1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:05,470 --> 00:00:07,359 just a six feet away . Double are 3 00:00:07,359 --> 00:00:07,050 minimal . 4 00:00:17,300 --> 00:00:19,522 Well , hello , everyone . Thank you for 5 00:00:19,522 --> 00:00:21,689 joining us today for this virtual town 6 00:00:21,689 --> 00:00:23,522 hall . I'm of course , secretary 7 00:00:23,522 --> 00:00:25,578 Defense . Mark Esper . I'm joined by 8 00:00:25,578 --> 00:00:25,290 the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of 9 00:00:25,290 --> 00:00:27,790 Staff , General Mark Milley , and by 10 00:00:27,790 --> 00:00:29,734 the senior enlisted advisor to the 11 00:00:29,734 --> 00:00:32,080 chairman Cologne Lopez . Thank you both 12 00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:34,080 for joining me here today . I first 13 00:00:34,080 --> 00:00:36,090 want to thank the 55,000 Americans 14 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:38,256 service members who are still out on 15 00:00:38,256 --> 00:00:40,500 the streets of our great nation helping 16 00:00:40,620 --> 00:00:42,920 their fellow citizens were in many 17 00:00:42,920 --> 00:00:45,142 cities . To this day , we , of course , 18 00:00:45,142 --> 00:00:47,364 have the National Guard 45,000 strong . 19 00:00:47,364 --> 00:00:49,309 That number , who is out helping ? 20 00:00:49,380 --> 00:00:51,269 Whether is testing , distributing 21 00:00:51,269 --> 00:00:53,880 supplies , assisting their governors in 22 00:00:53,890 --> 00:00:56,001 a number of ways , shapes and forms . 23 00:00:56,080 --> 00:00:58,191 But I'm just very proud of what we've 24 00:00:58,191 --> 00:01:00,610 done as a service as the armed services 25 00:01:00,610 --> 00:01:02,721 to support the American people and to 26 00:01:02,721 --> 00:01:04,943 help us fight the screwing A virus . As 27 00:01:04,943 --> 00:01:07,054 you know , there is a light gets even 28 00:01:07,054 --> 00:01:09,110 stronger at the end of the tunnel at 29 00:01:09,110 --> 00:01:11,166 this point time . But that said , we 30 00:01:11,166 --> 00:01:13,388 are also still preparing for the future 31 00:01:13,388 --> 00:01:15,277 and making sure we understand the 32 00:01:15,277 --> 00:01:17,277 trajectory of the Corona virus . At 33 00:01:17,277 --> 00:01:19,221 this point time we have ah , we We 34 00:01:19,221 --> 00:01:21,388 contained a stick by our three parties 35 00:01:21,388 --> 00:01:23,332 that we've outlined from beginning 36 00:01:23,332 --> 00:01:25,443 going back to January . That is party 37 00:01:25,443 --> 00:01:27,277 number one . Protect our service 38 00:01:27,277 --> 00:01:29,332 members are department civilians and 39 00:01:29,332 --> 00:01:31,388 their families number to insure . We 40 00:01:31,388 --> 00:01:33,554 maintain our national security mission 41 00:01:33,554 --> 00:01:35,777 capabilities , and number three provide 42 00:01:35,777 --> 00:01:37,721 a full support to the whole nation 43 00:01:37,721 --> 00:01:39,721 whole of government response . With 44 00:01:39,721 --> 00:01:41,666 that , as we've moved through this 45 00:01:41,666 --> 00:01:43,888 virus of the last few months and fought 46 00:01:43,888 --> 00:01:45,777 the good fight , we have provided 47 00:01:45,777 --> 00:01:47,943 additional guidance for senior leaders 48 00:01:47,943 --> 00:01:50,110 and commanders and continue to protect 49 00:01:50,110 --> 00:01:52,110 our people and preserve operational 50 00:01:52,110 --> 00:01:54,332 readiness . First , we're transitioning 51 00:01:54,332 --> 00:01:56,443 to a conditions based phased approach 52 00:01:56,443 --> 00:01:58,499 to personnel , movement and travel . 53 00:01:58,499 --> 00:02:00,721 That memory hand memorandum has gone up 54 00:02:00,721 --> 00:02:02,610 this week . It will improve these 55 00:02:02,610 --> 00:02:04,830 conditions , the travel and deployment 56 00:02:04,830 --> 00:02:06,941 as conditions warrant . This guidance 57 00:02:06,941 --> 00:02:08,830 will lessen the burden on D . O D 58 00:02:08,830 --> 00:02:10,774 personnel and their families while 59 00:02:10,774 --> 00:02:12,997 ensuring continued operations in a safe 60 00:02:12,997 --> 00:02:14,997 manner . The second we're providing 61 00:02:14,997 --> 00:02:17,163 commanders with additional guidance as 62 00:02:17,163 --> 00:02:19,274 they look to change health protection 63 00:02:19,274 --> 00:02:20,941 condition levels at D o . D . 64 00:02:20,941 --> 00:02:23,108 Installations , that guidance has gone 65 00:02:23,108 --> 00:02:25,330 out as well . These measures will allow 66 00:02:25,330 --> 00:02:25,140 our commanders make risk based 67 00:02:25,140 --> 00:02:27,890 decisions as they begin to return to 68 00:02:27,890 --> 00:02:29,946 normal operations in line with local 69 00:02:29,946 --> 00:02:32,000 conditions , CDC guidance and in 70 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:33,778 consultation with their medical 71 00:02:33,778 --> 00:02:36,290 leadership . Yesterday I had the chance 72 00:02:36,290 --> 00:02:38,401 to visit the Marines at Parris Island 73 00:02:38,401 --> 00:02:40,290 to see first hand how the core is 74 00:02:40,290 --> 00:02:42,401 conducting basic training as we adapt 75 00:02:42,401 --> 00:02:44,512 the force to nor normal . It was very 76 00:02:44,512 --> 00:02:46,512 interesting to watch the trading to 77 00:02:46,512 --> 00:02:48,623 understand how they've adapted marine 78 00:02:48,623 --> 00:02:50,790 basic training and some of the lessons 79 00:02:50,790 --> 00:02:52,846 learned they have taken already with 80 00:02:52,846 --> 00:02:54,760 regard to the coronavirus . As we 81 00:02:54,760 --> 00:02:56,871 continue to do our part , we must all 82 00:02:56,871 --> 00:02:59,038 continue to reduce the spread of virus 83 00:02:59,038 --> 00:03:01,350 by including proper hijinks , social 84 00:03:01,350 --> 00:03:03,500 distancing , using face covers , 85 00:03:03,510 --> 00:03:05,621 coverings and the other measures that 86 00:03:05,621 --> 00:03:07,343 we've put out in the number of 87 00:03:07,343 --> 00:03:09,510 memorandum is and guidance and virtual 88 00:03:09,510 --> 00:03:11,677 town halls like this again , that will 89 00:03:11,677 --> 00:03:13,621 be important . Teoh protecting our 90 00:03:13,621 --> 00:03:15,954 force going forward and with that again , 91 00:03:15,954 --> 00:03:17,677 once again proud of all of our 92 00:03:17,677 --> 00:03:19,899 personnel as answer our nation's call . 93 00:03:19,899 --> 00:03:22,066 I'm confident that we will get through 94 00:03:22,066 --> 00:03:21,740 this and we will be stronger than 95 00:03:21,740 --> 00:03:23,962 before . And with that , I like to turn 96 00:03:23,962 --> 00:03:26,018 over the mic to the trouble of Joint 97 00:03:26,018 --> 00:03:27,796 Chiefs of Staff for his opening 98 00:03:27,796 --> 00:03:29,518 comments . Thank Secretary and 99 00:03:29,518 --> 00:03:29,350 appreciate that it's a great honor , 100 00:03:29,870 --> 00:03:32,060 really a privilege to be here and 101 00:03:32,060 --> 00:03:34,770 talking to , I think , well , over one 102 00:03:34,770 --> 00:03:36,826 million , and I'm told it approaches 103 00:03:36,826 --> 00:03:38,770 two million people on the Net on . 104 00:03:38,770 --> 00:03:40,826 That's great . It's great to have an 105 00:03:40,826 --> 00:03:42,937 opportunity toe , speak with everyone 106 00:03:42,937 --> 00:03:44,881 and get a little bit of feedback . 107 00:03:44,881 --> 00:03:46,992 We've got a whole series of questions 108 00:03:46,992 --> 00:03:46,130 here and want to get to those questions . 109 00:03:46,130 --> 00:03:48,241 But before we do that , I just wanted 110 00:03:48,241 --> 00:03:50,490 to let everyone know how very inspired 111 00:03:50,990 --> 00:03:53,370 Secretary I seaq and really all the 112 00:03:53,370 --> 00:03:55,592 senior leaders here in Washington , D . 113 00:03:55,592 --> 00:03:58,120 C . Really inspired by the performance 114 00:03:58,120 --> 00:04:00,231 of the United States military . Since 115 00:04:00,231 --> 00:04:02,398 the beginning of this crisis , we have 116 00:04:02,398 --> 00:04:05,770 had literally tens of thousands of 117 00:04:05,780 --> 00:04:08,810 folks in uniform active guard reserve 118 00:04:08,810 --> 00:04:10,699 go into harm's way to protect the 119 00:04:10,699 --> 00:04:12,643 American people on that has been a 120 00:04:12,643 --> 00:04:14,477 remarkable achievement , and the 121 00:04:14,477 --> 00:04:16,699 results been amazingly effective on the 122 00:04:16,699 --> 00:04:18,921 contribution the United States military 123 00:04:18,921 --> 00:04:21,190 in support of FEMA and HHS , has been 124 00:04:21,190 --> 00:04:23,079 extraordinary and to help out the 125 00:04:23,079 --> 00:04:25,470 American people . So thanks for all of 126 00:04:25,470 --> 00:04:27,526 you and what you do every day and at 127 00:04:27,526 --> 00:04:29,359 the same time we've been able to 128 00:04:29,359 --> 00:04:31,414 achieve the secretary's objectives , 129 00:04:31,414 --> 00:04:33,830 which is protect the force and and not 130 00:04:33,830 --> 00:04:35,830 only help the American people , but 131 00:04:35,830 --> 00:04:37,997 also maintain high levels of readiness 132 00:04:37,997 --> 00:04:40,163 to assure that our day to day missions 133 00:04:40,163 --> 00:04:42,750 of deterring adversaries and and making 134 00:04:42,750 --> 00:04:44,806 sure that we help friends and allies 135 00:04:44,806 --> 00:04:47,028 around the world on to prevent any sort 136 00:04:47,028 --> 00:04:49,139 of outbreaks of violence and war eyes 137 00:04:49,139 --> 00:04:51,139 done every single day . Eso whether 138 00:04:51,139 --> 00:04:53,028 you're flying a ship or flying an 139 00:04:53,028 --> 00:04:55,194 airplane Oh , are sailing in a ship if 140 00:04:55,194 --> 00:04:57,083 you're in a sub or if you're in a 141 00:04:57,083 --> 00:04:58,861 missile silo or if you're in an 142 00:04:58,861 --> 00:05:00,861 infantry battalion of a Marine Army 143 00:05:00,861 --> 00:05:02,972 unit . What you're doing is important 144 00:05:02,972 --> 00:05:05,139 on we . Thank you for doing that every 145 00:05:05,139 --> 00:05:05,110 single day . Keep your eye on the 146 00:05:05,110 --> 00:05:07,054 mission . Continue to take care of 147 00:05:07,054 --> 00:05:09,166 yourselves . Continue to take care of 148 00:05:09,166 --> 00:05:11,054 your family's on DWI . Definitely 149 00:05:11,054 --> 00:05:13,200 appreciate your service every single 150 00:05:13,200 --> 00:05:15,340 day . So thank you . And I'll turn it 151 00:05:15,340 --> 00:05:17,562 over right now to the SEAQ . But thanks 152 00:05:17,562 --> 00:05:19,340 again . We look forward to your 153 00:05:19,340 --> 00:05:21,284 questions . Thank you , Chairman . 154 00:05:21,284 --> 00:05:23,396 Thank you , Mr Secretary . So now the 155 00:05:23,396 --> 00:05:25,451 time in this particular town hall is 156 00:05:25,451 --> 00:05:27,229 critical . As we begin our face 157 00:05:27,229 --> 00:05:29,284 approach to ah relaxing restrictions 158 00:05:29,284 --> 00:05:31,507 and reopening some of the services that 159 00:05:31,507 --> 00:05:33,729 have been shut down since the beginning 160 00:05:33,729 --> 00:05:36,760 off off the pandemic . But we are very 161 00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:38,560 cognizant that this changes are 162 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:41,220 impacting even with the restrictions , 163 00:05:41,220 --> 00:05:43,331 you and your family . So we encourage 164 00:05:43,331 --> 00:05:45,553 you to continue to send the feedback to 165 00:05:45,553 --> 00:05:47,720 us so that we can go ahead and provide 166 00:05:47,720 --> 00:05:49,776 the best solutions to the issues . I 167 00:05:49,776 --> 00:05:51,609 would like to point that the low 168 00:05:51,609 --> 00:05:53,664 infection and the low more mortality 169 00:05:53,664 --> 00:05:55,664 rate in the Department of Defense . 