Hearings to examine the nominations of Michael Obadal, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of the Army, and Sean O'Keefe, of Virginia, to be a Deputy Under Secretary, both of the Department of Defense.

Armed Services Committee

2025-05-08

Source: Congress.gov

Summary

The Senate Armed Services Committee convened a confirmation hearing for Mr. Michael A. Obadal, nominated to be Undersecretary of the Army, and Mr. Bill O'Keefe, nominated to be Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness [ 00:16:33 ] . Presided over by Mr. Bill O'Keefe in the absence of Chairman Wicker, the hearing allowed nominees to present their visions and respond to senators' inquiries on key defense matters .

Nominees' Qualifications and Commitments

Mr. Obadal's nomination for Undersecretary of the Army is supported by his extensive career as an Army aviator and special operations officer, along with experience in managing large budgets, coordinating government agencies, and understanding the defense industrial base . He commits to focusing on readiness, transformation, and responsible resource management if confirmed . Mr. O'Keefe, nominated for Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, is recognized for his prior service as an Air Force officer and a professional staff member on the committee . His priorities include elevating military service, improving talent management, and stabilizing the military health system . Both nominees and their families were thanked for their willingness to serve and their long records of dedication . They also affirmed their commitment to ethical conduct, transparency, and cooperation with Congress .

Army Transformation and Modernization

The Army Transformation Initiative (ATI), recently released, aims to enhance combat power, modernize, and restore the warrior ethos by focusing on lethality and agility . Mr. Obadal articulated a vision for a lighter, leaner, and technologically advanced Army, with modern processes, equipment, organizations, and doctrine to achieve overmatch against pacing threats like China . Concerns were raised about potential arbitrary reductions in personnel and their impact on efficiency, to which Mr. Obadal responded that such drills are healthy if based on combatant command requirements . The proposed merger of TRADOC and Army Futures Command was discussed, with Mr. Obadal expressing confidence in the Army's ability to streamline operations based on past lessons learned . Additionally, the transition in Army aviation, including the cancellation of the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft, was addressed, with a focus on integrating autonomous and unmanned systems to fill capability gaps .

Personnel, Readiness, and Welfare

Senators probed the nominees on various aspects of personnel management and military welfare. Recruitment and retention challenges were a significant theme, with Mr. O'Keefe highlighting the shrinking high school demographic and the need for the Department of Defense to better communicate the benefits of military service . Mr. Obadal emphasized the role of senior Army leaders in engaging with local communities to support recruiters . The discussion also touched upon the draining effects of border missions on Army resources and readiness . Mr. O'Keefe committed to maintaining and improving efforts to prevent sexual assault and ensure accountability in the ranks . Both nominees pledged to address the high suicide rates among active-duty forces in Alaska and ensure the full implementation of the Xavier Sander Act concerning service member living conditions and mental health support .

Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies

The Army's leadership in developing cyber warfighters was praised, with a focus on the Dakota State University partnership and SCIF reaccreditation efforts . Mr. Obadal committed to advancing cyber capabilities and addressing bureaucratic hurdles . Mr. O'Keefe discussed the usefulness of special authorities for cyber talent management, suggesting further evaluation of flexible authorities and integrating active and reserve components . Concerns were raised about drone incursions over military bases, with Mr. Obadal emphasizing the need for both technical solutions and layered authorities involving various government agencies . The importance of the Cyber Academy program was highlighted, and Mr. O'Keefe committed to strengthening it and increasing student enrollment .

Ethics and Accountability

Questions were raised regarding potential conflicts of interest for Mr. Obadal due to his equity in Anduril Industries, a defense contractor . Mr. Obadal affirmed his adherence to Office of Government Ethics (OGE) guidelines and committed to providing his agreement to the committee for full transparency [ 01:18:14-01:19:30 ]

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[ 01:25:31 ]

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. The acting Chair noted that Mr. Obadal's financial information is publicly available and he has been transparent [ 01:27:44-01:28:09 ]

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. Separately, Mr. O'Keefe committed to providing contracts related to safeguarding sensitive data held by the Department of Defense, particularly concerning potential access by other entities .

Physical Fitness Standards

Senator Duckworth questioned Secretary Hexseth's directive to review "sex neutral" physical standards, asking if it would also eliminate age-based differentiation in annual fitness tests [ 01:30:23-01:30:29 ]

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. Mr. O'Keefe distinguished between occupational requirements, which should be consistent regardless of gender or age, and general fitness tests, while committing to provide insight and advice on the issue if confirmed .

Tone of the Meeting

The meeting maintained a largely respectful and appreciative tone, with senators consistently thanking the nominees for their service and the sacrifices of their families [ 00:37:42 ]

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. While generally constructive, some exchanges involved sharp questioning, particularly concerning Mr. Obadal's potential conflicts of interest with his former company and Mr. O'Keefe's stance on military fitness standards . The overall atmosphere reflected a serious and dedicated inquiry into the nominees' qualifications and policy positions, with a strong emphasis on military readiness, efficiency, and accountability [ 00:19:00-00:19:56 ] .

