Gen. Daniel Allyn, U.S. Army vice chief of staff, has told House Armed Services Committee members at a Tuesday hearing the service branch needs funds that will match authorized increase in end-strength levels to address training and equipping gaps.
The Army said Wednesday it found that only 50 percent of division headquarters, nearly 33 percent of the brigade combat teams and 25 percent of combat aviation brigades meet combat readiness requirements to fight within a 30-day period.
The service branch added that three out of 58 brigade combat teams can be immediately deployed in the event of a crisis.
Allyn called on Congress to repeal the 2011 Budget Control Act, discontinue “continuing resolutions” and offer a budget that can equip, man and train the new Army end strength authorized under the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act.
The NDAA authorized the addition of approximately 12,000 units to the Army Reserve component and increased the active end strength of the service branch to 476,000.
The general also urged lawmakers to authorize funding flexibility for cyber programs to help operators become more agile and responsive in offensive and defensive cyber operations.
Allyn added the service branch supports base relocation and closure efforts and proposed to reallocate funds for excess facilities on installations.
