Gates to speak at Naval Academy graduation - Marine Corps News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Marine Corps Times

Gates to speak at Naval Academy graduation

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Defense Secretary Robert Gates is scheduled to speak May 27 at the Naval Academy’s graduation, an academy spokesman said Thursday.

The graduation and commissioning ceremony will be held at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis.

The 67-year-old Gates was sworn in as defense secretary in December 2006. By the time he leaves the position June 30, Gates will be the fourth-longest serving Pentagon chief in history.

Before becoming defense secretary, Gates was president of Texas A&M starting in 2002. He served as interim dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service there from 1999 to 2001. He served as director of the CIA from 1991-93.