Gates, Robert Michael, 1943-

Source Citation

<p>Robert Michael Gates was born September 25, 1943, in Wichita, Kansas. He earned a bachelor's degree in European history from the College of William and Mary in 1965, a master's degree in history from Indiana University in 1966, and a doctorate in Russian and Soviet history from Georgetown University in 1974.</p>

<p>From 1966 to 1968, Gates served in the US Air Force. He joined the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as an intelligence professional in 1966 and stayed with the agency for twenty-seven years. During his career at the CIA, he spent nine years at the National Security Council. From 1986 to 1989, he was deputy director of the CIA and then worked as deputy national security adviser for President George H.W. Bush until 1991. Gates was a close adviser to Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush as they dealt with the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the disintegration of the Soviet Union.</p>

<p>In 1991, President Bush appointed Gates as the director of the CIA, making him the youngest director in the agency's history. He had a difficult confirmation hearing, however, because of questions about his role in the Iran-Contra affair during the Reagan administration. As director, Gates turned the CIA efforts away from a Cold War orientation and towards issues such as nonproliferation, terrorism, and drug trafficking. He also helped establish better relations with the former Soviet Union.</p>

<p>After leaving government, Gates became interim dean at the George H.W. Bush School of Government and Public Service in 1999, and from 2002 until 2006, he served as President of Texas A & M University. In December 2006, President George W. Bush nominated Gates to become secretary of defense, succeeding former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. As secretary, Gates was a supporter of the Iraq surge strategy that involved increasing US forces in Iraq. He also endorsed efforts to improve communications and relations with both North Korea and Iran.</p>

<p>On December 1, 2008, President-elect Barack Obama announced that Gates would continue to serve as secretary of defense in his Cabinet. Obama cited Gates's "pragmatism and competence" as two of his most valuable assets. He also acknowledged Gates's primary responsibility in the administration: "responsibly ending the war in Iraq through a successful transition to Iraqi control," as well as ensuring that the US has "the strategy—and resources—to succeed against al Qaeda and the Taliban." Gates retired from the Department of Defense on June 30, 2011. He was replaced by Leon E. Panetta.</p>

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Source Citation

<p>Dr. Robert M. Gates served as U.S. Secretary of Defense from December 2006 to July 2011.</p>

<p>Dr. Gates was the only Secretary of Defense in U.S. history to be asked to remain in that office by a newly elected President. President Barack Obama was the eighth president Dr. Gates served.</p>

<p>Before becoming the Secretary of Defense, Dr. Gates was the President of Texas A & M University, the nation's seventh largest university. Prior to assuming the Texas A & M presidency, on August 1, 2002, he served as Interim Dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M from 1999 to 2001.</p>

<p>Secretary Gates joined the Central Intelligence Agency in 1966 and spent nearly 27 years as an intelligence professional. During that period, he spent nearly nine years at the National Security Council, The White House, serving four presidents of both political parties.</p>

<p>Dr. Gates served as Director of Central Intelligence from 1991 until 1993. He is the only career officer in CIA's history to rise from entry-level employee to Director. He served as Deputy Director of Central Intelligence from 1986 until 1989 and as Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Adviser at the White House from January 20, 1989, until November 6, 1991, for President George H.W. Bush.</p>

<p>Secretary Gates has been awarded the National Security Medal, the Presidential Citizens Medal, has twice received the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, and has three times received CIA's highest award, the Distinguished Intelligence Medal.</p>

<p>He is the author of the memoir, <i>From the Shadows: The Ultimate Insiders Story of Five Presidents and How They Won the Cold War</i>, published in 1996.</p>

<p>Until becoming Secretary of Defense, Dr. Gates served as Chairman of the Independent Trustees of The Fidelity Funds, the nation's largest mutual fund company, and on the board of directors of NACCO Industries, Inc., Brinker International, Inc. and Parker Drilling Company, Inc.</p>

<p>Dr. Gates has also served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the American Council on Education, the Board of Directors of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, and the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America. He has also been President of the National Eagle Scout Association.</p>

<p>A native of Kansas, Secretary Gates received his bachelor's degree from the College of William and Mary, his master's degree in history from Indiana University, and his doctorate in Russian and Soviet history from Georgetown University.</p>

<p>In 1967 he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and served as an intelligence officer at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.</p>

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BiogHist

Source Citation

<p>Robert Michael Gates (born September 25, 1943) is an American statesman, scholar, intelligence analyst, and university president who served as the 22nd United States Secretary of Defense from 2006 to 2011. He was originally appointed by President George W. Bush but was retained for service by President Barack Obama. Gates began his career serving as an officer in the United States Air Force but was quickly recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Gates served for 26 years in the CIA and the National Security Council, and was Director of Central Intelligence under President George H. W. Bush. After leaving the CIA, Gates became president of Texas A & M University and was a member of several corporate boards. Gates served as a member of the Iraq Study Group, the bipartisan commission co-chaired by James A. Baker III and Lee H. Hamilton, that studied the lessons of the Iraq War.</p>

<p>Gates was nominated by Republican President George W. Bush as Secretary of Defense after the 2006 election, replacing Donald Rumsfeld. He was confirmed with bipartisan support. In a 2007 profile written by former National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, Time named Gates one of the year's most influential people. In 2008, Gates was named one of America's Best Leaders by U.S. News & World Report. He continued to serve as Secretary of Defense in President Barack Obama's administration. He retired in 2011. "He'll be remembered for making us aware of the danger of over-reliance on military intervention as an instrument of American foreign policy," said former Senator David L. Boren. Gates was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award, by President Obama during his retirement ceremony.</p>

<p>Since leaving the Obama Administration, Gates has been elected President of the Boy Scouts of America, served as Chancellor of the College of William & Mary, and served as a member on several corporate boards.</p>

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Name Entry: Gates, Robert Michael, 1943-

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