A native of New York, Lieutenant Colonel Cooley joined the Marine Corps in 1996. As an enlisted Marine, he served in the Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Company and the Communications and Demonstrations Platoon at Officers Candidates School. There, he deployed in 1998 to support Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. While serving at OCS, he was accepted into the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program and attended Norwich University in Vermont.
 
After receiving his commission and initial training in 2005, Lieutenant Colonel Cooley was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. After completing his tour in Camp Lejeune, Lieutenant Colonel Cooley was assigned to instructor duty at Marine Detachment Fort Sill, Oklahoma as a Gunnery Instructor.  During this tour, he taught the Artillery Basic Officer Courses, Artillery Captain’s Career Course, and the pre-command seminar for future artillery battalion commanders. Before departing Fort Sill, he attended the Field Artillery Captain’s Career Course. 

Upon graduation from FACCC in 2012, Lieutenant Colonel Cooley reported for duty with 5th Battalion, 11th Marines in Camp Pendleton, CA.  While assigned to 5/11, he served as the Commanding Officer of Battery T, Fires Plans Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, and Targeting Officer for the 1st Marine Division Fire Support Coordination Center.  As a battery commander, Lieutenant Colonel Cooley deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade in 2014.

After attending Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Lieutenant Colonel Cooley was assigned to the 2d Marine Division, where he served as the G-3 Training Officer, Operations Officer for 2/10, and deployed in support of Coalition Joint Task Force – Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. While supporting CJTF-OIR, he filled multiple billets including Battle Major, fire support planner for future operations, and Deputy Fire Support Coordinator. After completing the deployment, he returned to Quantico and attended the School of Advanced Warfighting.

For the last three years, Lieutenant Colonel Cooley has worked in the G-5, War Plans Section for U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. There, he wrote multiple contingency support plans for Marine Corps operations against the pacing threat in the Pacific. 

Lieutenant Colonel Cooley's decorations include the two Meritorious Service Awards, Joint Meritorious Commendation Award, two Navy Commendation awards, Navy Achievement Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal.