United States Department of Defense

Conversations with
the Country
August 2010

Top Stories

Mullen Encouraged By Midwest ‘Conversation’

CLEVELAND, Aug. 27, 2010 – As Navy Adm. Mike Mullen concluded another installment of his “Conversation with the Country” tour, he said he’s energized by how eager community and business leaders are to “re-connect” with veterans. “I have really been encouraged by the positive response over the past three days,” the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a news conference. “It validates the sea of good will which is out there." Story

Mullen Shares Concern for Aid Workers

CLEVELAND, Aug. 27, 2010 – The U.S. military is taking “significant” precautions to ensure safety for its forces and U.S. aid workers providing flood relief in northwestern Pakistan. Story

National Debt Poses Security Threat

DETROIT, Aug. 27, 2010 – The single biggest threat to national security is the national debt, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said underscoring the importance of good fiscal stewardship and a need to stimulate economic growth. Story

Communities to Reach Out to Veterans

DETROIT, Aug. 27, 2010 – Integrating veterans into society is a challenge not only for the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments, but also for the communities where they settle after leaving the military, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in Detroit. Story

Chairman Calls Iranian Plans ‘Unacceptable’

DETROIT, Aug. 27, 2010 – Iran’s continued pursuit of nuclear capabilities is unacceptable in the eye of the U.S. government, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told local business leaders. Story

American Support Boosts Troop Morale

CHICAGO, Aug. 26, 2010 – The American public is proud of and has never lost sight of the service and sacrifices of the current generation of servicemembers and their families, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in Chicago. Story

Veterans Offer ‘Enormous’ Potential

CHICAGO, Aug. 26, 2010 – Military veterans bring a wealth of skills and life experience to the workplace and their communities, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a meeting with business and community leaders in Chicago. Story

Drawdown Not Among Insurgent's Concerns

CHICAGO, Aug. 25, 2010 – Extremists in Afghanistan are more concerned with continuing their fight than they are with the timeline that calls for a U.S. drawdown to begin next summer, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. Story

Mullen Credits Drawdown to Iraqi Progress

CHICAGO, Aug. 25, 2010 – U.S. forces are confident in their Iraqi counterparts as the U.S. military’s combat mission there ends, said Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Story

Photo Essays

Mullen Attends Chicago Events

More Photos

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addresses junior ROTC high school students in Chicago, Aug. 25, 2010. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley