Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell has been gone for nearly a year now. OutServe has a special treat in store for the readers of their magazine with an exclusive interview with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen. The Admiral was not only one of the leaders who spearheaded the repeal of DADT, but he will be appearing at a repeal celebration in New York City being held by Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, OutServe, and The Interbank Roundtable Committee on 18 September.

Mullen states in the interview that “The information gathering that took place prior to the law actually changing re-enforced my belief that this was not going to have a significant impact on readiness or morale. These concerns were especially critical, as we were then still in the middle of two wars. I did feel strongly that we needed time to gather the information to understand the breadth and depth of the issues in order to properly implement the changes associated with the repeal of the law when that took place.”

According to OutServe “The interview also covers how his early career experiences helped shape his future as Chairman, and how his study of the impact that open LGB service would have on the Armed Forces helped redefine the debate surrounding the implementation of the repeal of the discriminatory law.”

Mullen also stated “Many were taken back by the ‘re-framing’ of the terms of reference of the debate, which my testimony fundamentally did. No longer was it about sexual orientation. It was about our most important value in the military: integrity.”

Mullen will be joined by ABC news’ Barbara Walter headlining the event being held aboard the Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum.

The interview can be read via OutServe.