Participants

Transcript

J
James O'Neill
Thank you.
J
James O'Neill
Thank you.
M
Mr. Bill O'Keefe
I call this meeting of the Senate Armed Services Committee meeting to order.  And today, I welcome our nominees and their families, and I would like to extend my gratitude for their willingness to serve our nation.  Chairman Wicker is unable to attend today's hearing, so I will be acting in his stead.  At this time, I would like to offer his opening statement into the record.
M
Mr. Bill O'Keefe
Without objection, it is now entered.
M
Mr. Bill O'Keefe
I now turn to Ranking Member Reid for his opening remarks.
M
Mr. Bill O'Keefe
Senator.
M
Michael A. Obadal
Well, thank you very much, Madam Chairman.
M
Michael A. Obadal
Mr. Oberdahl, Mr. O'Keefe, welcome to you and your families.  Gentlemen, I'd like to acknowledge and thank your spouses who have both served as officers in the Army and the Air Force.  We appreciate your family's long records of service.  You certainly exemplified   dedication to the nation and to the Constitution.
M
Michael A. Obadal
Thank you.  Mr. Oberdahl, you have been nominated to be unsecretary of the Army.  Your long career as an Army aviator and special operations officer should serve you well in this role.  If confirmed, one of your top challenges will be helping the Army navigate the perpetual tension between end strength, modernization, and readiness from a budget standpoint.  The Army has been working to grow end strength and pursue major modernization efforts for
M
Michael A. Obadal
but it has faced a multi-year trend series of flat budgets, which appears to be the case again this year.  Last week, the Army announced broad initiatives that reduce headquarters, consolidate commands, accelerate emerging technologies, restructure infantry brigades, reduce procurement of certain ground vehicles and aviation systems, and other changes.   THE DETAILS OF THIS PLAN ARE SO FAR LIMITED, BUT I WOULD ASK FOR YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW TO BALANCE THESE EFFORTS AGAINST SUCH A BUDGET PRIORITY.
M
Michael A. Obadal
MR. OBERDALL, I'M ALSO SKEPTICAL OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S DEPLOYMENT OF 12,000 SOLDIERS TO THE SOUTHERN BORDER.   including elements of the 10th Mountain Division and the expansion of Army installations to include so-called national defense areas along the border.
M
Michael A. Obadal
At a time when border crossings are at the lowest level in years, border security is indeed a national security, but immigration enforcement is a mission that must be carried out by the Department of Homeland Security, not the Department of Defense.
M
Michael A. Obadal
And in my personal engagement with commanders at all levels, many of them have made clear that border missions have a draining effect on their time, resources, and readiness.
M
Michael A. Obadal
Ms.
M
Michael A. Obadal
Overdahl, I would like to know how you would plan to ensure soldiers' time, training, and capabilities are not needlessly depleted.   wasted as the Army works hard to meet its existing demands and increasing threats.
M
Michael A. Obadal
Ultimately, the Army's success depends on its soldiers and civilians.
M
Michael A. Obadal
Over the past two years, the Army has made significant progress in improving its recruiting activities and has enjoyed success with programs like the Future Soldier Preparatory Course.  However, I am concerned that administration efforts to limit who serves and what roles may have a chilling effect on recruitment and retention.   There is room in the Army for all qualified volunteers.
M
Michael A. Obadal
I am interested in your thoughts on this issue also.
M
Michael A. Obadal
Mr. O'Keefe, I welcome your nomination to be Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.
M
Mr. Bill O'Keefe
You are well qualified for this role, having served as a professional staff member on this committee for many years, in addition to your work at the Bipartisan Policy Center and service as an Air Force officer.
M
Michael A. Obadal
If confirmed, you will assist the Under Secretary in addressing many challenges for the Department, including, first and foremost, ensuring that our military has adequate numbers of ready and trained service members of sufficiently high character and talent to meet our national defense objectives.
M
Michael A. Obadal
You will be responsible for assisting the Under Secretary in military and civilian personnel policy, military family and child care programs, the Defense Department-run school system, and working with the military services to ensure the health and welfare of the force.  I would ask that you share what military family issues you believe need to be addressed most and what recommendations you have to improve readiness.   Gentlemen, you will both be challenged to handle the fallout from the purge of senior military officers and defense civilians.  The civilian workforce has been shaken by the chaotic past few months at the Pentagon, especially in light of the indiscriminate layoffs and an impending 8% reduction of the entire workforce.  And earlier this week, Secretary Hicks issued guidance to eliminate about 20% of the general and flying officer positions in the U.S.  military.
M
Michael A. Obadal
I've always advocated for efficiency at the Department of Defense, but tough personnel decisions should be based on facts and analysis, not arbitrary percentages.  Eliminating the positions of many of our most skilled and experienced officers without sound justification would not create efficiency in the military.  It indeed could cripple it.
M
Michael A. Obadal
I'd like to know how you would both plan to address these challenges.
M
Michael A. Obadal
Once again, thank you to the nominees, and I look forward to your testimony.  Thank you, Madam Chairman.

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