
Dental Care Support.--AFSA asks this committee to take a serious
look at additional funding for the dental care program for military
members and their families. Some members report that the reimbursement
rates for providers are not adjusted to the various regions. That being
the case, dentists avoid participation in the program. The situation in
Alaska, in particular, has been brought to our attention; however, the
situation needs to be examined across the board to determine where
there are inadequate providers to support the families of military
members and the retirees in each region.
Optometry Benefit for Retirees.--The earned career military benefit
does not include a funded retiree optometry benefit. This is certainly
fundamental to the health and well-being of those who have served, and
AFSA requests this subcommittee's consideration toward supporting the
implementation of such a benefit.
EDUCATION ISSUES
Increase the value of the MGIB to cover the costs of tuition,
books, and fees at an average 4-year college or university. Despite
recent increases in the MGIB which brought the value of the MGIB up to
$1,034, more needs to be done. If this Nation is going to have a
program that sincerely intends to satisfy the purpose of the program,
it certainly should mirror civilian industry by providing a
comprehensive educational program and not an insufficient one.
According to the ``College Report,'' an annual evaluative report
published by the education ``industry,'' average monthly educational
costs are more than $1,500 at this time. This figure reflects the cost
of books, tuition, and fees at the average college or university for a
commuter student. Of course, that average cost will increase in the
future due to inflation. Payment for full books, tuition, and fees for
a 4-year degree with annual indexing to maintain the value of the
benefit, at least, ought to be provided for those who make the military
a career. In recent months, several members of Congress have expressed
interest in developing a new, improve ``Total Force MGIB.'' AFSA
supports such an initiative and encourages this subcommittee to espouse
it as well.
An MGIB Enrollment Opportunity for VEAP-Era Military Members.--The
education program for military members that preceded the Montgomery
G.I. Bill (MGIB) was the Veterans Educational Assistance Program
(VEAP). This was a program where you put in up to $2,700 and the
government matched the amount you used for education on a 2-for-1
basis. The maximum government contribution was $5,400. Hundreds of
thousands of military members declined enrollment in that program due
to very poor educational counseling. Many tell us they were advised by
education officials not to enroll in the VEAP since a better program
was coming along. Unfortunately, when the MGIB came along, those who
didn't enroll in the VEAP were not allowed to enroll in the far-more-
beneficial MGIB. DOD estimates last year indicated that there are still
serving between 50,000 and 70,000 service members who declined
enrollment in VEAP. S. 2091, sponsored by Senator Tim Johnson would
correct this unfortunate situation. These members served since the mid
1980s, helped preserve peace, and deserve an opportunity to enroll in
the MGIB program. AFSA urges the subcommittee to fund that opportunity.
Correct MGIB Enrollment Procedures.--At basic military training or
boot camp, new servicemembers must make a decision. If they want to
enroll in the MGIB, they must agree to have $100 per month deducted
from their pay for each of their first 12 months of military service.
This is twice as difficult for noncommissioned members because they
make roughly half the pay of a newly commissioned officer. We urge the
subcommittee to either eliminate the $1,200 user fee or allow enlisted
members to make the payments over a 24-month period.
Allow Transferability of MGIB Benefits to Family Members.--AFSA
believes the MGIB benefit is earned, and military members ought to also
be able to share the benefit with their family members, if they chose
to do so. It would certainly serve to improve the quality of the lives
of noncommissioned families. Transferability could be offered as a
career incentive. For example, transferability could become an aspect
of the program for all enrollees after they complete 12 or 13 years in
service.
Full Impact Aid Funding.--Impact Aid is supplemental funding
provided to local school districts to compensate for the impact of
having military members in that community. Local schools are primarily
funded through property taxes. Those military members who reside on
base do not pay into the property tax base. Recognizing this, each year
Congress has provided supplemental dollars to such school districts.
This funding is critical to quality education and the protection of the
finances of military families; AFSA urges the subcommittee to continue
the great work it has done on this front in recent years.
In-state Tuition Rates for Military Members.--Military members are
relocated from one military reservation to another at the pleasure of
the government. Of course, servicemembers serve the entire Nation, and
every State benefits from their service. Although we believe this issue
would not require any additional funding considerations, we urge the
subcommittee to do what it can to urge States to provide immediate in-
state tuition rates at State colleges and universities as soon as
military members and their families are relocated into that State. This
should apply to the military members, their spouses, and their
children.
COMPENSATION AND PERMANENT-CHANGE-OF-STATION (PCS) ISSUES
Senior NCO Pay Targeting.--AFSA urges the subcommittee to provide
the necessary appropriations to allow further pay targeting toward the
senior noncommissioned ranks. These members are critical to the success
of the military mission, and their roles and responsibilities have
increased significantly in recent years. It is no exaggeration to state
the many jobs formerly handled by commissioned officers are now handled
by senior enlisted members. As such, it is important for the
subcommittee to take a critical look at the military pay charts and
increase the pay levels of senior noncommissioned officers.
