One only has to look at the performance of the economy to understand how it shapes the perspective of America's youth about military service.

Since far fewer people are recruited to serve in a voluntary military, the connection between America and its military is increasingly tenuous and less personal.

My hope is that we continue to do an even better job in terms of our nation's energy policy, so that we may even further reduce our reliance on foreign sources of oil and take better care of our environment in the process.

The study also included the disturbing revelation that most of the troops who reported having mental health problems also reported that they did not seek or did not receive care for their problems.

One only has to look at the performance of the economy to understand how it shapes the perspective of America's youth about military service.

One in seven Americans lives without health insurance, and that's a truly staggering figure.

We are particularly interested in the mental health programs and policies that support our troops and their families before, during, and after deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan.