On 17 May 2007,the Office of the Director of National Intelligence announced that Burgess had been nominated to be the director of the Intelligence Staff (DIS) for the Office of the DNI. While the DIS position does not require Senate confirmation,it does require the Senate Armed Services Committee to confirm Burgess' 3-star rank as the DIS.[4]
After the resignation of Gen. Michael Hayden as principal deputy director of National Intelligence,Burgess was selected by President George W. Bush in June 2006 to fill the position in an acting capacity until October 2007.[5] During this time,he was still serving at the deputy director of national intelligence for customer outcomes (requirements) and transitioned to the director of the Intelligence Staff. He served as the acting principal deputy director of national intelligence for a second time from January 2009 to February 2009 and he also served as the acting director of national intelligence from 27 to 29 January 2009.[6]
On 16 May 2015,Burgess was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws,Honoris Causa,from LaGrange College in LaGrange,Georgia.
In June 2015,Burgess was inducted into the United States Army Military Intelligence Hall of Fame.
On Saturday,13 May 2017,Burgess received an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) from Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport,Florida.
Military assignments
Staff assignments include:assistant executive officer to the deputy chief of staff for intelligence,Washington,D.C. in 1990;G-2,25th Infantry Division (Light) from May 1993 to May 1994 at Schofield Barracks,Hawaii. He served as director of intelligence,J-2,Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC),Fort Bragg,North Carolina,from May 1997 to June 1999;director of intelligence,J-2,U.S. Southern Command from June 1999 until May 2003,and director for intelligence,J-2,the Joint Staff from June 2003 to July 2005. Burgess assumed duty as the deputy director of national intelligence for customer outcomes in August 2005 transitioning to director of the Intelligence Staff in February 2007. He was dual-hatted twice as the acting principal deputy director of national intelligence from May 2006 to October 2007,and January to February 2009.
Burgess departed DIA on 24 July 2012,and officially retired from the US Army on 1 September 2012.[7] Army Lieutenant GeneralMichael T. Flynn,who had served as an assistant director of national intelligence,relieved Burgess.[7]
In December 2012,Burgess joined Auburn University as senior counsel for national security programs,cyber programs and military affairs. In this capacity he works across the university to interface and coordinate with federal,state and commercial entities on all matters related to these areas.
In June 2015,Burgess was inducted into the United States Army Military Intelligence Hall of Fame
On 9 November 2016,Reuters reported that Burgess is part of the Trump transition team "focused on intelligence and security matters".[8]
On Saturday,13 May 2017,Burgess received an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) from Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport,Florida.
On 1 May 2018 Burgess assumed the duties of chief operating officer for Auburn University. In this role he advises the president of the university on all matters related to the overall direction,management,and effective administrative operations of managed oversight in support of its mission,strategic plan,core values and vision. In June,2019 Burgess assumed the role of executive vice president of Auburn University with no real change in job function. He retired from Auburn University in June,2023.
On Friday,27 July 2018,Burgess was awarded an honorary Doctor of Strategic Intelligence,Honoris Causa,from the National Intelligence University in Bethesda,Maryland to recognize his longstanding and lasting contributions to the United States Intelligence Community (IC).
On May 11,2025 Burgess was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science,Honoris Causa by Auburn University to recognize his longstanding service to the nation and to Auburn University.
Personal life
Burgess and his wife Marta have five children:Lee,Regina,Julia,Mary,and John and sixteen grandchildren.
LTG Burgess is a recipient of the Auburn Alumni Association's Lifetime Achievement Award (2012).[9] In June 2016 LTG Burgess was inducted into the inaugural class of the United States Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps National Hall of Fame.
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Lieutenant General 
