President Joe Biden's pick to be the Air Force's next chief of staff attributed the department's recruitment shortcomings in part to Sen. Tommy Tuberville's (R-AL) hold on military promotions and nominations.
Gen. David W. Allvin, the vice chief of staff of the Air Force and Biden's pick to lead the service, testified on Tuesday in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Allvin, who was asked about the possible effects of Tuberville's protest, which is over the Department of Defense's policy regarding abortion, could become one of more than 300 service members whose nomination will not be immediately voted upon due to the former football coach's hold.
"I will tell you that while we don't have specific hard data, my experience and my personal judgment says that this does hurt recruiting and retention. We hear anecdotal evidence," he told lawmakers. "We're going to go out and do the mission, and those who are serving in the positions, whether they're acting or they've deferred their retirement, they're going to continue to serve with honor. And so with that, I could not be more proud."
Secretary Frank Kendall acknowledged on Monday that the department would fall short of its active-duty recruiting goals this year, something that hasn't happened since 1999. He said they would fall short by about 10%. The Army and Navy are expected to fall short of this year's goals as well.
"What I do think about, and again, without more than anecdotal evidence, is the signal that this may send," Allvin said. "And with that signal, understanding that if there's a perceived disruption or distraction by our force, we want to maintain and retain the strongest and the best in our Air Force."
The Defense Department announced earlier this year it would provide time off to service members and reimburse them for the travel expenses incurred should they or a dependent have to travel across state lines for an abortion or any other non-covered reproductive healthcare procedure that is barred by local laws. In protest of this policy, Tuberville has held up every DOD nomination or promotion since February, which Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said on Monday was up to 318.
Various defense leaders have reiterated that the department would not be changing its policy to acquiesce Tuberville's demand, instead emphasizing that the department's intent is to ensure that every service member has the same rights and access regardless of where they're stationed.
The Army, Navy, and Marine Corps are presently being led by officials in an acting capacity due to Tuberville's hold, though Senate Democrats do have a workaround available to them. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), however, has refrained from doing so to date.
Biden selected Gen. Charles Q. Brown, who serves as the Air Force chief of staff, to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The current chairman, Gen. Mark Milley, is set to retire at the end of the month, though it's unclear whether Brown will be confirmed before Milley's retirement, which cannot be pushed back.
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If Milley retires before Brown is confirmed by the Senate, the vice chairman of the Joint Staff, Adm. Christopher W. Grady, would assume the role in an interim capacity.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said last month this is the first time three service branches are operating without Senate-confirmed leaders, and the Air Force could be the fourth if Allvin is not confirmed.