conventional defense shortcomings. It is meant to focus long-term research on ways to increase the rate of obsolescence of Soviet ground-force equipment, doctrine and tactics-kind of a "leapfrogging" strategy, rather than making marginal improvements in our own weapons. This year, the committee continued the BTI and earmarked $500 million for both new and ongoing projects. General Galvin, do you support this initiative? General GALVIN. The Balanced Technology Initiative (BTI) is both an innovative and needed means to address known conventional shortcomings and serves as a companion piece to our traditional research, development and acquisition process. Indeed, we and our allies do need to take steps which will allow Western weapons technology to leapfrog Warsaw Pact technological improvements and, in particular, to redress the Pact's numerical superiority in many categories of fielded weapons and forces. NATO'S FORWARD DEFENSE STRATEGY Senator NUNN. General Galvin, NATO's forward defense strategy, designed to protect every inch of West German soil, appears to be a political strategy, not a military strategy. From a military perspective, is NATO's forward defense strategy a sound coordination of NATO's military means and political ends? General GALVIN. As General Rogers indicated to this committee in March, should deterrence fail, the strategy of Flexible Response envisions the use of the following responses to restore the territorial integrity and security of NATO: Direct defense to defeat an attack or place the burden on the aggressor. NATO is committed politically and militarily to the Forward Defense of all NATO territory. Good military theory would say that you must destroy initial attacks from Warsaw Pact ground and air forces while at the same time delaying disrupting and destroying follow on forces if the conventional defense is to be successful. Stationing troops forward and in defense in depth offers no early encouragement to enemy forces by allowing early success and avoids the necessity of having to retake ground ceded to the enemy. While serving as a Corps Commander in Germany, I did not envision direct defense as a thin line of troops along the border; rather, I deployed my forces in depth in the best defensible terrain near the border with a covering force to develop the battle between those forces and the border. I also maintain a sizable reserve, up to one-third of my force, which emphasized flexibility, firepower, mobility, speed, surprise, initiative and maneuver to seize the initiative from the attacker and turn it to my own advantage. ARMOR/ANTIARMOR BALANCE Senator NUNN. In a recent interview in Armed Forces Journal (May 1987), Phil Karber, a respected defense analyst, said about the widespread Soviet deployment of reactive armor, and I quote: "I can't think of a Soviet conventional technology in the last 20 years that has come on so fast with such profound implications for the balance." At another point, Mr. Karber asserted: "Conservatively, 95 percent of NATO's infantry antitank capability is hurt by Soviet reactive armor." General Galvin, do you agree with Mr. Karber's assessment of the armor/antiarmor balance? General GALVIN. Mr. Karber's interview is in two parts, the second of which will be published in June. However, if the assessment prescribed in the first part of the interview is true, we must concern ourselves both with the rapidity with which reactive armor has been deployed and a true assessment of how that deployment impacts on our ability to conduct a forward defense in depth with ATGMs while retaining a defensive maneuver capability based on tanks. Perhaps the most significant statement of the interview is that which notes that "the Soviets ignored a threat for which there was no solution-Kinetic rounds-and concentrated on a capability which could be greatly reduced [ATGM's].” Put another way, Mr. Karber raises the question of traditional Western reliance on quality to offset Soviet numerical advantage. I look forward to his further analysis and recommended solutions next month. QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY SENATOR JOHN WARNER SOVIET TANKS IN EUROPE Senator WARNER. Recent reports indicate that the Soviets may now have over 6,000 of their tanks in Europe equipped with reactive armor. Assuming the reports are true, what is the effect on the conventional balance of forces in Europe and how would you plan to cope with it? General GALVIN. To prescribe specific solutions without detailed knowledge of NATO's capabilities-fielded and on the drawing board—would be inappropriate at this early date. However, if the reports are true, then NATO's reliance on ATGM's to offset Soviet/Warsaw Pact numerical superiority in tanks may be jeopardized. There are a variety of solutions-some technological, some doctrinal, and some economic-which involve greater commitments to conventional defense expenditures or continued acceptance of General Rogers' often declared need to resort to first use of nuclear weapons should our direct defense be overwhelmed in the early stages of the war. BRADLEY FIGHTING VEHICLE Senator WARNER. General Galvin, occasionally we read in the press reports regarding the Bradley fighting vehicle. I would be interested in hearing your assessment of this vehicle. General GALVIN. Several Bradley battalions were fielded in the 3rd Infantry Division while I was VII Corps Commander and we worked hard to field it properly and integrate it into the M-1/Bradley maneuver teams. Clearly we must understand that the Bradley is intended to be employed within a tactical environment that includes a mix