Charles Dharapak/AP File Photo
Navy Official Could Be New NSA Chief
News reports say Vice Adm. Mike Rogers, currently head of the Navy's cyber command, is a leading candidate to replace outgoing Gen. Keith Alexander.
The AP reported today that the next chief of everyone's favorite eavesdroppers, the NSA, will be Mike Rogers. No, not the Mike Rogers who chairs the House Intelligence Committee and thinks Edward Snowden is a Russian spy. This Mike Rogers is a vice admiral in the Navy.
The story cited unnamed government officials (is there any other kind?) who said Rogers would "likely" be the nominee to replace outgoing Gen. Keith Alexander, who is stepping down in March.
This isn't the first time we've heard Rogers' name as a possible nominee. In an October story, Reuters called Rogers a "leading candidate" for the job:
One leading candidate to replace Alexander is Vice Admiral Michael Rogers, currently commander of the U.S. Navy's 10th Fleet and U.S. Fleet Cyber Command, officials told Reuters. The 10th Fleet and Fleet Cyber Command both have their headquarters at Fort Meade, Maryland, between Washington and Baltimore. The NSA is also headquartered at Fort Meade.
So if Rogers does become the new chief he won't have to change his commute at all, which is nice for him.
The Washington Post put up a quick primer on Rogers last October, highlighting his cryptology experience. He's been the head of the Navy's cyber command since September 2011, and sees cyberspace as a "primary warfare domain."