[2][3][4] Eatinger's name came into the public eye on 11 March 2014, when he was mentioned by title (not name) in the speech by Senator Dianne Feinstein related to her accusations of criminal spying behavior, and Constitutional "separation of powers" violations by the CIA.

Feinstein stated that Eatinger's name was mentioned "over 1,600 times" in the classified torture report produced by the SSCI.

The oldest son of Robert and Patricia, Eatinger was raised in an Air Force family which moved many times.

Eatinger continued his naval officer status while serving at the NSA and CIA, i.e. while serving at the NSA and CIA, he retained status as a Navy Reservist, serving, concurrently in the Naval Special Operations Attorney and National Security Litigation Division Department Head, Navy Reserve Administrative Law (between 12/2009-11/2012), serving as Commanding Officer, Navy Reserve Civil Litigation (between 12/2007- serving as Deputy Legal Counsel, Office of the Legal Counsel, Office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, Navy Reserve General IMA Detachment DC (10/2004-11/2007); serving as Commanding Officer, Navy Reserve Civil Law Support Activity 106, (between 10/2002-09/2004); serving as Special Operations Attorney and Special Programs Division Department Head, Navy Reserve Civil Law Support Activity 106 (between 05/2001-09/2002); serving as Staff Judge Advocate and Mobilization Officer, Naval Reserve Center, Washington, DC (between 03/2000-05/2001); also serving as Assistant Fleet Judge Advocate, Navy Reserve Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet JAG Detachment 106 (10/1996-03/2000); In June 2004, Eatinger attended a meeting at the White House with Alberto Gonzales, David Addington, John Bellinger, and Scott Muller discussing what to do with tapes the CIA had made of harsh interrogations.

[7] The information received from Hermes and Eatinger did not explicitly endorse the tape destruction, but claimed there was "no legal impediment" to disposing of them.