Sen. Thom Tillis, whose constituents include the nation's largest military installation in Fort Bragg and the largest Marine Corps base on the East Coast in Camp Lejeune, has been named chairman of a senate subcommittee with a key role in military personnel policies.

Tillis will be chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee's personnel subcommittee, officials said.

On Wednesday, Tillis said the subcommittee was arguably the most important within the Senate Armed Services Committee, because it has the biggest impact on the day-to-day lives of troops and their families.

He said he'll leave the warfighting to incoming Defense Secretary James Mattis and other military leaders.

"I want to focus on the business of the Department of Defense," he said.

Tillis said he believes his familiarity with Fort Bragg - home to more than 10 percent of the Army plus several key commands - and Camp Lejeune - home to 45 percent of the Marine Corps - will benefit him in his new position.

Tillis said he will use that familiarity to "go on the road" with other subcommittee members, to give the senators a view of how policies affect the everyday life of troops.

He said the subcommittee can expect to look to improve facilities, training and readiness. The senators also will examine the military's hiring and disciplinary processes, its management infrastructure and programs ranging from transition services to health care.

"It'll really cut across all service lines," he said.

While Tillis said he will continue to advocate for North Carolina troops and installations, he said he won't bring favoritism into the committee. So, Tillis said Fort Bragg won't benefit at the expense of Fort Hood in Texas or any other installation.

"All the armed services will benefit from anything we do," he said. "Every soldier, sailor, Marine and airman."

The personnel subcommittee has one of the broadest jurisdictions.

Its responsibilities include military and Department of Defense civilian personnel policies, end strengths for military personnel, pay and other benefits, military health care and military nominations.

The subcommittee also is involved with legislation dealing with professional military education, DOD schools, child care and family assistance, prisoner of war issues, commissaries and exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs.

The subcommittee is charged with oversight of several military budget accounts, including personnel, retirement, the Defense Health Program and others.

Tillis replaces Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina at the helm of the subcommittee.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat, will serve as ranking member.

Tillis said he has worked with Gillibrand before and said he's confident that while Democrats and Republicans may disagree at times, they'll come together to help solve problems facing the nation's military.

"I'm optimistic we'll have a good, productive working condition," he said.

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