before i introduce our panel, will et me offer congresswoman sphe speier to make any opening remarks. >> thank you. my comments mirror yours. the national defense strategy led congress to assume there will be growth and strength for most of the services. the fiscal year 2019 request seeks increases not just for next year but in state for fiscal year 2023 of more than 10,000 from the current authorization levels for the army, navy, and air force. for the past two years, congress has written a blank check fort army, providing end strength, increases not requested as part of the budget. we cannot continue this behavior. whether we agree the services need an increase or not is important for congress to understand what the long-term plans are. so we can have informed debate and make educated decisions about our military. i'd like to understand how the services would sustain this growth pattern over the next five years in an are a where finding quality applicants is becoming more and more difficult. congress must also understand how increased end strength will apply to the force. fill curre