• 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

  • 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)

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