170 00:05:55,664 --> 00:05:59,020 It's been critical based on the actions 171 00:05:59,020 --> 00:06:01,020 that each and every one of you have 172 00:06:01,020 --> 00:06:03,242 taken following the guidance and making 173 00:06:03,242 --> 00:06:05,409 sure that you are here by the guidance 174 00:06:05,409 --> 00:06:07,631 that is provided by the department . So 175 00:06:07,631 --> 00:06:09,687 I want to commend you for that . And 176 00:06:09,687 --> 00:06:11,687 also would like to tell you that we 177 00:06:11,687 --> 00:06:13,853 look forward to your questions because 178 00:06:13,853 --> 00:06:15,798 again , we have a conditions based 179 00:06:15,798 --> 00:06:17,909 approach . Studies guidance driven or 180 00:06:17,909 --> 00:06:20,020 feet back driven by the comments that 181 00:06:20,020 --> 00:06:22,298 you provided . So please keep it comin . 182 00:06:22,298 --> 00:06:24,464 Come with that , sir , I would like to 183 00:06:24,464 --> 00:06:26,687 go ahead and , uh , go go ahead and get 184 00:06:26,687 --> 00:06:28,409 started . Take the questions , 185 00:06:28,409 --> 00:06:30,742 gentlemen . I'm Commander Morgan Murphy . 186 00:06:30,742 --> 00:06:30,460 Let's just get right into the questions . 187 00:06:30,460 --> 00:06:33,080 The first comes from Melinda Carol Fail , 188 00:06:33,090 --> 00:06:35,690 who works for the air force . Mr . 189 00:06:35,690 --> 00:06:37,857 Secretary , this question is for you , 190 00:06:37,857 --> 00:06:40,440 she writes . I'm a d o d civilian and 191 00:06:40,440 --> 00:06:42,384 have been successfully teleworking 192 00:06:42,384 --> 00:06:44,750 since the 18th of March . How can I be 193 00:06:44,750 --> 00:06:47,650 assured that my workspace is cleaned 194 00:06:47,950 --> 00:06:50,550 safe and maintained , according to the 195 00:06:50,550 --> 00:06:52,439 CDC guidelines , in order to feel 196 00:06:52,439 --> 00:06:54,606 confident to return to the workplace ? 197 00:06:54,700 --> 00:06:57,300 If I don't feel safe , May I continue 198 00:06:57,300 --> 00:06:59,610 to telework First ball Melinda , Thank 199 00:06:59,610 --> 00:07:01,777 you for your service to our country is 200 00:07:01,777 --> 00:07:03,554 a gov civilian . It's It's very 201 00:07:03,554 --> 00:07:05,277 important what you do , and we 202 00:07:05,277 --> 00:07:07,443 appreciate again your service . Let me 203 00:07:07,443 --> 00:07:09,499 say that we are not going to open up 204 00:07:09,499 --> 00:07:11,499 the Pentagon or other installations 205 00:07:11,499 --> 00:07:13,554 unless we are confident that it is a 206 00:07:13,554 --> 00:07:15,332 safe place toe work that is our 207 00:07:15,332 --> 00:07:17,443 commitment to the force . I know that 208 00:07:17,443 --> 00:07:19,443 commanders and office directors and 209 00:07:19,443 --> 00:07:21,610 managers air making those decisions on 210 00:07:21,610 --> 00:07:23,970 a , uh , presently with regard opening 211 00:07:23,970 --> 00:07:26,120 up . I not will tell you . In some 212 00:07:26,120 --> 00:07:28,330 cases we have D o D civilians or 213 00:07:28,340 --> 00:07:30,340 uniformed personnel who have unique 214 00:07:30,340 --> 00:07:32,562 circumstances , whether they have their 215 00:07:32,562 --> 00:07:34,451 own vulnerability or maybe family 216 00:07:34,451 --> 00:07:36,618 members at home that they're concerned 217 00:07:36,618 --> 00:07:38,840 about . And in all those cases we would 218 00:07:38,840 --> 00:07:40,896 ask that the commanders , the office 219 00:07:40,896 --> 00:07:42,840 directors or managers to deal with 220 00:07:42,840 --> 00:07:44,951 those on a case by case basis to make 221 00:07:44,951 --> 00:07:47,062 sure that we're not putting people in 222 00:07:47,062 --> 00:07:48,896 an unsafe environment that could 223 00:07:48,896 --> 00:07:48,750 transmit itself back home or something 224 00:07:48,750 --> 00:07:51,080 like that . So we will We will take it 225 00:07:51,090 --> 00:07:53,257 on a case by case approach , but we're 226 00:07:53,257 --> 00:07:55,479 not gonna ask anybody come back to work 227 00:07:55,479 --> 00:07:57,257 in an unsafe environment . Mr . 228 00:07:57,257 --> 00:07:59,368 Chairman , this follow up question is 229 00:07:59,368 --> 00:08:01,423 for you . Many have speculated about 230 00:08:01,423 --> 00:08:03,757 the effectiveness of an antibodies test . 231 00:08:03,757 --> 00:08:05,868 Is the department planning and bodies 232 00:08:05,868 --> 00:08:07,812 testing ? We are . In fact , we're 233 00:08:07,812 --> 00:08:09,979 doing some anybody testing right now . 234 00:08:09,979 --> 00:08:13,380 Um , and we're expanding that online . 235 00:08:13,390 --> 00:08:15,790 Uh , hopefully we'll be looking at 236 00:08:15,790 --> 00:08:17,957 prioritizing the various tears that we 237 00:08:17,957 --> 00:08:20,179 have and will be doing antibody testing 238 00:08:20,179 --> 00:08:22,910 for critical tier one units , such as 239 00:08:22,910 --> 00:08:25,077 those of going toe subs of the nuclear 240 00:08:25,077 --> 00:08:27,250 triad or or some of our quick reaction 241 00:08:27,250 --> 00:08:29,361 forces . So the short answer is yes . 242 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:31,418 For the anybody testing and the 243 00:08:31,418 --> 00:08:33,084 secondary Part of that is for 244 00:08:33,470 --> 00:08:36,050 convalescent plasma eso Part of that , 245 00:08:36,440 --> 00:08:38,820 um , anybody testing is not only to 246 00:08:38,820 --> 00:08:40,987 make sure that you have so many bodies 247 00:08:40,987 --> 00:08:42,764 and you may have some degree of 248 00:08:42,764 --> 00:08:44,931 immunity as an individual , but we may 249 00:08:44,931 --> 00:08:47,042 want to ask you to stick your arm out 250 00:08:47,042 --> 00:08:50,180 and donate blood in order to give t do 251 00:08:50,180 --> 00:08:52,180 it through the process and get some 252 00:08:52,180 --> 00:08:54,291 plasma . And what that can then do is 253 00:08:54,291 --> 00:08:56,513 help others who especially severely ill 254 00:08:56,710 --> 00:08:59,830 on if we can do that and we'll be on ah , 255 00:08:59,840 --> 00:09:01,840 on a good path towards getting some 256 00:09:01,840 --> 00:09:03,784 really powerful therapeutics , and 257 00:09:03,784 --> 00:09:06,007 there's a lot of people working on that 258 00:09:06,007 --> 00:09:05,650 right now , But the short answer is yes . 259 00:09:05,740 --> 00:09:07,780 We do intend to incorporate anybody 260 00:09:07,780 --> 00:09:10,470 testing throughout the force . This 261 00:09:10,470 --> 00:09:12,637 next question comes from Tech Sergeant 262 00:09:12,637 --> 00:09:14,620 Justin Greco , who works at dIsa 263 00:09:14,620 --> 00:09:16,676 headquarters Jock at Fort Meade . He 264 00:09:16,676 --> 00:09:19,370 asks , due to the rising costs of goods 265 00:09:19,370 --> 00:09:21,380 and services around the world , has 266 00:09:21,380 --> 00:09:23,436 there been any thought to increasing 267 00:09:23,436 --> 00:09:25,380 the B S ? That's the basic housing 268 00:09:25,380 --> 00:09:27,602 basic allowance for subsistence . We're 269 00:09:27,602 --> 00:09:29,930 starting a temporary Conus cost of 270 00:09:29,930 --> 00:09:32,570 living adjustment in high cost areas , 271 00:09:32,770 --> 00:09:34,860 he writes . I have already seen the 272 00:09:34,860 --> 00:09:37,082 cost of goods rise at the commissary up 273 00:09:37,082 --> 00:09:40,060 to 15 to 200% plus , for example , a 274 00:09:40,340 --> 00:09:42,420 pound of cheap ground beef has gone 275 00:09:42,420 --> 00:09:46,270 from $2.30 a pound to almost $6 . I 276 00:09:46,270 --> 00:09:48,660 know my grocery calls have gone up and 277 00:09:48,660 --> 00:09:50,716 some junior enlisted families on one 278 00:09:50,716 --> 00:09:52,870 income . I have mentioned things were 279 00:09:52,870 --> 00:09:55,310 getting pretty tight turns over the 280 00:09:55,310 --> 00:09:58,540 SEAQ cancer . Thank you and thank you , 281 00:09:58,540 --> 00:10:00,318 Sergeant Greco , for that great 282 00:10:00,318 --> 00:10:02,373 question , and clearly the financial 283 00:10:02,373 --> 00:10:04,990 impact has not been overlooked at any 284 00:10:04,990 --> 00:10:07,360 stage off this pandemic response by the 285 00:10:07,360 --> 00:10:09,471 department . But what I would like to 286 00:10:09,471 --> 00:10:11,582 start with is that we have mechanisms 287 00:10:11,582 --> 00:10:13,804 to go ahead and plus up the ability for 288 00:10:13,804 --> 00:10:16,027 family , especially those families that 289 00:10:16,027 --> 00:10:17,971 are out of work , to be able to go 290 00:10:17,971 --> 00:10:19,804 ahead and be able to sustain the 291 00:10:19,804 --> 00:10:21,860 feeding and care of their families . 292 00:10:21,860 --> 00:10:24,010 But regarding the B A is the basic 293 00:10:24,010 --> 00:10:26,180 allowance for subsistence questions , 294 00:10:26,190 --> 00:10:28,246 the cost of living and pay races and 295 00:10:28,246 --> 00:10:30,930 other monetary benefits are negotiated 296 00:10:30,930 --> 00:10:34,090 during every budget cycle every year . 297 00:10:34,140 --> 00:10:36,610 And I am sure that the impacts of co 298 00:10:36,610 --> 00:10:39,110 bit and the pandemic on the increasing 299 00:10:39,110 --> 00:10:41,770 goods will be reflected here in future 300 00:10:42,410 --> 00:10:44,440 national defense authorization acts 301 00:10:44,920 --> 00:10:48,000 reviews . And I would ask Starting 302 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:50,111 Greco . I know you can't respond live 303 00:10:50,111 --> 00:10:52,222 right now , but maybe you can send me 304 00:10:52,222 --> 00:10:54,444 an email later . I see his logo was the 305 00:10:54,444 --> 00:10:54,170 Philadelphia Flyers , and I'm just 306 00:10:54,170 --> 00:10:56,470 curious why he would support that team 307 00:10:56,480 --> 00:10:58,702 as opposed to , say , the Boston Bruins 308 00:10:58,702 --> 00:11:00,869 or the New York Rangers . Yeah , maybe 309 00:11:00,869 --> 00:11:02,758 for the Pittsburgh Penguins . The 310 00:11:02,758 --> 00:11:04,591 Penguins on my gun . Watch out , 311 00:11:04,591 --> 00:11:06,424 Sergeant Greco , sir . This next 312 00:11:06,424 --> 00:11:08,550 question is for you , Mr Secretary . 313 00:11:08,940 --> 00:11:11,000 Turning from personal budgets now to 314 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:12,889 the department's budget , there's 315 00:11:12,889 --> 00:11:15,056 speculation that cuts may be coming to 316 00:11:15,056 --> 00:11:17,090 the military because of lost tax 317 00:11:17,090 --> 00:11:19,610 revenue during Kobe . 19 . What's your 318 00:11:19,610 --> 00:11:22,340 position on future cuts ? And how could 319 00:11:22,340 --> 00:11:24,284 this affect our efforts to counter 320 00:11:24,284 --> 00:11:26,890 China and Russia ? Well , you know , a 321 00:11:26,890 --> 00:11:29,530 budget is an important part of ah of 322 00:11:29,590 --> 00:11:31,479 providing for national security . 323 00:11:31,479 --> 00:11:33,646 Lawmakers recognize that the president 324 00:11:33,646 --> 00:11:35,701 has recognized it in Under President 325 00:11:35,701 --> 00:11:37,812 Trump . We've had three very good you 326 00:11:37,812 --> 00:11:39,812 years of budget increases that have 327 00:11:39,812 --> 00:11:41,979 allowed us to rebuild readiness and to 328 00:11:41,979 --> 00:11:44,090 modernize the force . But as you look 329 00:11:44,090 --> 00:11:46,146 at what's transpired in the last few 330 00:11:46,146 --> 00:11:45,950 months , we recognize that the Congress 331 00:11:45,950 --> 00:11:49,380 has spent over $3 trillion to deal with 332 00:11:49,380 --> 00:11:51,269 Corona virus , and it's been very 333 00:11:51,269 --> 00:11:53,436 helpful to the American people . There 334 00:11:53,436 --> 00:11:54,991 is talk about another major 335 00:11:54,991 --> 00:11:56,991 supplemental bill , possibly in the 336 00:11:56,991 --> 00:11:59,200 trains as well , So if you look at our 337 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:02,210 national debt today , it's over $25 338 00:12:02,210 --> 00:12:04,210 trillion . So what does that mean ? 