As a former service member, Congressman Allen West (R-FL) brings a valuable perspective to his work on the House Armed Service Committee. That knowledge and passion was on display during his speech yesterday at The Heritage Foundation on the importance of having clear foreign policy objectives and a military prepared to tackle any challenge.

West’s speech marked the conclusion of Heritage’s 2011 Protect America Month, designed to “showcase why we must commit to protecting America in an increasingly dangerous world.” After his speech, he sat down for a short “In the Green Room” interview to answer some questions from Heritage.