A retirement ceremony for Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Navy Admiral Mike Mullen honored his 40-year career in the military. President Obama and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta took part in a ceremony at the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia. He was the 17th Joint Chiefs of Staff, which is the top position for a military officer, and served in the position since 2007.
In his position, Mullen oversaw the troop surge in Iraq and Afghanistan and has advocated for a deeper focus on Pakistan. During his last appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Adm. Mullen said that Pakistan’s intelligence agency is working with the Haqqani network, which is responsible for attacks on Americans in Afghanistan.
Mullen graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1968. He climbed the ranks and also served as the 28th commander of Naval Operations. Army Gen. Martin Dempsey replaced Mullen.