Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph R. Cooper was born and raised in Covington, Louisiana. Cooper joined the Army as a signal support systems specialist in March 2000. He attended basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon, Georgia.
Cooper’s assignments include HHT 3/7 CAV Fort Stewart, Georgia; HHS 2nd BN 2nd FA Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Sacramento Recruiting Battalion; Fresno Recruiting Battalion; Atlanta Recruiting Battalion; Albany Recruiting Battalion; Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion; and Phoenix Recruiting Battalion.
Cooper has served in multiple duty positions throughout his career including: RETRANS Team Chief, senior signal systems maintainer, recruiter at Pleasant Hill Recruiting Station, station commander of the Brentwood Recruiting Station, station commander of the Conyers Recruiting Station, Albany Battalion master trainer, first sergeant of the Albany Recruiting Battalion, Harrisburg operations NCO, and the operations Sgt. Maj. of the Phoenix Recruiting Battalion. Cooper deployed with HHT 3/7 CAV to Bosnia in 2000 and Iraq in 2003.
Cooper’s military education includes all NCOPDS courses, Station Commanders Course, Guidance Counselor Operations Course, Master Resilience Training, Recruiting Company and First Sergeant Course. He is a graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Class 70. Cooper holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in leadership from Post University.
Cooper's awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC), Army Accommodation Medal (3 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (1 OLC), and the Gold Recruiter Badge (3 Sapphires). He is a recipient of the Gold Recruiter Ring, and the Glen E. Morrell Award.