Director of the National Security Agency

Summary

The Director of the National Security Agency (DIRNSA) is the highest-ranking official of the National Security Agency, which is a defense agency within the U.S. Department of Defense. The director of the NSA also concurrently serves as the chief of the Central Security Service (CHCSS) and as the commander of U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM). As the director of the NSA and the chief of the CSC, the officeholder reports to the under secretary of defense for intelligence, and as the commander of U.S. Cyber Command, the officeholder reports directly to the secretary of defense.

Director of the National Security Agency
Flag of the National Security Agency
Incumbent
General Timothy D. Haugh, USAF
since February 2, 2024
National Security Agency
StatusChief Executive
Reports to
SeatFort Meade, Maryland
NominatorSecretary of Defense
AppointerPresident of the United States
with Senate advice and consent
Constituting instrument10 U.S.C. § 201
PrecursorDirector of the Armed Forces Security Agency
Formation1952
First holderMG Ralph Canine, USA
DeputyDeputy Director of the National Security Agency (DDNSA)
Websitewww.nsa.gov

According to 10 U.S.C. § 201 of the United States Code, the director of the NSA is recommended by the secretary of defense and nominated for appointment by the president. The nominee must be confirmed via majority vote by the Senate. In accordance with Department of Defense Directive 5100.20, dated 23 December 1971, the director of the NSA must always be a commissioned officer of the military services. As the assignment is currently part of a tri-hatted position, the director of the NSA is appointed to the grade of a four-star general or admiral during the period of his incumbency. The director's deputy is always a technically experienced civilian.[1]

AFSA directors edit

The Armed Forces Security Agency was the predecessor to the National Security Agency and existed from 1949 to 1952.

No. Director Term Service branch President
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length
1   Rear Admiral
Earl E. Stone
1949 1951 2 years  
U.S. Navy
Harry S. Truman
2   Major General
Ralph Canine
1951 1952 1 year  
U.S. Army

NSA directors edit

No. Director Term Service branch President
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length
1   Lieutenant General
Ralph Canine
1952 1956 4 years  
U.S. Army
Harry S. Truman
Dwight D. Eisenhower
2   Lieutenant General
John Samford
1956 1960 4 years  
U.S. Air Force
Dwight D. Eisenhower
3   Vice Admiral
Laurence Frost
1960 1962 3 years  
U.S. Navy
Dwight D. Eisenhower
John F. Kennedy
4   Lieutenant General
Gordon Blake
1962 1965 3 years  
U.S. Air Force
John F. Kennedy
Lyndon B. Johnson
5   Lieutenant General
Marshall Carter
1965 1969 4 years  
U.S. Army
Lyndon B. Johnson
Richard Nixon
6   Vice Admiral
Noel Gayler
1969 1972 3 years  
U.S. Navy
Richard Nixon
7   Lieutenant General
Samuel C. Phillips
1972 1973 1 year  
U.S. Air Force
8   Lieutenant General
Lew Allen
1973 1977 4 years  
U.S. Air Force
Richard Nixon
Gerald Ford
Jimmy Carter
9   Vice Admiral
Bobby Ray Inman
1977 1981 4 years  
U.S. Navy
Jimmy Carter
Ronald Reagan
10   Lieutenant General
Lincoln Faurer
1981 1985 4 years  
U.S. Air Force
Ronald Reagan
11   Lieutenant General
William Odom
1985 1988 3 years  
U.S. Army
12   Vice Admiral
William Studeman
1988 1992 4 years  
U.S. Navy
Ronald Reagan
George H. W. Bush
13   Vice Admiral
John M. McConnell
1992 1996 4 years  
U.S. Navy
George H. W. Bush
Bill Clinton
14   Lieutenant General
Kenneth A. Minihan
1996 1999 3 years  
U.S. Air Force
Bill Clinton
15   Lieutenant General
Michael Hayden
21 March 1999 21 April 2005 6 years, 31 days  
U.S. Air Force
Bill Clinton
George W. Bush
16   General
Keith B. Alexander[2]
1 August 2005 28 March 2014 8 years, 239 days  
U.S. Army
George W. Bush
Barack Obama
17   Admiral
Michael S. Rogers
2 April 2014 4 May 2018 4 years, 32 days  
U.S. Navy
Barack Obama
Donald Trump
18   General
Paul M. Nakasone
4 May 2018 2 February 2024 5 years, 274 days  
U.S. Army
Donald Trump
Joe Biden
19   General
Timothy D. Haugh
2 February 2024 Present 44 days  
U.S. Air Force
Joe Biden

References edit

  1. ^ "About NSA". National Security Agency. Archived from the original on 2 August 2008. Retrieved 21 December 2008.
  2. ^ Alexander was originally a lieutenant general when he first assumed office on 1 August 2005. He was promoted to general when he assumed the additional assignment as Commander, U.S. Cyber Command on 21 May 2010.

External links edit

  • List of former NSA directors