Coop, Douglas | Army ROTC | SIU

Major Douglas R. Coop is the State Partnership Program Director (SPPD) for the Illinois National Guard (ILNG). He serves as a member of the Joint Force Headquarters J5 Strategic Plans Directorate and as The Adjutant Generals principal advisor on SPP matters. As the SPPD he is responsible for the overall planning, coordination, and execution of the Military to Military and Interoperability initiatives between the Illinois National Guard and the Republic of Poland. As the SPPD, MAJ Coop leads the development of statewide plans, policies, and procedures for participation in the National Guard State Partnership Program. MAJ Coop coordinates the preparation of strategic cooperation plans and works closely with US EUCOM, ODC-Warsaw, Polish Ministry of Defense, Polish Land Forces and Polish Air Forces. Since 2009 MAJ Coop has planned and executed over 110 SPP events that have increased the bilateral relationship and security cooperation between the United States and Poland.

Prior to becoming the SPPD, MAJ Coop served on an Embedded Training Team as a Company Mentor for the Afghan National Army in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from 2007 to 2008. Additionally he served as a Rifle Platoon Leader during Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 101st Airborne Division from 2003 to 2004. MAJ Coop’s previous assignments include serving in the following organizations: 17th PSYOP BN, 11th Infantry Regiment, 3rd BDE 101st Airborne Division, HHD 101st Airborne Division, 3rd Special Forces Group and 209th RSIC North (Afghanistan).

MAJ Coop enlisted into the U.S. Army Reserve as a light wheeled vehicle mechanic in 1997. He received his commission as an Infantry Officer from the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 2001. MAJ Coop deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2007. He has also served on numerous overseas missions and operations in Germany and Poland.

As a civilian, MAJ Coop worked as an operations supervisor and project manager for Caterpillar Inc from 2005 to 2009 and also farms 750 acres of corn and soybeans on his family farm in Jacksonville, Illinois

Awards and Decorations
Combat Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge
Air Assault Badge
Mechanics/Driver’s Badge
Meritorious Service Medal
Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC)
Army Achievement Medal (3 OLC)
Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/M Device
Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (2rd Award)
Polish Armed Forces Medal – Silver
NATO Service Ribbon