Yes, we are one minute late. The Committee Meets to consider the nomination of mrs. Barbara barrett to be secretary of the air force. And miss Ryan Mccarthy to be secretary of the army. Thank you for being here today. We have the standard questions that whether you like it or not, you have to answer, answer audibly so it can be heard. I would appreciate it very much. If you adhere to the applicable laws and regulations governing the conflicts of interest. Yes,. Yes, sir. Will you ensure that ur yo staff complies with deadlines established for requesting communications, including questions for the record in hearings. Yes. Will you cooperate in providing witnesses and briefers in response to congressional requests. Yes. Will those witnesses be protected from reprisal for the testimony and briefings. Yes. Do you agree if confirmed to appear and testify upon request before this committee . Yes senator. And do you agree to provide documents including copies of electronic forms of communication in a time hi manner when requested by a, due hi Constitutional Committee or to consult with the Committee Regarding the basis for any good faith they or providing all such documents. Yes, senator. Have you assumed any duties or under taken any actions which would appear to presume the outcome of the confirmation proses . No, senator. As is often said, i really believe were in the most dangerous situation weve been in in this world in my lifetime, and even if i ever thought id look back wistfully at the days of the cold war i would have thought things will have to be real bad. We do have Serious Problems that are unprecedented. We have a National Defense strategy. We dont is our nds book. But this is unique. Its something where the democrats and republicans got together. And it was total agreement on the strategy that we would use. And so we are locked in pretty much to that. China and russia have passed this in key areas, and theyre catching up in others, theres a time when we had our launch superiority that we dont have any more. And we dont know how thats changing. Its a moving target. When President Trump assumed office, americas main focus was counter terrorismment but today, the United States is properly focused on the security challenges that we face. Years of budget cuts under the Obama Administration left our military in a readiness crisis, the last administration that thought we could cut our Defense Budget by hundreds of billions of dollars while fighting two wars and everything would turn out. However, that isnt the case. This is kind of a surprising thing. I see that senator wicker is not here yet. But he came up with a document that after i checked it out, i believe it to be true. That during the time that we were cutting our budget, between fiscal years 2010 and 2015, by some 25 , china was increasing during that time period, theirs by 83 . People not aware of this. They dont know thats going on. But these cuts left our military in a predicament that will take years to fix fortunate hi. We got a good start in fiscal year 18. Fiscal year 19 we made great advances, we want to continue those advances. Were looking forward to the todays hearing and the two of you will be, if confirmed, will be maying a major role in fixing something thats broken right now. Senator reid. Thank you very much, mr. Chairman, i join you in welcoming secretary mccarthy and ambassador barrett to the hearing and id like to welcome secretary mccarthys family, his wife, sister, and brother inlaw chase, and ambassadors family. Were all pleased you could be here this morning. Secretary mccarthy as we consider your nomination, i know you have a wealth of experience and have served admirably as the under secretary of the army, if confirmed as the next secretary of the army you will be responsible in assuring that the army modernizes and innovates in order to support the National Defense strategy. You work closely with sykes per and secretary esper. The single command for all modernization efforts. Secretary mccarthy, what i ask that you share this morning what you have learned today from these efforts, delivering cutting age capabilities to the war fire is critical for our country to compete with a near peer threat. Modernized military platforms and upgraded equipment for soldiers will be pointless without the training necessary to prevail on the battle field. As such readiness remains the armys highest priority. Secretary mccarthy, i hope youll share what you will do to ensure the army is focused on readiness if youre confirmed by the senate. Hand in hand with readiness. The armys success is dependent upon the men and women who serve in uniform and the civilians working in the department of the army, recently theyve had challenges meeting recruitment goals, they should remain focused on quality rather than quantity. If youre confirmed i suppose youll monitor this situation. Barrett, youll face issues concerning the department of the air force. As the air force implements guidance establishing a space force. Doing this correctly will have great influence on our ability to challenge near peer competitors. The a air force has been heavily involved over seas since 9 11 and laboring under day today performance. Given the concerns about the readiness of demoed and nondeployed forces the next secretarys efforts in managing improvements in the force and supporting structure will be critical. The secretary of the air force should focus on improving readiness of existing forces in addition, the next secretary must focus on modernization. Over a number of years, senior leaders, expressed concerns about the size and modernization of the air force. As complicated as it is to increase the number