john nicholson is responsible synchronizing the military action since of the services and combatant ands served in afghanistan at the deputy commanding general for regional command south, as part of the national a sergey -- security force for the national military command center. john nicholson has of degree from the united states military academy and georgetown university, a master's in military arts and sciences in the school for advanced military studies, and an m.a. from national defense university. on the back all of you for making yourself available today and for sharing your substantial expertise. it the policy of this committee to share it -- swear in the witnesses before you testified. i ask you to stand and raise your right hand. we solemnly swear or affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? the record will please reflect that all the witnesses answered in the affirmative. i think that you gentlemen know that your full written statement will be entered into the record by previous agreement with the committee. i would ask you to summarize, it could,