[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,85,97],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6588692,"mediaKeyId","5559567-5eaaa9c809fa1fad722ed1b15c6d71bd","parentId",5559567,"title","Navy manpower nominee emphasizes recruiting gains, vows to study retention and reserve modernization","audioSeconds",1777,"startMs",1069000,"endMs",2846000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5559567-5eaaa9c809fa1fad722ed1b15c6d71bd&start=1069&end=2846","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5559567-5eaaa9c809fa1fad722ed1b15c6d71bd/thumbnail_1069000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6588692/Navy-manpower-nominee-emphasizes-recruiting-gains-vows-to-study-retention-and-reserve-modernization","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588692-fd840ae5a69722137e591120b95848e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770483512&Signature=D32BfksmAjhXys5I8EQDWBAOZcmdrkrcUGUZfUa4PNAOB5e5RIwrqPwaW1g0tIyJZWKFvdRXrTAcBj8WjKkVp-qDdZqi8YfzwTXPAPHbs5JAJfaCZHYgs~NguUfxrGttwMID2EW3R7f54PpfTSqo5jr3vmcxvh987chNrEsvq2zrZYZtYsUofCTF7cayTRVv6iInpZhYLvdknFIgPvDAg2XdsWTfnmP~daizHhi7P9xy-L8MSWLFpGEFkAinvXjz7WkmvBbNLGlgFlgpnkYyC5r954s082PWx3h~ipKqej9jzsfzto3sLBBPYLPrduEMq2hbIcqE6jAbq1ibG2kOxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services","date","2025-07-31T00:00:00Z","article","Benjamin Coleman, President Trump's nominee to be assistant secretary of the Navy for manpower and reserve affairs, told the Senate Armed Services Committee he would study recent recruiting gains, consider raising minimum standards where appropriate, and pursue policies to improve retention, quality of life and reserve readiness.

“America is worth defending,” Coleman said in his opening remarks, framing the manpower portfolio as central to readiness. When asked about recruiting standards, Coleman said, “If we have the opportunity to increase the minimum standards, we should absolutely increase those standards, as long as we are meeting our recruiting goals.”

Why this matters: Committee members cited persistent readiness and retention challenges, the operational impact of civilian workforce changes, and quality‑of‑life issues tied to housing and family support. Senators also discussed junior ROTC expansion and education and training pathways as tools to build a stronger enlistment pool.

Coleman described personal service as a foundation for his approach and said the Navy must “reinvigorate a war fighting ethos” and create pathways to bring civilian technical talent into service, particularly for specialized skill sets. He also told the committee he would explore options to smooth transitions for civilians affected by workforce changes, including potential programs modeled on military transition assistance.

On reserve modernization, Coleman said the reserves could be tailored with targeted skill sets to enable rapid, large‑scale mobilization; on housing and quality of life, he said improving facilities is critical to recruitment and retention.

What was not decided: The committee did not vote on Coleman’s nomination during the hearing. Specific policy changes, personnel actions or budget requests would require additional review and, where required, statutory or appropriations action.

Looking ahead: Coleman committed to studying the drivers of recent recruiting gains, to prioritize quality‑of‑life improvements and to explore ways to modernize reserve structures to meet large‑scale mobilization needs if confirmed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Full Committee Hearing on Nominations for Key Defense and Navy Positions","oneSentenceSummary","Benjamin Coleman, nominated to be assistant secretary of the Navy for manpower and reserve affairs, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that recent recruiting gains merit study and pledged to pursue higher standards, improved quality of life, and reserve modernization if confirmed.","taxTitle","Armed Services: Senate Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1987,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":44,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":50,"_51":81,"_53":82,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":83,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":84,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6588697,"Navy general counsel nominee pledges independent legal advice and commitment to rule of law",2651,3720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5559567-5eaaa9c809fa1fad722ed1b15c6d71bd&start=1069&end=3720","/articles/6588697/Navy-general-counsel-nominee-pledges-independent-legal-advice-and-commitment-to-rule-of-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588697-07d50bdce56b701f83fd849ed162a045/orig.mp4?Expires=1770483512&Signature=NSg-u8FYrVBKQFweQC8VVOd1Nuk7OhpjAPHktzMoWIhjfFqD19bQJQccay~imRc3UMLvrcsJlyoLRTO6XNtgl6iCYeN5hZcFXIIhA0CuWoBCUvba76o~CwZasIMSY64RxRebXIdCnBTdGlnjm-SHFU4QKSLQwJPc-K6V80oXZWkC0VxqKGBcbAEDX8aHud1IldhA0u-WTIu3c2tc8QVvdL4xhtQFjBFzwIzljhos-dpXctqQyftuho9c1Zo-NPnTiTK7Qho-MFfHq9mJu44YcbBZbf1AA4h2sRT8HrPc930eHnqWqG5UFBZ14XLPnu-Bm6yUbR7~8EfFSnu4j85HEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","David Denton, President Trump's nominee for general counsel of the Department of the Navy, told the Senate Armed Services Committee he would provide independent legal advice to Navy leadership and help address recent ethical problems within the service.

