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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
Awards	Legion of Merit (six awards)

Admiral Mullen with Royal Norwegian Navy Rear Admiral (RADM) Jan Erik Finseth, the RNoN Chief of Staff

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 Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe.

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, 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.

• "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]

Has a son named Michael and one named John.

1. ^ ^{a b c} Admiral Michael G. Mullen, CNO. Quotes from the CNC, CNO, USN.

• Official U.S. Navy biography (from U.S. Navy Homepage)

United States Joint Chiefs of Staff
Pace (Chairman) • Giambastiani (Vice-Chairman) • Schoomaker (Army) • Mullen (Navy) • Conway (Marine Corps) • Moseley (Air Force)