339 00:12:04,210 --> 00:12:06,154 That means that our not to get too 340 00:12:06,154 --> 00:12:08,377 technical but the ratio of our our debt 341 00:12:08,377 --> 00:12:11,660 toward GDP is 121% over 100 20% . It 342 00:12:11,660 --> 00:12:13,604 hasn't been that way for decades , 343 00:12:13,604 --> 00:12:15,660 maybe not since the end of World War 344 00:12:15,660 --> 00:12:18,400 Two . So the country faces a tough 345 00:12:18,730 --> 00:12:21,060 fiscal situation that's going to 346 00:12:21,060 --> 00:12:23,020 require some hard choices . And at 347 00:12:23,020 --> 00:12:25,076 times like that , people look to cut 348 00:12:25,076 --> 00:12:27,298 discretionary spending of which D O . D 349 00:12:27,298 --> 00:12:29,464 is one of those and my view has been , 350 00:12:29,464 --> 00:12:31,353 and I've said it publicly on many 351 00:12:31,353 --> 00:12:33,880 occasions that in order to sustain this 352 00:12:33,880 --> 00:12:35,940 progress , we've made in terms of 353 00:12:36,580 --> 00:12:38,691 taking care of our people in terms of 354 00:12:38,691 --> 00:12:40,636 implementing that national defense 355 00:12:40,636 --> 00:12:42,524 strategy in terms of dealing with 356 00:12:42,524 --> 00:12:44,580 strategic competitors China and then 357 00:12:44,580 --> 00:12:47,440 Russia , what we need is 3% 3% to 5% 358 00:12:47,530 --> 00:12:51,040 real growth annually to deal with that , 359 00:12:51,050 --> 00:12:53,217 and I think that will continue to be a 360 00:12:53,217 --> 00:12:55,217 challenge . I've been talking about 361 00:12:55,217 --> 00:12:57,272 this for a few a few years now since 362 00:12:57,272 --> 00:12:58,994 since my early days , his army 363 00:12:58,994 --> 00:13:01,161 secretary and since my days now coming 364 00:13:01,161 --> 00:13:03,217 on a year as secretary defense eso . 365 00:13:03,217 --> 00:13:05,439 That's why we will continue to make the 366 00:13:05,439 --> 00:13:07,610 case . Why Dio Dini's that increasing 367 00:13:07,610 --> 00:13:09,666 top line , How it's important to our 368 00:13:09,666 --> 00:13:12,310 people . Our families are dia de 369 00:13:12,310 --> 00:13:14,550 civilians and our service members , of 370 00:13:14,550 --> 00:13:16,440 course , but also readiness and 371 00:13:16,440 --> 00:13:18,960 modernization . Ah , the upkeep of our 372 00:13:18,960 --> 00:13:21,071 homes . Our installations are bases . 373 00:13:21,450 --> 00:13:23,690 But that said , we don't necessary to 374 00:13:23,690 --> 00:13:26,290 control that The Congress does in many 375 00:13:26,290 --> 00:13:28,512 ways . So what we need to do is we need 376 00:13:28,512 --> 00:13:30,679 to tighten our own belts . And so I've 377 00:13:30,679 --> 00:13:32,568 made is one of its built into our 378 00:13:32,568 --> 00:13:34,679 national fence . Strategy is reform , 379 00:13:34,679 --> 00:13:36,790 and that means all of us looking hard 380 00:13:36,790 --> 00:13:39,012 at what we're doing and ask ourselves , 381 00:13:39,012 --> 00:13:41,179 Do we still need to do that , or do we 382 00:13:41,179 --> 00:13:40,510 need to do it in a way that which we've 383 00:13:40,510 --> 00:13:42,677 been doing it ? Are there more ways to 384 00:13:42,677 --> 00:13:44,900 save time , money or manpower in order 385 00:13:44,900 --> 00:13:46,970 to reallocate those things , time , 386 00:13:46,970 --> 00:13:48,748 money or manpower in the higher 387 00:13:48,748 --> 00:13:50,748 priority items ? So that's going to 388 00:13:50,748 --> 00:13:52,914 continue to be a focus of mine again , 389 00:13:52,914 --> 00:13:55,137 we can only control so much of our fate 390 00:13:55,137 --> 00:13:57,359 when it comes to the top line . We need 391 00:13:57,359 --> 00:13:56,970 that increased top line , but at the 392 00:13:56,970 --> 00:13:59,081 same time everybody , every manager , 393 00:13:59,081 --> 00:14:01,248 every leader , every commander , every 394 00:14:01,248 --> 00:14:03,359 director , every supervisor has to do 395 00:14:03,359 --> 00:14:05,581 what they can t help tighten the budget 396 00:14:05,581 --> 00:14:08,010 so we can get a much as we can from 397 00:14:08,010 --> 00:14:09,788 those precious dollars that the 398 00:14:09,788 --> 00:14:11,899 American taxpayers give us every year 399 00:14:11,899 --> 00:14:14,010 to defend our great country . So this 400 00:14:14,010 --> 00:14:16,121 next question is for you as well came 401 00:14:16,121 --> 00:14:18,730 in from Major Frank Malik I of U S Air 402 00:14:18,730 --> 00:14:20,508 Force at Canadian Forces Base , 403 00:14:20,508 --> 00:14:23,850 Winnipeg . He asked your memorandum for 404 00:14:23,860 --> 00:14:26,290 a transition to a conditions based 405 00:14:26,300 --> 00:14:29,060 phased approach for personnel movement 406 00:14:29,350 --> 00:14:31,750 outlines criteria for host nations that 407 00:14:31,750 --> 00:14:34,240 host greater than 1000 personnel but 408 00:14:34,240 --> 00:14:36,570 does not outline criteria for those of 409 00:14:36,570 --> 00:14:38,940 us stationed in nations hosting smaller 410 00:14:38,940 --> 00:14:41,320 numbers . Can you provide the criteria 411 00:14:41,650 --> 00:14:43,428 which must be met for personnel 412 00:14:43,428 --> 00:14:46,150 movement to resume into our host nation 413 00:14:46,160 --> 00:14:47,993 with a smaller number of D o . D 414 00:14:47,993 --> 00:14:49,993 personnel ? Sure , you know that we 415 00:14:49,993 --> 00:14:52,130 have did the personnel on 140 plus 416 00:14:52,130 --> 00:14:54,352 countries around the world . So what we 417 00:14:54,352 --> 00:14:56,241 didn't want to do is get into the 418 00:14:56,241 --> 00:14:58,463 business of trying to list every single 419 00:14:58,463 --> 00:14:57,880 location around the world in which we 420 00:14:57,880 --> 00:14:59,850 have people . But to answer the 421 00:14:59,850 --> 00:15:01,961 question directly , the same criteria 422 00:15:01,961 --> 00:15:04,017 that are outlined in that memorandum 423 00:15:04,017 --> 00:15:06,190 for the countries listed are the same 424 00:15:06,190 --> 00:15:08,570 criteria that apply for Canada and any 425 00:15:08,570 --> 00:15:10,570 number of dozens of other countries 426 00:15:10,570 --> 00:15:12,792 where we have US personnel . So it will 427 00:15:12,792 --> 00:15:14,959 be both an installation , all approach 428 00:15:14,959 --> 00:15:17,070 in terms of the assessment of certain 429 00:15:17,070 --> 00:15:19,181 criteria , the installation on . Then 430 00:15:19,181 --> 00:15:19,030 there's the regional , in this case , 431 00:15:19,160 --> 00:15:21,271 Canada worth the region of Canada . I 432 00:15:21,271 --> 00:15:23,493 don't know which which province is in . 433 00:15:23,770 --> 00:15:25,820 We would still apply the opening up 434 00:15:25,820 --> 00:15:27,876 America criteria . So it's the three 435 00:15:27,876 --> 00:15:30,098 basic criteria . Do we see a decline in 436 00:15:30,098 --> 00:15:32,264 cases over 14 day period ? Do we see a 437 00:15:32,264 --> 00:15:34,560 decline in symptoms over 14 14 date 438 00:15:34,570 --> 00:15:36,737 period , and is there adequate medical 439 00:15:36,737 --> 00:15:39,014 capacity ? And I'm referring back Teoh . 440 00:15:39,014 --> 00:15:41,014 The memorandum went out in the past 441 00:15:41,014 --> 00:15:43,014 week or so with this , you know the 442 00:15:43,014 --> 00:15:45,500 verbatim , uh , listing of the criteria . 443 00:15:45,500 --> 00:15:47,722 But commanders will apply that same the 444 00:15:47,722 --> 00:15:49,667 same standards and principles with 445 00:15:49,667 --> 00:15:51,611 regard to lifting restrictions for 446 00:15:51,611 --> 00:15:53,833 either unit travel or personal travel . 447 00:15:54,650 --> 00:15:56,800 Sectary Chairman . This questions for 448 00:15:56,800 --> 00:15:58,990 both of you . Beth Urban , who's 449 00:15:58,990 --> 00:16:01,323 stationed in Goldsboro , North Carolina , 450 00:16:01,323 --> 00:16:03,323 asks , What is the military done to 451 00:16:03,323 --> 00:16:05,434 implement new training guidelines for 452 00:16:05,434 --> 00:16:08,300 senior leaders and new recruits ? What 453 00:16:08,300 --> 00:16:11,380 are the training lessons learned ? No , 454 00:16:11,390 --> 00:16:13,557 I'll take first step that since I came 455 00:16:13,557 --> 00:16:15,723 back from Paris Island yesterday and I 456 00:16:15,723 --> 00:16:17,668 had a good discussion with the the 457 00:16:17,668 --> 00:16:19,834 commanders on the ground with Sergeant 458 00:16:19,834 --> 00:16:21,779 Major and with the drills who were 459 00:16:21,779 --> 00:16:23,668 taking the recruits through basic 460 00:16:23,668 --> 00:16:25,779 training . And first of all , they've 461 00:16:25,779 --> 00:16:28,001 had very good success rates with regard 462 00:16:28,001 --> 00:16:30,057 to applying the memorandum is we put 463 00:16:30,057 --> 00:16:32,240 out the guidance . We put out the 464 00:16:32,250 --> 00:16:34,870 provision of PPE and other things . So 465 00:16:34,870 --> 00:16:37,270 on an average class coming in each week 466 00:16:37,280 --> 00:16:40,110 or so of 300 to 400 on average , they 467 00:16:40,110 --> 00:16:43,030 find that one person has been infected 468 00:16:43,040 --> 00:16:45,900 and usually mild or no symptoms . So 469 00:16:45,900 --> 00:16:48,122 and they're able to , through different 470 00:16:48,122 --> 00:16:50,660 practices , separate and treat and take 471 00:16:50,660 --> 00:16:52,771 care of that . You know , when I went 472 00:16:52,771 --> 00:16:54,827 through when I was watching training 473 00:16:54,827 --> 00:16:57,049 yesterday , watching Marines and feudal 474 00:16:57,049 --> 00:16:59,160 training , obstacle course , you name 475 00:16:59,160 --> 00:17:01,216 it , what they were doing is they're 476 00:17:01,216 --> 00:17:03,382 going through the training . They were 477 00:17:03,382 --> 00:17:05,549 appropriately , socially distance when 478 00:17:05,549 --> 00:17:07,549 when it made sense and at all times 479 00:17:07,549 --> 00:17:09,771 they're wearing face coverings . And so 480 00:17:09,771 --> 00:17:11,938 we've seen a a dramatic drop off , but 481 00:17:11,938 --> 00:17:14,160 one of things that was most interesting 482 00:17:14,160 --> 00:17:13,970 to me that the chain chain of command 483 00:17:13,970 --> 00:17:17,470 raised is that by putting these 484 00:17:17,710 --> 00:17:20,670 practices in place for arriving and 485 00:17:20,670 --> 00:17:23,380 existing recruits to prevent Corona 486 00:17:23,380 --> 00:17:25,547 virus spread . They've also found that 487 00:17:25,547 --> 00:17:27,380 they prevent the spread of other 488 00:17:27,380 --> 00:17:29,269 respiratory tract infections . So 489 00:17:29,269 --> 00:17:30,991 they've seen Sick Call go down 490 00:17:30,991 --> 00:17:32,880 remarkably across the board , and 491 00:17:32,880 --> 00:17:34,658 they've seen a higher number of 492 00:17:34,658 --> 00:17:36,824 recruits available for training day in 493 00:17:36,824 --> 00:17:38,769 and day out . And I think that's a 494 00:17:38,769 --> 00:17:40,880 clear example Clear lesson learned of 495 00:17:40,880 --> 00:17:42,713 one of the things that I believe 496 00:17:42,713 --> 00:17:44,880 they're going to carry forward once we 497 00:17:44,880 --> 00:17:46,880 get beyond the krona bars as a good 498 00:17:46,880 --> 00:17:48,850 practice for for recruits at basic 499 00:17:48,850 --> 00:17:50,850 training . And they had a number of 500 00:17:50,850 --> 00:17:52,961 other lessons learned that I've asked 501 00:17:52,961 --> 00:17:54,739 him to push back up that we can 502 00:17:54,739 --> 00:17:56,906 incorporate and spend and share across 503 00:17:56,906 --> 00:17:58,850 the force across the services . So 504 00:17:58,850 --> 00:18:00,683 there is good coming out of this 505 00:18:00,683 --> 00:18:02,683 lessons learned . I think that will 506 00:18:02,683 --> 00:18:04,850 make us even more effective and better 507 00:18:04,850 --> 00:18:07,072 well into the future . And I think , uh 508 00:18:07,640 --> 00:18:09,751 is going to lessons learned it at all 509 00:18:09,751 --> 00:18:12,170 different levels , so way have toe . 