of air and ground fighting systems. In my view the improvements in close combat capability represented by the Bradley fighting vehicle and Abrams tank have been dramatic. STANDARDIZATION AND INTEROPERABILITY Senator WARNER. One of the critical issues continually confronting this committee is that of standardization and interoperability among our forces in NATO. The most recent report on standardization in NATO dated April 1987 indicates that while we are making progress, a great deal more needs to be done to strengthen NATO's conventional defense capabilities. I would be interested to hear your views and any thoughts you have for further improvement in this vital area. General GALVIN. Rationalization, Standardization, Interoperability [RSI] is clearly an important key to our ability to make the best use of limited defense resources available in each of the member nations. To the extent nations continue to argue for national prerogatives in R&D and the production of weapon systems, however, we will not reach desired levels of efficiency in collective use of resources. The Soviets have maintained their numerical superiority while closing the technological gap. The leadership of Secretary Taft, coupled with the efforts of the NATO Conference of National Armaments and the permanent representatives and backed by the efforts of this committee in funding NATO Cooperative R&D Programs, Side-by-Side Testing, the Balanced Technology Initiative [BTI] and the Conventional Defense Initiative [CDI] are useful steps in redressing the imbalances and adverse trends. Each of the programs will require adequate further funding and the political will to carry these cooperative R&D programs into production. Of course, should any cooperative program become economically and militarily unsound, it should be terminated. Senator EXON. Thank you, and we are adjourned. [The nomination of Gen. John R. Galvin was reported to the Senate by Senator Nunn on May 28, 1987, with the recommendation that the nomination be confirmed. The nomination was confirmed by the Senate on June 3, 1987.] NOMINATION OF GEN. CARL E. VUONO, U.S. ARMY, TO BE THE U.S. ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 1987 U.S. SENATE, ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, Washington, DC. The committee was convened in open session, pursuant to notice, at 9:35 a.m., in room SR-222, Russell Senate Office Building, Senator Sam Nunn (chairman) presiding. Present: Senators Nunn, Levin, Dixon, Shelby, Warner, Thurmond, Humphrey, Wilson, Symms, and McCain. Staff present: Arnold L. Punaro, staff director; Carl M. Smith, staff director for the minority; Romie L. Brownlee, deputy minority staff director; Jeffrey H. Smith, general counsel; Patrick A. Tucker, minority counsel; and Andrew S. Effron, counsel; Robert E. Bayer; John J. Hamre; George K. Johnson, Jr.; Ronald P. Kelly; James R. Locher III; David S. Lyles; and Frederick F.Y. Pang, professional staff members; Pamela G. Powell, staff assistant. Also present: Jeffrey B. Subko, assistant to Senator Exon; Greg Weaver, assistant to Senator Levin; William J. Lynn, assistant to Senator Kennedy; Donald A. Mitchell, assistant to Senator Glenn; Terrence Lynch, assistant to Senator Shelby; William J. Wight, assistant to Senator Warner; Mark J. Albrecht, assistant to Senator Wilson; Alan Ptak, assistant to Senator Gramm; Samuel J. Routson, assistant to Senator Symms; and Patrick A. Putignano, assistant to Senator McCain. OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR SAM NUNN, CHAIRMAN Chairman NUNN. We meet today to consider the nomination of Gen. Carl Vuono of the U.S. Army to be the Army Chief of Staff. General Vuono is presently the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, and has held that position since June of 1986. General Vuono comes to this job with a broad range of experience within the Army. He started as an artillery officer. He served 2 years in Vietnam. He served in Europe, most recently as Commanding General of the 8th Infantry Division. General Vuono has served in several capacities in the Army staff, most recently as Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations and Plans. General Vuono has been nominated for this position at a key time in the transition of the Army, and an important time in the transition of the Defense Department. The Army is in the middle of a major equipment modernization program. This is a very important issue in light of recent proposals to remove short and intermediate range nuclear missiles in Europe. That will heighten concern for conventional force imbalances at the same time the Army is beginning to cut back on this modernization program. In terms of transition within the Department of Defense, General Vuono will become the first Army Chief of Staff to be confirmed following the Goldwater-Nichols Reorganization Act. And if confirmed in that position, General, you will have to take the responsibilities to carry out this act as we move forward. We welcome you here this morning. After we hear from our distinguished ranking member, Senator Warner, we will ask you for any opening comments. Then we will have questions. Senator WARNER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to participate in introducing this distinguished career Army officer. As you noted in your opening statement he is now serving the Army with great responsibility in the Commonwealth of Virginia, as Commanding General of the Training and Doctrine Command. I am pleased to join with you in expressing our confidence in the candidate and with the full expectation that he will be confirmed by the Senate. I have looked over his biography, as did the chairman, and I would like to ask that my complete statement be made part of the record. The General has led American soldiers for 30 years at each level from platoon to division in this Army during his career. He has been instrumental in the great strides made by the Army in training, organization, and doctrine. In seeking the views of his peers and others, he is characterized as being in the mold of General Omar Bradley, a soldier's soldier. I have full expectation that he will carry that forward in his tenure as Chief of Staff. