 With the recent release of the Navy's planned 2014 budget, the C&O spoke at the House Armed Services Committee and stressed his concerns for the Navy moving forward. Two important characteristics of our naval forces describe our mandate. That we will operate forward where it matters and that we will be ready when it matters. Your Navy and Marine Corps are uniquely qualified to immediately respond to crises to assure allies, build partnerships, deter aggression and a contained conflict. Our fundamental approach to meeting this responsibility remains unchanged. We organize man, train and equip the Navy by viewing our decisions through three lens or you can call them tenants and they are war fighting first, operate forward and be ready.