Few things are more damaging to our democracy than a military officer who doesn't have the moral courage to stand up for what's right or the moral fiber to step aside when circumstances dictate. Michael Mullen More Quotes by Michael Mullen More Quotes From Michael Mullen Mr. Chairman, 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. No matter how I look at this issue, I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy that forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens. Michael Mullen gay men lying Let us all be men and women in full. Let us expect from ourselves more than we think we can give, more than we think we can do and more than we think we already know. Michael Mullen giving men thinking We're at a real time of transition here in terms of future aviation. What's going to be manned? What's going to be unmanned? There are those who see [the JSF] as the last manned fighter/bomber. And I'm one that's inclined to believe it-whether it's right or not. Michael Mullen real military believe It has been a little surprising to me, anyway, is to find out through media that there actually have been several chemical attacks recently. Now, with some belief on my part, and I think a lot of people, that we thought we got rid of the chemical weapons with the regime that President Obama and President Putin put in place. Michael Mullen president people thinking The single biggest existential threat that's out there, I think, is cyber. Michael Mullen cyber existentialism thinking No matter the organization, the goal, or the mission, you've got to do it through people. It's been that way for me since my first command. I work to understand the people, their views and needs, and how tasks are being carried out.That interaction might cause me to modify my guidance or the way I delegate. It also affords me an opportunity to learn what goals people have and how as their boss I can facilitate their future in ways that not only help them, but also help the ship or the organization. Michael Mullen organization views opportunity The truth is, we live in deeds, not days; in actions and thoughts and feelings, not heartbeats. Michael Mullen deeds action feelings I worry a little bit about - quote - "regime change." We haven't had a great deal of success with that in years. That's just really difficult. Michael Mullen difficult worry We can't kill our way to victory, and no armed force anywhere - no matter how good - can deliver these keys alone. It requires teamwork and cooperation. Michael Mullen victory way The mission - the overall mission is to dismantle and defeat and disrupt al-Qaeda. But we have to make sure there's not a safe haven that returns in Afghanistan. Michael Mullen safe-haven als return We have to stop the killing. We need to let the refugees - we need to let Syrian citizens go home. Michael Mullen refugee killing home In every war at some point in time, you do sit down and negotiate. Michael Mullen down-and military war The best day was when we got bin Laden. Michael Mullen bin-laden I'm not a policy and a strategy guy. I'm - you know, the military basically supports what the president wants, the decisions that he makes. Michael Mullen support guy military I've said for a long time, clearly the - a, a critical key to success in the region is going to be Pakistan and our relationship with Pakistan, which was one that was broken in the late '80s and which we've worked hard to restore. Michael Mullen broken keys relationship I'm blessed to be in a command position in a Navy this good Michael Mullen navy military blessed Our people sacrifice a lot for their country, including their lives. None of them should have to sacrifice their integrity as well. Michael Mullen sacrifice integrity country I am convinced that America's great sea of goodwill can be, in fact, a rising tide, a tide that could lift every veteran and every family of our wounded and fallen. Michael Mullen sea america facts Don't try to run your life through a single straw. Someone, some event, will cut it off. Michael Mullen cutting running trying I'd have no problem serving under any president. Michael Mullen no-problem problem president