of aircraft were buying, buying more is not enough. The air force must also buy the right tops of aircraft the air force is on the threshold of modernizing several capabilities. The Ballistic Missile force and the advanced Battle Management system that will place Ground Surveillance planes with a new census. The Service Secretary is not under the but ther is are Service Sector plays a Critical Role in budget and requirements decisions that drive Acquisition Program this is committee will look to you for contributions in balancing air force resources against air force needs and ensuring that you have the acquisition work force the Department Needs to get the job done. Again, let me thank you mr. Chair for holding this hearing and i hook forward to hearing from the nominees. Thank you, senator a reid. Jerry mccarthy, the introduction of you is not really necessary. Youve worked for what, two years as the under secretary in the same position, you certainly know it well. However, we do have senator mcsally has requested to introduce mrs. Barrett. And i know you dont object to that, senator mcsally. Well, thank you, Ranking Member reid, its with great pride that i sit before you this morning to introduce fell low arizonan and my personal friend, ambassador Barbara Barrett as the nominee to be the next secretary of our air force. Many of us know barbara for outstanding accomplishments in leadership from the Business World to academia to international diplomacy. Including the deputy federal aviation administrator. Serving as the u. S. Am bass tore to fin hand here time with the u. S. Mission at the united nations. These positions make her a phenomenal choice to heed a military service branch. But her unique experiences are what make her the best choice to heed our air force at this important time in history. First and foremost, shes a pie hot herself. So she thinks in three dimensions. She always hooks up. And shares a passion for flying. With the airmen she would lead. Next, ambassador barrett has vast Management Experience including heeding teams think change. As the interim president of the thunder bird school of Global Management she was responsible for producing the next generation of global thinkers and leaders this global out hook will be vital for our air force as we adapt to face a are resurgence of Great Power Competition in the threats they pose to the world. Barbara has been a key member of the community for years giving her a firsthand understanding of navigating commercial partnership to give airmen the best practices they need when they need it and where they need it. Shes worked at several organizations, the air force looks to for analysis. Like serving as a ceo of the air Space Corporation a Nonprofit Corporation based in california that operates a federal hi funded research and Development Center for the space enterprise, she served on the board of rand. One of the most influential think tanks for military studies. When asked to serve on the defense board, barbara tackled the tough task of improving Business Practices as a whole. This macro Level Analysis experience will enable her to ensure air force can meet and defeat any threat any where any time. Ambassador barrett has been involved in many institutions focused on advocacy and education for air and space. Serving on the boards of the national air and space museum, sally ride science and the space foundation. Nearest and dearest to my heart is ambassador barrett played a role in one of the biggest paradigm shifts the military experiences in the last three decades, expanding air combat rolls for women. As the only female pilot serving on the Defense Advisory Committee on women in services, she was instrumental in eck mending that women be allowed to compete for and fly in combat. In fact, the leadership of this very committee opposed the recommendations at the time. Dont worry, the full senate over ruled the opposition. I dont take that personally. But paving the way for thousands of women like me. To serve our country with distinction in air combat. We now know the wisdom of these decisions in part because of these changes, our military is more effective and more lethal than ever before. Picking the best man for the cockpit even if shes a woman. Its because of individuals like ambassador barrett that i was able to attend the air force academy and be the first to fly in combat and later command the fighter squadron. And this led to other airmen being able to meet their full potential. None of these first women possible had it not been for the experience, advocacy and the grit owe of women like barbara baser, proposing new solutions to an outdated way of thinking. Im grateful for barbara for her work to allow women like me step up and serve their country. And im honored to continue the proud tradition of arizona women in aerospace. As we sit in this body that makes important decisions, these types of decisions, i continue to be inspired by barbaras example, who isnt afraid to question the status quo, look for improvements, think strategically and acknowledge that doing things the way theyve always been done in the past may not be good enough any more. Its a personal understanding of what airmen need. Intimate knowledge of the industry that support them, competence and passion for air and space domains. That make ambassador barrett the best candidate to lead our air force today and tomorrow. Ive been blessed to get to know barbara as a friend. And i believe shes the perfect fit for this job. And i advocated to President Trump for that nomination and im grateful that he has nominated her. From our years of friendship, i can tell you that shes a woman of character, vision, smarts and