High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Robert F. Hale (born 1947) is the United States Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) and former Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Financial Management and Comptroller). Hale has over thirty years of experience as a professional financial manager serving in a wide range of national defense related roles. In addition to his current position as Under Secretary of Defense and his previous appointment as Assistant Secreatary of the Air Force, Hale has also served in the National Security Division of the Congressional Budget Office and as Executive Director of the American Society of Military Comptrollers. Hale is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and a former member of the Defense Business Board.