House Armed Services Committee hearing on Irregular Warfare

At the House Armed Services Committee Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee hearing on "The FY2009 National Defense Authorization Budget Request - Department of Defense Science and Technology: Responding to the 21st Century Irregular Warfare Threat Environment," Congressman William Thornberry (R-TX) said tomorrow's national security depends on the technology of today. He said he was not pleased with a 4% increase in the budget request because of the rate of change in the world, which he called "extraordinary." To keep up with and do something about the technological changes requires a significant investment in science and technology.

Roy Schwitters, professor of physics at the University of Texas Austin, said there is a new land of sensors and surveillance technology, and that if we can learn to use it, it would be "game changing" in regards to warfare. In recent years, Schwitters said, there has been a data glut problem, and it's not just the tactical approaches but the understanding of the results.

Terabytes of information are now the standard measure, and merely increasing our data capability does not solve our problem. Schwitters compared the data glut problem to the I Love Lucy episode, where she worked in the chocolate factory. Data piles up like the chocolate on the conveyor belt, he said, and eventually the bits are just going to fall on the floor if we can't keep up. The quality of the information is of paramount importance, Schwitters said. We need new ways to handle the data, and the conventional approach is to compress the data. Compressing the data, he said, loses critical information. We're facing a new form of systems integration with today's technology, Schwitter went on to say, and we all have to learn together how to use it. He suggested having integrated users, analysts, and programmers.

Allan Shaffer, principle deputy director of Defense Research and Engineering at the Defense Department, said the Department of Defense's Science and Technology program has a history of developing technology that continues to deliver excellent service. There have been changes and challenges with the digital landscape, Shaffer said, and the 11.5 billion dollar request (the highest in history) is for research of technology. Research is in decline, he said, and our men and women in uniform deserve the best we can give them. Some of the areas to expand upon include biometrics, surveillance, and cyber protection. We are well positioned, he said, but have much to accomplish. We must be able to work with technology that emerges anywhere in the world. Planning, he said, is not enough.

Thomas Killion, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for Research and Technology, said we need to pursue technology that makes unprecedented advancements for our soldiers. The goal, he said, is to target the enemy while saving the lives of our soldiers. Some of the programs developed include "Battlemind," which is to help prepare our soldiers for a war atmosphere and then help transition them back. The budget request includes increased funding for understanding how the brain works to better create programs for training.

Admiral William Landay III, said we must address technology in a global manner, and be able to take advantage of anything anywhere. We must focus on delivering new and novel technology, he said, and development at the moment is "vibrant." Also, Landay said, we must continue to work with plans to transition new technology to our soldiers. A key area to focus on, he said, is the ability to succeed in irregular warfare, and we must make the enemy fear the United States' ability to meet any challenge.

House Armed Services Committee hearing on AMAP

At the House Armed Services Committee hearing on the Army’s Medical Action Plan and Other Services’ Support for Wounded Service Members, Subcommittee Chairwoman Susan Davis (D-CA) said "our challenge and our responsibility" is to make sure that the military as a whole, not just the health care system, remains focused on the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded soldiers and their families.

Congressman John M. McHugh (R-NY), ranking Republican on the Military Personnel Subcommittee, said he is concerned about reports from Fort Drum highlighting an apparent disconnect between the Army and the Department of Veterans Affairs personnel as to the type of support to be provided disabled soldiers.

In a joint prepared statement by Army Surgeon General Lieutenant General Eric B. Schoomaker and Assistant Army Surgeon General Brigadier General Mike Tucker, they said that because of the extraordinary success of modern battlefield medicine, there are many more wounded soldiers with injuries that are now struggling to recover. Walter Reed Army Medical Center is trying to support a population of outpatients that is six times greater than it was designed to support. Wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers are under the command and control of the medical treatment facility commander, in medical facilities called Warrior Transition Units. There are 35 Warrior Transition Units, and they are at full operational capability but staffed at 90%. One of the issues, they said, is of "sustainability."

Navy surgeon General Vice Admiral Adam Robinson said "our focus is to get the family back to ‘normal’ as soon as possible." Families, he said, are part of the care team and their needs are integrated into the planning process. Beginning in 2006, he said, Navy Medicine established Deployment Health Centers (DHCs) to provide care for Marines and Sailors who self-identify mental health concerns on the Post Deployment Health Assessment and Reassessment. From 2006 through January 2008, 28% of visits were for mental health issues.

Air Force Surgeon General Lt. Gen. James Roudebush said to be assured that the Air Force’s Medical Services is ready for today’s challenges. To execute their broad missions, he said, all military sections must work together, and also independently, as we are in the trust of today’s All-Volunteer Military.

House Armed Services Committee hearing to review the budget request of the Department of Defense for Fiscal Year 2009

At the House Armed Services Committee, Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) said that he strongly supports the decision to have a real increase in defense spending. He said that many in the committee had a deep concern about the risk facing the nation in two key areas. First, he said, is the concern about the "current readiness posture." Second, was the rapid deterioration of security and stability in Afghanistan.

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates said that challenges made more dangerous by modern technology included terrorism, extremism, violent jihadism, sectarian conflict, and proliferation of dangerous weapons and materials. He then said that the investment in defense spending was a 7.5 percent increase over last year's enacted level. He said that increasing the size of the Army and Marine Corps would relieve stress on the force and enable the nation to meet its commitments at home and abroad.

Admiral Michael G. Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that we must provide our service members with leadership, resource, and support. He said he has set three strategic priorities for the military, which are to increase stability in the Middle East, reconstitute and revitalize the Armed Forces, and to re- balance our strategic risk.

Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, said that he was disappointed that the Administration did not request funding to cover the full costs of the war in Fiscal Year 2009.