510 00:18:12,180 --> 00:18:14,291 This is not a situation where we have 511 00:18:14,291 --> 00:18:16,890 one size fits all eso the key . The key 512 00:18:16,890 --> 00:18:18,779 lesson learned here is to empower 513 00:18:18,779 --> 00:18:20,920 commanders to develop their mission 514 00:18:20,920 --> 00:18:23,370 essential task lists and to develop 515 00:18:23,370 --> 00:18:25,537 appropriate training strategies within 516 00:18:25,537 --> 00:18:27,648 the broader guidance that we have out 517 00:18:27,648 --> 00:18:29,814 there with respect to cope with things 518 00:18:29,814 --> 00:18:32,037 like masks and social distancing and so 519 00:18:32,037 --> 00:18:34,037 on . So , at the individual level , 520 00:18:34,037 --> 00:18:36,092 basic training , individual skills , 521 00:18:36,092 --> 00:18:37,870 training in units , whether the 522 00:18:37,870 --> 00:18:39,759 regardless of service , there's a 523 00:18:39,759 --> 00:18:42,500 certain and about 60 70% of training is 524 00:18:42,500 --> 00:18:45,230 that a to the individual level to 525 00:18:45,230 --> 00:18:47,174 include leader training in various 526 00:18:47,174 --> 00:18:49,286 courses for non commissioned officers 527 00:18:49,286 --> 00:18:51,508 and officers . Thesafeside measures can 528 00:18:51,508 --> 00:18:53,730 be applied . The precautionary measures 529 00:18:53,730 --> 00:18:55,674 can be applied relatively easy for 530 00:18:55,674 --> 00:18:57,674 individual training . The challenge 531 00:18:57,674 --> 00:19:00,008 gets when you get into collective train , 532 00:19:00,008 --> 00:19:02,063 how do you train a crew in a tank or 533 00:19:02,063 --> 00:19:04,230 crew in a bomber ? Or how do you train 534 00:19:04,230 --> 00:19:06,286 a sub's crew for collective training 535 00:19:06,286 --> 00:19:08,230 when you're automatically in close 536 00:19:08,230 --> 00:19:10,286 confines ? So there we have to apply 537 00:19:10,286 --> 00:19:12,174 some other lessons aren't such as 538 00:19:12,174 --> 00:19:14,230 quarantine prior to getting into the 539 00:19:14,230 --> 00:19:16,397 into the either the tank of the or the 540 00:19:16,397 --> 00:19:18,397 sub of the aircraft for X amount of 541 00:19:18,397 --> 00:19:20,397 days , the science is becoming more 542 00:19:20,397 --> 00:19:22,674 players . We go along , it started out . 543 00:19:22,674 --> 00:19:24,897 It may be you had to have 38 went to 21 544 00:19:24,897 --> 00:19:27,119 days , and then it went down to 14 days 545 00:19:27,119 --> 00:19:29,286 and maybe you can squeeze it out of 10 546 00:19:29,286 --> 00:19:31,452 days . So but there's a period of time 547 00:19:31,452 --> 00:19:33,397 when we need to isolate quarantine 548 00:19:33,397 --> 00:19:35,397 prior to getting people together in 549 00:19:35,397 --> 00:19:35,130 close quarters . And then you still 550 00:19:35,130 --> 00:19:37,352 have to wear the mask . And she left to 551 00:19:37,352 --> 00:19:39,241 maintain all the personal hygiene 552 00:19:39,241 --> 00:19:41,186 etcetera s . So there's a bunch of 553 00:19:41,186 --> 00:19:40,870 lessons learned for collective training . 554 00:19:40,870 --> 00:19:43,092 They have to get done at the crew , the 555 00:19:43,092 --> 00:19:45,426 bomber and the missile crew , and so on . 556 00:19:45,426 --> 00:19:47,426 And then , if you get into a larger 557 00:19:47,426 --> 00:19:49,203 scale , exercises that that's a 558 00:19:49,203 --> 00:19:51,203 different set of lessons that we're 559 00:19:51,203 --> 00:19:52,926 starting to learn . There's an 560 00:19:52,926 --> 00:19:55,148 opportunity here , really , to leverage 561 00:19:55,148 --> 00:19:57,259 virtual training , a lot of simulated 562 00:19:57,259 --> 00:19:59,314 training that can be done and can be 563 00:19:59,314 --> 00:20:01,830 done safely . And you can get a smudge 564 00:20:01,830 --> 00:20:04,090 vang for the bucket . You can , in many 565 00:20:04,090 --> 00:20:06,790 cases in terms of repetitions , out of 566 00:20:06,790 --> 00:20:09,012 virtual training , and you cannot alive 567 00:20:09,012 --> 00:20:11,179 training . So there's a lot of lessons 568 00:20:11,179 --> 00:20:13,401 learned we're collecting . All of those 569 00:20:13,401 --> 00:20:15,512 up on were disseminating very rapidly 570 00:20:15,512 --> 00:20:17,568 throughout all the force for all the 571 00:20:17,568 --> 00:20:16,780 different levels , with its leader 572 00:20:16,780 --> 00:20:18,613 training , collector training or 573 00:20:18,613 --> 00:20:20,780 individual trading . So I'll turn this 574 00:20:20,780 --> 00:20:22,613 next question to you is , well , 575 00:20:22,613 --> 00:20:24,558 Benjamin Ridenhour , whose in Camp 576 00:20:24,558 --> 00:20:26,724 Perrin . John Kuwait wants to know for 577 00:20:26,724 --> 00:20:28,502 PCs permanent change of station 578 00:20:28,502 --> 00:20:30,836 locations such as Kuwait . Why can't we ? 579 00:20:30,836 --> 00:20:33,670 PCs units are deploying and redeploying 580 00:20:33,670 --> 00:20:35,850 individuals on TCS Temporary change of 581 00:20:35,850 --> 00:20:37,906 station and Tedy wide temporary duty 582 00:20:37,906 --> 00:20:40,740 travel can come and go , but if you PCs 583 00:20:40,740 --> 00:20:42,990 here , you can't leave , he writes . 584 00:20:42,990 --> 00:20:45,550 I'm going on 14 months and theater with 585 00:20:45,550 --> 00:20:47,439 no real date for when I can leave 586 00:20:47,720 --> 00:20:50,350 taking care of family as many fronts . 587 00:20:51,220 --> 00:20:53,380 Yeah , and I and and I appreciate his 588 00:20:53,380 --> 00:20:55,324 comment . I know it's a tremendous 589 00:20:55,560 --> 00:20:58,060 sacrifice on him , but it's for his 590 00:20:58,060 --> 00:21:00,840 safety and for the safety of his family . 591 00:21:00,840 --> 00:21:03,480 In fact , it's for the safety of all 592 00:21:03,480 --> 00:21:05,730 the force that we put in very , very 593 00:21:05,730 --> 00:21:07,897 strict travel restrictions . Now , the 594 00:21:07,897 --> 00:21:10,119 memo that the secretary signed out this 595 00:21:10,119 --> 00:21:12,063 week is gonna ease up those travel 596 00:21:12,063 --> 00:21:14,119 restrictions , and I believe that he 597 00:21:14,119 --> 00:21:16,341 will see the results of that on , and I 598 00:21:16,341 --> 00:21:18,286 believe the he'll probably able to 599 00:21:18,286 --> 00:21:20,508 piece yes here relatively shortly . But 600 00:21:20,508 --> 00:21:22,730 having said that , the reason he had to 601 00:21:22,730 --> 00:21:24,730 stay an extra two months is for the 602 00:21:24,730 --> 00:21:26,897 broader safety of him , his family and 603 00:21:26,897 --> 00:21:29,119 the force . These were necessary things 604 00:21:29,119 --> 00:21:31,119 to do . We , the United States have 605 00:21:31,119 --> 00:21:33,341 lost 100,000 people in the last four or 606 00:21:33,341 --> 00:21:36,040 five months . Thankfully , we the 607 00:21:36,050 --> 00:21:38,510 military , I have not lost those kind 608 00:21:38,510 --> 00:21:40,677 of numbers we have , unfortunately had 609 00:21:40,677 --> 00:21:42,954 three deaths on that's that's horrible , 610 00:21:42,954 --> 00:21:44,899 but that's nothing compared to the 611 00:21:44,899 --> 00:21:47,010 nation at large . But this is for his 612 00:21:47,010 --> 00:21:49,066 safety and his family safety , and I 613 00:21:49,066 --> 00:21:48,600 know he will understand that . But 614 00:21:48,600 --> 00:21:50,544 these rules of being eased up here 615 00:21:50,544 --> 00:21:52,767 shortly , and I think he'll get his PCs 616 00:21:52,767 --> 00:21:55,520 sodas pretty quick . Secretary of this 617 00:21:55,520 --> 00:21:57,960 next question is for you . You've had 618 00:21:58,190 --> 00:22:00,340 reservists and National Guardsmen 619 00:22:00,430 --> 00:22:02,541 called up in response to Covert , and 620 00:22:02,541 --> 00:22:05,000 this is a two part question . The first 621 00:22:05,010 --> 00:22:07,770 is some reservists have orders that may 622 00:22:07,770 --> 00:22:10,200 last longer than the mission itself . 623 00:22:10,210 --> 00:22:12,950 If the mission ends first , will those 624 00:22:12,950 --> 00:22:15,330 orders be cut short ? And the second 625 00:22:15,330 --> 00:22:17,274 part of that question is , Are you 626 00:22:17,274 --> 00:22:19,330 supportive of National Guard members 627 00:22:19,330 --> 00:22:22,060 being extended ? Sure . Well , I had 628 00:22:22,060 --> 00:22:25,140 the virtue of speaking to this from 629 00:22:25,260 --> 00:22:27,260 from a number of perspectives , not 630 00:22:27,260 --> 00:22:29,427 just where I sit now , but as a former 631 00:22:29,427 --> 00:22:31,538 member of the National Guard and as a 632 00:22:31,538 --> 00:22:33,704 former member of the Army Reserve . So 633 00:22:33,704 --> 00:22:33,620 I understand the situation they're in . 634 00:22:33,960 --> 00:22:36,182 So here's my view on this . I think the 635 00:22:36,182 --> 00:22:37,904 guard and reserves have done a 636 00:22:37,904 --> 00:22:40,071 fantastic job out there on the streets 637 00:22:40,071 --> 00:22:41,849 of America . We have the 45,000 638 00:22:41,849 --> 00:22:44,016 guardsmen deployed . Now I think steel 639 00:22:44,016 --> 00:22:44,000 to all 50 states , 32 or three 640 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:46,222 territories and definitely the District 641 00:22:46,222 --> 00:22:48,420 of Columbia . And my view remains . I 642 00:22:48,420 --> 00:22:50,476 said so publicly . I've communicated 643 00:22:50,476 --> 00:22:52,587 this throughout the inter agency that 644 00:22:52,587 --> 00:22:54,253 if they're in a valid mission 645 00:22:54,253 --> 00:22:56,570 assignment approved by FEMA , then we 646 00:22:56,570 --> 00:22:59,440 should certainly extend them . And the 647 00:22:59,450 --> 00:23:01,617 mission of Simon will dictate how long 648 00:23:01,617 --> 00:23:03,783 that takes a Sfar , as I'm concerned , 649 00:23:03,783 --> 00:23:05,950 until mission is accomplished , if you 650 00:23:05,950 --> 00:23:08,450 will . But it's you can't apply a one 651 00:23:08,450 --> 00:23:10,672 size fits all rule to these things . As 652 00:23:10,672 --> 00:23:12,672 we know with regard to the National 653 00:23:12,672 --> 00:23:14,783 Guard . It's 50 states , 50 governors 654 00:23:14,783 --> 00:23:16,950 who are employing their guardsmen in a 655 00:23:16,950 --> 00:23:19,172 variety of tasks . Some of them are are 656 00:23:19,172 --> 00:23:21,339 identical across states . But some are 657 00:23:21,339 --> 00:23:23,394 very different , their unique to the 658 00:23:23,394 --> 00:23:23,240 state and the challenges each state 659 00:23:23,240 --> 00:23:25,462 faces . So each mission assignment , it 660 00:23:25,462 --> 00:23:27,684 is a little different . The scope maybe 661 00:23:27,684 --> 00:23:30,010 broader , broader or narrower . The 662 00:23:30,020 --> 00:23:31,853 number of people doing it may be 663 00:23:31,853 --> 