Obama, Biden, Panetta Attend the Joint Chiefs of Staff Change of Responsibility Ceremony

Department of Defense Photo Essay

  • Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, 17th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his wife, Deborah, are piped ashore at the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. During the ceremony, Mullen retired after 43 years of military service and Army Gen. Martin Dempsey accepted the role of chairman. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • President Barack Obama greets Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta at the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey became the 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the ceremony, succeeding Navy Adm. Mike Mullen who retired after 43 years of military service. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • President Barack Obama greets Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey at the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden speak with Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, greets U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii along with former Sen. John Warner of Virginia and his wife, Jeanne Vander Myde, at the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. Warner is a former Secretary of the Navy. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, left, incoming chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks with Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, before the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • A joint color guard marches during the retirement ceremony of Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Summerall Field in Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey became the 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the ceremony, succeeding Mullen who retired after 43 years of military service. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Teddy Wade
  • A joint honor guard awaits the arrival of the official party during the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
  • Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrives for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey became the 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the ceremony, succeeding Mullen who retired after 43 years of military service. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
  • The U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps conducts a pass and review during the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. Army Gen. Martin Dempsey succeeded Navy Adm. Mike Mullen as the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the ceremony. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
  • The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard conducts a pass and review during the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
  • Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reviews troops during his retirement ceremony and Armed Forces Farewell at Summerall Field on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey became the 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the ceremony, succeeding Mullen who retired after 43 years of military service. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, inspects the troops during the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. DOD photo byU.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
  • Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, right, outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, receives a standing ovation after inspecting the troops during the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
  • Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, right, outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, salutes during a final pass and review of troops at the change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
  • Vice President Joe Biden, left, President Barack Obama, second from left, Deborah Mullen and her husband, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, observe the honor guard pass and review at the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. Mullen retired during the ceremony, bringing to a close his 43-year military career. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • Right to left, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, his wife Deborah, President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, his wife Deanie and other family members celebrate during Mullen's retirement ceremony and Armed Forces Farewell and Dempsey's swearing in as the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Summerall Field in Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. In attendance was Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, far left, Chief of Staff of the Army. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Teddy Wade
  • Left to right, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, Vice President Joe Biden, President Barack Obama and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, observe the passing of the honor guard at the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. Dempsey became the 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the ceremony, succeeding Mullen who retired after 43 years of military service. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden observe the playing of the national anthem during the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey became the 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the ceremony, succeeding Navy Adm. Mike Mullen who retired after 43 years of military service. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
  • Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, left, and Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, right, observe the playing of the national anthem during the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. Dempsey became the 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the ceremony, succeeding Navy Adm. Mike Mullen who retired after 43 years of military service. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
  • Four T-34 Mentor aircraft perform a flyover during the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
  • President Barack Obama, left, shares a moment with Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. Mullen was succeeded by Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, who became the18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during the ceremony. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
  • Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta delivers remarks about outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen during the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
  • President Barack Obama delivers remarks during the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
  • President Barack Obama congratulates Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. Mullen was succeeded by Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during the ceremony. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
  • Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delivers remarks during the change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey became the 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the ceremony, succeeding Mullen who retired after 43 years of military service. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
  • Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey delivers remarks during the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. Dempsey, the18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, succeeded Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, outgoing chairman, during the ceremony. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
  • Members of the U.S. Naval Academy's class of 1968 listen as their fellow classmate and outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen delivers remarks at change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. Mullen was succeeded by Army. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
  • President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta react to chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen's remarks during the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony at Summerall Field, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. Mullen was succeeded by Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during the ceremony. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
  • Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta congratulates Deborah Mullen, wife of Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, after presenting her with the Distinguished Public Service award, Sept. 30, 2011. The presentation was part of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey took responsibility as the 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from Mullen during the ceremony. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
  • President Barack Obama congratulates new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey during the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony at Summerall Field, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
  • Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta applauds Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey during the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. Dempsey became the 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the ceremony, succeeding Navy Adm. Mike Mullen who retired after 43 years of military service. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
  • Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, left, outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, congratulates the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, during the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. Mullen retired after 43 years of service and Dempsey became the 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the ceremony. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey
  • President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden thank Deborah Mullen, wife of outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, at the conclusion of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff change of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 30, 2011. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey became the 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the ceremony, succeeding Navy Adm. Mike Mullen who retired after 43 years of military service. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley