What is your view of the extent to which these defense reforms have been implemented? 

What do you consider to be the most important aspects of these defense reforms? 

Do you anticipate that legislative proposals to amend Goldwater-Nichols may be appropriate? If so what areas do you believe it might be appropriate to address in these proposals? 

Goldwater-Nichols has served the Defense Department well since 1986. I do not anticipate any Air Force sponsored legislative proposals in the foreseeable future. 

Assuming you are confirmed, what duties do you expect that the Secretary of Defense will prescribe for you? 

Subject to the authority, direction and control of the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Air Force, pursuant to 10 U.S.C. Section 8013, is responsible for the affairs of the Department of the Air Force. This authority extends not only to actions within the Department of the Air Force, but also to relationships and transactions with the Congress and other governmental and non-governmental organizations and individuals. The Secretary is also responsible under Chapter 6 of Title 10 for the administration and support of combatant forces as directed by the Secretary of Defense. If confirmed as Secretary of the Air Force, I would look forward to serving the Secretary of Defense by fulfilling these responsibilities and any others the Secretary might assign, to the best of my ability. 

What duties and responsibilities do you plan to assign to the Under Secretary of the Air Force? 

Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. Section 8015, the duties of the Under Secretary of the Air Force are prescribed by the Secretary. Historically and under Secretary of the Air Force Order 100.1, the Under Secretary has been authorized to act for and with the authority of the Secretary of the Air Force on all matters for which the Secretary is responsible. In essence, the Under Secretary has been a deputy and principal assistant in the general management and in the completion of the numerous missions assigned the Department of the Air Force. Consistent with these authorities and precedent, I would expect to prescribe a wide range of duties and responsibilities for the Under Secretary. 

In carrying out your duties, how will you work with the Assistant Secretary of Air Force for Manpower, Reserve Affairs, Installations and Environment, the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller, the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space, the General Counsel, the Chief of Staff, Air Force, and the Vice Chief of Staff, Air Force? 

What will be your relationship to the Deputy Secretary of Defense? 

The Deputy Secretary of Defense has been delegated full authority to act for the Secretary of Defense. If confirmed as the Secretary of the Air Force, I will keep the Deputy Secretary informed of all significant Air Force matters. 

What will be your relationship with the Under Secretaries of Defense? 

If confirmed as the Secretary of the Air Force, I will work to foster a close working relationship with the Under Secretaries of Defense, and will consult with them on matters within their areas of responsibility. 

What will be your relationship with the Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of the Navy? 

If confirmed as the Secretary of the Air Force, I will work to foster a close working relationship with the Secretaries of the Army and Navy. I look forward to sharing experience and expertise, and coordination with the other services on matters of mutual interest. 

Would you outline your views on the most pressing matters facing the Air Force? 

First of all, the Air Force must continue to attract and retain high quality people to join our ranks. Maintaining a competitive package of pay and benefits will help guarantee our Air Force remains the most capable in the world. Additionally, we must find ways to maintain a reasonable PERSTEMPO if we are going to be successful in maintaining a quality force. 

We must also pursue modern business practices, and take advantage of commercially available technology wherever possible, to ensure we acquire systems with improved performance, at lower per unit cost. This will enable us to maximize the return on investment for our ultimate customer-the American people.  

Force protection is an equally important consideration. This area will be a continuing item of focus.  

Do you believe that the QDR recommendations will adequately posture the Air Force for the requirements of the 21st Century? 

Yes. It is my view that the Air Force will be well positioned for 21st Century challenges if we remain firm in our commitment to make responsible reductions to our overhead and infrastructure, continue to support technological innovation, and integrate new technology with our doctrine, strategy, and war plans.  

Do you believe that the personnel reductions advocated by the QDR can be accomplished without hindering the capability of the Combatant CINCs to accomplish the mission of the U.S. military? 

Do you believe the force levels recommended by the Quadrennial Defense Review are sufficient to support the strategy upon which the review was based? 

Yes. I fully support the strategy laid out in the QDR requiring the U.S. military to rapidly halt aggression in two theaters, one followed almost immediately by another. America's air and space forces are well suited to the task of responding on short notice to far off threats and applying a tailored force package sized to the situation and American objectives.  

If such a doctrine could be successful, why do you believe it has not been employed in Bosnia? 

When considering the situation in Bosnia, once again we see the optimum use of defense forces. Air power cannot independently resolve the situation as it now exists, nor could it single-handedly cover any situation likely to arise. Air power contributed crucial surveillance assets and large doses of precision firepower that helped convince recalcitrant parties to sign or comply with the Dayton Accords, and now it patrols over the region monitoring movements in the air and on the ground. This work would be meaningless, though, without ground forces keeping the peace in the streets and countryside. However, when we pull our ground forces out of the region our air assets will continue to patrol overhead. 

