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Essex High School
2 Educational Dr. Essex Jct., VT 05452 | (802) 879-7121

TSgt GARY D. COOK

AEROSPACE SCIENCE INSTRUCTOR

Technical Sergeant Cook entered the U.S. Air Force on September 4, 1974, and completed basic training in October of the same year. He began his career as a Liquid Fuels systems maintenance specialist responsible for JP-4 jet fuel hydrants located on the flight line. In 1975 TSgt Cook was augmented into the 63rd Security Police Squadron and cross-trained into security police in 1976. In 1980, he cross-trained into Combat Arms Training and Maintenance (CATM). TSgt Cook taught weapons safety, assembling and dissembling, and range firing to base personnel on the 38 caliber revolver, the M-16 rifle, the M-148 and M-203 grenade launcher, the M-870 shotgun, the compact 45, the 9mm Beretta, and the M-60 machine gun. In September of 1994, TSgt Cook retired from the U.S. Air Force and immediately started his AFJROTC career in Buffalo, New York. TSgt Cook was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts. He is married to the former Maureen Ritcher of Dublin, Iceland . They have 2 sons Jason and Justin and a daughter Ashleigh.

EDUCATION:

1977   AMN Leadership School, Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany

1981   NCO Leadership School, Dover Air Force Base, DE

1993   Associate of Applied Science in Technology & Military Science, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

2007   Bachelor of Arts in General Studies, Johnson State College, Johnson, VT

ASSIGNMENTS:

   1.  September  1974 - October 1974:  Student, Basic Training, Lackland Air Force Base, TX

   2.  October 1974 - December 1974:  Student, Liquid Fuels Tech School, Chanute Air Force Base, IL

   3.  January 1975 - December 1976:  Civil Engineering and Security Police Specialist, Norton Air Force Base, CA

   4.  December 1976 - December 1978:   Security Police Specialist, Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany

   5.  January 1979 - August 1981:  Security Police and Combat Arms Technician, Dover Air Force Base, DL

   6.  August 1981 - August 1983:   Combat Arms Technician, Travis Air Force Base, CA

   7.  September 1983 - September 1994   Combat Arms Technician, Lackland Air Force Base, TX

SPECIALTY INFORMATION:

Rating:  Combat Arms Technician

Weapons Qualifications:  38 cal revolver, M-16 rifle, XM148 & M203 grenade launchers, M-870 shotgun, compact 45 cal revolver, 9mm Baretta revolver, M-60 machine gun, Mk19 40mm machine gun, & .50 cal machine gun

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster

Air Force Good Conduct Medal with five oak leaf clusters

National Defense Service Medal

Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon

Air Force Longevity Ribbon with three oak leaf clusters

Air Force NCO Professional Military Education Ribbon

Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster

Air Force Training Ribbon

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:

Airman Basic                 1974

Airman                          1975    

Airman First Class         1976

Senior Airman                1977

Staff Sergeant                1980

Technical Sergeant         1991