Mullen Becomes Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (M. G. Mullen ’68)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
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<p>Washington, DC Oct. 1, 2007 -- Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen took the helm today as the 17th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, vowing to work to give servicemembers "clear direction, outstanding equipment and focused policies" to accomplish current missions and prepare for future ones.</p>

<p>Mullen paused following his swearing-in ceremony at Fort Myer, Va., to honor members of the armed forces, particularly those "in harm's way spreading the promise of a brighter future." </p>

<p>"You are our greatest asset. Your bravery and your commitment are our nation's greatest gifts," Mullen said, addressing the 2.4 million active, Guard and reserve members of the armed forces. "You are true heroes who, understanding that your missions are demanding, dangerous and often deadly, still raise your right hand with a promise and an oath to continue building on the legacy of service endearing you to the people of this nation."</p>

<p>This support will be critical, Mullen said, as he, his vice chairman, Marine Gen. James "Hoss" Cartwright, and the service chiefs and combatant commanders work together to develop and execute a strategy that supports U.S. national interests in the Middle East.</p>

<p>Mullen promised to reset, reconstitute and revitalize the military, especially the ground forces, to confront this challenge, while balancing risks around the globe to prepare for the future. "Fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan will one day end," he said. "We must be ready for who and what comes after. That's the promise we've made."</p>

<p>President Bush praised Mullen as the man to carry out that promise by carrying the torch passed by the retiring Marine Gen. Peter Pace.</p>

<p>Bush cited Mullen's broad talents and experience: serving on a destroyer during intense operations in Vietnam, commanding three ships, serving as commander of all U.S. naval forces in Europe then Joint Forces Command before becoming chief of naval operations.</p>

<p>Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates thanked Mullen for his "willingness yet again to answer your country's call."</p>

<p>As Mullen answers the call, Bush noted, he brings personal experience of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and an understanding of "what's at stake in the war on terror."</p>

<p>"He was on duty at the Pentagon when Flight 77 made its doomed plunge. He felt the plane slam into the building. He saw the carnage and devastation, and like all who worked there that terrible day, he still carries the pain and the loss," the president said. "Admiral Mullen was there when war reached America's shores, and he brings the talent, vision and judgment needed to help us fight and win that war."</p>

<p>Mullen recognizes the strength of the joint military in waging that war and believes "every member of our armed forces is, as he put it, part of one team and one fight,'" Bush said.</p>

<p>He called Mullen "a man of decency and honor" who "will bring judgment and candor to decisions that may mean the difference between life and death for young Americans who are serving our nation."</p>

<p>As Mullen begins his service as chairman, Bush said, he's fortunate to have the example set by Pace, "one of the most respected and accomplished military leaders I have ever known."</p>

<p>Pace praised his successor, noting that he and Mullen were midshipmen together at the U.S. Naval Academy and that Mullen introduced Pace to his future wife, Lynne.
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"Mike Mullen is as fine an officer as this nation has ever produced," Pace said. "He has a keen intellect; he has the grit and the ability to speak his mind and to speak in a way that is clearly understood."</p>

<p>While acknowledging that he regrets relinquishing his post, Pace told Mullen he's "so proud that you are the one who will take on the responsibilities as 17th chairman."</p>

<p>Mullen thanked Pace for his leadership as chairman and said he is honored to follow him in carrying out the legacy of military service. "You led in a tough time, perhaps the toughest, and it's been a great honor serving with you," Mullen said. "I'm ready to take the watch, but I do not take it alone. With me is the supporting cast of over 2 million soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who also promised to serve."</p>

<p>Copyright 2007 Federal Information and News Dispatch, Inc.
Defense Department Documents and Publications
October 1, 2007</p>

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<p>(G. Roughead '73; M. G. Mullen '68; J. W. Greenert '75)</p>

<p>Washington, DC (NNS) -- In an informal ceremony Sept. 29 presided over by Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter, Adm. Gary Roughead relieved Adm. Mike Mullen as Chief of Naval Operations. </p>

<p>The change of office, coming on the heels of Roughead's Senate confirmation Friday, was done without formality to allow Mullen to relieve Gen. Peter Pace as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Monday. </p>

<p>Secretary Winter awarded Mullen the Distinguished Service Medal, and praised his leadership.</p>

<p>"Thank you for your great leadership and for your great support and the teamwork you have shown during your tour. We will certainly miss you."</p>

<p>Roughead -- who becomes the 29th Chief of Naval Operations -- echoed the Secretary's sentiments, saying he felt "fortunate to take over a great Navy." </p>

<p>"As I’ve said on many occasions, it’s never been better. And that’s a tribute to the leadership of Mike Mullen -- his vision, his discipline, his drive to do the right thing all the time for the Navy, and alongside [his wife] Deborah, who I believe is the strongest advocate of our Navy families."</p>

<p>Secretary Winter awarded Mrs. Mullen the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award for her efforts to support Navy families over the last 37 years. </p>

