Darin Cook
Adjutant - Navy

Darin enlisted in the United States Navy. He served his country from 1988 to 1997 as Data Systems Technician (DS). Upon graduating  base training in San Diego, CA and both A and C schools at Mare Island, CA, he was awarded the rank of 3rd Class Petty Officer (DS3). During his enlistment, he was stationed aboard USS Rentz FFG 46 from 1990 to 1995. While on the USS Rentz, they made 3 major deployments.  First to Desert Shield/Desert Storm in1990 to 1991. Second deployment the USS Rentz did was drug interdiction in South America from 1992-1993. Third deployment was to support Somalia in1993-1994. Darin earned his rank of 2nd Class Petty Offcer (DS2) before leave the USS Rentz in 1995 when he transferred to NAS Fallon, NV after completing his 2nd C school in route to Fallon. Darin ETS from NAS Fallon, NV as a DS2 in August of 1997 as  birthay present.
 
During the almost 9 years in the Navy, Darin earned the following ribbons and medals: Navy "E” Ribbon (2), National Defense Service Metal, Pistol Sharp Shooter, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3), Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze star, Good Conduct Medal (2), Kuwait Liberation Medal,  and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.  
 
While on terminal leave, Darin and his family moved to Fullerton, CA where his wife at the time, noticed how much he missed the Service and told him the National Guard never goes anywhere. So, Darin started his career in the Army National Guard. Darin join the National Guard from1997 till 2006. Darin joined the California National Guard and became a 19D Cav Scout with 1st of the 160th HHC, 40TH Mechanized Infantry stationed at the Fullerton Armory. In 2001 Darin’s wife was missing her family so they moved to Pensacola, FL where Darin transferred to the Florida National Guard. There were no Scouts, so he became an 11B Infantry. He settled in with C Co. 3rd of the 124th Infantry in Defuniak Springs, FL where he was a fire team leader until a spot opened in B Co. 3rd of the 124th Infantry in Pensacola, FL. Darin was assigned to 3rd Platoon weapons squad A team leader.  December 26th, 2002 Darin received the call they had been waiting for since September 11th, 2001. His unit was being called up to serve their county.
 
 
B Co. was actived December 26th, 2002 and reported to  Ft Sewart Savannah, GA. on January 1st, 2003 and was in Kuwait by February then Baghdad,  Iraq  in March. Darin and his fellow solders conducted thousands of patrols, hundreds of checkpoints, performed raids, and participated in countless supporting operations. Most importantly, all soldiers returned home. These soldiers earned their Combat Infantryman Badge and their Presidential Unit Citation. After returning home his unit was deployed to various hurricane areas to provide humanitarian support.
 
During the almost 9 years in the Army, Darin earned the following ribbons and medals: Army Commendation Medal, 2nd National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Expeditionary Medal w/M device, Army Service Ribbon, Army Lapel Button, Rifle Marksman Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, Humanitarian Service Medal, Florida Meritorious Service Medal, Mississippi Emergency Service Medal.  
 
 
                                 
 
 
 
 
After separating from the Navy in August 1997 and while serving in the National Guard until 2006, Darin moved around the United States  holding various IT jobs. In 2007 Darin finally landed in Ladonia, TX. where he assisted his father with a small wireless ISP. In 2008 , Darin became a Certified Nurse Aide then went on to become Certified Medication Aide where he began working at Texas State Veterans Home (Clyde W Cosper). He worked there until 2012. While working at Cosper, Darin started a small computer repair company called PC Hospital.   
 
 
In 2012, Darin left Cosper and shut down his business to take an opportunity to work for Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)as a correctional officer. Before Darin left TDCJ in 2018, he had attained the position of Sargent of Corrections.  
 
In order to give back to Veterans and his community, Darin began volunteering with MVPN(Military  Veterans Peer Network)where he is currently is a peer support volunteer and mentor for the Veterans treatment court.  This lead Darin to find the VFW. Darin joined the VFW in August of 2019 at Post 2772 in Sherman Tx. While struggling to find his place to better serve his fellow Veterans and community,  Darin transferred his membership in 2023 to VFW Post James E Bragg 4852 Bonham Texas where he currently serves as Adjutant.  
 
Darin resides in Dodd City, Tx. with his current wife and their 3 dogs.
 

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