The effects of a declining resource environment were evident in the challenges facing the Commander of Naval Supply Systems Command in maintaining the readiness of Pacific Fleet forces. His superiors were calling for a significant transformation in the Navy's business practices to overcome what was then projected as a $10 billion annual shortfall in the amount needed to recapitalize the fleet. But returning readiness levels to acceptable levels, while programming for procurement of future forces and capabilities, was an increasingly difficult balancing act. He needed to find an additional source of funds to "balance the books."