His biographers are sure to mention that Robert M. Gates is the only career officer in the CIA's history to rise from entry-level employee to director. And he is the only intelligence analyst to become director.

Dr. Robert M. Gates joined the CIA in 1966 and spent nearly twenty seven years as an intelligence professional, serving six presidents. During that period, he spent nearly nine years at the National Security Council, serving for different presidents at The White House. Gates headed the CIA from November 6, 1991 to January 20, 1993, overseeing all foreign intelligence agencies of the United States. The only setback in his career came in 1987 when he withdrew as President Ronald Reagan's nominee to be CIA director because of his involvement in the Iran-contra affair.

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Tags: Robert M. Gates, Donald Rumsfeld, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Ronald Reagan, CIA Director