Nomination of Robert M. Gates To Be Deputy Director of Central Intelligence

The President today announced his intention to nominate Robert M. Gates to be Deputy Director of Central Intelligence. He would succeed John N. McMahon.

Dr. Gates began his government career in the Central Intelligence Agency's career training program in 1966 and became a civilian current intelligence analyst in the Office of Current Intelligence in 1969. In 1972 he was assigned to the staff of the Special Assistant to the Director of Central Intelligence for Strategic Arms Limitations. In 1973 he became an Assistant National Intelligence Officer for Strategic Programs. In 1974-1976 he served on the National Security Council staff at the White House. Dr. Gates returned to the CIA headquarters in 1976 and served in the Center for Policy Support. In 1977 he returned to the White House and served as a Special Assistant to the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. In 1979 he became Director of the Strategic Evaluation Center at the Central Intelligence Agency. In 1980-1981 he served as National Intelligence Officer for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. In March 1981 Dr. Gates was named Director of the Executive Staff in the Office of the Director of Central Intelligence, and in July he was asked to serve concurrently as Director of the new Office of Policy and Planning. In addition, he was named National Intelligence Officer for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in November 1981. Since January 1982 Dr. Gates has been Deputy Director for Intelligence, and since September 1983 he has been serving concurrently as Chairman of the National Intelligence Council.

Dr. Gates graduated from the College of William and Mary (B.A., 1965), Indiana University (M.A., 1966), and Georgetown University (Ph.D., 1974). He is married, has two children, and resides in Vienna, VA. He was born September 25, 1943, in Wichita, KS.