David Petraeus served 37 years in the United States Army before concluding his government career as the fourth director of the Central Intelligence Agency. His tenure at the agency spanned from September 2011 to November 2012, following a career that included command of international coalition forces in Afghanistan and Iraq during a period of sustained global military engagement.
Military Education and Early Career
Born in 1952 in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York, Petraeus attended the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1974. He later earned both an M.P.A. and a Ph.D. from Princeton University, where he focused on international relations. His academic achievements include receiving the General George C. Marshall Award as the top graduate of the 1983 class at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He also served as an assistant professor at the United States Military Academy.
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Petraeus held several significant four-star assignments. From February 2007 to September 2008, he acted as the commanding general of the Multi-National Force in Iraq. Following this, he served as the 10th commander of U.S. Central Command from October 2008 until June 2010. Subsequently, he moved to the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, commanding operations there from July 2010 until July 2011.
Central Intelligence Agency and Legal Proceedings
In June 2011, the U.S. Senate confirmed Petraeus as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency with a unanimous 94–0 vote. He retired from the Army on 31 August 2011 to accept the civilian post. In November 2012, he resigned from the agency. Later, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge regarding the mishandling of classified information and received a sentence of two years of probation alongside a fine of $100,000.
Fast facts
- Born: 1952, Cornwall-on-Hudson
- Military Rank: General
- Education: United States Military Academy, Princeton University
- CIA Director tenure: 2011-2012
- Army Service: 1974-2011
- Awards: National Defense Service Medal
Questions readers ask
Did David Petraeus run for elected office?
He has repeatedly stated that he has no plans to run for elected political office.
Where has he taught since leaving government?
Since 2022, he has taught international relations at Yale University as a Kissinger Senior Fellow.
Achievements
- Knight Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany — 2012
- Commander of the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
- Affiliated with Central Intelligence Agency
- Educated at United States Military Academy, Princeton University and Walsh School of Foreign Service
- Worked as military officer, politician and soldier
