It was a long road to second-in-command.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney's career in politics began with a fellowship position in 1968, years before he would eventually work his way up to vice president in 2001 under former President George W. Bush.

In the years between, Cheney, who died on Nov. 3 at 84, held several elected and appointed offices throughout his long career. Here’s a breakdown of all the positions he held.

Early career

Cheney began his career in federal service with a congressional fellowship in 1968. In 1969 during President Richard Nixon’s administration, according to an archived website for the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Cheney served as a special assistant to the director of the Office of Economic Opportunity.

In 1971, he was hired as a White House staff assistant and later became assistant director of the Cost of Living Council. He stayed in that position until 1973, the department stated. Cheney then spent a year in the private sector.

President Gerald Ford’s administration

Under the Ford administration, Cheney served as deputy assistant to the president from 1974 to 1975. In 1975, he was promoted to White House chief of staff and remained in that position until 1977. He also managed the president’s unsuccessful 1976 presidential campaign.

House of Representatives

Following the Ford administration, Cheney won election as Wyoming’s representative in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1978. Though Cheney was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, he largely grew up in Casper, Wyoming.

Cheney was reelected for five additional terms and served several years on the House Intelligence Committee and the House Intelligence Budget Subcommittee.

House Republicans later chose Cheney to serve as whip in December 1988.

Secretary of Defense

President George H.W. Bush nominated Cheney to serve as defense secretary in 1989, and Cheney began serving in that office in March of that year. Cheney served in that position until 1993. While Secretary of Defense, Cheney directed the U.S. invasion of Panama and Operation Desert Storm in the Middle East.

Private sector

In 1995, Cheney briefly served as chairman and CEO of Halliburton, a petroleum industry engineering and construction company.

Vice president

President George W Bush asked Cheney to be his running mate in March 2000. Initially, Cheney declined, but agreed after Bush asked him again in July. Cheney served as vice president from 2001 to 2009.

Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What political positions did Dick Cheney hold? A look at his career

Reporting by Michelle Del Rey , USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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