17th Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

Mike Mullen believes in the power of leadership. He thinks that the best way—the only way, perhaps— to solve complex problems is with strong, decisive leadership. Although he is far too humble to admit it, his own experience as a naval commander as well as serving in the United States’ highest military position, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is a case in point.

Mullen, who had already completed three four-star assignments, served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs under President George W. Bush. He continued in the role under President Barack Obama and oversaw the counterterrorism operation that resulted in the killing of Osama bin Laden. Recalling that historic event, Mullen praises President Obama and gives the Navy SEALs credit for the success of the operation. “It was a privilege to lead them,” he says, quickly turning the conversation to focus on one of the themes of his career: recognizing the devastating toll of war. “Ten weeks later we were at Arlington National Cemetery honoring the lives of 21 Americans who died when their helicopter got shot down.”

That toll has been a guiding force for Mullen and his most important confidant, his wife Deborah. Their partnership, which began on a blind date at the Army–Navy game in 1967, endured the long deployments of his early career and yielded two sons, both of whom chose to follow in their father’s footsteps and attend the United States Naval Academy. “Deborah and I have worked hard to acknowledge the sacrifice of our service members and their families,” says the admiral. Although now retired, he and Deborah still support many veteran organizations, including Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. “It is very important to take care of our families of the fallen,” he says.

Among Mullen’s accomplishments is the achievement that many Americans associate with him—his successful overturning of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which required gay and lesbian service members to conceal their sexual orientation. “I was leading an institution whose main value was integrity, and I was asking some members of our armed forces to lie about who they were,” he says. “I could not reconcile that difference.” By allowing gay people to serve openly, he invited a more diverse group of Americans to serve their country. The ripple effect can be seen in a greater acceptance of homosexuality throughout the United States, as well as in the reinstatement of Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) on college campuses that had banned it, including Harvard.

Mike Mullen grew up in California, one of five children. His parents, who met in Hollywood working in public relations, instilled in him the value of honesty as well as an understanding that words matter. It was a friend’s father who suggested he apply to the Naval Academy, and he arrived in Annapolis as a plebe with little understanding of the rigors of military training. “I was miserable my first year,” he says.

By the time he graduated, Mullen had come to appreciate the power of his training and decided to pursue a career of service. After an initial setback—scraping a buoy when he commanded a ship—Mullen’s natural talents prevailed. “I loved the challenge of being held accountable for 350 sailors,” he says of his time commanding ships, which led to his progression through the ranks. In 2005, he was named chief of Naval Operations, and two years later, Defense Secretary Robert Gates asked him to serve as the country’s highest-ranking military commander.

Having spent most of his career in the military, the down-to-earth admiral has adjusted well to civilian life. He now runs a consulting firm and until recently taught a seminar on military and diplomatic power at Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School, commuting by train once a week from Annapolis to Princeton. “I have always been an intellectually curious person,” says Mullen. “I never want to be in a job where I’m not growing.”

Photo by Susan Young

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