Robert F. Hale

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Robert F. Hale (born January 21, 1947) is an American government official who built a long career in defense financial management. He served as the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) and Chief Financial Officer from 2009 to 2014, and before that as the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller from 1994 to 2001.

Hale grew up in Fairfield, California, and graduated from Armijo High School in 1964. He studied at Stanford University, earning a BS in mathematics and statistics and an MS in operations research, and he also earned an MBA from George Washington University.

He spent three years on active duty as a Navy officer, serving in Okinawa and Washington, D.C., until 1972. After his Navy service, he worked at the Center for Naval Analyses, then joined the Logistics Management Institute (LMI) in 1975, where he eventually led the acquisition and grants management group.

Hale then worked at the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), heading the National Security Division for twelve years. He analyzed major defense budget issues and frequently testified before Congress.

In 1994, Hale was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Financial Management and Comptroller). As the Air Force’s chief financial officer, he oversaw about $70 billion in annual budgets and helped modernize the financial system to meet federal standards.

After leaving the Air Force, Hale became Executive Director of the American Society of Military Comptrollers, where he advocated for professional certification (Certified Defense Financial Manager) and ran the National Professional Development Institute and the journal Armed Forces Comptroller. He also served on the National Commission on the Future of the Army, appointed by Rep. Adam Smith.

President Barack Obama nominated Hale to be Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) in January 2009, and he was confirmed by the Senate in February 2009. As the Pentagon’s chief financial officer, he advised the Secretary of Defense on fiscal matters and oversaw a budget of more than $600 billion, including policy, accounting, financial reporting, systems, and modernization.

In 2013, Hale warned that a government funding lapse could delay death-benefit payments to families of fallen service members. Congress later passed emergency funding to cover those payments on October 10, 2013.

Hale is a Certified Defense Financial Manager, a former national president of the American Society of Military Comptrollers, and a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. He has served on the Defense Business Board and was a Booz Allen Fellow starting in 2014. He continues to be recognized for his long career in defense finance and public service.