00:23:33,687 different on the time . Duration 664 00:23:33,687 --> 00:23:35,687 certainly will change from state to 665 00:23:35,687 --> 00:23:37,853 state . So again I go back , Teoh . If 666 00:23:37,853 --> 00:23:39,909 it's a valid mission assignment , we 667 00:23:39,909 --> 00:23:41,909 should certainly extend it . And we 668 00:23:41,909 --> 00:23:44,020 should extend that mission assignment 669 00:23:44,020 --> 00:23:46,242 until the mission is accomplished . And 670 00:23:46,242 --> 00:23:48,242 if the mission ends early , Um , we 671 00:23:48,242 --> 00:23:50,187 gotta make sure on the back end we 672 00:23:50,187 --> 00:23:52,353 provide enough time for a guardsmen or 673 00:23:52,353 --> 00:23:54,242 reservists to do a restriction of 674 00:23:54,242 --> 00:23:56,242 movement , if you will , so that if 675 00:23:56,242 --> 00:23:55,870 they've been exposed , if they've been 676 00:23:55,870 --> 00:23:58,092 on the front lines and there's a chance 677 00:23:58,092 --> 00:24:00,259 that they've been infected or they are 678 00:24:00,259 --> 00:24:02,426 asymptomatic carrier , that they don't 679 00:24:02,426 --> 00:24:04,481 carry that back home , back to their 680 00:24:04,481 --> 00:24:06,648 community or back to their family , if 681 00:24:06,648 --> 00:24:08,870 you will . So we gotta work through the 682 00:24:08,870 --> 00:24:10,981 details of that . We speak every week 683 00:24:10,981 --> 00:24:13,092 with the National Guard Bureau . I've 684 00:24:13,092 --> 00:24:15,092 spoken the chairman I both multiple 685 00:24:15,092 --> 00:24:17,203 times with the tags of the respective 686 00:24:17,203 --> 00:24:19,203 states , so we're working this very 687 00:24:19,203 --> 00:24:21,370 closely with them . But that remit has 688 00:24:21,370 --> 00:24:23,592 been and remains my view with regard to 689 00:24:23,592 --> 00:24:25,814 extensions of mission assignments . The 690 00:24:25,814 --> 00:24:28,092 second is a follow up to that question . 691 00:24:28,092 --> 00:24:27,990 Many have speculated that this crisis 692 00:24:27,990 --> 00:24:30,190 will only ease up when there is a 693 00:24:30,190 --> 00:24:32,420 vaccine available . Can you describe 694 00:24:32,420 --> 00:24:34,364 how the department is working with 695 00:24:34,364 --> 00:24:36,198 other government agencies in the 696 00:24:36,198 --> 00:24:38,476 private sector on Operation Warp Speed . 697 00:24:38,476 --> 00:24:40,698 How confident are you that we will have 698 00:24:40,698 --> 00:24:42,809 a vaccine by December ? Sure . Well , 699 00:24:42,809 --> 00:24:44,920 first of all , the department defense 700 00:24:44,920 --> 00:24:46,753 has been working on vaccines and 701 00:24:46,753 --> 00:24:48,587 therapeutics and diagnostics for 702 00:24:48,587 --> 00:24:50,642 several months now . My first trip , 703 00:24:50,642 --> 00:24:53,230 when I think it was probably February , 704 00:24:53,230 --> 00:24:55,174 was the Fort Dietrich , Maryland , 705 00:24:55,174 --> 00:24:57,119 where we have some of world's best 706 00:24:57,119 --> 00:24:59,230 researchers and scientists who at the 707 00:24:59,230 --> 00:25:01,397 time walk me through the labs , showed 708 00:25:01,397 --> 00:25:03,508 me how they were beginning their work 709 00:25:03,508 --> 00:25:02,710 on the krona virus . They were 710 00:25:02,710 --> 00:25:04,377 improving our testing machine 711 00:25:04,377 --> 00:25:06,543 capability . And , of course , we have 712 00:25:06,543 --> 00:25:08,710 other great researchers at places like 713 00:25:08,710 --> 00:25:10,660 DARPA and Walter Reed . And so the 714 00:25:10,670 --> 00:25:12,837 military's been honest now for several 715 00:25:12,837 --> 00:25:15,003 months trying to work through vaccines 716 00:25:15,003 --> 00:25:17,226 and therapeutics . Now , recently , the 717 00:25:17,226 --> 00:25:19,448 last couple weeks , we have joined with 718 00:25:19,448 --> 00:25:21,670 HHS Health and Human Services Secretary 719 00:25:21,670 --> 00:25:23,448 Cesar and I will be co chairing 720 00:25:23,448 --> 00:25:25,226 Operation Warp speed . The Gulf 721 00:25:25,226 --> 00:25:27,700 Operation warp speed is to produce 300 722 00:25:27,700 --> 00:25:30,200 million doses of a vaccine by January 1 723 00:25:30,630 --> 00:25:34,380 2021 . We we have appointed as our 724 00:25:34,380 --> 00:25:36,850 co chair representative to that 725 00:25:36,850 --> 00:25:38,794 operation , Warp Speed General Gus 726 00:25:38,794 --> 00:25:40,572 Purna , who is the head of Army 727 00:25:40,572 --> 00:25:42,461 material command . He has a great 728 00:25:42,461 --> 00:25:44,350 background . I've worked with him 729 00:25:44,350 --> 00:25:46,294 before , as has the chairman . I'm 730 00:25:46,294 --> 00:25:48,350 confident he'll do a fantastic job . 731 00:25:48,350 --> 00:25:50,572 He's already moved up here to D . C and 732 00:25:50,572 --> 00:25:52,739 has taken charge of the workload . Has 733 00:25:52,739 --> 00:25:54,850 been a meeting with folks , and we've 734 00:25:54,850 --> 00:25:57,128 had two separate meetings with him now , 735 00:25:57,128 --> 00:25:59,350 to make sure he has all the resource is 736 00:25:59,350 --> 00:26:01,350 authority and support . He needs to 737 00:26:01,350 --> 00:26:03,350 accomplish the task at hand and his 738 00:26:03,350 --> 00:26:05,572 task . The task of Operation Warp speed 739 00:26:05,572 --> 00:26:07,794 is to deliver at scale those vaccines , 740 00:26:07,794 --> 00:26:09,906 but also they're looking at producing 741 00:26:09,906 --> 00:26:11,628 and supplying and distributing 742 00:26:11,628 --> 00:26:13,794 therapeutics and two and diagnostics . 743 00:26:14,240 --> 00:26:16,462 And his particular task will be to make 744 00:26:16,462 --> 00:26:18,462 sure we get the manufacturing up to 745 00:26:18,462 --> 00:26:20,407 meet that mission in time and then 746 00:26:20,407 --> 00:26:22,296 distributed . And so again , he's 747 00:26:22,296 --> 00:26:24,629 working hard at that . We have the best . 748 00:26:24,629 --> 00:26:26,851 Scientists and researchers in the world 749 00:26:26,851 --> 00:26:26,530 were parting not just within the 750 00:26:26,530 --> 00:26:28,641 interagency but also with the private 751 00:26:28,641 --> 00:26:31,000 sector . And again , I'm confident we 752 00:26:31,000 --> 00:26:33,720 will be able to deliver vaccine at 753 00:26:33,720 --> 00:26:37,620 scale in time . Its chairman . This 754 00:26:37,620 --> 00:26:39,800 question is for you . Lisa Rogers , 755 00:26:39,810 --> 00:26:41,699 from Huntsville , Alabama , asked 756 00:26:41,699 --> 00:26:43,477 another question about the stop 757 00:26:43,477 --> 00:26:45,588 movement , she writes . Why can't the 758 00:26:45,588 --> 00:26:47,643 travel stop movement order be lifted 759 00:26:47,643 --> 00:26:49,866 with strict precautions in place , such 760 00:26:49,866 --> 00:26:51,977 as quarantine before and after travel 761 00:26:51,977 --> 00:26:53,810 facemasks , Onley using military 762 00:26:53,810 --> 00:26:56,032 flights , etcetera . The stock movement 763 00:26:56,032 --> 00:26:57,866 doesn't even allow for people to 764 00:26:57,866 --> 00:26:59,977 prepare for job changes , such as the 765 00:26:59,977 --> 00:27:02,143 ability to sell their house if they're 766 00:27:02,143 --> 00:27:04,366 awaiting a government move . She thinks 767 00:27:04,366 --> 00:27:06,366 this needs to ease up , sir , and I 768 00:27:06,366 --> 00:27:08,310 think she'll find when she has not 769 00:27:08,310 --> 00:27:10,477 going to take a look at the memorandum 770 00:27:10,477 --> 00:27:12,532 that Secretary signed this week that 771 00:27:12,532 --> 00:27:15,570 you'll see that it is easing up again . 772 00:27:15,570 --> 00:27:17,570 I want to reiterate as a pension to 773 00:27:17,570 --> 00:27:19,792 Benjamin a little earlier , Uh , that , 774 00:27:20,070 --> 00:27:23,470 uh , this a situation that was new on . 775 00:27:23,470 --> 00:27:25,637 We are in our I guess , fourth month , 776 00:27:25,637 --> 00:27:28,130 almost fifth month . Um , and there's 777 00:27:28,130 --> 00:27:30,660 been a lot of death pain suffering 778 00:27:31,130 --> 00:27:33,930 throughout the entire country . Eso the 779 00:27:33,930 --> 00:27:36,097 secretary in the Department of Defense 780 00:27:36,310 --> 00:27:38,254 took those measures that were very 781 00:27:38,254 --> 00:27:40,830 strict in order to protect the force 782 00:27:40,830 --> 00:27:43,052 and to protect the families on . And it 783 00:27:43,052 --> 00:27:45,460 was exactly the right thing to do . And 784 00:27:45,470 --> 00:27:48,320 those efforts have proven to be 785 00:27:48,320 --> 00:27:51,740 effective . Give look at our death 786 00:27:51,740 --> 00:27:54,960 rates and look at our infection rates 787 00:27:54,960 --> 00:27:57,530 in the military relative to society as 788 00:27:57,530 --> 00:28:00,020 a whole . Although they're still severe 789 00:28:00,030 --> 00:28:02,086 and they're still terrible for those 790 00:28:02,086 --> 00:28:04,197 that passed away . They're relatively 791 00:28:04,197 --> 00:28:06,400 low . So I appreciate what Lisa's 792 00:28:06,400 --> 00:28:09,100 saying . Um , and I think that the most 793 00:28:09,100 --> 00:28:11,156 recent memo , you're going to see an 794 00:28:11,156 --> 00:28:13,211 easing of those restrictions on then 795 00:28:13,211 --> 00:28:15,322 general officers within the chains of 796 00:28:15,322 --> 00:28:17,489 command do have waiver authority . And 797 00:28:17,489 --> 00:28:19,600 as the secretary just mentioned about 798 00:28:19,600 --> 00:28:22,000 vaccines , it's been said many times 799 00:28:22,000 --> 00:28:24,056 before by many people that were in a 800 00:28:24,056 --> 00:28:26,222 war in and sort of the secret weapon . 801 00:28:26,222 --> 00:28:29,110 Here is a vaccine , and we are very 802 00:28:29,110 --> 00:28:32,330 confident that a vaccine is a going to 803 00:28:32,330 --> 00:28:36,010 be , uh , online with numbers , 804 00:28:36,010 --> 00:28:38,177 and we're gonna and it's gonna be safe 805 00:28:38,177 --> 00:28:40,288 and protective and effective except , 806 00:28:40,288 --> 00:28:42,510 uh , but between now and then , there's 807 00:28:42,510 --> 00:28:44,740 some time on its at least measured in 808 00:28:44,740 --> 00:28:47,860 months , um , out through the 1st 809 00:28:47,860 --> 00:28:51,240 January . So we need to continue , uh , 810 00:28:51,290 --> 00:28:52,957 you know , taking care of our 811 00:28:52,957 --> 00:28:55,068 appropriate precautionary measures in 812 00:28:55,068 --> 00:28:57,012 terms of distance hygiene , travel 813 00:28:57,012 --> 00:28:58,957 restrictions and a wide variety of 814 00:28:58,957 --> 00:29:01,179 other things . It is easing up , but we 815 00:29:01,179 --> 00:29:03,179 still need to be attentive to it in 816 00:29:03,179 --> 00:29:05,401 order to prevent any kind of resurgence 817 00:29:05,401 --> 00:29:07,457 and to continue to protect the force 818 00:29:07,457 --> 00:29:07,350 are both the troops and their families . 819 00:29:08,040 --> 00:29:10,151 just a pile on a little bit and say , 820 00:29:10,151 --> 00:29:12,373 Look , we all share the same view where 821 00:29:12,373 --> 00:29:14,540 we all want to get back to normal or a 822 00:29:14,540 --> 00:29:16,762 new normal as soon as possible . We all 823 00:29:16,762 --> 00:29:18,707 been cooped up at home , and we've 824 00:29:18,707 --> 00:29:18,690 placed restrictions on her own movement . 825 00:29:18,700 --> 00:29:21,330 We practiced day in , day out , social 826 00:29:21,330 --> 00:29:23,730 distancing , and so and our families 827 00:29:23,730 --> 00:29:25,841 are filling the same thing . I have a 828 00:29:25,841 --> 00:29:27,952 college age daughter who's been stuck 829 00:29:27,952 --> 00:29:30,063 at home , away from school and cooped 830 00:29:30,063 --> 00:29:29,890 up with her parents for a few months . 