Energizing a Mobilization Mindset:

House authorizers do not believe the Pentagon or the nation, for that matter, has the right attitude about sustaining military readiness. Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, says in a statement on the 2008 defense budget bill, “In spite of being a nation at war, the United States has not fully mobilized to respond to the needs of our military to meet the current mission and to maintain US military readiness.” His committee proposes establishing a Defense Readiness Production Board and Defense Production Industry Advisory Council. He believes this will “elevate the discussion” within DOD to address equipment shortfalls. The defense board would comprise 16 government civilian and military officials, and the industry council would have 12 members of American industry. And, the committee would provide DOD with a $1 billion kitty to fulfill “pressing needs.”