1.   Even as thousands of service members are directly engaged in the war on terrorism, there is a longstanding requirement to improve readiness and modernize our forces.

2.   Speaking in Detroit, Powell contended the Clinton administration is unwilling either to modernize the military and improve current readiness.

3.   The subcommittee said the Defense Department needs to improve force readiness by increasing spending on such activities as maintenance and training.

4.   Why waste money supporting every Army division, Navy carrier battle group and Air Force wing when reductions would improve the readiness of the remaining forces?

5.   With Defense Secretary William J. Perry and the joint chiefs of staff at his side, Clinton outlined plans to improve readiness and support military personnel.

6.   Egyptian and U.S. soldiers began two weeks of military exercises Saturday to improve combat readiness.

7.   He said the drills were aimed at improving readiness and did not envision any specific enemy.

8.   Improving force readiness and strengthening intelligence and space capabilities also are important, Rumsfeld said at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

9.   In his speech, he vowed to oppose further defense cuts, improve troop readiness and to never place American troops under United Nations command.

10.   It said improving the readiness of U.S. forces and developing a defense against shorter range missiles should have a higher priority.