Michael Mullen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Mullen
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Official portrait, 2007
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| Born | 4 October 1946 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1968–2011 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chief of Naval Operations United States Naval Forces Europe Allied Joint Force Command Naples Vice Chief of Naval Operations United States Second Fleet NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic Cruiser-Destroyer Group Two George Washington Carrier Battle Group USS Yorktown (CG-48) USS Goldsborough (DDG-20) USS Noxubee (AOG-56) |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War Gulf War |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal (4) Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (6) |
Michael Glenn Mullen (born October 4, 1946) is a retired United States Navy Admiral. He was the 17th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 2007 to September 2011. This role made him the highest-ranking officer in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Before becoming Chairman, Admiral Mullen held several important positions. He was the 32nd Vice Chief of Naval Operations from 2003 to 2004. He then commanded the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and the Allied Joint Force Command Naples from 2004 to 2005. From 2005 to 2007, he served as the Navy's 28th Chief of Naval Operations. Admiral Mullen retired from the Navy after more than 42 years of service. Since 2012, he has been a visiting professor at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.
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Early Life and Education
Michael Mullen was born in Los Angeles on October 4, 1946. He was the oldest of five children. His mother, Mary Jane, worked for comedian Jimmy Durante. His father, John Edward "Jack" Mullen, was a Hollywood press agent.
Michael attended St. Charles Borromeo Church School in North Hollywood. He graduated from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks in 1964. He then went to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. He graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree. His classmates included future military leaders and public figures.
Early Commands and Training
As a young officer, Michael Mullen served on several ships. He commanded three ships: the gasoline tanker USS Noxubee (AOG-56), the guided missile destroyer USS Goldsborough (DDG-20), and the guided missile cruiser USS Yorktown (CG-48). He also led Cruiser-Destroyer Group Two from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73). His last command at sea was leading the U.S. Second Fleet and the NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic.
In 1985, Mullen earned a Master of Science degree in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School. He also attended the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program in 1991.
Admiral Mullen held various important staff positions. He worked at the U.S. Naval Academy and in the Bureau of Naval Personnel. He also served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He was recognized by his peers in 1987 with the Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership.
As Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples, Mullen was in charge of NATO missions. These missions included operations in the Balkans, Iraq, and the Mediterranean. As Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe, he oversaw U.S. naval forces in Europe. He took on these roles in October 2004.
Leading the Joint Chiefs of Staff
On June 8, 2007, Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates suggested Michael Mullen to President George W. Bush. He was nominated to become the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The U.S. Senate confirmed his nomination on August 3, 2007. He officially started his role on October 1, 2007. He was the first Navy officer to hold this top position since Admiral William J. Crowe.
During his time as Chairman, Admiral Mullen worked to bring more diversity to the top ranks of the military. He helped appoint several African-American officers to high positions. This included General Lloyd Austin, who later became the first black Secretary of Defense.
President Barack Obama re-nominated Mullen for a second term in 2009. The Senate confirmed him again, and he began his second term on October 1, 2009.
In 2010, Admiral Mullen and Secretary Gates supported President Obama's decision to end the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy. This policy prevented openly gay people from serving in the military. Mullen stated that allowing gay and lesbian people to serve openly was "the right thing to do." He believed it was important for the integrity of individuals and the military as an institution. The policy officially ended on September 20, 2011.
Views on Military Force and National Security
Admiral Mullen shared his thoughts on how military force should be used today. He explained that modern conflicts, like those in Iraq and Afghanistan, are different from past wars. He described them as a fight against extremist groups.
He outlined three main ideas for using military forces:
- Early Involvement: Military power should not always be the very last option. Sometimes, just having military forces present can help prevent problems.
- Careful and Principled Use: Force should be used precisely and with great care. He noted that modern battlefields are often "in the minds of the people," meaning winning hearts and minds is crucial.
- Constant Connection between Policy and Strategy: Military plans must always work closely with government policies. This is because conflicts can change quickly, and strategies need to adapt.
In 2010, Mullen also stated that the biggest threat to U.S. national security was the nation's debt.
Retirement and Later Work
Admiral Mullen officially retired from the military on September 30, 2011. This was when his term as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ended. General Martin Dempsey took over his role.
After retiring, Mullen continued to be involved in various fields. In 2013, he joined the board of directors for General Motors. He also joined the board of Sprint Nextel Corp. In 2016, he became part of the Advisory Board for Afiniti, a big data and artificial intelligence company. In September 2023, he became chairman of the board for Saildrone, a company that makes unmanned maritime technology.
In 2017, Mullen shared his concern that the United States was close to a nuclear war with North Korea.
In 2024, the USS Michael G. Mullen, a new Arleigh Burke class destroyer, was named in his honor. This was done because he was seen as a "visionary leader."
Military Ranks and Awards
Admiral Mullen rose through the ranks of the U.S. Navy during his long career.
| Ensign | Lieutenant (junior grade) | Lieutenant | Lieutenant commander | Commander | Captain |
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| O-1 | O-2 | O-3 | O-4 | O-5 | O-6 |
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| 5 June 1968 | 5 June 1969 | 1 July 1971 | 1 October 1977 | 1 June 1983 | 1 September 1989 |
| Rear admiral (lower half) | Rear admiral | Vice admiral | Admiral |
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| O-7 | O-8 | O-9 | O-10 |
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| April 1, 1996 | 5 March 1998 | 21 September 2000 | 28 August 2003 |
Key Military Awards
Admiral Mullen received many awards for his service. Some of his most notable U.S. military decorations include:
- Defense Distinguished Service Medal (four times)
- Navy Distinguished Service Medal (twice)
- Defense Superior Service Medal
- Legion of Merit (six times)
He also received awards from other countries, such as:
- The National Order of Merit from Chile
- The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic from Italy
- The National Order of the Legion of Honour from France
- The Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia (Military Division) from Australia
- The Federal Cross of Merit from Germany
- The Meritorious Service Cross from Canada
- The Order of the Rising Sun, 1st class, from Japan
Personal Life
Michael Mullen is married to Deborah. They have two sons, John and Michael Edward.
See also
In Spanish: Michael Mullen para niños
