Michael Mullen
Overview
Michael Glenn "Mike" Mullen (born October 4, 1946) is a retired United States Navy
four-star admiral
, who served as the 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
from October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2011. Mullen previously served as the Navy's
28th Chief of Naval Operations
from July 22, 2005 to September 29, 2007. He was only the third naval officer in Navy history to be appointed to four different four-star
assignments; the others being the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples
from October 2004 to May 2005, and as the 32nd Vice Chief of Naval Operations
from August 2003 to August 2004.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
four-star admiral
Admiral (United States)
In the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard and the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, admiral is a four-star flag officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. Admiral ranks above vice admiral and below Fleet Admiral in the Navy; the Coast Guard and the Public Health...
, who served as the 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is by law the highest ranking military officer in the United States Armed Forces, and is the principal military adviser to the President of the United States, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council and the Secretary of Defense...
from October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2011. Mullen previously served as the Navy's
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
28th Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
from July 22, 2005 to September 29, 2007. He was only the third naval officer in Navy history to be appointed to four different four-star
4 star rank
Four-star rank is a term used to describe a very senior commander in many of the armed services holding a rank described by the NATO OF-9 code. The term is also used by some armed forces which are not NATO members...
assignments; the others being the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples
Allied Joint Force Command Naples
Allied Joint Force Command Naples is a NATO military command. It was activated on 15 March 2004, after what was effectively a redesignation of its predecessor command, Allied Forces Southern Europe , originally formed in 1951...
from October 2004 to May 2005, and as the 32nd Vice Chief of Naval Operations
Vice Chief of Naval Operations
The Vice Chief of Naval Operations is the second highest ranking officer in the United States Navy. In the event that the Chief of Naval Operations is absent or is unable to perform his duties, the VCNO assumes the duties and responsibilities of the CNO. The VCNO may also perform other duties...
from August 2003 to August 2004.
Unanswered Questions
