Mike Mullen

NEW YORK – Veteran journalist Barbara Walters will emcee a celebration of American troops to mark the one year anniversary of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the former ban on openly gay service members.

WASHINGTON — The former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who played a key role in the legislative repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is set to appear at an event celebrating the one-year anniversary of the end to the military’s gay ban.

This year, while several individuals who were outspoken in their support for LGBTQ rights, there was one quiet and unassuming figure, who stood out for his forceful, determined and unwavering support of gay and lesbian persons being able to proudly wear the uniform of the United States Armed Forces of the United States — Admiral Mike Mullen, LGBT Nation’s choice for Ally of the Year.

During his remarks Friday to a large gathering of U. S. political and military leaders, invited guests, and service members, President Barack Obama acknowledged the services rendered to the nation and its citizens by the outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, whose retirement ceremony marked the end of a distinguished forty-three year career in the U.S. Navy.

The U.S. Department of Defense on Friday announced Friday that the Chaplain Corps of the armed forces are authorized to perform same-sex wedding ceremonies for same-sex military couples in states where same-sex marriage is legal.

President Barack Obama has formally signed the certification that repeals the ban on gays serving openly in the military.

U. S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has instructed the Defense Department to accelerate efforts to end the policy known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which bans on openly gay military personnel from serving.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are urging Congress to hold off on repealing the ban on openly gay service members until the Defense Department wraps up its yearlong review of how to implement a change. In a letter sent Friday to Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), […]

The Commanding Officer of U.S. Army Pacific received a sharp rebuke Thursday from Defense Secretary Robert Gates after publicly challenging proposed changes to “don’t ask don’t tell” policy which bans openly gay service members. Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, went further, suggesting that Lt. Gen. Benjamin Mixon should consider resigning […]