“I’m Confused: What is the Strategy of the U.S.?” - Michael "Mike" Mullen, AO, MSC, U.S. Navy (Ret.), former Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

Date & Time Oct 08 2015 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Speaker(s)
Michael "Mike" Mullen, AO, MSC, U.S. Navy (Ret.), former Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Audience Open to the Public

Admiral Michael "Mike" Mullen, AO, MSC, U.S. Navy (Ret.), former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Charles and Marie Robertson Visiting Professor at the Woodrow Wilson School, will present a public talk at 4:30 p.m., on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in Dodds Auditorium, Robertson Hall, on the Princeton University campus.  

Mullen’s talk will mark the inauguration of the Program in History and the Practice of Diplomacy at the University.  Mullen is co-director of the new undergraduate certificate program with Stephen Kotkin, the John P. Birkelund '52 Professor in History and International Affairs at the School. 

The program, made possible by a gift from investment executive John P. Birkelund, a member of Princeton's Class of 1952, is available to students beginning in the 2015–16 academic year, will provide preparation for careers in governmental and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that preserve stability and improve lives around the world. 

Mullen served as the 17th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2011. Until his retirement, he served as the principal military advisor to the president, the secretary of defense, the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council.

He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1968.  He commanded three ships: the gasoline tanker USS Noxubee (AOG 56), the guided missile destroyer USS Goldsborough (DDG 20) and the guided missile cruiser USS Yorktown (CG 48). As a flag officer, Mullen commanded Cruiser-Destroyer Group 2, the George Washington Battle Group and the U.S. 2nd Fleet/NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic.

Ashore he served in leadership positions at the Naval Academy, in the Navy's Bureau of Personnel, in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and on the Navy Staff. He was the 32nd vice chief of naval operations from August 2003 to October 2004.

His last operational assignment was as commander, NATO Joint Force Command Naples/commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe.

Prior to becoming chairman, Mullen served as the 28th chief of naval operations.

Students will be seated first for all non-ticketed events.

NOTE: ALL MEDIA MUST REGISTER AT brhuber@princeton.edu PRIOR TO EVENT. UNAUTHORIZED VIDEO AND/OR AUDIO TAPING PROHIBITED.