Service Chiefs Speak Out
In this multimedia special report based on a series of special events sponsored by Government Executive , the leaders of the military services address their key challenges.
In a series of appearances at Government Executive 's Leadership Breakfast Series and Excellence in Government conference in Washington over the summer, the leaders of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard discussed their priorities in an era when the United States is conducting massive military operations abroad, facing a daunting homeland security task at home, and tring to plan for critical future defense needs.
Below are links to transcripts of those interviews as they appeared in the pages of Government Executive , along with video of the chiefs' appearances, where available.
Adm. Michael G. Mullen
Chief of Naval Operations
In 1968, when a young midshipman from Los Angeles named Michael G. Mullen graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., he was commissioned in a 932-ship Navy engaged in a seemingly intractable war in Vietnam. In July 2005, Adm. Mullen became the nation's 28th chief of naval operations, taking command of a 290-ship Navy engaged in war in Iraq and Afghanistan. While much has changed for the Navy and the nation, Mullen faces perennial challenges for recent CNOs: how to recapitalize an aging fleet of ships and aircraft and redirect fewer troops for increasingly uncertain threats.
With more than a third of the fleet deployed across the globe and 10,000 sailors performing critical duty on the ground in the Middle East and elsewhere, Mullen balances a growing list of needs against limited budgets and personnel. Over breakfast at the National Press Club on April 24, Mullen spoke about some of these challenges.
Adm. Michael G. Mullen interview transcript
Adm. Thad W. Allen
Commandant, Coast Guard
In late May, with a fourth star on his shoulder making him a full admiral, Thad W. Allen became commandant of the Coast Guard, the only agency with dual military-law enforcement status and one many believe provides a critical bridge spanning the wide gap in capabilities between traditional national security agencies and the fledgling Homeland Security Department, of which the Coast Guard is a part. In a wide-ranging interview with Government Executive on May 2, Allen discussed his view of the Coast Guard's evolving security role and his plans for the service upon becoming commandant at the end of the month.
Adm. Thad W. Allen interview transcript
Gen. T. Michael Moseley
Air Force Chief of Staff
Former F-15 fighter pilot Gen. T. Michael Moseley rose through the ranks to command air operations in Afghanistan and lead the air campaign during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. But it's a different order of battle that's now testing his skills. As Air Force chief of staff, he is trying to recapitalize an aging fleet while organizing, training and equipping nearly 700,000 active-duty, National Guard, Reserve and civilian personnel during one of the most turbulent periods in American military history. Over breakfast at the National Press Club on Aug. 18, Moseley spoke about some of the challenges facing the service.
Gen. T. Michael Moseley interview transcript
Link to video of Leadership Breakfast appearance (8/18/06)
Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker
Army Chief of Staff
In the summer of 2003, then-retired Gen. Peter Schoomaker received a call from Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's office asking him to return to duty as the Army's 35th chief of staff. Schoomaker thought an old friend was playing a joke on him so he made an obscene comment and hung up. It wasn't a joke. Before he retired in 2000, Schoomaker had served in uniform for 31 years. As a young major in 1980, he led a Delta Force team during Desert One, the failed Iranian hostage rescue. That failure gave impetus to the 1986 Goldwater-Nichols Defense Reorganization Act and to establishment of the Special Operations Command in 1987, which Schoomaker rose to command before retiring. On Aug. 1, 2003, he returned to duty as the Army's top soldier. On Aug. 23, Schoomaker spoke about the challenges facing the Army today.
Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker interview transcript
Link to video of Leadership Breakfast appearance (8/23/06)