Michael Mullen

Michael Mullen
Name	Michael Mullen
Caption	17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Birth date	4 October 1946
Birth place	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States
Serviceyears	1968–2011
Rank	Admiral
Commands	Chief of Naval Operations United States Naval Forces Europe United States Sixth Fleet USS Yorktown (CG-48)
Battles	Gulf War War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Iraq War
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal (5) Navy Distinguished Service Medal (3) Legion of Merit (4)

Michael Mullen is a retired United States Navy admiral who served as the 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2007 to 2011. He previously served as the 28th Chief of Naval Operations from 2005 to 2007. Mullen's tenure as the nation's highest-ranking military officer was marked by his leadership during the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), as well as his advocacy for ending the policy of "Don't ask, don't tell."

Early life and education

Michael Glenn Mullen was born on October 4, 1946, in Los Angeles, California. He was raised in the Hollywood area, where his father worked as a publicist for prominent figures in the entertainment industry. Mullen attended Notre Dame High School before receiving an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned as an ensign. He later earned a Master of Science degree in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

Naval career

Mullen's early sea tours included service aboard the destroyer USS *Collett* and the guided-missile frigate USS *Fox*. He commanded the guided-missile cruiser USS *Yorktown* and later served as the commander of Destroyer Squadron 14. His flag officer assignments were extensive, including command of the *George Washington* Battle Group and the United States Second Fleet. He served as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations before being appointed as the Commander, United States Naval Forces Europe and concurrently as the Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples for NATO. In 2005, President George W. Bush nominated him to become the Chief of Naval Operations.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Nominated by President Bush, Mullen succeeded General Peter Pace as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on October 1, 2007. His tenure was dominated by overseeing the surge of U.S. forces in Iraq and managing the expanding military commitment in Afghanistan. He worked closely with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and later with the administration of President Barack Obama. Mullen was a pivotal and public advocate for the repeal of the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy, testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee in 2010 that allowing LGBT individuals to serve openly was "the right thing to do." He retired from active duty in September 2011.

Post-military career and advocacy

Following his retirement, Mullen joined the boards of directors for several major corporations, including General Motors and Bloomberg L.P.. He has been a frequent commentator on national security issues for outlets like CNN and CBS News. He co-chaired the Joint Chiefs of Staff's "Military Family Readiness Project" and remains an advocate for veterans' issues, particularly concerning post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. In 2017, he was appointed to the United States Naval Academy's Board of Visitors. He has also served as a visiting professor at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.

Personal life

Admiral Mullen is married to Deborah Mullen; the couple has two sons. Both sons followed their father into military service, with one graduating from the United States Naval Academy and the other from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Mullen is an avid fan of college basketball, particularly the teams of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Awards and decorations

Admiral Mullen's personal awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal with two gold award stars, and the Legion of Merit with three award stars. His other decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon. He is also the recipient of numerous foreign awards, including the French Republic's Legion of Honour and the United Kingdom's Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath.

Category:1946 births Category:Living people Category:United States Navy admirals Category:Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Category:Chiefs of Naval Operations Category:United States Naval Academy alumni Category:People from Los Angeles