For Immediate Release: September 10, 2009 Contact: Josh Holly; 202.226.3988
Wittman Opening Statement for Hearing on Professional Military Education
Charting the Course for Effective Professional Military Education
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, today released the following prepared remarks for the subcommittee’s sixth hearing on professional military education (PME):
“This morning, the subcommittee conducts its sixth and final scheduled hearing on officer in residence professional military education. We began this study with testimony from outside experts who posed issues for the subcommittee to consider; then conducted four sessions in which we heard from many Department of Defense (DOD) and military service witnesses who discussed various components of the PME system and how it all fits together We will conclude this final hearing with additional thoughts from well qualified outside witnesses. I think our approach is sound, and hope that today’s panel will put the issues in perspective for the subcommittee and suggest a path forward.
“During the course of this study, I have come to respect and admire our professional military education system. There is nothing else in the rest of federal government or to my knowledge, private industry, which begins to emulate the significant and continuous investment we make in educating and developing our military officers. It’s important for all of us to keep in mind that today’s system produces quality, successful officers who operate in a wide range of demanding and difficult positions. That does not mean that there aren’t areas that need improvement, but we should not lose sight of the fact that we have a system that, for the most part, serves us well.
“Through this process I’ve had the opportunity to listen to witnesses, travel to PME institutions, and meet with senior leaders alongside Chairman Snyder. In fact, this past Friday I visited the U.S. Naval Academy and had the unique opportunity to observe some of the quality training our junior officers receive at the service academies. From all these visits and discussions, two recurring themes stand out in my mind as the most valuable aspects of PME. First, I heard mostly from the students, is the value of interacting with fellow students of differing backgrounds, particularly those from the State Department, international students, and those from other military services. The second most valuable skill these students can develop is critical thinking; as there is no way to anticipate the ever-changing situations officers face in today’s world of continuous deployments. Whatever we may suggest, I think it imperative that we retain these aspects of today’s PME system.
“It was time that we undertook this effort, and I am pleased to have been a participant. Over the last twenty years, the United States has significantly changed the way it employs its military forces, sending troops abroad to address regional issues with far greater frequency than we did during the Cold War. It’s also apparent that the system, like any large system involving people, faces challenges in today’s dynamic environment of high operational momentum. Even so, I think today’s PME system by and large serves the nation well, and we should carefully consider any potential recommendations from this committee.”