'EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION' - The Art of how and what to communicate in our current environment

MAJ Chaveso “Chevy” Cook is a native of Columbia, SC. He graduated from the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, NY in 2004 (and from its Prep School at Fort Monmouth, NJ in 2000). As an Air Defense Artillery officer he was an Avenger Platoon Leader, Battery Executive Officer and A/S-3 (Plans and S-3 Air) for 3-4 ADAR (A), 82nd ABN DIV, Fort Bragg, NC, during which he deployed to Iraq (2006-07) as the XO of a Counter-Rocket Artillery Mortar Battery. Shortly thereafter he attended the U.S. John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School and branched Psychological Operations (PSYOP). Upon completion MAJ Cook became a Detachment Commander in 8th PSYOP BN (A) at Fort Bragg, eventually serving in both A & B Co. During his time, he returned to Iraq (2010) as Team Lead for the Trans-Regional Web Initiative, and then to Qatar (2011-12) to the Joint Information Support Task Force – Special Operations as Team Lead for Regional Focus Group-Central Asian States during the ‘Arab Spring’, also working in Afghanistan and Bahrain. MAJ Cook was subsequently selected as the first PO Officer for the Eisenhower Leadership Development Program, returning to USMA to become a Tactical Officer. He also became a Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership instructor, teaching PL100: General Psychology for Leaders and PL471: Leadership in Combat, becoming the first officer in modern USMA history to be a teacher and Tactical Officer simultaneously. Returning to Bragg he commanded D Co, 3rd PSYOP BN (A)(D) and deployed again to Qatar (2016-17) as the J5 (Plans), then J3 (Operations) for the Military Information Support Task Force – Central, additionally working in Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates. Afterward MAJ Cook served as the S3 for 7th PSYOP BN (A), including time in Niger, prior to his current role as a PhD student at Tufts University. MAJ Cook’s civilian education includes a B.S. in Psychology from USMA (2004), an M.A. in Leadership Development from the University of Texas-El Paso (2008), and an M.A. in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University (2013). He is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Institute for Nonprofit Practice, the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, the Council on Foreign Relations, Team Red White & Blue, and is the Executive Director and cofounder of the nonprofit MilitaryMentors.org. He’s been published by The Chronicle of Mentoring and Coaching, International Mentoring Association, the Journal of the Adjutant General’s Corp Regimental Association, Armor Magazine, Journal of Character and Leadership Development, Military Review, Association of the United States Army, Infantry Journal, Joint Forces Quarterly, Small Wars Journal, Strategy Bridge, IO Sphere, White House Studies, and has a pending book under review with Texas A&M Press. His military education includes the Command and General Staff Officer Course, ADA Captain’s Career and Basic Courses, PSYOP Qualification Course, Arabic Special Operations Language Training, SERE-C (High Risk), Basic and Advanced Airborne School, Air Assault School, MC-6/T-11 Jumpmaster Instructor Course, Gryphon Group Mobile Force Protection Course, Anti-Terrorism Basic Officer Course, Military Deception Planners Course, Anti-Terrorism Evasive Driver’s Course, Information Operations Capabilities and Applications Course, Contracting Officers Representative Course, Air Force Combat Airmen Skills Training/Joint Air Functional Course, and Combatives Level I. MAJ Cook was also a 2017 White House Fellows National Finalist. Some of his awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4th award), Joint Service Commendation Medal (2nd award), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (2nd award), German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold), German Parachutist Wings, Egyptian Parachutist Wings, Air Assault Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, the Major General Robert McClure Medal (Bronze), and the 2016 Secretary of the Army Diversity and Leadership Award. MAJ Cook is married to his high school sweetheart Ashley, and their beautiful daughters are London and Lola.