“You know that one of the important jobs of a lawyer sometimes is to tell their client things they don't want to hear. Are you willing to do that?” Senator Angus King asked. Denton replied, “Senator, that is always a lawyer's first obligation is to tell their client what the law is and what their options and obligations are.”

Why this matters: Senators raised high‑profile ethics and corruption investigations inside the Navy and sought reassurance that the Office of General Counsel (OGC) would preserve independent professional judgment. Denton said if confirmed he would advise Secretary Phelan and work with the Department of Defense general counsel and, where appropriate, the White House counsel on legal issues.

Denton recounted prior experience as an assistant U.S. attorney, Navy civilian counsel and Navy Reserve intelligence officer. He told the committee protecting the Constitution and providing candid legal advice would be central to his approach. He also said he supported the department's shipbuilding priorities and would focus resources and legal tools to sustain and recapitalize the fleet.

What was not decided: The committee did not take a confirmation vote at the hearing. Denton acknowledged ongoing ethical problems in the service but described his role as offering independent counsel rather than articulating specific personnel actions.

Looking ahead: Denton pledged to work “to ensure that the Department of the Navy has the best possible legal advice to meet the challenges of this moment” and to collaborate with Congress and the committee on legal questions when requested.","David Denton, nominated to be general counsel of the Department of the Navy, told the Senate Armed Services Committee he would provide independent legal judgment and work to correct ethical lapses the Navy has faced in recent years.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6588702,"Nominee for operational test and evaluation says she will report limits and defend independence amid staffing cuts",4537,945000,5482000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5559567-5eaaa9c809fa1fad722ed1b15c6d71bd&start=945&end=5482","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5559567-5eaaa9c809fa1fad722ed1b15c6d71bd/thumbnail_945000.jpg","/articles/6588702/Nominee-for-operational-test-and-evaluation-says-she-will-report-limits-and-defend-independence-amid-staffing-cuts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588702-189b545e8bc7b1c224ed3dce21109be5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770483512&Signature=foxvg30L9W03AqHz~jZLeIZOHjZcRc8JKaBavk7UG9X~TmVZUyGfbv1Zk5sLG4fSBpGmryD5iqiLZwww1HaedT21aoN8WPkS3VlqhKDx-4372Ms48VCWMcwv8n6t773E8UG0rZrlyZVsSZ9RMUWy7zMJWhPvq2fFEM1~GteK52DqLdqczHRjBpKM4ME8riKZp3Bp9a8eMwwVhxYYIeLVb8A-KyLM03mwCXiBA2vzV6CuFQceJxN84zov9DIr40pEgtvQQobUJySLUuzgsYrjYCMyvd2F5OJumz3T83p7jwiWk08GtMZ7Yl-369Hqva53HAajLTGpoOsTmnJx7D5gGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Henninger, President Trump's nominee to be director of operational test and evaluation (DOT&E), told the Senate Armed Services Committee she will report the office’s findings and any resource limitations to Congress and press for the people and capabilities needed to evaluate complex, software‑intensive weapon systems.

“Our reports will always reflect any limitations or assumptions that we encountered,” Henninger told Senator Elizabeth Warren when asked whether she would inform the committee and the public if a system was unsafe or if DOT&E lacked the resources to reach a judgment. “And, of course, I will always come before you and tell the truth.”

Why this matters: DOT&E was created by statute in the fiscal 1983 National Defense Authorization Act to provide independent operational testing and evaluation of major defense acquisition programs. Committee members said a recent reorganization announced by Secretary Hegseth cut the office’s staff and budget sharply; several senators described the reductions as severe and warned they could weaken independent oversight of systems increasingly driven by software, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity concerns.

Henninger said she had not been briefed on all details of the secretary’s memorandum but noted a 60‑day reconsideration period for resource decisions. She told senators she would conduct an independent assessment upon entering the office, coordinate with service operational test agencies that perform many hands‑on cyber tests, and press for automated and digital methods to speed testing where appropriate.

Senators pressed on transparency and the oversight list — the statutory list of programs that receive DOT&E scrutiny. Senator Warren asked whether Henninger would add programs to the oversight list when Congress requests it; Henninger said she would “cast a wide net,” consider suggestions from Congress and do an analysis to determine oversight priorities.

Committee members also asked about operational testing for emerging technologies, including unmanned systems, hypersonics and contested spectrum. Henninger said live testing remains essential for areas “we don't know,” but that modeling and simulation and automation can expand testing capacity and should be used to scale oversight in software‑centric programs.

