Dr. Gates received his bachelors 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.
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 1989 until 1991.
Dr. Gates joined the Central Intelligence Agency in 1966 and spent nearly 27 years as an intelligence professional, serving six presidents. During that period, he spent nearly nine years at the National Security Council, The White House, serving four presidents of both political parties.
Awarded the National Security Medal, the Presidential Citizens Medal, Gates has also twice received the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, and has three times received CIA’s highest award, the Distinguished Intelligence Medal.
Dr. Gates served as Interim Dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University from 1999-2001 and served as the 22nd President of Texas A&M University from 2002 – 2006.
In an address to the Corps on August 28, 2005, Dr. Gates said: “You are all young, but you will not live long enough to see a President who is more supportive of the Corps.”