<p>"Remember," he told her, "in our hearts you will always be part of the Navy family. Thank you very much for all you’ve done in support of our families around the world. I could not imagine a finer service you could have provided our Navy."</p>

<p>Mullen ends his tour as CNO after nearly two and a half years. During that time, he focused on three priorities: sustaining combat readiness, building a fleet for the future and developing 21st Century leaders. </p>

<p>Mullen improved the Fleet Response Plan through the "employability/deployability" program, which preserves the Fleet's ability to surge while providing better predictability for Sailors and their families. </p>

<p>He grew the size of the fleet up to today's 278 ships and helped stabilize the shipbuilding program through a plan to eventually build a 313-ship Navy. </p>

<p>And he also advanced the diversity of the Navy's workforce through a comprehensive Diversity Concept of Operations and diversity accountability reviews, while focusing early and often on issues of family readiness and quality of life. </p>

<p>Mullen called diversity a "strategic imperative" for the Navy and a critical component of combat readiness.</p>

<p>"This is a democratic country and the military must represent the country," he told participants at the Naval Sea Systems Command Diversity Summit Sept. 18. "And then externally, with just the expansion of missions, the places we're going, the challenges that we have, the demands that we have -- culturally, ethnically, mission-wise, wherever we go or where we're going to go in the future, diversity is an absolute must for us." </p>

<p>Another "must" for Mullen was better supporting Navy families, particularly during times of need. He stood up Task Force Navy Family in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, which had affected some 88,000 Navy Families. He said the Navy learned valuable lessons from that experience that proved helpful in dealing with larger issues of family support. </p>

<p>"It had a tremendously positive impact," he said during a recent podcast. "The Navy is so big as an organization, sometimes it’s difficult to really create the kind of focus we need to help those kinds of families. There are a couple messages that come from that. One is -- tremendously important that we support our families. Family readiness I equate to readiness to do our mission. And we’ve got to keep focus on that. The second thing is that because we are so big, you need to set up a task force to go do something like this."</p>

<p>An advocate of strong interagency and international cooperation Mullen also fostered the development of global maritime partnerships, known as the "1,000-ship navy." </p>

<p>The "1,000-ship navy" is a concept that unites maritime forces, port operators, commercial shippers, and international, governmental and nongovernmental agencies to address mutual concerns. Membership in this "navy," Mullen maintained, is purely voluntary and would have no legal or encumbering ties.</p>

<p>"It is a fleet-in-being of nations willing to participate in global maritime partnerships," he told an audience in May 2007. "To face the challenges we do today, nobody can do it alone. Many countries are looking for ways to help create security through an international navy. The barriers to entry here are very low. You don't have to join; you don't have to sign a treaty." </p>

<p>Such partnerships will likely be one element of the new maritime strategy Roughead is expected to unveil later this fall.</p>

<p>Roughead was himself relieved today as Commander, Fleet Forces Command by newly promoted Adm. Jonathan Greenert. Greenert previously served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources.</p>

<p>Mullen called Roughead "exactly the right officer" to lead the Navy and praised Roughead’s wife, Ellen, for her support and service as well. </p>

<p>"Whenever you’re in command you always worry about who you leave it to," he said. "I can assure you I don’t have a single doubt today. Nobody could be better to lead the Navy in the future than Gary Roughead. And there’s no better team than Gary and Ellen."</p>

<p>But it was Sailors who were most on Mullen’s mind. </p>

<p>"It’s a great Navy," he said. "It’s been a privilege to lead it. We will cherish this experience for the rest of our lives. We will miss it. Most of all, though, we will miss the people. It’s the Sailors out there, and they are out there today very much in harm’s way, and we must always remember them in everything we do."</p>

<p>Story Number: NNS070929-08</p>

<p>Release Date: 9/29/2007 12:04:00 PM</p>

<p>From Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs</p>

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<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2007/10/01/VI2007100100884.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2007/10/01/VI2007100100884.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>President Bush was among the speakers Monday at an Armed Forces Farewell Tribute in honor of the outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Peter Pace.</p>

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<p>My husband and I watched the ceremony on tv late last night (I was channel 'surfing' and came across it--on C-SPAN, I believe). It was wonderful. I think it would be something worthwhile for the Midshipman to watch (expecially since both Gen. Pace and Adm. Mullen were both graduates of USNA).</p>

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<p><a href="http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/10_01-01/NAV%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/10_01-01/NAV&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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He usually keeps the volume muted - there is too much work, too many calls to make and take, too many meetings - to allow the television his full attention.</p>

<p>He usually keeps the volume muted - there is too much work, too many calls to make and take, too many meetings - to allow the television his full attention....

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<p>
[quote]
Another "must" for Mullen was better supporting Navy families, particularly during times of need. He stood up Task Force Navy Family in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, which had affected some 88,000 Navy Families. He said the Navy learned valuable lessons from that experience that proved helpful in dealing with larger issues of family support.

