MajGen Mullen, Commanding General at MCAGCC , here for a live Q&A on 5/2 @ 6pm ET to discuss career development and leadership. Questions?

2018-04-26T19:42:53-04:00

Major General Mullen was commissioned via the NROTC program at Marquette University in 1986 and assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines where he served as a rifle and weapons platoon commander, and Battalion training officer from 1987 to 1990. From 1990-1993 he served as a platoon commander, executive officer and Commanding Officer of the Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Company, deployed to Operation Desert Shield and participated in several counter-narcotics missions in support of Joint Task Force-6, also serving as Battalion training officer. In 1993, he was transferred to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines (later converted to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines), as the Commanding Officer of Fox Company. He participated in Operation Sea Signal in 1994, and deployed with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit from 1995 to 1996 as the small boat raid and cliff assault company commander. From 1996 to 1999 he served as the Inspector-Instructor for Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines and led a successful counter-narcotics mission in the Los Padres National Forest of California. In 1999 he was selected to be the Marine Aide to the President, and served in that capacity until attending the School of Advanced Warfighting in 2001. After school, he reported to the Joint Operations Division of the Joint Staff, J-3 for duty in the PACOM and CENTCOM sections, and served as Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director for Regional Operations until 2004.

In 2004 he reported to 2nd Marine Division for duty as the Division Plans Officer, and was chosen later that year to be the Operations Officer for Regimental Combat Team – 8, with whom he deployed to Fallujah, Iraq from 2005 to 2006. After returning, he assumed command of 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines and returned to Fallujah in 2007. Following command he attended the Naval War College from 2008 to 2009, and subsequently commanded the Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group from 2009 to 2012. After selection to Brigadier General in 2012, he was assigned as the Commanding General, Education Command, and President, Marine Corps University. In 2013 he was assigned as the Director of Capabilities Development Directorate, Combat Development and Integration, then in 2015 he deployed and served as the Director of Operations and Target Engagement Authority in the Combined Joint Operations Center in Baghdad until June 2016. In July of 2016, he assumed command of Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center and was promoted to Major General in July 2017.

Major General Mullen holds a BA and MA in Political Science from Marquette University, as well as an MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. He is a graduate of the Advanced Artillery Officer Course, School of Advanced Warfighting, Airborne, Ranger, Summer Mountain Leader and Royal Marine Arctic Warfare Survival courses. He also co-authored the book Fallujah Redux which came out in 2014. All proceeds for the book go to the Semper Fi Fund. He and his wife Vicki have three adult children.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2018 7:47 PM

2018-04-26T19:47:55-04:00

It would be an honor to hear what you have to say on any subject Sir. I'd love to hear your advice to a new Officer hoping to make a positive impact on the climate of the military today, and what you think are the greatest challenges and opportunities faced by the next generation of Military leaders.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2018 8:02 PM

2018-04-26T20:02:41-04:00

Hello General! This story has been in the news and I wanted your input about it. I wonder if the Marine Corps Reserve has the same problem as the Army Reserve. I would not be surprised the National Guard has the same problem. What are your thoughts? General, Please read the comments by the RP Guard and Reserve Soldiers and Senior NCO experiences linked to this story. We value your knowledge and military service....OOORAHH!!!

https://www.rallypoint.com/shared-links/the-army-reserve-simply-doesn-t-have-enough-people-willing-to-fill-command-slots

The Army Reserve Simply Doesn’t Have Enough People Willing to Fill Command Slots | RallyPoint

If you are a Company Grade or soon-to-be Field Grade Officer that has been board selected for promotion in the Army National Guard and yet you can't get promoted because you can't find a slot or the good old boys are still calling the shots, then come to the Army Reserve and get your promotion! We have slots and Leadership positions for you and that includes Mid-level Non-Commissioned Officers! I was board selected for CPT in the ARNG in 2003...

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2018 11:40 PM

2018-04-26T23:40:07-04:00

MajGen Private RallyPoint Member Semper Fi General. What challenges do Leaders face today in motivating their men to maximum effort? Are the leadership challenges different than when you were a young lieutenant?

