LEXINGTON, Va., May 3, 2011 – Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will speak at Virginia Military Institute’s commencement exercise on May 16. The last time graduating cadets were addressed by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was in 2004, when Gen. Richard B. Myers gave the commencement address.
As the highest-ranking military officer in the United States, Adm. Mullen coordinates the efforts of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in advising the president, secretary of defense, and the National Command authorities. His previous position, as 28th chief of Naval Operations, saw him serving as the Navy’s top uniformed leader and representative to the Joint Chiefs.
“Admiral Mullen will address a very engaged crowd of graduates at VMI commencement this year,” said Cadet John Manning, president of the graduating 1st Class. “The Class of 2011 is honored to have the chairman of the Joint Chiefs speak at our commencement. Many of my fellow cadets hoped for him to come, so this news from the VMI administration makes them that much more excited for May 16, 2011.”
VMI’s superintendent, Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III, said Adm. Mullen’s career offers an example of the spirit of public service the Institute attempts to instill in its cadets. “Admiral Mullen has amassed an impressive record that our cadets will find inspiring,” Peay said. “His sterling career exemplifies the very best traits of leadership and character that we take pride in imparting to our graduates.”
As chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Mullen has focused his efforts on defending vital national interests in the Middle East, revitalizing the armed forces, and properly balancing global risk. He has placed significant emphasis on the expansion of counter-insurgency warfare training and resources and was an early advocate for a greater focus on operations in Afghanistan.
A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he has served on seven warships, three as commanding officer. He holds a master of science degree in operations research from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., and is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School.
He and his wife, Deborah Mullen, devote much of their time to advancing warrior and family support initiatives including survivor benefits, suicide prevention, mental health, wounded care, and veteran employment and education.
The graduation ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. in VMI’s Cameron Hall. Approximately 300 cadets of the Class of 2011 are expected to graduate, with about 60 percent commissioning into all branches of the armed forces.
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