Hearings to examine the posture of the Department of the Army  in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2026 and the Future Years Defense Program; to be immediately followed by a closed session in SVC-217.

Armed Services Committee

2025-06-05

Source: Congress.gov

Summary

This meeting of the Senate Armed Services Committee focused on the posture of the United States Army and the Army Transformation Initiative (ATI)[ 00:18:49-00:19:28 ] . Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll and Chief of Staff of the Army Randy George provided testimony, highlighting the Army's efforts to adapt to changing global threats and modernize its forces[ 00:19:21-00:19:32 ] . Discussions touched on the delay in the fiscal year 2026 budget, concerns about past modernization failures, and the strategic importance of emerging technologies[ 00:19:12 ] .

Themes

Army Transformation Initiative and Modernization Efforts

The Army Transformation Initiative (ATI) is a comprehensive plan to reconfigure Army capabilities and force structure within a flat budget[ 00:19:32 ] . The initiative aims to improve efficiency, invest in critical future technologies, streamline acquisition processes, embrace innovation, and prioritize warfighting readiness. Key changes include reducing headquarters, consolidating commands, redirecting funding, and restructuring infantry brigades. Secretary Driscoll reported that the Army met its fiscal year 2025 recruiting goals four months early, attributing this success to a renewed focus on lethality and excellence[ 01:12:37-01:12:40 ]

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. The ATI is built on "transformation in contact" experiments, which involve rapid prototyping and integrating soldier feedback to quickly adapt technologies[ 00:48:22 ]

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Budget Constraints and Industrial Base Concerns

The committee expressed significant concern over the delayed fiscal year 2026 budget, which is impeding thorough discussion of the Army's posture. There are worries that a flat budget may jeopardize the Army's full modernization and combat strength. Historically, the Army has spent billions on canceled modernization programs, including $50 billion between 2002 and 2012 alone, raising caution about new initiatives[ 00:20:32 ]

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. A critical issue is the brittle state of the defense industrial base, with concerns about potential facility closures and the loss of skilled workers[ 00:22:06 ]

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. Committee members and Army leadership agree on the severity of the nation's munitions crisis, which Secretary Driscoll noted is "worse than I thought"[ 00:58:47 ]

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. There is a push to expand and modernize organic industrial base facilities like Pine Bluff Arsenal, McAllister Army Ammunition Plant, and Hawthorne Army Depot to increase munitions production and address choke points in the supply chain.

Emerging Technologies and Future Warfare

The discussion heavily featured the impact of emerging technologies on modern warfare, particularly drones, artificial intelligence (AI), and electronic warfare (EW). Ukraine's use of inexpensive drones to inflict significant damage on Russia underscored the urgent need for the US Army to keep pace with these advancements. US-manufactured drones are currently significantly more expensive than those from competitors like China, posing a challenge for industrial base scaling[ 00:38:01 ]

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. The Army is leading joint efforts to develop counter-UAS capabilities and requires flexible funding to adapt quickly to evolving threats. AI is being integrated to enhance decision-making in both warfighting functions, such as targeting and air/missile defense, and enterprise management to streamline administrative systems. There are concerns about protecting key EW test centers like Fort Huachuca, which are vital for developing and evaluating electronic warfare systems.

National Guard Deployment to the Southern Border

Several committee members voiced strong objections and concerns regarding the deployment of 10,000 soldiers and the potential activation of 20,000 National Guard troops for immigration enforcement at the southern border[ 01:04:31 ]

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. Senators questioned whether immigration enforcement, especially core law enforcement functions like arrests and detentions, is an appropriate mission for the National Guard. Critics highlighted that these deployments divert essential resources, training time, and readiness from the National Guard's traditional roles in disaster relief and combat preparation. The cost of these deployments remains unclear, with committee members concerned about potential diversions from other Army priorities and the financial burden on the Department of Defense.

Soldier Welfare and Military Readiness

The Army's strong recruiting and retention numbers for FY25 were highlighted as positive indicators of the institution's health, signaling that young Americans are inspired to serve and find purpose in the Army's mission[ 00:34:27 ]

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. However, there were concerns about the Army's communication with families affected by a tragic Black Hawk helicopter collision, with calls for more transparency and compassion despite ongoing investigations[ 01:23:17-01:23:55 ]

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. Discussions also covered ongoing efforts to address blast overpressure, mental health, and baselining, with changes to training protocols and equipment to mitigate risks to soldiers. The high cost of military construction, 68.5% more expensive than civilian projects due to statutory constraints, was identified as a barrier to efficient investment in necessary infrastructure[ 01:03:06 ]

