Every year, around the start of the federal budget season, U.S. military combatant commanders ride to Capitol Hill and argue as to why their commands require more resources, platforms, and a larger slice of the Pentagon pie.

This week, it was the turn of Gens. Stephen Townsend and Kenneth McKenzie, the top commanders in Africa and the Middle East, respectively, to testify. Topics included everything from Russia’s defense relationship with Algeria, Islamic State detainees in Syria, and how the military intends to protect troop members who will soon be withdrawing from Afghanistan. Still, what stood out was McKenzie’s observation that Washington’s fight against terrorism will sustain like the Energizer Bunny.