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Honoring the Code
Michael G. Mullen (AMP 109, 1991) was the 17th Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff. He retired in 2011 following a distinguished military career. He is also a 2019 recipient of the HBS Alumni Achievement Award. In this interview, he talks about his leadership role in successful overturning the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which required gay and lesbian service members to conceal their sexual orientation.
“What really kept me going in the Navy were these wonderful jobs, leading people I cared about, seeing the world, carrying out the mission. But it was the command. It was the responsibility. All the way up to when I was chairman, I felt responsible for over two million men and women in uniform, active guard and reserve. So leading them, being responsible for them, understanding their challenges, putting them in a position to progress and achieve and succeed.
“Speaking for myself and myself only, it is my personal belief that allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would be the right thing to do.” “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” went into effect when President Clinton came in, 1993. I'm commanding a ship in Norfolk, Virginia. I'm not paying any attention. Basically, whatever the law is going to be, I'm going to carry it out.
“But in 2008, I'm now chairman, much different from 1993 when I wasn't involved. It just struck me that I'm leading an institution whose main value is integrity. And yet, I am asking young people to die for their country and lie about who they were every single day. And I just could not reconcile that difference. And that eventually resulted in the testimony I gave, which obviously was significant in moving forward so that this law could change and that policies could be adapted.”
(Published July 2019)
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