The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), formally created in 1947, is the principal foreign intelligence and counterintelligence agency of the U.S. government. The CIA is headed by a director and deputy director, only one of whom may be a military officer. The director of central intelligence (DCI) serves as the chief intelligence adviser to the president of the United States. This is a chronologically ordered list of the directors, from the earliest to the most recent.
Rear Adm. Sidney W. Souers, U.S. Naval Reserve (January 23, 1946–June 10, 1946)
Lieut. Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg, U.S. Army (June 10, 1946–May 1, 1947)
Rear Adm. Roscoe H. Hillenkoetter, U.S. Navy (May 1, 1947–October 7, 1950)