One month before the release of the administration’s budget request, the three military service secretaries talked about readiness, modernization and reform needs at an event Friday hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Here are some of their comments on budget priorities, according to a transcript.
Army Secretary Mark Esper: If we do not modernize the force now, we risk losing a future conflict against Russia or China. It’s that simple. We cannot continue to live off vehicles and equipment that came into the Army when I came into the Army, in the 1980s. So it is that urgent that we get this done and that we implement that budget.
Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson: We are using the authorities given to us to buy things faster and smarter, and we’re building the Air Force we need for the high-end fight.
Navy Secretary Richard Spencer: The foundation for readiness has been set…. Right now in the United States Navy… everyone understands they have the resources. This is all being done now to the – to the mantra of urgency. We have money. We have plans. We cannot buy time.
 
Photo by U.S. Army