Standard Reenlistment Bonus.--Each time military members reenlist,
they commit to subjecting themselves to unlimited liability--putting
their lives at risk, if need be, to defend the interests of this
Nation. As all men and women, these people are choosing to devote a
significant portion of their days on Earth to freedom. The current
reenlistment bonus structure is strictly a force manipulation mechanism
to adequately man hard-to-fill jobs. AFSA urges the subcommittee to
provide the necessary funding which allows a standard reenlistment
bonus each time a military member extends their military commitment.
Increased Household Good (HHG) Weight Allowances for Senior NCOs
During PCS Moves.--AFSA thanks this subcommittee for role in the modest
increase in household goods weight allowances for senior NCOs approved
last year. However, we recommend that these allowances be increased
even further. Currently, the highest ranking enlisted members (E-9s)
who are generally career-committed and have served the Nation for over
two decades are afforded approximately the same HHG weight allowances
as a commissioned officer who has served only 4 years. An E-7, probably
at the average career point of 15 years, is given roughly the same HHG
weight allowance as an O-1, just entering military service. HHG weight
allowances should have some relation to average time in service, family
size, probably accumulation of goods as a family grows, etc. It
certainly should not be significantly different for commissioned and
enlisted members. We believe the ethical, common-sense, way to provide
this allowance would be parallel increases between the commissioned and
enlisted rank charts with an E-1 and O-1 receiving the same HHG Weight
Allowance, an E-2 receiving the same allowance as an O-2, etc. Such
changes would require the support and therefore, funding considerations
of this subcommittee.
GUARD AND RESERVE ISSUES
Age 55 Retirement.--What has been true for years has become
particularly evident in recent years--that members of the Guard and
Reserve are full players in the defense of this Nation. Yet they are
the only federal employees that have to wait until age 60 to enjoy
their retirement benefits. As it is, their retirement pay is a fraction
of that received by retired Active Duty members. Guard and Reserve
retirement is based on an accumulation of service points. AFSA believes
the right thing to do for the members of the Guard and Reserve is for
this subcommittee to designate the necessary appropriations enabling a
change to the law and allow these members the receipt of their
retirement pay at age 55.
Health Care.--In recent years, Congress has made great strides in
addressing the Guard and Reserve health care situation, in part due to
the great work of this committee. We urge that you continue along this
path and provide a robust plan by expanding the current provisions and
decreasing the fees for TRICARE Reserve Select.
RETIREMENT/VETERAN/SURVIVOR ISSUES
Seamless DOD-VA Transition.--AFSA cannot stress enough the
importance of properly funding programs that allow common use of
medical records between DOD and the Veterans Administration, and to
support other aspects of the transition from military service to
veteran status. You have made great strides in recent years, and AFSA
appreciates them. The issue of a common-sense transition from one
status to the other, and the funding of programs to support it, has
become even more critical during the time of the global war on
terrorism.
Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) and Combat-Related
Special Compensation (CRSC).--Congress has made progress on this matter
in each of the last 5 or 6 years, and AFSA urges that it continue. We
ask that you support expansion of CRSC for those Chapter 61 retirees
(medically retired) who, through no fault of their own, were unable to
complete 20 years of service. This would most effectively address those
with the most serious disabilities and help to serve those fighting in
the current actions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
SBP ``Paid Up'' Provision.--This subcommittee acted on this several
years ago by making this paid up feature effective in 2008. Some of
these retirees have now been paying into SBP for many more years than
30. We urge the subcommittee to implement the paid-up provision
effective October 1, 2006.
Eliminate the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)-Dependency and Indemnity
Compensation (DIC) Offset.--Currently, survivors receiving DIC from the
VA see a dollar-for-dollar reduction in their SBP payments (provided by
DOD). Similar to the CRDP issue, this is a matter that we hope the
subcommittee can provide funding for this year.
Allow DIC Survivors to Remarry After Age 55 Without Losing Their
DIC Entitlement.--Congress provided some relief to these survivors for
setting the remarriage age without losing DIC entitlement at 57. To
parallel other federal programs, we urge the subcommittee to change the
allowable remarriage age for these survivors at 55.
In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, we thank you for this opportunity to
present the views of the Air Force enlisted community. As you work
toward your appropriations decisions, the Air Force Sergeants
Association and its 130,000 members urge you to ensure sufficient
funding to provide for the integrity of the entire Department of
Defense and related programs. Now, more than ever, this funding and
this Nation's commitment to our servicemembers must be above reproach.
On behalf of all AFSA members, we appreciate your efforts and, as
always, are ready to support you in matters of mutual concern.
CONCLUSION OF HEARINGS
Senator Inouye. I thank you all for your testimony this
morning, and the subcommittee will stand in recess.
[Whereupon, at 10:49 a.m., Wednesday, May 24, the hearings
were concluded, and the subcommittee was recessed, to reconvene
subject to the call of the Chair.]