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<p>Hope the Supe is listening!</p>

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<p><a href="http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/10/navy_rougheadmessage_text_071003w/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/10/navy_rougheadmessage_text_071003w/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
The opportunity to continue to serve and to lead our Navy is the highest honor for any naval officer. Assuming the leadership of our Navy from Admiral Mike Mullen is a great privilege.</p>

<p>His vision, drive, and commitment to those who serve have positioned us well today and for tomorrow. I know all of you join me in wishing him and Deborah every success as he takes up his new responsibilities as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff....

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<p>
[quote]
Another "must" for Mullen was better supporting Navy families

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<p>I don't think ADM Mullen was anywhere close to having USNA mms in mind when he made this statement. To even assume such indicates very little awareness of how our young enlisted sailors work and live. Maybe, in the future when midshipmen come home from their Navy cruises and tell their parents of the hardships of the sailors that they will soon be leading, they will listen and this misconception might change.</p>

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<p>Let see if I have this right... my son is in the Navy and Adm Mullen has stated that another "must" for the Navy is supporting families. Am I not a Navy Family? Do you really believe he was only speaking on Enlisted families, that families of Officers/OTC/Midshipmen somehow do not matter, do not need to be supported too? I have no misconceptions. If he is in the Navy I am a Navy family. If he is Not in The Navy then your whole chain of command argument goes down the drain. Which is it? </p>

<p>Shouldn't Admiral Fowler support the families of his "Unit" i.e. USNA? But wait doesn't he see families as distractions, no need for PPW or FPW?</p>

<p>What is the chain of command only applicable to our Midshipmen?</p>

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<p>^^^^^^^^^^^Of course you are family, but not the family that needs support. The family that needs support is sentence 2 in the statement, those displaced by Katrina. Those who haven't seen their sailor for the past two years, the hardships of separtation. Those living on the economy and drawing food stamps due to the level of income of their sponsorer. Those who are relying on an overburdened health care system. The families attempting to keep a home habitable with only a single parent with four preschoolers at home. The family tht has to pick up everything and move every three years. Please do not place yourself in this category. Yes, you DO have misconceptions.</p>

<p>Officers have a responsibility not to need support so that their command can focus on those who truly need help.</p>

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<p>What is "mms"? I've seen it referred to several times...</p>

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<p>How about the family that has both parents deployed and their young children are being raised by grandparents....</p>

<p>Perhaps it is time for Mothers of Mids to seek out the nearest Navy base and volunteer. Provide support to spouses and parents who are trying to keep their marriage and families together while enduring repeated separations - many of these young sailors and their families are not much older than your own mids.</p>

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<p>LOL Meddling Mom's</p>

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<p>I have no misconceptions, and until you know my family situation or any other's Please do not dismiss mine or any other Midshipmen family as somehow not worthy. </p>

<p>
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Those living on the economy and drawing food stamps due to the level of income of their sponsorer. Those who are relying on an overburdened health care system. The families attempting to keep a home habitable with only a single parent with four preschoolers at home.

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This describes some of the Midshipmen families that I know - plenty of single parents struggling to get by, yes even living on food stamps with younger children at home. And in my case health issues that have left me dealing with a health care system that is broken, overburdened and is putting me in financial difficulty. </p>

<p>I volunteer in my community, not at a Naval Base, none actually close to us. So I guess that makes my volunteerism seem trite. It does take a village but remember the village is made up of all kinds of people - not just those you think are worthy of support.</p>

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<p>The Navy is one big family. There is no line that seperates the have from the have nots. Just different levels of the need and the need nots. Officers are out there with the enlisted and go through the same seperation and hardships as the enlisted. Some enlisted need help and some do not. This is the same for the officers. USNA69, eventhough the statement did mention Katrina I feel it was used as an example. The overall comment was toward ALL of the Navy family.</p>

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<p>Please, please do not attempt to compare your personal situation with that of our volunteer servicemen and women and their families who are making huge sacrificies daily to defend our country. I do not need to know your family situation to know that any attempt on your part to compare the two is ludicruous. Many would consider your attempt an insult.</p>

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<p>"Officers are expected to be more mature and more in control of their personal affairs than are the junior enlisted. Officers are expected to be the ones administering support, not receiving it." --usna69</p>

<p>You make a good point. Therefore, what aspects of life in the Brigade of Midshipmen do you feel prepare JOs to support junior enlisted in personal matters?</p>

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<p>^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The extended "haze gray and underway" summer cruises. Working and living with and talking to junior sailors. It is an eye opener and a very valuable experience.</p>

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<p>^^^^ I'm with you on that one. I still think the "semester at sea" or better yet a year with a ship, squadron or Marine unit (not in combat, mind you) would be a great way to prepare the Mids for life as a JO.</p>

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<p><a href="http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/10/navy_rougheadceremony_071011w/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/10/navy_rougheadceremony_071011w/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
Cannons roared and a Navy band played Thursday morning to welcome Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead in his assumption of office ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard parade ground.</p>

<p>Roughead took over as CNO for Adm. Mike Mullen, now chairman of the Joint of Chiefs of Staff, on Sept. 29....

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