What indicators or early warning signs have been established to permit the Air Force to monitor unit readiness?

Are the existing procedures and practices sufficient to provide the Air Force leadership meaningful and timely information which will permit identification and corrective action to prevent an impending readiness problem?

In your view, what are the primary issues that must be addressed in terms of policy changes and the impact such changes may have on force management and military readiness? 

Finally, the Air Force has conducted gender-integrated training for more than 20 years, and has a proven record of team work, mutual respect, and esprit de corps, which directly impacts combat readiness. Over ninety-nine percent of Air Force jobs are open to women, including the cockpits of fighter aircraft. The Air Force trains the way they fight – as a gender-integrated force. I believe the Kassebaum-Baker Commission will recognize the Air Force’s record of success on this issue.  

In your view, is the Air Force capable of reviewing the existing policies and practices and recommending policies which will be credible to, and enjoy the confidence of, the Congress and the American people? 

I believe that the Air Force, in conjunction with Secretary Cohen’s ongoing efforts, is capable of reviewing its policies on gender-integrated training, good order and discipline, and personal relationships. 

In your personal opinion, should the Department of Defense have a uniform policy among the services with regard to fraternization? Please explain. 

This issue is currently being addressed by the Secretary of Defense’s Task Force on Good Order and Discipline. The Task Force is chaired by the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) and includes senior military and civilian representatives from all the services and from the Office of the Secretary of Defense. I believe it is essential that the policy is clear and well understood, fairly administered, and directly related to maintaining good order and discipline. 

Do you personally have confidence that the Air Force officer promotion system is fair and has integrity? 

Yes.  

If confirmed as Secretary of the Air Force, will you carry out the spirit as well as the letter of the law to ensure that officer promotion procedures in the Department of the Air Force are administered in a fair and objective manner, consistent with the law and all relevant Department of Defense and Air Force rules, regulations, and directives: 

Yes.  

Do you believe such additional reductions are necessary? Prudent? Please elaborate. 

Yes. I agree with the Air Force position that a further cut is reasonable based on past experience, necessary to generate funds for modernization, and prudent in that such cuts are the by-product of creating a more efficient workforce. 

In the event that you believe additional reductions are necessary, do you believe that existing statutory authorities and separation incentives are adequate to achieve reduction targets? 

If not, what additional authorities would you believe to be necessary? 

The current authority for Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay (VSIP) terminates after FY99. It is essential that this authority be extended, and legislation to do so has been sent to Congress by the Department of Defense. The Department will need Congressional support to continue this program.  

Please provide your personal views on the extent to which the Department of the Air Force has been able to incorporate substantive factors such as the civilian contribution to military readiness, force structure changes, and workload changes in determining the timing and manner in which the workforce reductions have been implemented. 

I understand the Air Force establishes its personnel needs through a requirements-based process linked to the National Military Strategy. I endorse this approach. 

Please provide your personal views on the near-term and long-term effects of the planned civilian workforce reductions – and the manner in which they are being implemented – on the viability of the Department of the Air Force civilian workforce and its contribution to military readiness. 

I have been briefed generally on the Air Force’s personnel drawdown plans, which reduce civilian positions in line with the military reductions already taken. The Air Force remains committed to maximizing the effectiveness and efficiency of its military/civilian workforce mix. Planned reductions are carefully programmed over the next six years, ensuring there will be no impact on military readiness. 

What are your personal views on the Department of Defense’s continuing reliance on full-time equivalents as a management practice? 

At the direction of the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Defense justifies and accounts for civilian resource requirements using full-time equivalents (FTEs). Office of Management and Budget’s federal-wide guidance states that full-time equivalent is the most appropriate measure of human effort. I support the Department of Defense’s direction to translate the end result of our civilian requirements determination process (that uses workload to substantiate the requirement) into FTEs to account for civilian resources. 

What are your views on the manner in which this is being accomplished in the Department of the Air Force? 

What priorities would you recommend for the Air Force? 

If confirmed, what actions will you take to ensure that the budget request that is provided to the Congress accurately reflects all of the readiness funding requirements of the Department of the Air Force? 

I understand the Air Force has taken aggressive actions to ensure that all flying hour requirements are recognized and adequate funding is requested from the Congress. I am also told that in FY99 they accelerated the process to be completed in time for congressional review. If confirmed, I will work to ensure that adequate readiness funding is reflected in the Air Force’s budget submission. 

If confirmed, will you ensure that the Air Force provides the Congress with the information and documents it needs to perform its oversight responsibility? 

If confirmed, I will work with the Committee to ensure that it receives the information and documents it needs to properly perform its oversight responsibilities. 

