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• Robert Gates is the United States' 22nd Secretary of Defense, having replaced Donald Rumsfeld in late 2006. He took office on December 18, 2006. On December 1, 2008, President-elect Barack Obama announced that he would keep Gates in his post as Defense Secretary.CNN.com: Obama Announces National Security Team (December 1, 2008)

  On July 20, 2009, Gates announced a temporary increase of 22,000 U.S. Army troops for three years. He stated the increase, which would bring the Army to a total of 569,000, was necessary to cope with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN20130714

• Fast Facts

  1. Born: September 25, 1943DefenseLink Biography: Dr. Robert M. Gates
  2. Birthplace: Wichita, KansasDefenseLink Biography: Dr. Robert M. Gates
  3. Alma mater: College of William and MaryDefenseLink Biography: Dr. Robert M. Gates
  4. Director of the CIA from 1991 to 1993DefenseLink Biography: Dr. Robert M. Gates
  5. President of Texas A&M University 2002 to 2006DefenseLink Biography: Dr. Robert M. Gates
  6. Sworn in as defense secretary on December 18, 2006
  7. Preceded by Donald Rumsfeld
  8. Serving in Barack Obama's cabinet as defense secretary
  9. Named "designated successor" for Inauguration Day 2009Political Hotsheet (CBS News):Gates To Be Designated Successor...
  10. "Designated successor" would take over running government in the event of a catastrophePolitical Hotsheet (CBS News):Gates To Be Designated Successor...
  11. Underwent surgery on January 23, 2009 for a torn biceps tendonCNN: Gates says missile attacks in Pakistan will continue (January 27, 2009)

• Gates vs Cheney

  Gates, in response to former Vice President Dick Cheney remarks that the Obama Administration is jeopardizing the safety of the U.S. by closing the prison at Guantanamo Bay, stated that the former VP is engaging in "fear-mongering," and the U.S. is in no more danger than before Obama came into office. Gates made the statements on The Today Show on May 22, 2009.AFP: Two Bush-era officials reject Cheney's... (May 22, 2009)

• Policy Change

  On February 26, 2009, Gates announced that the Pentagon's longtime ban on the media's coverage of flag-draped U.S. soldier's coffins has been lifted.CNN: Pentagon Allows Coverage of War Coffins (February 26, 2009)

• Afghanistan War

  On January 27, 2009, during an appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Gates said the war in Afghanistan was America's "greatest military challenge," adding that additional troops would be deployed to the region by the summer of 2009.USAToday.com: Gates: Gates: Afghan war is 'greatest military challenge' (January 27, 2009)

• Background

  Gates attended the College of William and Mary on scholarship where he graduated with a B.A. in European history. Gates then went on to receive a master's degree in history from Indiana University and from there was recruited into the CIA. In 1974, he received a Ph.D. in Russian history and Soviet history from Georgetown University. He received an L.H.D. (Doctor of Humane Letters) from William & Mary in 1998.DefenseLink Biography: Dr. Robert M. Gates

• Professional Career

  Gates served for 26 years in the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Council, and as the Director of Central Intelligence under president George H. W. Bush. After leaving the CIA, Gates became president of Texas A&M University and served on the boards of several corporations. He was the original choice to serve as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, but declined in order to remain president of Texas A&M.DefenseLink Biography: Dr. Robert M. Gates

• "Designated Successor"

  On January 19, 2009, it was reported that Gates was appointed as the "designated successor" during inaugural events on January 20, 2009. As designated successor, Gates would be available to assume the "reigns of government" in the event of a catastrophe during Barack Obama's swearing-in. The White House said Gates would spend Inauguration Day in an "undisclosed location."Political Hotsheet (CBS News):Gates To Be Designated Successor...

• Transcending Administrations

  On November 25, 2008, it was reported that Gates would be serving as the defense secretary in the Obama Cabinet for at least the first year of Obama's term. The decision to keep the Bush appointee on in the important post was reportedly motivated by a desire to keep continuity in the position while the nation was embroiled in two major conflicts.FOX News: Defense Secretary Gates to Keep Job Under Obama (November 25, 2008)

• Related Mahalo Pages

  [[$190 Billion for Wars]] | Iraq Reconstruction | Iraq War | The Pentagon | Donald Rumsfeld | George W. Bush | The Bush Administration | Afghanistan War | CIA | Susan Rice | General James Jones | Obama Administration | Inauguration Day 2009 | Barack Obama | Obama Cabinet | Stanley McChrystal

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