Keith B. Alexander

Keith B. Alexander
16th Director of the National Security Agency
Incumbent
Assumed office August 1, 2005
President	George W. Bush Barack Obama
Preceded by	Michael Hayden
Personal details
Born	December 2, 1951 (1951-12-02) Syracuse, New York, U.S.
Profession	Intelligence officer
Religion	Roman Catholic[citation needed]
Military service
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1974-Present
Rank	General
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (6) Bronze Star Meritorious Service Medal (2)

General Keith B. Alexander, USA (born December 2, 1951) is the current Director, National Security Agency (DIRNSA), Chief, Central Security Service (CCSS) and Commander, United States Cyber Command. He previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff, G-2, U.S. Army from 2003 to 2005. He assumed the positions of Director, National Security Agency and Chief, Central Security Service on August 1, 2005 and the additional duties as Commander, United States Cyber Command on May 21, 2010.

Life and career

Alexander was born in Syracuse, New York, and entered active duty at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Previous assignments include the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCS, G-2), Headquarters, Department of the Army, Washington, D.C. from 2003 to 2005; Commanding General of the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command at Fort Belvoir, Virginia from 2001 to 2003; Director of Intelligence (J-2), United States Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida from 1998 to 2001; and Deputy Director for Intelligence (J-2) for the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1997 to 1998. Alexander served in a variety of command assignments in Germany and the United States. These include tours as Commander of Border Field Office, 511th MI Battalion, 66th MI Group; 336th Army Security Agency Company, 525th MI Group; 204th MI Battalion; and 525th Military Intelligence Brigade.

Additionally, Gen Alexander held key staff assignments as Deputy Director and Operations Officer, Army Intelligence Master Plan, for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence; S-3 and Executive Officer, 522nd MI Battalion, 2nd Armored Division; G-2 for the 1st Armored Division both in Germany and Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia.

In addition to his Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Military Academy, Alexander has an M.S.B.A. from the Boston University Graduate School of Management and dual Master of Science degrees in systems technology (electronic warfare) and physics from the Naval Postgraduate School. He also holds a Master of Science degree in national security from the National Defense University.

His military education includes the Armor Officer Basic Course, the Military Intelligence Officer Advanced Course, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the National War College.

General Alexander was confirmed by the U.S. Senate for appointment to the rank of general on May 7, 2010 and was officially promoted to that rank in a ceremony on May 21, 2010. General Alexander also assumed command of United States Cyber Command in that ceremony.

Major awards and decorations

	Defense Distinguished Service Medal
	Army Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
	Defense Superior Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
	Legion of Merit with five Oak Leaf Clusters
	Bronze Star
	Meritorious Service Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters
	Air Medal
	Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
	Army Achievement Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
	Royal Norwegian Order of Merit (Grand Officer)

	Senior Parachutist Badge
	Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
	Army Staff Identification Badge
	Parachutist Badge (Germany) in bronze

External links

• NSA biography
• Press Release, NSA/CSS Welcomes LTG Keith B. Alexander, USA
• Public Intelligence profile
• Senate Confirmation of promotion to rank of General

Government offices
Preceded by Michael Hayden	Director of the National Security Agency 2005–present	Succeeded by Current director