Do you believe that the remaining competitions should use the same evaluation criteria as the C-5 competition, or should they be structured differently? 

I understand that the Department of Defense and the Congress have been considering extensively issues concerning public/private competitions. If confirmed, I will work with the parties to help to ensure open and fair competitions on a level playing field to achieve savings and protect readiness. 

If confirmed, will you ensure that the Air Force provided the required report to Congress? 

What are the Air Force plans to maintain force structure within its budget as F-15’s are retired to make way for the F-22? 

Considering the tight budgets to come, large bills for tactical air in the Department of Defense, and the more than $2.0 billion dollar overrun in F-22 development, do you agree that visibility into the program and discipline in spending are crucial now to ensure tactical aviation modernization? 

Will you ensure the committee is promptly informed of program changes, realignments or difficulties promptly? 

If confirmed, will you ensure these programs are included in the Air Force budget in Fiscal Year 1999 and beyond? 

Flight safety will remain a top Air Force priority as we develop future budgets. We will continue to upgrade our fleet with appropriate equipment to further enhance safe flight operations, and adhere to the increasingly stringent national and international air traffic management system requirements. 

Do you agree with his assessment? 

Yes. I have discussed the issue of additional B-2 acquisition with General Ryan and believe the diversion of resources required to procure additional B-2 aircraft would significantly degrade the balanced air and space capabilities the CINCs need in their warfighting role. Additionally, this would raise already high OPTEMPO, place near-term readiness at risk, and require even more infrastructure reductions to include additional base closures. 

What were the circumstances surrounding your removal from status as a fighter pilot? Did you agree to voluntarily give up flying status? 

I was an F-16 pilot in the 482 FW from approximately July 1989 to the fall of 1991. In the fall of 1990 I was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, and joined a private sector law firm as an associate attorney. In addition, I was married and the father of three children. As a reserve pilot, I spent eight to ten days each month at Homestead AFB to complete my flying and ground training requirements. As an attorney and state legislator, my work week usually exceeded 60-70 hours, and required that I spend more than 120 days per year away from home. Quite simply, there were a lot of competing demands on my time. 

Even though I love flying, remaining proficient and safe in a high performance aircraft, such as the F-16, required more time than I could devote. After much introspection, and several discussions with my commander, I decided to stop flying, and instead, to serve my country in a different role in the Reserve. It was not an easy decision, but it was the right one. 

Were you faced with the possibility of a formal process that would have involuntarily removed you from flying status? 

No, there was no formal process pending to remove me from flying status. However, every day a pilot flies, he or she is faced with the possibility that something could occur that would result in an involuntary removal from flying status. My commander was concerned that the demands on my time were degrading my flying skills, thus enhancing such a possibility. 

Did you describe yourself as an F-16 pilot as the article alleges? If so, why? 

My resume as a Florida State Senator contained the description mentioned in the newspaper. This was my error. I am still a rated pilot, and the F-16 was the last plane I flew, but I have not flown it since 1991. It may be instructive however, to note that this was not a point of confusion in Florida. I am frequently referred to by the Florida media as a "former F-16 pilot", and generally, my constituents are aware that I am no longer flying, but a part of me will always be a fighter pilot. In the broader context however, the wording of my resume should have been changed.  

Is this attribution accurate? Was it your staff’s responsibility to update your resume? What steps have you taken, if any, to correct the error? 

It is clearly my responsibility to ensure that information that leaves my office leaves no room for misunderstanding. I did not intend by my remarks to disclaim responsibility. I have corrected my professional resume. 

Were you ever engaged in selling Amway products while a member of the Air National Guard? 

I have been a registered Amway distributor since 1979. If confirmed, I will resign my involvement with the company.  

Did you ever sell such products while in uniform? While on active duty for training? While on active duty in any federal status? If yes, please elaborate.  

To the best of my recollection, I have never sold Amway products while in uniform or while performing official duties. I focused on my primary job—the Air Force.  

Did you ever attempt to sell Amway products or dealerships to enlisted members of the Air Force or Air National Guard? If yes, please elaborate. 

To the best of my recollection, I have not knowingly sold Amway products or dealerships to an enlisted person.  

How do you respond to these allegations? Were you aware that some of your colleagues were reluctant to fly with you, regarded you as unsafe or believed that you had an attitude problem? 

I have put a lot of thought into this issue since these allegations were raised, and I am at a loss for an explanation. I do not recall anyone ever indicating to me a reluctance to fly with me. In fact, the opposite is true. My record speaks for itself; it contains many commendable remarks concerning my leadership ability and flying skills. My records are available should you desire to see them. 

Is the higher standard to which you referred attributable to race? 

No.  

