Major Cooley is a native of Arlington Heights, Illinois. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in September 2000, and upon completing his undergraduate at the University of Illinois in Technical Systems Management was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in May 2010.
Following MCRD San Diego, Major Cooley was assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 in April 2001. During his tour he served as a helicopter mechanic, and deployed in 2002 with the 22nd MEU, and again in 2003 and 2004 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to CJTF-HOA, Djibouti. In April 2005, Major Cooley transferred to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772 where he served as Chief Quality Assurance Representative, and in 2007 was selected to the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program.
Following Basic Engineer Officer’s Course in 2010, Major Cooley was assigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion. From 2011 to 2012 he executed the duties as Company Executive Officer. In 2012 he deployed as Officer in Charge, Route Clearance Advising Team to Nimroz Province, Afghanistan to advise partner forces in explosive ordnance disposal and route clearance. In 2013 Major Cooley deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan as a Platoon Commander to conduct route clearance operations.
From 2014 – 2017 Major Cooley was assigned as Future Plans Officer to Marine Corps Recruiting Command Headquarters, Quantico, VA. In 2016 he was selected to augment a fall cycle of Officer Candidate School as a Staff Platoon Commander.
In 2018, Major Cooley reported to 8th Engineer Support Battalion and assumed duties as Company Commander, Alpha Company. During this time his company supported various exercises Alpha Company was composited and attached to CLB-2 to support Integrated Training Exercise 5-19.
In 2019, Major Cooley relinquished command and assumed duties as Project Manager, CJ-44, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, Djibouti, Africa. Where he provided oversight of the programming, design, acquisition, and logistics for civilian and military labor construction projects at a contingency location in Somalia.
In July 2020, Major Cooley reported to 2d Marine Logistics Group to assume duties as Future Operations Officer and Group Engineer Officer. During this time, he temporally relocated to MCB Quantico to serve as Task Force Engineer in support of Operation Allies Welcome, providing oversight of the construction and management of base camp operations.
In June 2022, Major Cooley reported to Combat Logistics Battalion 22 to assume his present duties as Executive Officer.
Major Cooley holds a Master of Science from the University of Illinois in Sports Marketing and Management. He is a graduate of Expeditionary Warfare School, Quantico VA; Command and Staff College, Distance Education; Advanced Logistics Operations Course; and Joint Engineer Operations Course.
His decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal (2nd award), and the Good Conduct Medal (3rd award).