Mullen: We must look to challenges beyond Iraq

[unhappycamper]

Mullen: We must look to challenges beyond Iraq
By Ben Feller - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Oct 2, 2007 5:37:24 EDT

FORT MYER, Virginia — Navy Adm. Mike Mullen became the United States’ highest-ranking military officer and immediately promised to revitalize the armed forces and “properly balance our risks around the globe.”

“The fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan will one day end,” said Mullen, now the senior military adviser to President Bush as the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “We must be ready for who and what comes after. That’s the promise we’ve made.”

Mullen steps into the job having shown unusual candor about his uneasiness that the military might be overstretched and distracted.

“We owe it to the American people and to all of you, our men and women in uniform and your families, to provide you with clear direction,” Mullen said after being sworn in, as members of every branch of the armed services looked on.

~snip~

Mullen was Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ choice to replace Pace, who had been vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs when the Iraq invasion was launched in 2003. Gates said he decided to replace rather than reappoint Pace because he feared the escalating debate over the Iraq war, particularly between the president and a frustrated Congress, would have triggered a bitter confirmation process that could have undermined the country.

~snip~

Noting that Mullen’s parents worked in show business, Bush said many people find that surprising. “After all, he is humble, well-grounded and filled with common sense,” Bush said. “Not exactly what one thinks about when they think of Hollywood values.”


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/10/ap_mullen_071001/