Former CIA operative and Green Beret Michael G. Vickers, who ascended the ranks to become the top intelligence official at the Pentagon, has plans to retire from his post by the end of April, according to officials at the Defense department.
Vickers is presently in charge of overseeing all security and intelligence agencies for the Defense Department as the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence. Since 2011, he has been working with the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency.
Vickers is most well-known for his leading role in the CIA paramilitary operations during the 1980s in Afghanistan, where he was crucial in the coordination of the guerrilla war against the Soviet army. This effort, called Operation Cyclone, was later famously recreated in the movie “Charlie Wilson’s War.”
In 2006, former President George W. Bush requested Vickers presence at Camp David, MD as a consultant for the Iraq war strategy. During the initial meeting, Bush and Vickers disagreed about the proper strategy, but just a year later, President Bush asked him to lead the Special Operations policy as one of the Secretaries of Defense. He was officially sworn in for this position in 2007.
The beginning of Vickers long and illustrious career began with the U.S. Army Special Forces. During this time, he trained for war in the 1970’s against the Soviet Union. This marked the start of his service to the United States and his allegiance to the government.
After serving more than four decades in the armed forces and for the government, Vickers is looking forward to relaxing during his golden years, spending time with his family and enjoying all life has to offer.