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Apr 27 at 2018 5:07 PM

2018-04-27T17:07:41-04:00

Major General Mullen: WELCOME, SIR, TO RALLY POINT. IT IS AN EXCEEDING HONOR TO HAVE YOU WITH US.
General, I am the coach of six Facebook groups; wherein I save lives. I have been very successful at reaching my group members.
How do I best lead my groups? How do I best reach my group members? What topics would interest suicidal Active Duty troops and Veterans best?
AGAIN, SIR, WELCOME!
Most Sincerely, Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired: Coach/Photographer

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2018 6:28 PM

2018-04-27T18:28:34-04:00

MajGen Private RallyPoint Member hello sir thanks for taking the time to do this Q&A. My question pertains to the future of the Military what type of positions career paths will be most desired in the coming decade in regards to the new technologies coming out, the current asymetrical threats we face today how will that effect our strategies for national security at home and abroad?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Apr 28 at 2018 7:27 AM

2018-04-28T07:27:05-04:00

No questions General, thank you for taking time to give a discussion on career developement.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2018 3:08 PM

2018-04-29T15:08:25-04:00

MajGen. Bill Mullen, Sir Thank you for taking your time from our everyday Marine Corps to be with us hear on RallyPoint. Believe me it’s an honor to have a Marine General present here. I read your biography and it’s very impressive. I served during the same time you did while in the Gulf War with the 1st Marine Division under MajGen Mike Myatt and with then LtCol. Jim Mattis. My questions for you are many, but I’ll try to keep it simple. I’ve been retired since 1994 and again in 2010. I’ve been reading how our Marine Corps and the other branches of services are holding up in this continuous fight in Afghanistan and Iraq. I know personally that people are just as important as new weapons, that their families are just as important as well. But, lately I’ve read about Senior Military Officers from all branch of services have been relieved of their duties for one thing or another. With this in mind, how can you and the rest of our Senior Leadership response to your Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen and women who are looking at their own Senior Leaders and might be wondering what’s going on and why? I know this is a very sensitive question and I just know that we Marine Corps Officers share the same values, commitment and loyalty to our Marines before ourselves. Sir, thanks again for reaching out to us all on RallyPoint and I hope to hear from you sometime in the near future. Semper Fidelis MajGen Bill Mullen!

CWO3 J.K.Kaupe, Jr., USMC, Ret.
1972-1994

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made May 1 at 2018 2:22 PM

2018-05-01T14:22:42-04:00

Sir, I have always been curious about this -- how do General Officers manage their careers in a strategic sense? For example, perhaps there are commands or billets as a 1-star that you want to make sure you have, so that you are in line to get a 2nd star, and then proceed on from there to a 3rd star, etc. Thanks!

Response by Cpl Tim Callahan made May 1 at 2018 6:17 PM

2018-05-01T18:17:31-04:00

My nephew is graduating from Marine Corps Bootcamp this month in San Diego. How is the training different from when I graduated from Bootcamp in 1970?

Response by SSgt Timothy Prevost made May 2 at 2018 2:39 PM

2018-05-02T14:39:59-04:00

MajGen Private RallyPoint Member Sir, thanks for doing the Q&A on RP today. First and foremost, the
YouTube video 3rd Marines put out of you and the Sgt Major in the PX (Safety First) was hilarious. I feel like the Marine Corps should follow your example and incorporate a lighter touch to the Marines’ personal life as you did, while of course getting the message across.

I have a couple of questions for you, Sir:

1) With our enemy changing tactic on the battlefields of today with respect to the technical side of combat (i.e: drones to track our patrol routes and implementing more cyber focused methods of terrorism that could harm us logistically). In your opinion, do you feel as though Marines have the necessary resources and capabilities to combat such a technologically advanced enemy? If so, what can we expect to change TTP wise for the coming years?

2) As a machine gun section leader in the infantry, it's probably the most challenging thing to hear my Marines say "they won't see combat" or "the war’s over", etc. I try my hardest to motivate my guys by telling them to stay in and wait till something happens. Every year however, I see good Marines get out as a result of no longer having direct combat deployments. I recognize that being ready "any climb or place" is the thought process I should instill in my subordinates and as a leader (especially as a SGT). I love my men and want to do right by them, which is training them hard and instilling as much knowledge in them as I have, to prepare them for whatever comes next for the Marine Corps. This leads me to my next question: As a leader, how would you go about combating complacency and lack of motivation due to what is known as the "peacetime Marine Corps"?

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made May 2 at 2018 3:20 PM

2018-05-02T15:20:33-04:00

Hi Sir,
My question is related to different generations of service members. We often hear complaints from older service members about the newest generation coming in. As a leader, what suggestions would you give to these NCO's in how to effectively communicate and train the younger generation? What tools have you found to be most impactful?

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made May 2 at 2018 4:46 PM

2018-05-02T16:46:04-04:00

MajGen Private RallyPoint Member -- which role in your career was the hardest one, and why? What did you learn from it, that you can share with us?