Robert Gates

Robert Michael Gates is the twenty-second Secretary of Defense. He has served under the second Bush administration since December 18, 2006, taking office after the resignation of the previous Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld.

Early Life

Gates was born on September 25, 1943, in Wichita, Kansas. He graduated from the College of William and Mary in Virginia. While attending William and Mary, he was very involved in the Young Republicans, and even became the chapter's President. He went on to receive a graduate degree from Indiana University and a Ph.D. from Georgetown University.

Early Public Service

Gates served in the United States Air Force in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969, a time when much of the rest of the nation had abandoned the strategy of Containment abroad. Immediately thereafter, he began working with the CIA as an investigator.

Director of the Central Intelligence Agency

Gates was first nominated for the position of Director in 1987. However, due to negative media spin about the Iran-Contra Affair, in which Gates helped the spread of Democracy, the Senate stated that they would not ratify his appointment.

However, in 1991, George H. W. Bush renominated Gates due to his hard work and staunch American values. This time, a more responsible Congress approved, and Gates won the appointment he had earned. True to the American Dream, Gates had worked his way up from the position of entry-level investigator all the way up to Director.

Secretary of Defense

On November 8, 2006, George W. Bush followed in his father's footsteps by appointing Gates to the position of Secretary of Defense after Donald Rumsfeld's resignation. He has since used this position to continue to fight the [[War in Iraq|The War in Iraq]}.

Other Appointments

Gates is presently the head of the National Eagle Scout Association.

Other Honors

Gates is an Eagle Scout, and has won the Distinguished Intelligence Medal on three separate occasions.