CVG Spot Light

Colonel (Ret.) Donald C. Cook, Jr.

A Life of Service—In and Out of Uniform

In 1967, as the Vietnam War raged and uncertainty gripped a generation, Donald C. Cook, Jr. made a decision that would define the rest of his life. Drafted and granted a deferment, he chose not to wait on circumstance. Instead, he enlisted. Commissioned through Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, he began his Army career as a young second lieutenant—one who had entered the service as a private (E-1) and would one day retire as a colonel (O-6).

From the beginning, his path was anything but ordinary.

As a platoon leader at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, he learned the fundamentals of leadership. Soon after, he found himself in Vietnam with the 18th Military Police Brigade during 1968–1969. Known as a “River Rat,” he became the only Military Police lieutenant ever to serve with the Patrol Boat River (PBR) units—an assignment that placed him squarely in the heart of combat operations. It was there, leading soldiers in wartime, that he first experienced the profound weight and privilege of command.

Over the next three decades, his career would take him across the globe and through roles of increasing responsibility. He served as Provost Marshal in multiple commands, commanded units from Fort Gordon to Fort Wainwright, and held key leadership positions within TRADOC, Germany, and the Pentagon. In Germany, as Commander of the Drug Suppression Operations Center, he left a particularly meaningful legacy—establishing the D.A.R.E. program across 23 Department of Defense Dependent Schools. Partnering with the Los Angeles Police Department, he brought a proven drug-prevention curriculum to thousands of military children.

His selection for promotion to Colonel was among his proudest professional milestones. At a time when only 2.5% of Military Police officers were selected, the promotion represented not just achievement, but distinction.

Yet, for all the awards—Legion of Merit, five Meritorious Service Medals, induction into the Infantry OCS Hall of Fame—his proudest accomplishment was closer to home. Through 17 moves and constant transition, he and his wife raised five resilient children, determined that they would grow up grounded, confident, and not defined solely as military dependents. The Army shaped his career, but family anchored his life.

From the first day of every assignment, he made his priorities clear to each Commanding General: God, family, and mission—in that order. The clarity of those priorities established mutual respect and set the tone for his leadership. He led by example, organizing with discipline, focusing on the mission, and always remembering to “eat last.” To him, leadership meant helping others reach their full potential.

When he retired after 30 years of service, the uniform came off—but service did not.

His second career “chose” him, as he describes it. Entering the world of federal contracting, he built a successful career in IT as a Project and Program Manager. Managing more than $75 million in federal contracts and leading a workforce of over 150 personnel, he once again found himself responsible for mission success in high-stakes environments.

He later served as Chief Operating Officer for the National Crime Prevention Council—the home of McGruff the Crime Dog—supporting nationwide crime-prevention initiatives. He also initiated a national contractor-based U.S. Background Security Investigation Program, strengthening personnel vetting and contributing to national security standards.

Education remained a lifelong pursuit. He earned a B.A. in Sociology from St. Anselm’s College, a Master of Science in Counseling from Long Island University, and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University—each degree equipping him for the next chapter of service.

Even beyond professional life, he continued to lead in his community. He served as President of parish councils in multiple military communities, worked as a Lay Eucharistic Minister, coached youth soccer, and held numerous leadership roles in civic and church organizations. He founded the CVG and led the effort to establish it as a 501(c)(3), ensuring its mission would endure.

Looking back, Colonel Cook defines service simply: giving more than receiving and striving to leave things better than he found them. The military taught him humility—the wisdom to recognize what he did not know—and the confidence to seek expertise when needed. It taught him to prioritize people and remain mission-focused. Most importantly, it taught him that leadership is about impact.

To him, service does not end when the uniform is taken off.

“We are put on this earth to serve and help others in any way we can,” he reflects. “The uniform may come off, but the responsibility to others never does.”

And for Colonel Donald C. Cook, Jr., that responsibility has been a lifelong calling.