Mullen to new cadets: Support changing military - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

Mullen to new cadets: Support changing military

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — The nation’s top uniformed military officer told graduating Air Force Academy cadets Wednesday that they need to support a changing military as Congress nears a vote on repealing the military’s ban on openly gay service members.

Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, talked to 1,001 graduating cadets at the academy.

The Senate Armed Services Committee may vote Thursday on overturning the military’s ban on gays.

Mullen didn’t speak directly about “don’t ask, don’t tell.” But he spoke broadly about change in the military and said officers need the strength of character to support whatever final decisions are made.