831 00:29:29,890 --> 00:29:32,610 So we all face these unique situations , 832 00:29:32,610 --> 00:29:34,666 and we're all anxious to get on with 833 00:29:34,666 --> 00:29:36,888 things as best we can as well . But you 834 00:29:36,888 --> 00:29:39,054 know , the chairman's right . And as C 835 00:29:39,054 --> 00:29:41,277 X right , it's all about protecting our 836 00:29:41,277 --> 00:29:43,332 force , our people , and I know it . 837 00:29:43,332 --> 00:29:45,332 For some , it may not . It may seem 838 00:29:45,332 --> 00:29:47,554 like we're being too cautious for other 839 00:29:47,554 --> 00:29:49,499 other folks . It seems too risky . 840 00:29:49,499 --> 00:29:51,721 We've also been at this for five months 841 00:29:51,721 --> 00:29:53,777 now . We D o . D . Has been involved 842 00:29:53,777 --> 00:29:55,888 since January . That's when the first 843 00:29:55,888 --> 00:29:55,550 guidance went out . That's when the 844 00:29:56,140 --> 00:29:58,307 American service members first welcome 845 00:29:58,307 --> 00:30:00,529 back our fellow citizens from China and 846 00:30:00,529 --> 00:30:02,529 helped put him at a reserve base in 847 00:30:02,529 --> 00:30:04,696 California . So we've been at this for 848 00:30:04,696 --> 00:30:06,584 five months now . It's been a lot 849 00:30:06,584 --> 00:30:08,696 longer for many Americans , and we've 850 00:30:08,696 --> 00:30:10,973 place tough restrictions on our people , 851 00:30:10,973 --> 00:30:12,973 all to protect the force and all to 852 00:30:12,973 --> 00:30:15,196 preserve our mission readiness and were 853 00:30:15,196 --> 00:30:17,362 very successful . Our numbers relative 854 00:30:17,362 --> 00:30:17,030 to the broader population brought 855 00:30:17,040 --> 00:30:19,151 relative to any other population have 856 00:30:19,151 --> 00:30:21,480 been very good tragic for those who 857 00:30:21,480 --> 00:30:23,147 have lost folks who have been 858 00:30:23,147 --> 00:30:25,202 hospitalized . But those numbers are 859 00:30:25,202 --> 00:30:27,424 far , far lower because of the measures 860 00:30:27,424 --> 00:30:29,424 we've taken place , which is why we 861 00:30:29,424 --> 00:30:32,270 want to be very deliberate , phased 862 00:30:32,520 --> 00:30:34,798 conditions based as we lead up a swell , 863 00:30:34,798 --> 00:30:36,909 because what we don't want do is risk 864 00:30:36,909 --> 00:30:39,076 our people . So again , we're all very 865 00:30:39,076 --> 00:30:41,242 conscious of these challenges that are 866 00:30:41,242 --> 00:30:43,298 being faced out there by friends and 867 00:30:43,298 --> 00:30:45,464 family and workers and colleagues . We 868 00:30:45,464 --> 00:30:47,631 share them as well to a large degree , 869 00:30:47,631 --> 00:30:49,520 and we're is anxious is everybody 870 00:30:49,520 --> 00:30:51,464 else's to kind of let up and start 871 00:30:51,464 --> 00:30:53,631 letting the force move and do it needs 872 00:30:53,631 --> 00:30:55,853 to do , and we're not gonna get back to 873 00:30:55,853 --> 00:30:58,076 a normal . The way it was will be a new 874 00:30:58,076 --> 00:31:00,076 normal , if you will . Even lessons 875 00:31:00,076 --> 00:31:02,131 learned that we adopt from This will 876 00:31:02,131 --> 00:31:04,298 create a new normal in many ways , but 877 00:31:04,298 --> 00:31:06,520 we will get there . We've made a lot of 878 00:31:06,520 --> 00:31:05,870 great progress in the last four or five 879 00:31:05,870 --> 00:31:09,070 months . Were now I've signed out or we 880 00:31:09,070 --> 00:31:11,126 signed out the Pentagon a handful of 881 00:31:11,126 --> 00:31:13,237 memos which will begin this process , 882 00:31:13,237 --> 00:31:15,348 and we will work our way through it . 883 00:31:15,348 --> 00:31:17,459 And I guarantee the next time that we 884 00:31:17,459 --> 00:31:19,459 sit down for a virtual town hall in 885 00:31:19,459 --> 00:31:18,930 three or four weeks will be in a 886 00:31:18,930 --> 00:31:21,041 different place will be further along 887 00:31:21,041 --> 00:31:23,160 that path , and you'll see it . The 888 00:31:23,170 --> 00:31:25,114 military , in retrospect , will be 889 00:31:25,114 --> 00:31:27,114 looking much different than what it 890 00:31:27,114 --> 00:31:29,750 does today . Turning now to the senior 891 00:31:29,750 --> 00:31:31,806 at listed advisor for the chairman , 892 00:31:31,970 --> 00:31:34,650 Sean Brok Ritter See Beck of Ramstein , 893 00:31:34,650 --> 00:31:36,983 Germany , has a question about vehicles . 894 00:31:37,240 --> 00:31:39,590 Soldiers were bussed from a I T . It's 895 00:31:39,590 --> 00:31:41,910 advanced individual training directly 896 00:31:41,910 --> 00:31:43,950 to their first duty station for 897 00:31:43,950 --> 00:31:46,280 Campbell and were not allowed to return 898 00:31:46,280 --> 00:31:48,400 to their homes to retrieve vehicles . 899 00:31:48,740 --> 00:31:50,907 They're being told by transportation . 900 00:31:50,907 --> 00:31:53,073 Their cars can't be shipped to the and 901 00:31:53,073 --> 00:31:55,240 they're not being allowed to take time 902 00:31:55,240 --> 00:31:57,407 off to go get them , she writes . This 903 00:31:57,407 --> 00:31:59,407 causes an undue hardship due to the 904 00:31:59,407 --> 00:32:01,629 mitigating circumstances of Cove it can 905 00:32:01,629 --> 00:32:03,907 an exception to policy be put in place . 906 00:32:03,907 --> 00:32:05,796 I'm pretty sure this situation is 907 00:32:05,796 --> 00:32:08,330 occurring all over . Thank you . No . 908 00:32:08,330 --> 00:32:10,497 Yes . And thank you , Sandra , for the 909 00:32:10,497 --> 00:32:12,719 question . And this is just yet another 910 00:32:12,719 --> 00:32:16,200 concern that has created some concern 911 00:32:16,200 --> 00:32:18,900 by our members due to the restrictions 912 00:32:18,900 --> 00:32:21,200 of movement . But again , going back to 913 00:32:21,200 --> 00:32:23,367 the risk mitigation because we need to 914 00:32:23,367 --> 00:32:25,900 maintain the lethality off the services 915 00:32:25,910 --> 00:32:27,966 and we need to conduct training . So 916 00:32:27,966 --> 00:32:30,077 the decision was made to go ahead and 917 00:32:30,077 --> 00:32:32,243 keep the healthy population that enter 918 00:32:32,243 --> 00:32:34,021 training to go ahead and travel 919 00:32:34,021 --> 00:32:36,210 together in order to mitigate the risk 920 00:32:36,300 --> 00:32:39,480 off getting infected . Now the follow 921 00:32:39,480 --> 00:32:42,140 on to that disaster restrictions ease . 922 00:32:42,240 --> 00:32:44,129 I can almost guarantee that those 923 00:32:44,129 --> 00:32:46,184 soldiers will be able to get back to 924 00:32:46,184 --> 00:32:48,240 their homes and get their vehicles , 925 00:32:48,240 --> 00:32:50,296 but just like were preventing people 926 00:32:50,296 --> 00:32:53,050 from trend from transporting themselves 927 00:32:53,050 --> 00:32:54,883 or their families across certain 928 00:32:54,883 --> 00:32:57,810 borders . This is no different . And at 929 00:32:57,810 --> 00:32:59,866 the end of the day , we need to make 930 00:32:59,866 --> 00:33:01,588 sure that we continue with the 931 00:33:01,588 --> 00:33:03,810 throughput off our soldiers , sailors , 932 00:33:03,810 --> 00:33:06,032 airmen , Marines and Coast guardsmen to 933 00:33:06,032 --> 00:33:07,977 be able to go ahead and affect the 934 00:33:07,977 --> 00:33:10,199 defense of the nation . But again , the 935 00:33:10,199 --> 00:33:12,143 commanders in the field are making 936 00:33:12,143 --> 00:33:14,366 extreme , extremely difficult decisions 937 00:33:14,366 --> 00:33:16,588 to ensure that they're able to maintain 938 00:33:16,588 --> 00:33:18,754 the greatness of their forces . But we 939 00:33:18,754 --> 00:33:20,699 will do our best to make sure that 940 00:33:20,699 --> 00:33:22,754 those soldiers get their property in 941 00:33:22,754 --> 00:33:25,100 due time . Mr . Chairman , with 942 00:33:25,110 --> 00:33:27,650 secretary is next questions both of you . 943 00:33:28,140 --> 00:33:30,029 Many other members wrote us about 944 00:33:30,029 --> 00:33:31,973 hardships , even the difficulty of 945 00:33:31,973 --> 00:33:33,918 doing their jobs . Lisa Burnham of 946 00:33:33,918 --> 00:33:36,140 Austin , Texas , asked . My husband has 947 00:33:36,140 --> 00:33:38,140 been quarantined twice due to being 948 00:33:38,140 --> 00:33:40,320 contact trace in Afghanistan . He's 949 00:33:40,320 --> 00:33:43,070 tested negative three times . That 950 00:33:43,070 --> 00:33:45,181 means he will spend more than a month 951 00:33:45,181 --> 00:33:47,292 of his deployment not doing his job . 952 00:33:47,630 --> 00:33:49,686 How is this policy sustainable ? She 953 00:33:49,686 --> 00:33:52,260 asked . Well , those are some of the 954 00:33:52,260 --> 00:33:54,538 things that we're looking at right now . 955 00:33:54,538 --> 00:33:56,760 What we need to do is make sure we have 956 00:33:56,760 --> 00:33:58,927 a higher availability rate , but we do 957 00:33:58,927 --> 00:34:01,093 so prudently on with the advice of our 958 00:34:01,093 --> 00:34:03,260 medical experts . You know , the chain 959 00:34:03,260 --> 00:34:02,930 of command . Generally , I , the 960 00:34:02,930 --> 00:34:05,041 commanders , the service chiefs , met 961 00:34:05,041 --> 00:34:07,440 just a couple weeks ago with spend an 962 00:34:07,440 --> 00:34:09,570 hour and 1/2 with doctors pfoutch Ian 963 00:34:09,570 --> 00:34:11,681 Birks talking about these issues . So 964 00:34:11,681 --> 00:34:13,920 what we're looking at now is how can we 965 00:34:14,370 --> 00:34:16,670 hack ? We adjust our policies and 966 00:34:16,670 --> 00:34:18,920 practices because one of things we've 967 00:34:18,920 --> 00:34:21,220 learned over the past few months is 968 00:34:21,220 --> 00:34:23,820 that we have , ah , generally a younger , 969 00:34:23,960 --> 00:34:26,290 healthier , healthier , fitter force 970 00:34:26,710 --> 00:34:29,890 that is able to withstand the Corona 971 00:34:29,890 --> 00:34:32,500 virus . If anything , they become 972 00:34:32,870 --> 00:34:35,037 asymptomatic carriers , which presents 973 00:34:35,037 --> 00:34:37,037 its own challenges but for the most 974 00:34:37,037 --> 00:34:38,981 part , aren't people are generally 975 00:34:38,981 --> 00:34:41,092 being not affected or , if affected , 976 00:34:41,092 --> 00:34:43,092 affected mildly . That's why if you 977 00:34:43,092 --> 00:34:45,092 look at our numbers again now , the 978 00:34:45,092 --> 00:34:47,314 active duty force , you know one is too 979 00:34:47,314 --> 00:34:49,481 many . But we've only lost one service 980 00:34:49,481 --> 00:34:51,703 member , active duty service member out 981 00:34:51,703 --> 00:34:53,648 of a 1,000,000 plus because of the 982 00:34:53,648 --> 00:34:55,481 demographics of our population , 983 00:34:55,481 --> 00:34:57,592 because of all the measures we put in 984 00:34:57,592 --> 00:34:59,814 place because of the preventive actions 985 00:34:59,814 --> 00:35:01,981 we've taken . So what we're looking at 986 00:35:01,981 --> 00:35:04,060 now or how do we adapt ? How do we 987 00:35:04,060 --> 00:35:06,004 adapt our practices and procedures 988 00:35:06,004 --> 00:35:08,116 based on our further understanding of 989 00:35:08,116 --> 00:35:10,970 the virus and the impact it has on our 990 00:35:10,970 --> 00:35:12,970 various populations ? That's one of 991 00:35:12,970 --> 00:35:15,450 things that was that we was recommended 992 00:35:15,450 --> 00:35:17,970 by doctors . Foulke and Berks is for us 993 00:35:17,970 --> 00:35:20,130 to consider reducing our quarantine 994 00:35:20,130 --> 00:35:22,241 times , for example , from 14 days to 995 00:35:22,241 --> 00:35:25,060 10 days because the risk level is 996 00:35:25,070 --> 00:35:28,230 is not that much higher between those 997 00:35:28,310 --> 00:35:30,366 two time months for our population . 998 00:35:30,960 --> 00:35:33,127 Military population . So that's one of 999 00:35:33,127 --> 00:35:35,127 things we're looking at in terms of 1000 00:35:35,127 --> 00:35:37,182 adjusting the timelines on . And now 1001 00:35:37,182 --> 00:35:39,071 that we have an increased testing 1002 00:35:39,071 --> 00:35:41,238 availability , making sure we're doing 1003 00:35:41,238 --> 00:35:43,349 that . But testing isn't a be all end 1004 00:35:43,349 --> 00:35:45,516 all there are a number of other things 1005 00:35:45,516 --> 00:35:45,330 that we're looking at . Teoh . Make 1006 00:35:45,330 --> 00:35:47,460 sure we did because , like like the 1007 00:35:47,460 --> 00:35:49,571 person who wrote in , we want to make 1008 00:35:49,571 --> 00:35:51,349 sure that we aren't keeping are 1009 00:35:51,349 --> 00:35:53,460 deployed service members cooped up in 1010 00:35:53,460 --> 00:35:53,210 quarantine all the time . We want them 1011 00:35:53,210 --> 00:35:55,099 to be out there doing their job , 1012 00:35:55,099 --> 00:35:57,154 exercising the skills . But priority 1013 00:35:57,154 --> 00:35:58,877 number one still comes back to 1014 00:35:58,877 --> 00:36:00,877 protecting the force protecting the 1015 00:36:00,877 --> 00:36:03,280 individual . And I would say police 1016 00:36:03,280 --> 00:36:05,760 said that first , uh , it's good that 1017 00:36:05,760 --> 00:36:08,470 your husband tested negative three 1018 00:36:08,470 --> 00:36:10,920 times . And yes , there was a sacrifice 1019 00:36:10,920 --> 00:36:13,550 there in terms of his one month of his 1020 00:36:13,550 --> 00:36:15,439 deployment has been wrapped up in 1021 00:36:15,439 --> 00:36:17,439 quarantine and testing and so on so 1022 00:36:17,439 --> 00:36:19,272 forth . But again go back to the 1023 00:36:19,272 --> 00:36:21,494 purpose . The purpose is to protect the 1024 00:36:21,494 --> 00:36:23,717 force because none of us are any good . 1025 00:36:23,717 --> 00:36:25,661 If we're were laid up in Sicko are 1026 00:36:25,661 --> 00:36:27,383 really , really badly ill on a 1027 00:36:27,383 --> 00:36:29,550 ventilator or worse if we pass away so 1028 00:36:29,550 --> 00:36:31,550 we can't do our job before in those 1029 00:36:31,550 --> 00:36:33,550 conditions . So these are necessary 1030 00:36:33,550 --> 00:36:35,606 protective measures that we're doing 1031 00:36:35,606 --> 00:36:37,772 throughout the force we're learning as 1032 00:36:37,772 --> 00:36:39,717 we go . As the secretary said , we 1033 00:36:39,717 --> 00:36:41,870 started out with possible quarantines 1034 00:36:41,870 --> 00:36:44,260 of 21 days and now then went down to 14 1035 00:36:44,260 --> 00:36:46,371 days and we're looking very seriously 1036 00:36:46,371 --> 00:36:48,427 at reducing it again to 10 days . We 1037 00:36:48,427 --> 00:36:50,427 know the incubation period for this 1038 00:36:50,427 --> 00:36:54,050 particular virus . On on average is 1039 00:36:54,050 --> 00:36:56,660 something like five point six days . So 1040 00:36:56,660 --> 00:36:58,660 somewhere in the 5 to 6 days is the 1041 00:36:58,660 --> 00:37:01,120 normal incubation period . Eso If you 1042 00:37:01,120 --> 00:37:03,690 isolate for 10 you're going to get 98 1043 00:37:03,690 --> 00:37:07,600 99% perhaps probability that if the 1044 00:37:07,600 --> 00:37:09,600 person tests negative at the end of 1045 00:37:09,600 --> 00:37:11,767 that , then they don't have it s so it 1046 00:37:11,767 --> 00:37:13,822 comes down to a function of risk and 1047 00:37:13,822 --> 00:37:15,933 protect the force It again . How long 1048 00:37:15,933 --> 00:37:18,100 is she said ? Is it sustainable ? That 1049 00:37:18,100 --> 00:37:20,470 depends way . We don't know how long 1050 00:37:20,470 --> 00:37:22,359 this will last with any degree of 1051 00:37:22,359 --> 00:37:24,581 certainty . We're very confident that a 1052 00:37:24,581 --> 00:37:27,440 vaccine will be online sometime 1053 00:37:27,440 --> 00:37:29,607 beginning in the fall , and we'll have 1054 00:37:29,607 --> 00:37:31,773 up . The goal is to have upward of 300 1055 00:37:31,773 --> 00:37:33,996 million doses by the first of January . 1056 00:37:33,996 --> 00:37:35,884 If that happens in this very high 1057 00:37:35,884 --> 00:37:38,107 confidence levels that it will happen , 1058 00:37:38,107 --> 00:37:40,162 then we will be able to immunize the 1059 00:37:40,162 --> 00:37:41,884 military and will immunize the 1060 00:37:41,884 --> 00:37:44,107 population at large on Then we will see 1061 00:37:44,107 --> 00:37:46,162 a very , very rapid decrease in this 1062 00:37:46,162 --> 00:37:48,218 disease throughout the country . And 1063 00:37:48,218 --> 00:37:50,218 then I think we'll get back to more 1064 00:37:50,218 --> 00:37:52,384 normal conditions , so we'll see . But 1065 00:37:52,384 --> 00:37:55,650 for right now , we are sustaining these 1066 00:37:55,660 --> 00:37:57,493 levels of protection in order to 1067 00:37:57,493 --> 00:37:59,549 protect the force and protect family 1068 00:37:59,549 --> 00:38:01,827 members , and will continue to do that . 1069 00:38:01,920 --> 00:38:03,920 Turn to the SEAQ for this follow up 1070 00:38:03,920 --> 00:38:05,976 question . Along those lines , we've 1071 00:38:05,976 --> 00:38:07,698 had several anonymous comments 1072 00:38:07,698 --> 00:38:09,864 submitted about their struggles during 1073 00:38:09,864 --> 00:38:11,642 this period . Quote . It's been 1074 00:38:11,642 --> 00:38:13,809 overwhelming being at home for so long 1075 00:38:13,809 --> 00:38:15,864 by myself . Another said , I love my 1076 00:38:15,864 --> 00:38:18,031 Children and my spouse , but having my 1077 00:38:18,031 --> 00:38:20,253 spouse deployed to me working full time 1078 00:38:20,253 --> 00:38:22,420 in my job while doing full time online 1079 00:38:22,420 --> 00:38:24,253 schooling and parenting has been 1080 00:38:24,253 --> 00:38:26,364 incredibly overwhelming . What's your 1081 00:38:26,364 --> 00:38:28,142 advice for these members of our 1082 00:38:28,142 --> 00:38:30,690 military family ? And first of all , 1083 00:38:30,690 --> 00:38:32,634 for those who are listening on the 1084 00:38:32,634 --> 00:38:34,990 United most comments is that taking 1085 00:38:34,990 --> 00:38:37,390 care of our family and service members 1086 00:38:37,390 --> 00:38:39,430 is our top priority . But we also 1087 00:38:39,430 --> 00:38:41,597 encourage you to use . The resource is 1088 00:38:41,597 --> 00:38:43,819 at hand , and the Department of Defense 1089 00:38:43,819 --> 00:38:45,986 has got numerous resources to help you 1090 00:38:45,986 --> 00:38:48,041 with many issues , from chaplains to 1091 00:38:48,041 --> 00:38:50,319 medical professionals to mental health . 1092 00:38:50,319 --> 00:38:52,550 Military one sores service specific 1093 00:38:52,550 --> 00:38:54,620 family readiness programs are all 1094 00:38:54,630 --> 00:38:56,840 available for you . All we need to do 1095 00:38:56,840 --> 00:38:59,007 is see their pick up the phone or talk 1096 00:38:59,007 --> 00:39:01,007 to somebody to go ahead and get the 1097 00:39:01,007 --> 00:39:03,229 help we need . And that is the key part 1098 00:39:03,229 --> 00:39:05,284 on the best advice that I can give . 1099 00:39:05,284 --> 00:39:07,340 You stay in close communication with 1100 00:39:07,340 --> 00:39:09,520 the people that can get you help . All 1101 00:39:09,520 --> 00:39:12,790 right , do not just a silence silent 1102 00:39:12,790 --> 00:39:14,840 out of pride just because you think 1103 00:39:14,840 --> 00:39:16,784 you're too strong . These are hard 1104 00:39:16,784 --> 00:39:18,840 times not just for the Department of 1105 00:39:18,840 --> 00:39:21,062 Defense but for the nation writ large . 1106 00:39:21,062 --> 00:39:23,173 So please utilize the mechanisms that 1107 00:39:23,173 --> 00:39:25,229 we have in place , not just like the 1108 00:39:25,229 --> 00:39:27,451 foot stump with , Seaq said . And we're 1109 00:39:27,451 --> 00:39:29,118 seeing this now . It's in the 1110 00:39:29,118 --> 00:39:31,229 literature . It's being reported upon 1111 00:39:31,229 --> 00:39:33,007 that , you know , all of us are 1112 00:39:33,007 --> 00:39:35,229 exercising good physical , distancing , 1113 00:39:35,229 --> 00:39:37,451 social distancing . But that means that 1114 00:39:37,451 --> 00:39:39,784 you can't let your social networks fell . 1115 00:39:39,784 --> 00:39:42,007 In fact , this is a time to re energize 1116 00:39:42,007 --> 00:39:44,118 your social networks . And that means 1117 00:39:44,118 --> 00:39:46,284 reaching out to people reaching out to 1118 00:39:46,284 --> 00:39:45,900 friends , particularly . Those are in a 1119 00:39:45,910 --> 00:39:48,310 tough situation , Aziz you mentioned , 1120 00:39:48,310 --> 00:39:50,366 or others who are , you know , maybe 1121 00:39:50,366 --> 00:39:52,366 single individuals who don't have a 1122 00:39:52,366 --> 00:39:54,421 network within the home to help them 1123 00:39:54,421 --> 00:39:56,588 out . So I think it's this the time to 1124 00:39:56,588 --> 00:39:58,810 double down and re energize your social 1125 00:39:58,810 --> 00:39:58,110 network . Stay in touch , whether it's 1126 00:39:58,110 --> 00:40:01,890 text or phone or even , you know , 1127 00:40:01,890 --> 00:40:04,610 having a family come over and visit . I 1128 00:40:04,620 --> 00:40:06,787 have sons who come over and we have to 1129 00:40:06,787 --> 00:40:08,898 sit on the back porch . I don't allow 1130 00:40:08,898 --> 00:40:11,064 them in the house , and we we talk and 1131 00:40:11,064 --> 00:40:12,842 catch up a physically distant , 1132 00:40:12,842 --> 00:40:15,064 socially distance with face masks . But 1133 00:40:15,064 --> 00:40:17,231 you gotta work . You gotta work hard a 1134 00:40:17,231 --> 00:40:19,287 little bit harder these days to keep 1135 00:40:19,287 --> 00:40:19,090 those special social networks and 1136 00:40:19,090 --> 00:40:21,560 contacts up . As the SEAQ said , We 1137 00:40:21,570 --> 00:40:23,737 certainly have a degree of resource is 1138 00:40:23,737 --> 00:40:26,560 on base whether it's , you know , the 1139 00:40:26,570 --> 00:40:28,681 mental health providers we have . But 1140 00:40:28,681 --> 00:40:30,903 there's also the chain of command . The 1141 00:40:30,903 --> 00:40:33,014 chain of command has a responsibility 1142 00:40:33,014 --> 00:40:32,560 here from the officers and certainly 1143 00:40:32,560 --> 00:40:34,727 through the CEOs to stay in touch with 1144 00:40:34,727 --> 00:40:36,727 their soldiers , sailors , airmen , 1145 00:40:36,727 --> 00:40:38,838 Marines and make sure that they don't 1146 00:40:38,838 --> 00:40:40,893 get lost in the shuffle to make sure 1147 00:40:40,893 --> 00:40:40,880 that they remain engaged , because 1148 00:40:41,130 --> 00:40:43,241 that's very important these days , as 1149 00:40:43,241 --> 00:40:45,130 we as we do , physical and social 1150 00:40:45,130 --> 00:40:47,186 distancing is to keep those networks 1151 00:40:47,186 --> 00:40:49,352 alive and well . So this next question 1152 00:40:49,352 --> 00:40:51,519 is for you . Mandy Ryan Hudson asked . 1153 00:40:51,519 --> 00:40:53,741 What avenues do service members have to 1154 00:40:53,741 --> 00:40:55,830 appeal ? A denial to an exception to 1155 00:40:55,830 --> 00:40:58,280 policy hardships are being ignored . 1156 00:40:58,290 --> 00:41:00,401 Earnest monies , renters deposits and 1157 00:41:00,401 --> 00:41:02,679 mawr putting families into a real bind . 1158 00:41:03,510 --> 00:41:05,343 Well , you know the first always 1159 00:41:05,343 --> 00:41:07,566 reapply the chain of command there is . 1160 00:41:07,566 --> 00:41:09,566 There is no limit on reapplying for 1161 00:41:09,566 --> 00:41:11,566 exception to policy circumstances . 1162 00:41:11,566 --> 00:41:13,788 Change may be your own . Or maybe , you 1163 00:41:13,788 --> 00:41:15,899 know , as we understand the virus and 1164 00:41:15,899 --> 00:41:17,732 we understand the effects on the 1165 00:41:17,732 --> 00:41:17,610 community . It may give the commander 1166 00:41:17,610 --> 00:41:19,777 of different perspective if you will , 1167 00:41:19,880 --> 00:41:22,020 but I think I'm confident that all 1168 00:41:22,020 --> 00:41:24,076 commanders or care they're doing the 1169 00:41:24,076 --> 00:41:26,242 right thing . We've we've We've opened 1170 00:41:26,242 --> 00:41:28,353 up three categories of as I recall of 1171 00:41:28,353 --> 00:41:30,520 waiver approval under which folks make 1172 00:41:30,520 --> 00:41:32,700 qualified . Many people have qualified 1173 00:41:32,700 --> 00:41:34,811 into those waivers and are conducting 1174 00:41:34,811 --> 00:41:36,644 moves and what not , but I would 1175 00:41:36,644 --> 00:41:38,756 encourage her to re apply in her case 1176 00:41:38,756 --> 00:41:41,370 if she wants feel free Teoh to send us 1177 00:41:41,380 --> 00:41:43,830 another email back with details of your 1178 00:41:43,830 --> 00:41:46,108 case , and I'll make sure , personally , 1179 00:41:46,108 --> 00:41:48,330 that it gets to the appropriate service 1180 00:41:48,330 --> 00:41:50,219 chief . And at least we give it a 1181 00:41:50,219 --> 00:41:52,219 second look up here is well to make 1182 00:41:52,219 --> 00:41:54,330 sure that you know that all the right 1183 00:41:54,330 --> 00:41:54,110 eyeballs were looking at your case and 1184 00:41:54,360 --> 00:41:56,527 and you have least have some degree of 1185 00:41:56,527 --> 00:41:58,638 confidence that the folks there given 1186 00:41:58,638 --> 00:42:02,120 your case a fair hearing . Mandy , you 1187 00:42:02,120 --> 00:42:05,060 can instant message or us on Facebook 1188 00:42:05,070 --> 00:42:08,080 to send us your email . Um , the next 1189 00:42:08,080 --> 00:42:10,590 question is for the chairman . The last 1190 00:42:10,590 --> 00:42:12,850 question of the day is one that was 1191 00:42:12,850 --> 00:42:15,750 submitted several times . More than 1192 00:42:15,750 --> 00:42:18,410 60,000 service members have deployed in 1193 00:42:18,410 --> 00:42:21,040 response to Kobe 19 . Many at great 1194 00:42:21,050 --> 00:42:23,480 personal risk . Is there discussion of 1195 00:42:23,480 --> 00:42:26,010 hazardous duty pay or other recognition 1196 00:42:26,130 --> 00:42:28,470 for those members ? There is very 1197 00:42:28,470 --> 00:42:31,330 active discussion , and the SEAQ and 1198 00:42:31,330 --> 00:42:33,330 all of the senior enlisted t to the 1199 00:42:33,330 --> 00:42:36,110 services of their working in a working 1200 00:42:36,110 --> 00:42:38,221 group to determine what the rules are 1201 00:42:38,221 --> 00:42:40,443 gonna be on all of that they're working 1202 00:42:40,443 --> 00:42:42,630 with always DP and are , which is the 1203 00:42:42,630 --> 00:42:45,830 personnel and readiness secretary on . 1204 00:42:45,830 --> 00:42:47,886 Then , once we come up with a policy 1205 00:42:47,886 --> 00:42:49,719 under which I would expect we'll 1206 00:42:49,719 --> 00:42:51,886 probably have that through the various 1207 00:42:51,886 --> 00:42:53,774 development processes here in the 1208 00:42:53,774 --> 00:42:55,941 Pentagon within the next 30 days . And 1209 00:42:55,941 --> 00:42:57,719 I expect that will put out some 1210 00:42:57,719 --> 00:42:59,886 guidance that will be definitive under 1211 00:42:59,886 --> 00:43:02,052 the secretary of signature . For those 1212 00:43:02,052 --> 00:43:04,219 that but has its duty pay about awards 1213 00:43:04,219 --> 00:43:06,330 about unit awards , individual awards 1214 00:43:06,330 --> 00:43:08,330 except all of that kind of stuff is 1215 00:43:08,330 --> 00:43:11,120 absolutely under consideration on DWI 1216 00:43:11,120 --> 00:43:13,920 will recognize those appropriately in 1217 00:43:13,920 --> 00:43:15,976 due course , but I would expect some 1218 00:43:15,976 --> 00:43:18,198 guidance to come out here shortly as we 1219 00:43:18,198 --> 00:43:20,364 drop to the conclusion of today's town 1220 00:43:20,364 --> 00:43:22,587 hall . We have time for closing remarks 1221 00:43:22,587 --> 00:43:25,240 turned over to the CIA . No again , 1222 00:43:25,250 --> 00:43:27,361 things for everyone tuning in and for 1223 00:43:27,361 --> 00:43:29,417 the questions that have been brought 1224 00:43:29,417 --> 00:43:31,639 forward again . You are a key factor in 1225 00:43:31,639 --> 00:43:33,560 how we make decisions here at the 1226 00:43:33,560 --> 00:43:35,838 Pentagon for the Department of Defense . 1227 00:43:35,838 --> 00:43:38,004 But I would like to close by reminding 1228 00:43:38,004 --> 00:43:40,227 everyone that the nation is feeling the 1229 00:43:40,227 --> 00:43:42,338 pain on this pandemic plainly put not 1230 00:43:42,338 --> 00:43:44,504 just the department . One thing that I 1231 00:43:44,504 --> 00:43:46,616 would like to remind everyone serving 1232 00:43:46,616 --> 00:43:48,616 in the Department of Fans cyst that 1233 00:43:48,616 --> 00:43:50,338 we're still employed , we have 1234 00:43:50,338 --> 00:43:52,060 healthcare and we have engaged 1235 00:43:52,060 --> 00:43:54,116 leadership to get after the issues . 1236 00:43:54,116 --> 00:43:56,227 That is not the same for the civilian 1237 00:43:56,227 --> 00:43:55,940 population of the United States of 1238 00:43:55,940 --> 00:43:59,440 America . So the deal these taken every 1239 00:43:59,440 --> 00:44:01,850 step possible to make sure that we have 1240 00:44:01,850 --> 00:44:04,480 you focused to make sure that we have 1241 00:44:04,490 --> 00:44:07,190 the most lethal force in the work . So 1242 00:44:07,190 --> 00:44:09,580 please keep the feedback comments so 1243 00:44:09,580 --> 00:44:11,747 that we can continue to work for you . 1244 00:44:11,747 --> 00:44:13,691 And at the end of the day , always 1245 00:44:13,691 --> 00:44:15,580 remember that we have the watch . 1246 00:44:15,580 --> 00:44:17,780 Nobody else does , remain flexible and 1247 00:44:17,780 --> 00:44:19,836 remain adaptable . And thank you for 1248 00:44:19,836 --> 00:44:21,836 everything that you're doing . Mr . 1249 00:44:21,836 --> 00:44:24,002 Chairman , I would just leave with two 1250 00:44:24,002 --> 00:44:26,870 thoughts . One is protect the force . 1251 00:44:26,880 --> 00:44:29,102 Continue to protect yourselves for your 1252 00:44:29,102 --> 00:44:31,213 families because we can't protect the 1253 00:44:31,213 --> 00:44:33,436 American people if we ourselves are not 1254 00:44:33,436 --> 00:44:35,713 healthy , so continue to focus on that . 1255 00:44:35,713 --> 00:44:37,713 And secondly , is our mission . The 1256 00:44:37,713 --> 00:44:39,936 world is a big world . There's a lot of 1257 00:44:39,936 --> 00:44:41,602 things out there that are not 1258 00:44:41,602 --> 00:44:43,436 necessarily in the United States 1259 00:44:43,436 --> 00:44:45,602 interests that happen every single day 1260 00:44:45,602 --> 00:44:45,300 from terrorists or Russia to China toe 1261 00:44:45,530 --> 00:44:47,641 Iran and North Korea and all kinds of 1262 00:44:47,641 --> 00:44:49,752 other threats and challenges that are 1263 00:44:49,752 --> 00:44:51,919 out there on we after operate within a 1264 00:44:51,919 --> 00:44:54,141 cove in 19 environment we're doing that 1265 00:44:54,141 --> 00:44:56,363 were doing that effectively right now , 1266 00:44:56,363 --> 00:44:58,474 so keep your eye on the ball . Stay . 1267 00:44:58,474 --> 00:45:00,641 Stay attuned to readiness . Let's keep 1268 00:45:00,641 --> 00:45:03,230 your operational skills up to speed on , 1269 00:45:03,230 --> 00:45:05,119 then protect yourself . Protect . 1270 00:45:05,119 --> 00:45:07,174 Protect your family . Him will be in 1271 00:45:07,174 --> 00:45:09,397 good shape . Mr . Secretary , you leave 1272 00:45:09,397 --> 00:45:11,730 it to you to close us out today . Straw . 1273 00:45:11,730 --> 00:45:13,841 Just , you know , reiterate upfront . 1274 00:45:13,841 --> 00:45:13,610 Again . The priorities and number one 1275 00:45:13,610 --> 00:45:15,730 is again party , nimble and take care 1276 00:45:15,730 --> 00:45:17,630 of our service Members are duty , 1277 00:45:17,630 --> 00:45:20,140 civilians and their families . And and 1278 00:45:20,140 --> 00:45:22,251 I appreciate it what everybody's been 1279 00:45:22,251 --> 00:45:24,251 doing on that front . To follow the 1280 00:45:24,251 --> 00:45:26,529 guidance to comply with the memorandum . 1281 00:45:26,529 --> 00:45:28,584 Who sent out the policies that we've 1282 00:45:28,584 --> 00:45:30,418 stated , And I really appreciate 1283 00:45:30,418 --> 00:45:32,584 everybody's hard work and sacrifice of 1284 00:45:32,584 --> 00:45:34,696 doing that . I would ask you again to 1285 00:45:34,696 --> 00:45:34,340 take care of one another during these 1286 00:45:34,400 --> 00:45:36,456 these days is challenging , but take 1287 00:45:36,456 --> 00:45:38,511 take care of one another . Watch out 1288 00:45:38,511 --> 00:45:40,622 for one another , and that's that's , 1289 00:45:40,622 --> 00:45:42,622 of course , a responsibility . It's 1290 00:45:42,622 --> 00:45:44,789 incumbent upon the chain of command to 1291 00:45:44,789 --> 00:45:44,580 do so and then . Secondly , keep in 1292 00:45:44,580 --> 00:45:46,691 mind . Priority number two is we have 1293 00:45:46,691 --> 00:45:48,580 to maintain our national security 1294 00:45:48,580 --> 00:45:50,747 mission capabilities . The country has 1295 00:45:50,747 --> 00:45:52,802 been focused inward for the last few 1296 00:45:52,802 --> 00:45:54,969 months . It's our job to look not only 1297 00:45:54,969 --> 00:45:56,747 inward and support the whole of 1298 00:45:56,747 --> 00:45:56,300 government effort , which is part of 1299 00:45:56,300 --> 00:45:58,860 number three , but also we're the ones 1300 00:45:58,860 --> 00:46:00,860 standing on the walls were watching 1301 00:46:00,860 --> 00:46:02,749 outward , were remaining vigilant 1302 00:46:02,749 --> 00:46:04,860 because the world remains a dangerous 1303 00:46:04,860 --> 00:46:06,971 place and folks out there are testing 1304 00:46:06,971 --> 00:46:09,138 us . And so it's our duty to make sure 1305 00:46:09,138 --> 00:46:11,304 we keep the nation well protected that 1306 00:46:11,304 --> 00:46:13,527 are deployed and deploying . Forces are 1307 00:46:13,527 --> 00:46:13,350 taking care of and ready to do their 1308 00:46:13,350 --> 00:46:16,590 job . And so that's why I just deeply 1309 00:46:16,590 --> 00:46:18,812 appreciative of everybody service . And 1310 00:46:18,812 --> 00:46:21,034 I'm very proud of what we as a military 1311 00:46:21,034 --> 00:46:23,201 force are doing it . So I just want to 1312 00:46:23,201 --> 00:46:25,201 thank everybody very much again for 1313 00:46:25,201 --> 00:46:27,423 your service , for your sacrifice , and 1314 00:46:27,423 --> 00:46:27,090 we will get through this and we will 1315 00:46:27,090 --> 00:46:29,140 get through this stronger than ever 1316 00:46:29,140 --> 00:46:31,710 before . So thank you . This concludes 1317 00:46:31,720 --> 00:46:33,609 today's town hall . Thank you for 1318 00:46:33,609 --> 00:46:35,331 tuning in and please keep your 1319 00:46:35,331 --> 00:46:37,498 questions coming . As you can see , we 1320 00:46:37,498 --> 00:46:39,776 have leadership willing to answer them . 1321 00:46:39,776 --> 00:46:40,430 Thank you . Thank you .