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Mike Mullen

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Mike Mullen
NameMike Mullen
Caption17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Birth date4 October 1946
Birth placeLos Angeles, California, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
BranchUnited States
Serviceyears1968–2011
Rank25px Admiral
CommandsChief of Naval Operations United States Naval Forces Europe United States Sixth Fleet USS Yorktown (CG-48)
BattlesGulf War War in Afghanistan Iraq War
AwardsDefense Distinguished Service Medal (4) Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (4)

Mike 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 was the principal military advisor to President George W. Bush and Barack Obama during pivotal periods including the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan. His tenure was marked by advocacy for military readiness, addressing PTSD and suicide among troops, and strengthening alliances with nations like Pakistan and Israel. Prior to this, he served as the 28th Chief of Naval Operations.

Early life and education

Michael Glenn Mullen was born on October 4, 1946, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up 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, earning distinction as a Trident Scholar. He later earned a Master of Science degree in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

Mullen's early sea tours included service on the destroyer USS *Collett* and the guided-missile frigate USS *Fox*. He commanded the guided-missile cruiser USS *Yorktown*, the Cruiser-Destroyer Group 2, and served as the director of Surface Officer Distribution at the Bureau of Naval Personnel. During the Gulf War, he commanded the amphibious assault ship USS *Mobile*. His flag officer assignments included command of the United States Second Fleet, the *George Washington* Battle Group, and the United States Naval Forces Europe / United States Sixth Fleet in Naples, Italy. He served as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations before being appointed as the Chief of Naval Operations in 2005.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Nominated by President George W. Bush, Mullen succeeded General Peter Pace as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in October 2007. He immediately focused on reducing strain on forces from the Iraq War and the war in Afghanistan, famously testifying before the Congress about the national debt as a critical national security threat. He worked closely with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and was a key architect of the 2009 troop surge in Afghanistan. Mullen also played a crucial diplomatic role, notably during heightened tensions following the 2011 NATO attack in Pakistan.

Post-military career and advocacy

Since retiring in 2011, Mullen has been a prominent voice on national security and veterans' issues. He joined the board of General Motors and has served as a visiting professor at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. He is a frequent commentator for CNN and co-chaired the Joint Chiefs Character & Leadership Project. A strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, he publicly supported repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and has spoken on the need for greater diversity and inclusion in the military.

Personal life

Mullen is married to Deborah Mullen; the couple has two sons. Both sons pursued military careers, with one serving as an officer in the United States Navy and the other in the United States Army. He is known for his quiet, analytical demeanor and is an avid fan of college basketball, often attending NCAA tournament games. Mullen maintains residences in Washington, D.C., and Rancho Santa Fe, California.

Awards and decorations

Admiral Mullen's personal decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal with one gold award star, and the Legion of Merit with three award stars. His other significant honors include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. He is also a recipient of numerous service and campaign awards, such as the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal.

Category:1946 births Category:Living people Category:United States Navy admirals Category:Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Category:United States Naval Academy alumni