Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force John Bentivegna and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David Flosi testified before the House Committee on Appropriations, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Subcommittee, addressing concerns about military quality of life and the impact of budgetary constraints on readiness April 8, 2025.
The hearing focused on challenges faced by service members, including housing affordability, access to childcare, spouse employment and the increasing need for investment in personnel and divesting excess infrastructure.
Senior enlisted leaders from both the Air Force and Space Force emphasized the ongoing need to ensure service members are adequately supported while facing the ever-evolving demands of modern warfare.
Flosi kicked off the discussion by emphasizing the importance of quality of life as a key element in maintaining a highly capable, lethal and ready force.
"While there's always work to be done on this important subject, make no mistake, your Air Force is the most lethal and ready flying force in the world," Flosi stated. "I humbly represent more than 670,000 Total Force Airmen who remain ready to deliver airpower, anytime, anywhere."
He highlighted the critical need for ongoing investments in dormitory upgrades, the need for access to quality and affordable healthcare, childcare options and compensation adjustments for non-commissioned officers.
"Our Airmen have been busy-busy repelling complex Iranian drone and missile attacks against our allies, disrupting and defeating Houthi attacks on international shipping and providing humanitarian assistance to victims of natural disasters at home and abroad," Flosi said. "We cannot afford for our Airmen to be distracted by inadequate housing, lack of access to healthcare and childcare or other quality-of-life issues."
Flosi also emphasized the need for divesting excess infrastructure to maximize resources for critical areas. He pointed out while the Air Force has reduced its fighter squadrons and personnel over the past three decades, much of its infrastructure remains unnecessary and costly.
"Over the last 30 years, the Air Force has reduced 60% of its fighter squadrons and 40% of its end strength, but only 15% of our installations. Today, roughly 30% of Air Force infrastructure exceeds what is needed. These facilities continue to draw funding and manpower but offer little to no value to the mission or Airmen," Flosi stated. "I learned no matter how much work we do to improve quality of life, we will not get our desired effect as an Air Force if we don't focus on excess infrastructure."
He further stressed the funds saved from divesting infrastructure could be reinvested into taking care of Airmen.
"We've done the analysis, and while it is expensive to demolish, we know it's about a 10 to one return on investment," Flosi said. "Over time, it's a really good use of taxpayer dollars to get rid of excess infrastructure and consolidate and focus our resources on the infrastructure we really need to take care of our Airmen, especially in the early stages in their careers."
Flosi's testimony underscored the continued focus on prioritizing the overall readiness of the Air Force, ensuring Airmen have access to the best possible support systems so they can remain focused on mission success.
Bentivegna emphasized the growing importance of the space domain in an increasingly complex global security environment.
He highlighted the critical role Guardians play, stating, "Our Guardians stand as the invisible front line, ensuring our nation's continued access to, and freedom to operate in, space."
He noted the Space Force's contributions to national security despite representing only 3% of the defense budget, citing examples such as providing missile warning data during an Iranian missile attack and tracking over 47,800 orbiting objects.
"As our Space Force Truths state, the U.S. Space Force's capabilities are critical to the Joint Force and the American way of life," Bentivegna said.
Bentivegna underscored the need for investment in the "human weapon system," advocating for quality-of-life programs that "Elevate the Journey" for Guardians.
He expressed support to working on the recommendations from the 14th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation, including updating basic allowance of housing methodology and improving Cost of Living Allowance calculations. He also expressed faith that the recommended Quality-of-Life Review would provide the required data to improve access to childcare, healthcare and spouse employment opportunities.
"Service members do not choose to stay in uniform because it's easy," Bentivegna stated. "They do so because it's challenging but they understand the rewards of service are priceless. Quality of life investments...will attract and retain the talent the nation demands."
He further stressed the importance of "Quality-of-Service" investments, such as world-class training and development, to "Cultivate the Warfighter."
"To meet the Joint Force's evolving needs and to stay ahead of strategic rivals, our ability to develop the force-for Guardians by Guardians-must also mature," Bentivegna said. "As the capacity for us to scout, train and educate space-minded warfighters beyond our current end strength increases, we will require appropriations and infrastructure investments. These initiatives will help Create the Future of Spacepower and build a more lethal force for generations to come."
He concluded by emphasizing three key takeaways: the Space Force's critical role despite its small budgetary footprint; that the service's ability to evolve as necessary has been hindered operating under continuing resolutions for 51% of its existence; and the imperative for significant investment in the force's growth and development.
The committee members expressed bipartisan support for addressing the quality-of-life concerns raised by both senior enlisted leaders and acknowledged the need for further discussion and action in the coming weeks as Congress works on the annual defense budget.
