Biography: Donald Rumsfeld

1932: Born in Chicago, Illinois.
1954: Graduated from Princeton University.
1954-7: Served in the US Navy as a pilot. [N.B. pilot jobs were a traditional path for Skull and Bones members like Bush]

Political career:

1957: Started political career as administrative assistant to a member of Congress.
1962: Elected to the US House of Representatives from Illinois. Re-elected in 1964, 1966, and 1968.

Under President Nixon:

1969-1970: Director of the office of economic opportunity, assistant to the president, and a member of the president's cabinet. [a surprisingly fast elevation to cabinet, isn't it?]
1971-1972: Counsellor to the president, director of the economic stabilisation program, and a member of the president's cabinet.
1973-1974: US ambassador to Nato in Brussels.

Under President Ford:

1974: Chairman of the transition to the presidency of Gerald Ford.
1974-1975: Chief of staff of the White House and a member of the president's cabinet.
1975-1977: 13th secretary of defence, the youngest in the country's history.

Under President Reagan:

1982-1986: Member of the president's general advisory committee on arms control.
1983-1984: President Reagan's special envoy to the Middle East.

Under President Bush:

2000-present: 21st secretary of defence.

Business career (highlights):

1977-1985: Chief executive officer, president, and then chairman of GD Searle & Co, an international pharmaceutical company.

1990-1993: Chairman and chief executive officer of General Instrument Corporation, a communications and broadcast technology company.

[Based on information supplied by the White House]