Robert Michael Gates (born September 25, 1943, in Wichita, Kansas, to Melville A. Gates, a wholesale auto parts salesman, and Isabel V. Gates) is an American intelligence analyst, university president, and public servant who has served eight U.S. presidents across both parties. He earned a B.A. in history from the College of William & Mary (1965), an M.A. in history from Indiana University (1966), and a Ph.D. in Russian and Soviet history from Georgetown University (1974), with a dissertation titled Soviet Sinology: An Untapped Source for Kremlin Views and Disputes Relating to Contemporary Events in China. Gates served in the U.S. Air Force as a Second Lieutenant from 1967 to 1969. He began his CIA career in 1966 as an entry-level analyst, becoming the only career officer in CIA history to rise to Director of Central Intelligence (1991–1993). He served on the National Security Council (1974–1979), as Deputy Director of Central Intelligence (1986–1989), and as Deputy National Security Advisor (1989–1991). His 1987 nomination for CIA Director was withdrawn amid questions about the Iran-Contra Affair, but he was confirmed in 1991 after a second nomination, despite accusations of distorting intelligence on the Soviet Union. Gates served as the only Secretary of Defense in U.S. history to be retained by a newly elected president, under George W. Bush and Barack Obama (2006–2011), where he oversaw the Iraq surge, championed MRAP vehicles, worked to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' and earned the nickname 'the Soldiers' Secretary.' He previously served as President of Texas A&M University (2002–2006) and currently serves as Chancellor of the College of William & Mary (2012–present). He was National President of the Boy Scouts of America (2014–2016), urging the end of its ban on gay leaders. Since retiring from government, Gates has been a co-founding partner and principal in the strategic consulting firm Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC. He is the author of four books, including memoirs Duty (2014) and From the Shadows (1996).