What was not decided: The committee did not vote on Henninger’s nomination at the hearing. The secretary’s reorganization and any subsequent resource changes remain executive decisions; Henninger repeatedly said she would assess needs if confirmed and report back to the committee.

Looking ahead: Henninger committed to informing the committee about critical safety findings and any limitations that affect DOT&E’s ability to reach firm conclusions. She also said she would work with the services, the test resource management center and research and engineering offices to explore testing ranges, digital methods and automation to preserve test rigor while accelerating evaluations.","Dr. Henninger, nominated to lead the Pentagon’s Director of Operational Test and Evaluation office, told the Senate Armed Services Committee she will report limitations in test results and strive to preserve independence after Secretary Hegseth’s reorganization reduced DOT&E staff and budget.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6588706,"Nominee outlines plan to pursue Department of Defense clean audit by Dec. 31, 2028",2861,912000,3773000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5559567-5eaaa9c809fa1fad722ed1b15c6d71bd&start=912&end=3773","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5559567-5eaaa9c809fa1fad722ed1b15c6d71bd/thumbnail_912000.jpg","/articles/6588706/Nominee-outlines-plan-to-pursue-Department-of-Defense-clean-audit-by-Dec-31-2028","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588706-19335df8f0745b9ecb90a4ecfc4392eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770483512&Signature=YERHFGl5mCOcge9nc-KcaFm6tgk2xjzEm-LymhyGLof5AuveLM8j5uikZJJUzQ3nqUWD9sMMMPsCRTcqKLPH0rnlZTd1DEjrQ12bjeAiZaJCzaowApNVvMr-V26uILr-Gpb87CYj2XtwjcPrCf0nRMCZgTemvopPEHBtTIK3t-VhZyMEEpk~oVA-zXo-nMuQN5eDO3l-UNwiumguSB5s34p1GgHmNzO7wXqWtJVHDanMKZZfN-NIo-jSWv8M~Y4sMr2hR6MJRaQ-hO5YmUM6kMhZurN020zjNHKzCCqP~NVMWVU3nZ6Ui6K8Og7UusfOym4ASFYmwhzFlN3g~sJzdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michael Powers, President Trump's nominee to serve as deputy undersecretary of defense and comptroller, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he would pursue a Department of Defense clean audit opinion by Dec. 31, 2028, if confirmed.

Powers said senior leadership engagement, consolidation of legacy financial systems and greater use of technology would be central to achieving that timeline. “One of the things we absolutely have to do ... is get senior leadership very actively involved in the process of setting milestones and holding the departments and defense agencies to those milestones,” Powers told Chairman Wicker and committee members. When asked directly about a date, he replied, “12/31/2028, senator.”

Why this matters: Congress has repeatedly required a clean audit of DOD financial statements and tied oversight to funding and execution. Lawmakers on the committee pressed Powers on the department’s long history of audit deficiencies, fragmented accounting systems and the expense of external auditors and remediation efforts.

During questioning, senators from both parties pressed Powers for specific early actions. Powers said that within weeks of confirmation he would work to set the first set of milestones and that much of the work would then be execution against those targets. He described core tasks as consolidating disparate financial systems, improving internal controls and applying modern data analytics and automation to auditing work.

Senator Tim Scott said he expected visible progress and accountability and asked whether new personnel would be needed; Powers agreed evaluation and personnel changes could be necessary to meet audit goals. Senator Angus King asked why a clean audit has been elusive; Powers replied that, historically, audit had not carried the same operational consequence in DOD as in private industry and cited too many incompatible systems and uneven organizational commitment.

Powers told the committee he had “been around audit a long time” and described experience managing large reconstruction and security assistance budgets overseas and serving as acting Army comptroller. He told senators he would report benchmarks and timelines to the committee and agreed to provide quarterly updates if confirmed.

What was not decided: The committee did not vote on the nomination during the hearing, and funding or legislative changes that Powers said would help achieve the audit — including provisions in the reconciliation bill and the 2024 NDAA referenced during the hearing — remain subject to separate congressional and DoD processes.

Looking ahead: If confirmed, Powers said he would begin by setting milestones with senior leaders and pursue system consolidation and automation; he told senators the work is achievable but will require sustained leadership focus and resources over several years.","Michael Powers, nominated to be deputy undersecretary of defense comptroller, told the Senate Armed Services Committee he will set milestones, pursue system consolidation and use technology to support a departmentwide clean audit by Dec. 31, 2028, while emphasizing leadership accountability.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Navy manpower nominee emphasizes recruiting gains, vows to study retention and reserve modernization

Navy general counsel nominee pledges independent legal advice and commitment to rule of law

Nominee for operational test and evaluation says she will report limits and defend independence amid staffing cuts

Nominee outlines plan to pursue Department of Defense clean audit by Dec. 31, 2028