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Tone of the Meeting

The tone of the meeting was largely serious and urgent, reflecting the gravity of the Army's modernization challenges and global threats[ 00:20:56-00:21:04 ]

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. Committee members frequently expressed concern and skepticism regarding budget delays, the detailed implementation of the ATI, and the impact of decisions on the industrial base and soldier readiness[ 00:21:19 ]

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. Conversely, Secretary Driscoll and General George projected an optimistic and proactive stance, highlighting successes in recruiting and their commitment to transforming the Army for future conflicts. A collaborative spirit was evident, with both sides acknowledging the need to work together to address complex issues[ 00:19:57 ] . However, some committee members voiced sharp criticism regarding specific expenditures, such as the Army's 250th birthday parade, and the perceived mission creep of National Guard deployments, leading to moments of direct confrontation[ 02:02:33 ]

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Participants

Transcript

Good morning.  The Senate Armed Services Committee meets today to receive testimony on the posture of the United States Army.  I want to thank our witnesses, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll,   and the Chief of Staff of the Army, Randy George, for being here.  Unfortunately, it seems the detailed fiscal year 2026 budget will not be available for several more weeks.  Nonetheless, we'll benefit from speaking to both Secretary Driscoll and General George.  In the past month, we've been speaking publicly about the Army Transformation Initiative, or ATI.   This initiative seeks to change portions of the Army's capabilities and force structure while maintaining the Army's flat budget.   The Army provided this committee with the first real set of details on the ATI about a week ago.  This hearing marks the beginning of the Army's discussion with Congress on the idea.  We are ready to work with you, gentlemen.  In fact, we must work together rapidly to fix fundamental problems with the Army.  Since 2000, the list of failed Army modernization initiatives   such as the Comanche helicopter, the Crusader howitzer, and the future combat systems has continued to grow.  Between 2002 and 2012, the Army spent $50 billion on programs it eventually canceled.  The record in the past five years has been better, but it still contains significant missteps.  The Army recently spent $2 billion on a scout helicopter that will never fly.   Other cancellations of programs have followed, including the Strategic Long Range Cannon Program, the Extended Range Cannon Artillery Programs, and the M10 Booker Armored Infantry Support Vehicle, as well as the Humvee.
Fundamentally, the Army needs to decide how to adapt to the changing character of warfare and meet priority missions, particularly against China and Russia.  Mr. Secretary, many ideas you propose in your transformation initiative and your budget will meet that mark.   I think you'll find widespread support for increasing investments in long-range fires and air and missile defense, as you proposed.  I would note, however, the lack of logistics investment in your plan given the Army's central role in logistics in the Pacific.   So perhaps we'll talk about that.  Mr. Secretary, I think you'll find Congress a very willing partner when presented with convincing analysis that justifies investment changes.  In particular, those changes should help American soldiers deter war.   and if necessary, win in a convincing fashion.  Where we do disagree will likely be in effects on the industrial base.  Our defense industrial base is brittle.  We cannot afford to let sites close or we will lose the defense expertise of many skilled workers.   We need investment strategies that recognize this.  Our investment should provide stability and ensure the United States can maintain maximum competition.  The Army cannot follow the divest-to-invest strategy that the Navy and Air Force have wanted to pursue.   The United States faces too many threats today to leave gaps in capabilities.  It will require tightly woven investment strategies among the Army, Congress, and industry to get this right.  So we look forward to your testimony.  With that, I turn to my friend, the ranking member of this committee.
Well, thank you very much, Mr. Chairman and Secretary Driscoll, General George.  Welcome to today's hearing.  Thank you both for your service to the nation and the Army, and please convey the committee's appreciation for the men and women serving under your command.  Let me first take a moment to recognize a historic milestone for the United States Army.   This month marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Continental Army in 1775.  Since then, millions of Americans have stepped forward to serve in the Army and protect their fellow citizens both on our own soil and abroad.   For me personally, the opportunity to serve in the Army and to lead American soldiers was the privilege of my life.  I'm proud to recognize this important moment in our nation's history.  Today, the threats the Army faces would be inconceivable to its founding leaders.  As we speak, China is working to challenge America's interest and leadership in the world.   Vladimir Putin continues his vicious assault on Ukraine as a stepping stone in his imperial vision, and Iran seeks to exploit violence in the Middle East to expel the United States from the region.   The United States Army, the most powerful ground force in the world, is fundamental to deterring, and if needed, confronting these threats.  Secretary General George, last month you announced an ambitious plan called the Army Transformation Initiative.  This initiative would, among other changes, reduce headquarters, consolidate commands, redirect funding, restructure infantry brigades, reduce procurement of ground vehicles and aviation systems.

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