a true leader who cares deeply about our country, military, and air force. With all shes accomplished, she did not have to answer this call. She is not seeking thissing dah. Yet she was willing to give these years of her life to share her immense experience and heed our air force into the future. Barbara truly embodies the air force core values of integrity first. Service before self. And excellence in all we do. And will inspire airmen as they train and fight to keep us safe. I whole heartedly support her nomination, i hope each member of the committee will join me, thank you mr. Chair and Ranking Member reid for the opportunity to make the introduction. With that, its my mesh to introduce my friend, ambassador Barbara Barrett. Thats great. Thank you senator mcsally. Beautiful introduction. We will now have Opening Statements from our nominees. And keep in mind that your entire statement will be made part of the record. So you dont need to go over the whole thing. Just abbreviate it as best you can. And i invite you to introduce any of your friends or family who have come to support you this morning. Secretary, mccarthy. Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member reid and members of the committee. Its an honor to come before you as the president s nominee for secretary of the army. I have testified previously in front of this committee and i hold it in the highest regard. I want to thank secretary esper for his confidence and the president for nominating me. Yesterday as we do err year, we paused in remembrance of the 9 11 attacks to honor souls lost on that day and the subsequent 18 years of war. Just as the pentagon building bears the physical scars of the attack, well never forget. 18 years ago today i was beginning my preparation to demo for the afghanistan invasion. That day fundamental hi changed my life and has brought me to this moment. Troops bedeployed in combat operations will remain my primary focus. Id like to recognize my wife jennifer who joins me here today, she along with our daughter alexandra and the rest of my family serve as the bedrock to who i am as a person providing me with strength and motivation to be the best husband, father, and man that i can be. To my parents, david and kathleen. I want to publicly thank them for their love, support, and enduring guidance my entire life. And my sister, shannon, and my brotherinlaw, chase, thank you for being confidants and friends who were always there for me. Finally, i want to thank the committee for confidence and bipartisan support theyve shown the army and the department of defense with the committees top line mark which will provide the foundation for a budget deal that provides fiscal certainty in the fy 2020 and fy 2021. We will work to maximize the utility of every dollar. With ruthless prioritization and safeguard our most treasured national resource. The men and women serving in the army, da civilians and their families. I am an avid supporter of the National Defense strategy and will continue the prior torization. Our blueprint to minimize potential turbulence as a result of the transition of leaders, this strategy allows for a laser like focus against Great Power Competition while institutionalizing the hard Lessons Learned in counterinsurgency and the Violent Extremist Organization fight. If confirmed as secretary of the army, i will continue to champion the armys strategy and vision. With an emphasis on readiness, modernization, and reform. It is only through the care of our people that these priorities will be achieved. I am encouraged by their attention numbers as a measure of performance. In fy 19 the army met 100 of retention goals without waivers and were on track to retrieve our goal without dilution in quality. If confirmed i intend to assure soldiers and families have the researchers to thrive. Quality and safe housing, Reliable Health care, and access to child care. Taking care of the force leads to a better quality of life. Retention of world class soldiers, and ultimately, improve readiness. Im equally committed to the prevention of Sexual Assault and harassment in our formations. Which tears at the very fabric of our institution. Heeder ship at every level must build a team of teams, protecting our brothers and sisters to our left and right. Reinforcing theres no place for suicide and Sexual Assault and harassment in our army. If confirmed, the Army Leadership will continue to build upon the reform agenda weve established over the last 24 months. Significant work remains to solidify the Modernization Enterprise and finish what we collective hi started. Congressional support has immeasurably helped the army and i hook forward to working with this committee in congress to fulfilling the responsibility of providing the best manned, equipped, and trained force our nation needs to meet its objectives. Im grateful for your consideration of my nomination and i look forward to your questions. Thank you. Thank you, mr. Secretary. And mrs. Barrett. Chairman, Ranking Member reid, distinguished members of this important committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you with acting secretary of the army, Ryan Mccarthy. I appreciate your fast attention to our nominations, i hope to build a relationship with each of you should i be confirmed. I would like to thank the president for his nomination and the secretary of defense for the possible privilege to again serve our great nation. I would like to recognize my family who are here with me today, my husband craig, the love of my life. And the kind of guy you would want your son to grow up to be. Also, my sisters jill and patty and sisterinlaw lorrie who all traveled from western pennsylv