Calvert Remarks at Oversight Hearing on the United States Army

Today, the Subcommittee will receive testimony on the posture of the United States Army. First, I would like to welcome our two witnesses, Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll, and General Randy George, the Chief of Staff of the Army. Mr. Secretary, congratulations on your appointment.  I look forward to working with you. General George, thank you for joining us once again. 

The U.S. Army is a force that remains the backbone of our nation’s defense and a critical pillar in ensuring global stability. Today, we will assess the Army’s readiness to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex security environment, particularly as we look toward future conflicts, including those that may unfold in the Indo-Pacific theater of operations, where strategic competition continues to intensify. The Army’s role in the future fight is evolving rapidly, shaped by emerging threats and technological advancements. Among these, the proliferation of drone technology stands out as a game-changer. Drone warfare offers both unprecedented opportunities and significant vulnerabilities. Our adversaries are leveraging drones to challenge traditional battlefield dynamics, requiring robust investment in counter-drone technologies to protect our soldiers and maintain operational superiority.

Modernization remains a cornerstone of the Army’s transformation, and I commend the progress made in recent years through next-generation combat systems, enhanced soldier lethality, and advanced network capabilities. However, progress must be matched by scrutiny. We must ensure that these efforts align with the demands of tomorrow’s battlefield, where agility, resilience, and technological edge will define success. We must ensure that investments in our Army reflect the needs of a multi-domain fight and strike the right balance between conventional capabilities and the specialized forces required for hybrid and asymmetric warfare.

The Army has begun to implement a comprehensive transformation strategy to rapidly delivery capabilities, optimize force structure, and eliminate waste and obsolete programs. I am interested in hearing how you will implement this strategy to achieve a more efficient, more effective Army. Today’s hearing is an opportunity to address these issues head-on, to hear from our witnesses, and to chart a course that ensures the U.S. Army remains the world’s preeminent land force. I look forward to a robust and insightful discussion.

With that, I recognize the distinguished Ranking Member, Ms. McCollum, for her opening remarks.