Quotes from Mark Esper

If you see something that doesn't make sense, ask. Change it. Think about dollars, think about your soldiers' time, think about efficiency.

You have to give the soldiers, the Army, a clear vision.

I think, generally, the NCOs and officers in a platoon or company want to take care of their soldiers, and they understand it doesn't run from nine to five, like in the civilian world.

Together, we will remain the most ready and capable military force in the world, which is what our nation expects and deserves.

If Turkey procures the S-400, it will mean they will not receive the F-35. It's that simple.

Seventeen consecutive years of irregular war, extended years of budget uncertainty, and an increasing complex security environment have eroded our competitive edge.

In the Army, I grew up with this view that you're asked to do anything that is illegal or immoral or unethical, then that would be the point at which you have to consider resignation, and you'd be willing to do that.

One of the key challenges the military has faced - and the Army, in particular - is defining our requirements and keeping them stable.

I raised the standards on recruiting.

The Army is a big mixing bowl, and we know that we wear one uniform. We identify with one set of Army values. We serve one Constitution, and we see ourselves as one team.

It's my commitment to the nation's security, it's my commitment to the men and women in uniform that drives me. Not anything else.

We are at war, if you will, in the cyber domain now, constantly battling countries, such as Russia or China, who are trying to do everything from steal our technology to influence our elections to put out disinformation about the United States.

President Trump has called on other nations to do more, and they have responded. By the end of 2020, our NATO allies will spend an additional $100 billion on defense, an unprecedented increase that will make the alliance stronger.

In my day, we had mastered high-intensity conflict, which is why I think we were so successful in Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and then eventually the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

We may be a little bit late - we are late - coming to the recognition that we are in a strategic competition with China.

If confirmed, my overall guiding objective for our relationship with India would be to solidify an enduring strategic partnership underpinned by strong defence cooperation with an Indian military able to collaborate effectively with the United States to address shared interests.

The biggest challenge is clearly China, in the years 2035 and beyond. I mean, the size of the country, its economy, and everything - they're - it is a big strategic competitor for the entire Department of Defense and country.

We certainly have the best special operations forces in the world and know how to do counterterrorism extremely well.

The National Defense Strategy remains our guiding document, and everything we do should support its stated objectives.

Good alliances are made of strong, capable partners.

Clearly, we need a strong economy to build a strong military.

Our adversaries must see diplomacy as their best option because war with the United States will force them to bear enormous costs.

The Brits are escorting their ships, and we will escort our ships, and I assume other countries will escort their ships.

I went to war for this country. I served overseas for this country.