Michael Mullen
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (June 2007) |
Michael G. Mullen | |
|---|---|
 Admiral Michael Mullen, 28th Chief of Naval Operations | |
| Allegiance | USN |
| Years of service | 1968-present |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands | Chief of Naval Operations Vice Chief of Naval Operations U.S. Naval Forces Europe Allied Joint Force Command Naples |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (six awards) |
Admiral Michael G. Mullen (born October 4, 1946) became the 28th Chief of Naval Operations of the United States Navy, relieving Admiral Vern Clark on 22 July, 2005. He served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations under Clark, and as the Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe & Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples.
Background
A 1968 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Mullen has served in a wide range of assignments at sea and ashore, in both the Atlantic and the Pacific Fleets.
He has commanded three ships, Noxubee (AOG-56), Goldsborough (DDG-20), and Yorktown (CG-48); and has also commanded Cruiser-Destroyer Group Two and the George Washington Battle Group. Mullen’s last command at sea was as Commander, U.S. Second Fleet/Commander, Striking Fleet Atlantic.
Mullen’s shore assignments include duty on the staffs of the Secretary of Defense and the Chief of Naval Operations. He has served as Director of Surface Warfare and he was the 32nd Vice Chief of Naval Operations from 2003 to 2004.
In 1985, Mullen graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School with a Master's of Science degree in Operations Research, and in 1991, he completed the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.
As Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples, Mullen had operational responsibility for NATO missions in the Balkans, Iraq, and the Mediterranean. As Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, he was responsible for providing overall command, operational control, and coordination of U.S. naval forces in the European Command area of responsibility. He assumed these duties on 8 October 2004 and was relieved of them upon his becoming Chief of Naval Operations.
Admiral Mullen is originally from Los Angeles, California,[1] and he has two sons, Michael and John.
Military awards
- Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
- Navy Surface Warfare Badge (Officer)
- Defense Distinguished Service Medal
- Navy Distinguished Service Medal (6)
- Defense Superior Service Medal
- Legion of Merit Decoration (6)
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
- Navy and Marine Corps Acheivement Medal
- Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon
- Navy Meritourious Unit Commendation Ribbon
- Navy "E" Ribbon
- Navy Expeditionary Medal
- National Defense Service Medal (3)
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal (1 campaign)
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Humanitarian Service Medal (2)
- Navy Overseas Service Ribbon (4)
- Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2)
- Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Medal
- Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation Ribbon
Quotes
- "Without mastery of the sea -- without Sea Power -- we cannot protect trade, we cannot help those in peril, we cannot provide relief from natural disaster, and we cannot intercede when whole societies are torn asunder by slavery, weapons of mass destruction, drugs, and piracy. Without sea power we cannot hope -- the world cannot hope -- to achieve what President Bush has called 'a balance of power that favors freedom." (To the Current Strategy Forum, 31 August 2005 at the Naval War College Newport, R.I.).[1]
- "The Navy is first and foremost a fighting, sea-going service — always has been. The weapons and technology change. The ships, aircraft, and submarines certainly improve over time, but the job remains the same: to take the fight to the enemy so that he cannot take it to us." (From All Ahead Full — Message to the men and women of the United States Navy, 23 July 2005). [1]
- "Today the Navy grants me yet another great opportunity, and I intend to make good on my obligation in return. Listen. Learn. And lead. Those will be my watchwords these next four years — a challenge to myself and to all of you." [1]
Joint Chiefs of Staff
On June 8, 2007 Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, announced he will nominate Admiral Mullen to succeed General Peter Pace as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.[2]
Notes
- ^ a b c d Official Navy Biography, Quotes from the CNC Cite error: The named reference "quotes" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/06/08/gates.pace/index.html
References
- Official U.S. Navy biography (from U.S. Navy Homepage)