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Senator NUNN. Senator Dixon has submitted a prepared statement to be entered into the record at this point. [The prepared statements of Senator Warner and Senator Dixon follow:] PREPARED STATEMENT OF SENATOR JOHN WARNER Mr. Chairman, it is a great honor this morning for me to take part in the introduction to this committee of General Carl E. Vuono, who has been nominated by the President to serve as the thirty-second Chief of Staff of the United States Army. As you have stated, General Vuono is presently the Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, Virginia. His career has been characterized by a fierce dedication to the people of the Army and the attainment of excellence in the most demanding jobs the Army has to offer. General Vuono was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the field artillery from the U.S. Military Academy in 1957. He has held a wide variety of important command and staff positions including service as an Exchange Officer in the United Kingdom, with the 7th Royal Horse Artillery, 16th Parachute Group, Hampshire, England. He commanded two field artillery battalions in Vietnam during the height of those hostilities. Upon his return from his second combat tour in Vietnam, General Vuono was assigned as an Operations Research System Analyst, at Headquarters, Department of the Army. Subsequent Pentagon assignments included service as the Executive Officer, Office of Project Manager for Reorganization of the Army, and Chief, Budget Division, office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel. He then commanded the Division Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division and returned to the Department of the Army where he served, with distinction, as Executive to the Army Chief of Staff. Promoted to general officer, he was assigned as Assistant Division Commander, 1st Infantry Division and subsequently as the Commanding Gen eral, 8th Infanty Division, U.S. Army Europe. Upon his return to the United States, he was assigned as the Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, Virginia and later as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, Department of the Army. General Vuono holds a Master of Science Degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg State College and has completed the Field Artillery School, the United States Marine Corps Command and General Staff College and the Army War College. Awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (with five oak leaf clusters including one award for valor in the Republic of Vietnam), Meritorious Service Medal, ten Air Medals and the Army Commendation Medal (with four oak leaf clusters). General Vuono is married to the former Patricia A. Hall, and they have three children: Katherine, Timothy and Jeffrey. General Vuono has led American soldiers for thirty years at each level from platoon to division in this country, Korea, Vietnam and Europe. He has been instrumental in the great strides made by the Army in training, organization and doctrine. He follows in the footsteps of that great soldier, leader and patriot, General Omar Bradley: He is a soldier's soldier. PREPARED STATEMENT BY SENATOR ALAN J. DIXON Mr. Chairman, today we will be considering the nomination of General Carl E. Vuono to be Chief of Staff of the United States Army. General Vuono has served his country as an Army officer since being commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1957. He has served his country with distinction for 30 years, holding a wide variety of important command and staff positions, such as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans and his current position as Commanding General of the Army's Training and Doctrine Command. I feel that General Vuono's wide range of experience as a commander of troops and his many staff positions gives him the leadership background which is required for this vital position. I look forward to hearing from General Vuono and I will support his nomination. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman NUNN. Thank you, Senator Warner. The nomination reference and résumé of service career of General Vuono will be inserted into the record at this point. [The nomination reference of Gen. Carl E. Vuono follows:] NOMINATION REFERENCE AS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, Ordered, That the following nomination be referred to the Committee on Armed Services: The following-named officer under the provisions of Title 10, United States Code, Section 601, to be assigned to a position of importance and responsibility designated by the President under Title 10, United States Code, Section 3033: To be Chief of Staff, United States Army Gen. Carl E. Vuono, United States Army. [The résumé of service career of Gen. Carl E. Vuono, which was transmitted to the committee at the time the nomination was referred follows:] RÉSUMÉ OF SERVICE CAREER OF CARL EDWARD VUONO, GENERAL Date and place of birth: October 18, 1934, Monongahela, Pennsylvania. |