Lawmakers press Pentagon to stand up Joint Energetics Transition Office; officials commit to comply

House members sharply questioned Pentagon officials on Oct. 11, 2025, about a statutory requirement in the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act that directed the Defense Department to establish a Joint Energetics Transition Office (JETO) and report to Congress.

The matter drew pointed exchanges when Representative Rob Wittman cited the statutory language and asked for a date the office would be operational. Marani, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment, acknowledged the department had missed reporting deadlines and said the reporting package is currently “pending with the deputy secretary.” He added: “I also want to commit to standing up in accordance with the law.”

Why it matters: JETO was created by Congress to provide centralized authority and strategy for energetics modernization — including integrating novel energetic materials into weapon systems and reducing siloed development — after members said disparate efforts slowed modernization.

Lawmakers pressed for particulars about CL‑20, a higher‑energy energetic that members said foreign competitors already use and that could increase range and lethality if integrated into U.S. munitions. Major General Ream and Mister Grissano described ongoing work: Grissano said the Army’s armament center and partners have developed formulations that make CL‑20 more economical to produce and are “looking at now scaling up production,” but cautioned that “putting a CL‑20 in just doesn't magically make everything better” and that systems must be redesigned to capitalize on the energetic’s properties.

Representative Jimenez and others repeatedly asked why two years had passed since Congress directed formation of the office. Marani said he could not speak for the office assigned to implement the law but reiterated the department “will establish it” and that elements are being incorporated into what the office will look like going forward. He described additional work already under way — including a joint production acceleration cell that examines munition supply chains — and said the department “has not been idle.”

Members asked for immediate, written milestones and the overdue reports. Marani committed to provide better information and to brief the committee on status going forward. No formal enforcement action was taken during the hearing; the committee signaled intent to continue oversight until the office is standing and the required reports are delivered.