If not, who or what office held you to a higher standard? What were the higher standards? Please explain your statement with regard to being held to a higher standard with specific examples of where you were held to different, more strict, standards than others in the squadron. Why do you believe you might have been held to a higher standard? 

We each set our own standard for achievement. Personally, I have high expectations of myself. In grade school, high school, at the Academy and later in law school I strove to do my best. That remains my goal. I believe my commander at the time, who was an outstanding officer, properly held me to a high standard. 

Why, in your opinion, would your colleagues believe that you were talking about race as a factor in your reserve squadron? 

I cannot speak to the thinking of others, but my experience in the Air Force is that it is a hallmark of opportunity with even playing fields for all to succeed. 

Did you use influence to obtain the City of Key West as an account for the Fowler, White firm? 

My responsibilities at the firm involved business development. At the request of the firm, I talked with members of the city council in open forum and individually. I made it clear that I was functioning in the capacity as a member of the firm and not as a legislator. I do believe, however, that my reputation as an attorney, and the reputation of the Fowler White law firm, particularly in the relevant areas of law, contributed substantially to the firm’s selection as the City Attorney for the City of Key West. 

Were there any charges made against you as a result of your activities on behalf of Fowler, White? 

No. 

Would the activities such as those described in the Key West The Newspaper article be inappropriate or unethical if a member of the Florida Senate were to have engaged in those activities? 

I was approached by people on both sides of the issue, but I remained neutral until the Dade County Commission made its decision as to which entity would have primary responsibility for redeveloping Homestead Air Force Base. As for the alleged campaign contributions, I have no knowledge of that. 

Did you assist in facilitating the transfer of Homestead Air Base to Dade County? If so, what exactly was your role in this process? 

In my job as a state senator it is my responsibility to represent the interests of my constituents. In that role, I attempted to facilitate the transfer of Homestead, articulating the concerns of the community. 

Did you sponsor legislation or amendments aimed at expediting the re-use of former military bases in Florida? 

Yes. During the 1994 Legislative Session, I sponsored Senate Bill 2372, and accompanying amendments which proposed statutory codification of the Florida Defense Conversion and Transition Commission. My bill did not pass, but I did support similar legislation sponsored by the State Representative from Orlando, Alzo Reddick, which eventually became law.  

If so, would your legislation permit the county or developers to circumvent then existing environmental regulations? 

No. My 1994 legislation addressed the comprehensive planning process, not the environmental permitting process.  

Would the activities such as those described in the newsletter article be inappropriate or unethical if a member of the Florida Senate were to have engaged in those activities? 

In your view, what are the major challenges confronting the next Secretary of the Air Force? 

If confirmed, what plans do you have for addressing these challenges? 

What management actions and timelines would you establish to address these problems? 

What background and experience do you have that you believe qualifies you for this position? 

I believe I would bring several assets to the job of Secretary of the Air Force. My public, civilian professional, military professional, and personal life provide experience and perspective for what it takes to be the leader of a large governmental organization. First, having been a member of the active and guard components of the Air Force and currently serving in the Air Force Reserve, my understanding of the Air Force mission and lifestyle is extensive. In addition, my experience and work in the field of investment banking will be valuable in addressing issues of fiscal management. As a lawyer, I am acutely aware of the across-the-board legal issues that face a large governmental organization. Finally, as a state senator I have acquired an understanding of political issues and processes—from the international to the national and from the regional and state to the local levels of government. Let me also state that my family and I have lived as a part of the Air Force family. We understand military service—its demands and sacrifices, and its rewards. I have a clear vision of where the Air Force is and where we need to put the emphasis to lead it into the future. 

Do you believe that there are any steps that you need to take to enhance your expertise to perform the duties of the Secretary of the Air Force? 

I believe I am fully prepared for the office of Secretary of the Air Force. In addition, I look forward to working with its many talented men and women, and continuing to learn about the Air Force and its many challenges. 

In your opinion, is it necessary, desirable, or helpful for the Secretary of the Air Force to be a qualified military pilot? Please explain your answer. 

While, I do not think it is necessary, I believe my experience as a military pilot provides me a valuable perspective. I believe my other qualifications that I have already mentioned, will be even more helpful in the execution of Secretarial duties.  

Do you agree, if confirmed for this high position, to appear before this Committee and other appropriate committees of the Congress? 

Yes. 

Do you agree, when asked, to give your personal views, even if those views differ from the Administration in power? 

Yes. 

Do you agree, if confirmed, to appear before this Committee, or designated members of this Committee, and provide information, subject to appropriate and necessary security protection, with respect to your responsibilities as the Secretary of the Air Force? 

Do you agree to ensure that testimony, briefings and other communications of information are provided to this Committee and its staff and other appropriate Committees?