Defense Writers Group
21 November 2023
Moderator: -- thank you for coming. The ground rules are the same as always. This is on the record but there’s no rebroadcast of audio or video. Please record for accuracy and quotes. I’ll ask the first question, we’ll go around the table. I already have many, many emails of people who want to ask questions. We’ll get to as many as we can. Owing to the state of the world, the Secretary has a hard stop at 9:45 that we will honor.
One of my last interviews with Secretary Bob Gates, he told me something very interesting he had learned about Pentagon management. He said across the DoD everybody can say no, but only two people can say yes -- the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary. Which means you have rather awesome power.
So my opening question, Madame Secretary, is how you're going to get to yes on two very important things. First, your signature Replicator program. No secret I’m a big fan of it and about it, but how do you get the services who traditionally love their old, big platforms to sign onto such a dramatic change as swarming drones?
And to expand it a little bit, it’s no secret that the current dynamics in DC are not exactly this side of paralysis. The CR, the leadership problems, all of that. How will you get to yes on so many of your important initiatives when Congress is in such disarray?
DSD Hicks: First of all, thank you, Thom.
