Bobby Ray Inman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bobby Ray Inman
Chair of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board
Acting April 5, 1991 – January 20, 1993
President	George H. W. Bush
Preceded by	John Tower
Succeeded by	William Crowe
14th Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
In office February 12, 1981 – June 10, 1982
President	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Frank Carlucci
Succeeded by	John McMahon
Director of the National Security Agency
In office July 1977 – February 12, 1981
President	Jimmy Carter Ronald Reagan
Deputy	Benson Buffham Robert Drake Ann Caracristi
Preceded by	Lew Allen
Succeeded by	Lincoln Faurer
Personal details
Born	(1931-04-04) April 4, 1931 (age 94) Rhonesboro, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Education	University of Texas, Austin (BA)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1951–1982
Rank	Admiral
Battles/wars	Korean War Vietnam War
Awards	Navy Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit

Bobby Ray Inman, born on April 4, 1931, is a retired U.S. Navy admiral. He held many important jobs in the U.S. intelligence world, helping to keep the country safe.

Growing Up in Texas

Inman was born and grew up in Rhonesboro, Texas. His dad owned a gas station. He went to Mineola High School and finished when he was just 15 years old in 1946.

After high school, he took a bus to Tyler Junior College. He was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society there. He then graduated from the University of Texas at age 19 with a degree in history. Soon after, he joined the Naval Reserve during the Korean War. He quickly rose through the ranks in naval intelligence.

A Career in Intelligence

Bobby Ray Inman had a long and impressive career in the U.S. Navy and in intelligence.

Leading Naval Intelligence

From 1974 to 1976, Inman was the Director of Naval Intelligence. This role meant he was in charge of gathering important information for the Navy. After that, he worked at the Defense Intelligence Agency as its vice director until 1977.

Director of the NSA

Next, Inman became the director of the National Security Agency (NSA). He held this important job until 1981. The NSA is a government agency that collects and processes information from signals for intelligence and counterintelligence purposes.

Deputy Director of the CIA

His last big role was as the Deputy Director of Central Intelligence. He held this position from February 1981 to June 1982. This meant he was second-in-command at the CIA, one of the main intelligence agencies in the U.S.

Modernizing Intelligence Gathering

While he was leading the NSA and also working at the CIA, Inman helped make intelligence gathering better. In 1981, he set up a special joint facility in Maryland. This helped different intelligence groups work together more easily.

A Stance on Encryption

In the late 1970s, a new way of protecting digital information, called public key cryptography, was developed. At first, the NSA, led by Inman, was worried. They feared that this new technology, which makes messages secret, could be used by other countries. This might make it harder for the NSA to gather important information.

However, the scientists who developed this technology believed it was important for everyday digital communication. Inman eventually understood their point. He realized that encryption would be needed for things like internet security. He even became friends with one of the scientists, Martin Hellman.

Supporting Diversity

In 1980, Inman made a significant decision. He allowed a linguist at the NSA, who was openly gay, to keep their security clearance. At the time, national rules about security clearances were very strict. This policy didn't officially change until 1995.

Improving Embassy Security

After some attacks on U.S. facilities in Beirut, Lebanon, in the early 1980s, Inman led a group to improve security. Their report, known as the Inman Report, helped create new safety standards for U.S. Embassies around the world.

Life After the Navy

After retiring from the Navy, Inman continued to be very active.

Business and Finance

He became the chairman and CEO of the Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation (MCC) in Austin, Texas, for four years. He also led Westmark Systems, Inc., an electronics company. From 1987 to 1990, Admiral Inman was the chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, which is part of the U.S. central banking system.

Since 1990, Admiral Inman has focused on investing in new technology companies. He is a managing director at Limestone Ventures. He also serves on the boards of several companies and organizations.

Work in Education

Since 2001, Inman has been a special professor at The University of Texas at Austin. He teaches about national policy. He also served as the temporary dean of the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs in 2005 and 2009.

Other Board Roles

Inman has also been on the boards of major companies like Dell Computer and AT&T. In 2011, he became the head of the board for Xe Services, a security company now known as Academi.

Nomination for Secretary of Defense

In 1993, President Bill Clinton chose Inman to be the next Secretary of Defense. This is a very important job, leading the country's military. At first, many people from both political parties supported his nomination.

However, Inman decided to withdraw his name from consideration in January 1994. During a press conference, he expressed anger about comments made by a newspaper columnist. He also claimed that some senators were planning to criticize his nomination.

Inman at the LBJ Presidential Library in 2016

The senators he mentioned were surprised by his comments. One senator said he had "no idea what's gotten into Bobby Inman."

Important Statements

In 2006, Inman spoke out against the Bush administration's use of warrantless domestic wiretaps. This meant he was one of the highest-ranking former intelligence officials to publicly criticize the program.

Awards and Honors

Bobby Ray Inman received many awards and decorations for his service.

In 1982, Inman received the American Academy of Achievement’s Golden Plate Award. This award honors people who have achieved great things.

See also

• Unsuccessful nominations to the Cabinet of the United States