Michael Mullen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Mullen
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Mullen in September 2007
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| Born | 4 October 1946 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| 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 4 October 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.
Before this top role, Mullen served as the 32nd Vice Chief of Naval Operations from 2003 to 2004. He then led the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and the Allied Joint Force Command Naples from 2004 to 2005. From 2005 to 2007, he was the Navy's 28th Chief of Naval Operations.
As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mullen was the highest-ranking officer in the U.S. Armed Forces. He helped bring more diversity to the military's top leadership. He retired from the Navy after more than 42 years of service. Since 2012, he has been a visiting professor at Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.
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Early Life and Education
Michael Mullen was born on October 4, 1946, in Los Angeles. 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.
Mullen went to St. Charles Borromeo Church School in North Hollywood. He graduated from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks in 1964. He then attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1968.
His college yearbook, Lucky Bag, described him as having "fine leadership qualities." It also noted his "well rounded personality, his enthusiasm, and his desire to do his best."
As a young officer, Mullen served on several ships. These included the USS Collett (DD-730), USS Blandy (DD-943), USS Fox (CG-33), and USS Sterett (CG-31). He later commanded three ships: the gasoline tanker USS Noxubee (AOG-56), the destroyer USS Goldsborough (DDG-20), and the cruiser USS Yorktown (CG-48).
He also led a group of ships called Cruiser-Destroyer Group Two from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73). His last command at sea was leading the U.S. 2nd Fleet and the NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic.
In 1985, Mullen earned a Master of Science degree in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School. In 1991, he attended a special business program at Harvard Business School.
Mullen also worked at the U.S. Naval Academy and in various offices in the Navy and the Secretary of Defense's staff. He was the 32nd Vice Chief of Naval Operations from 2003 to 2004. In 1987, his fellow officers recognized him with the Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership.
As Commander of the Allied Joint Force Command Naples, Mullen was in charge of NATO missions. These missions were 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 Mullen to President George W. Bush. He recommended Mullen to become the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. President Bush officially nominated him on June 28, 2007.
The United States Senate approved Mullen for the role on August 3, 2007. He officially started on October 1, 2007. Mullen was the first Navy officer to hold this position since Admiral William J. Crowe in 1986.
During his time as Chairman, Mullen helped appoint many African-American officers to high military positions. This included General Lloyd Austin, who later became the first Black Secretary of Defense.
In 2009, President Barack Obama asked Mullen to serve a second term. The Senate approved him again on September 25, 2009. He began his second term on October 1, 2009.
On February 2, 2010, 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, "I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are." He believed that allowing gay and lesbian people to serve openly was the right thing to do.
Views on Important Issues
During his Senate hearing in 2007, Mullen spoke about the Iraq War. He said that political progress in Iraq was very important. He believed that if Iraqi leaders did not make political progress, the situation would not improve. He also said that the U.S. needed to encourage Iraq's leaders to work together.
Mullen also stated that while the U.S. would not have permanent bases in Iraq, a long-term commitment was needed. This commitment would be measured in years, not months.
In 2010, Mullen said that the biggest threat to U.S. national security was the country's debt.
The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy officially ended on September 20, 2011. President Obama, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, and Admiral Mullen confirmed this change to Congress in July 2011.
Mullen also shared his ideas about how to use military force today. He said that modern wars are often about winning the "minds of the people." He believed that military power should be used carefully and precisely. He also stressed that military plans must always work closely with government policy.
After the murder of George Floyd, President Trump considered using federal troops for protests. Mullen wrote an article in The Atlantic against this idea. He worried that military members would be used for political reasons.
Retirement
President Obama chose General Martin Dempsey to be the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in May 2011. Mullen officially retired from the military on September 30, 2011.
After retiring, Mullen continued to be involved in important areas. 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 2023, he became chairman of the board for Saildrone, a company making unmanned maritime technology.
In 2017, Mullen shared his concern that the United States was close to a nuclear war with North Korea.
In 2024, a new Navy destroyer, the USS Michael G. Mullen, was named in his honor. This was done because he was seen as a "visionary leader."
Dates of Rank
| 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 |
Military Awards
United States Military Decorations
| Ribbon | Description | Notes |
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal | with three bronze oak leaf clusters |
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal | with one gold award star |
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Defense Superior Service Medal | |
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Legion of Merit | with one silver award star |
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Meritorious Service Medal | |
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Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal | |
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Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal | |
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Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon | |
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Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon | |
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Navy "E" Ribbon | with Wreathed Battle E device |
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Navy Expeditionary Medal | |
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National Defense Service Medal | with two bronze service stars |
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Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal | |
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Vietnam Service Medal | with one bronze star |
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Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | |
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Humanitarian Service Medal | with one bronze star |
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Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon | with three bronze stars |
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Navy Overseas Service Ribbon | with one bronze star |
Non-U.S. Decorations
| Ribbon | Issuing nation/organisation | Description | Date awarded | Notes |
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Republic of Chile | National Order of Merit (Commander) | ||
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Republic of Italy | Order of Merit of the Italian Republic | 14 April 2007 | |
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French Republic | National Order of the Legion of Honour | 12 May 2007 | |
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Commonwealth of Australia | Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia (Military Division) | 5 November 2010 | For distinguished service to the military relationship between Australia and the US as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, US |
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Federal Republic of Germany | Federal Cross of Merit | 9 June 2011 | For concern for German soldiers, his role in strengthening the close German-American friendship, and his services to the Federal Republic of Germany |
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Republic of Vietnam | Vietnam Gallantry Cross (device(s) unknown) | ||
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Republic of Vietnam | Vietnam Civil Actions Medal 1st Class | ||
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Canada | Meritorious Service Cross | 2013 | |
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Japan | Order of the Rising Sun, 1st class | ||
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Republic of Vietnam | Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Ribbon | ||
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Republic of Vietnam | Civil Actions Unit Citation Ribbon | ||
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NATO | NATO Medal for Former Yugoslavia | ||
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Republic of Vietnam | Vietnam Campaign Medal |
Badges
| Badge | Description |
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Navy Surface Warfare Badge (Officer) |
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Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge |
Other Awards
In 1987, Mullen received the Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership. This award recognizes outstanding leadership.
In 2009, a veterans group called Soldier On gave Admiral Mullen their first Soldier On Award. This award honors people who help end homelessness for veterans.
In 2010, Mullen was made an Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia.
An auditorium at the Surface Warfare Officers School in Newport, Rhode Island, was named after him in 2012.
Personal Life
Michael Mullen is married to Deborah. They have two sons, John and Michael Edward.
Images for kids
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Then-Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Mullen with Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter and MCPON Terry D. Scott, February 2006
See also
In Spanish: Michael Mullen para niños
