Michael Cook is the Deputy Director for the 412th Communications Squadron, Edwards Air Force Base, California. The squadron’s mission is to deliver agile cyber capabilities to develop, support and defend innovative Test and Evaluation solutions and support to over 8,000 clients spanning 26 units and 17 geographical locations in support of the 412th Test Wing mission.
Cook entered government service in 1990 as an active-duty member of the United States Navy. In 1998, he was accepted into the Naval Officer Candidate School and earned his subsequent commission. During his career in the Navy, he was stationed in sea and shore commands primarily in Japan and Hawaii. While on sea duty in Japan, he deployed to the Arabian Gulf in 1994, participated in the Rim of the Pacific naval exercise, the world’s largest maritime warfare exercise, and deployed to the Indian Ocean following the events of 9/11. In 2010 he accepted a position at the 412th Range Squadron, Edwards AFB California. During his career at the 412th Range Squadron, he has been the Program Support Lead for the Global Vigilance Program, the Program Support Lead for the Joint Strike Fighter Operational Test Team and Supervisor of the Mission Capabilities and Support Section. In addition to his supervisory duties, he led the way in creating a comprehensive Training, Certification and Development program for the Information Technology workforce within the squadron and played a key role in the strategic planning of education and developmental opportunities for all members within the squadron. Prior to becoming the Deputy Director of the 412th Communications Squadron he was the squadron’s Operations Flight Chief.
Cook was born and raised in Missouri and earned a bachelor’s degree from Chaminade University of Honolulu in 1998. He has attained three graduate degrees and is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College, Intermediate Developmental Education program and the Air War College, Senior Developmental Education program. In his spare time Cook enjoys reading, learning, and watching sports. He also enjoys pursuing as well as sharing professional development opportunities.
EDUCATION
1990 Basic Electricity and Electronics, in residence, Service School Command, Orlando, Florida
1991 Naval Advanced Electronics Program, in residence, Service School Command, Great Lakes, Illinois
1992 Satellite Communications “C” School, in residence, Service School Command, San Diego, California
1998 Bachelor of Arts, English, Chaminade University of Honolulu, Hawaii
1999 Naval Officer Candidate School (OCS), in residence, Pensacola, Florida
2000 Naval Surface Warfare Officers (SWO) Division Officer Course in residence, Newport, Rhode Island
2000 Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC), in residence, Newport, Rhode Island
2005 Master of Management, University of Phoenix (UOP)
2012 Certified Acquisition Professional-Level 1, Program Management, Defense Acquisition University 2013, Master of Science in Information Technology, University of Management and Technology (UMT)
2013 Cyber 200 Certification, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Wright-Patterson, AFB, Ohio
2015 Certified Acquisition Professional-Level 3, Information Technology, Defense Acquisition University
2015 Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), National Defense University (correspondence)
2016 Master of Science in Engineering Management, University of Management and Technology (UMT)
2017 Cyber 300 Certification, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Wright-Patterson, AFB, Ohio
2017 Air Command and Staff College (ACSC), Air University (AU) Intermediate PME (correspondence)
2018 Air War College (AWC), Air University (AU) Senior PME (correspondence)
ASSIGNMENTS OR CAREER CHRONOLOGY
February 1992 – February 1994, Electronic Maintenance Department, Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station, Diego Garcia,
March 1994 – March 1996, Combat Systems Maintenance Support, USS Hewitt (DD-966), Yokosuka, Japan
April 1996 – April 2000, Planning and Programs Department, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
April 2000 – April 2002, Engineering Officer, USS Vincennes (CG-49), Yokosuka, Japan
April 2002 – May 2004, Communications Officer, Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station, Yokosuka, Japan
May 2004 – April 2008, IT Systems Analyst/PM, Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), Japan, Italy, and Bahrain
April 2008 – October 2010, IT Project Manager, Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station, Yokosuka, Japan
October 2010 – June 2015, Data Production Analyst, 412th Range Squadron, Edwards AFB, California
June 2015 – October 2017, Program Lead, Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Operational Test Team, Edwards AFB, California
October 2017 – February 2019, Mission Capabilities & Support Section Chief, 412th Range Squadron, Edwards AFB, California
February 2019 – July 2020, Operations Flight Chief, 412th Communications Squadron, Edwards AFB, California
July 2020 - Present, Deputy Director, 412th Communications Squadron, Edwards AFB, California
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1998 Magna cum Laude, Chaminade University of Honolulu
1999 Naval Officer Candidate School (OCS) Distinguished Graduate
2012 412 RANS Performer of the Month Award
2014 International Honor Society Delta Epsilon Tau Kappa Chapter of Virginia
2015 412 RANS Quarterly Award
2016 Booster of the Year Award, Desert High School Wrestling
2017 412 RANS Team of the Quarter Award
2017 412 RANS Annual Supervision/Management Award
2017 412 TENG Annual Director's Award
2018 412 RANS Quarterly Supervision/Management Award (X2)
2018 412 TENG Quarterly Director's Award
2018 412 RANS Team of the Quarter Award
2018 412 TENG Quarterly Supervision/Management Award
2018 412 TENG Innovation Team of the Quarter Award
2018 412 RANS Annual Supervision/Management Award
2018 412 TENG Team of the Year Award
PUBLICATIONS
“Cyber Acquisition Professionals Need Expertise,” Defense AT&L Magazine, March-April 2014
“Securing Cyber Acquisitions, Defense AT&L Magazine,” January-February 2015
“The First 100 Days of an Acquisition Workforce Manager,” Defense AT&L Magazine, May-June 2015
“Intellectual Innovation: A Paradigm Shift in Development,” Defense AT&L Magazine, July-August 2016
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Technology (IT, Engineering, Innovation) Industry Council Committee, University of Management and Technology
IT/Cyber Security Advisory Committee, Cerro Coso Community College
Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute (PMI)
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)²