Colonel Ronald "Ron" Patrick Rook U.S.M.C. Retired

Colonel Rook was born in Milton, FL, graduated from Milton High School in 1964, and entered the Marine Corps in August of 1964. He served in the infantry from 1964 to 1967, including a tour in Viet Nam with Alpha Company, 1st Bn, 5th Marines in 1966/67. During his career, he progressed in the enlisted ranks through Staff Sergeant, then Warrant Officer 1 through Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CWO3), and Limited Duty Officer (LDO) (1stLt to Captain) — before being selected for re-designation to unrestricted officer status in 1981. As such, Col Rook is the first former CWO/LDO to be promoted through the unrestricted ranks all the way to Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Col. Rook earned his Associates Degree in Law Enforcement in 1973 from Pensacola Junior College, FL; Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 1975 from Park College, Parkville, MO; a Master's Degree in Administration of Justice in 1978 from Wichita State University, Wichita, KS; and a Master's Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies in 1993 from the Naval War College — he was awarded the Navy League’s “Stephen B. Luce Award” as an honor graduate.

Col. Rook has attended NBC School, NCO School; SNCO Academy; Warrant Officer Basic School at Quantico, VA; Corrections Officers Course; Command & Staff College, Quantico, VA; Physical Security School; Antiterrorism School; the FBI National Academy; Military Justice School; Senior Level Seminar for Total Quality Leadership (TQL); Domestic Violence Intervention Course; and the Naval War College.

Col. Rook has spent thirteen years working in the Corrections Field, and the last twenty-one years of active duty working in various law enforcement and security related assignments, and various enlisted assignments in the MP/Corrections Field (67-80) to include Corrections Officer, U.S. Disciplinary Barracks, Ft. Leavenworth, KS.; (74-77); Instructor, MP School, Ft. McClellan, AL (77-80); staff officer at HQMC — MP Action Officer, Law Enforcement Branch (80-82); CO, Marine Security Company, Presidential Retreat — Camp David, MD (82-84); Deputy Provost Marshal, Camp Butler, Okinawa 84-87); He has also served as a staff officer (G2A/MEF Provost Marshal) at II MEF; MP OPS/Security Officer, U.S. Central Command (88-91) — including serving ten months in the Gulf War. A command billet tour as the CO of the Marine Security Guards in the U.S. Embassies located throughout Europe (93-95). He has also completed a tour as the Provost Marshal at MCAS, Cherry Point, NC (95-97).

Col Rook finalized his active-duty military career by completing a command tour as the Commanding Officer of Security Bn, MCB Quantico, and a tour as the Chief of Staff, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA. – retiring on 1 Jan 2001. He immediately went to work for U.S. Central Command at MacDill AFB, FL. where he provided War-gaming and Exercise support and was assigned as the Chief, Cooperative Defense Branch within the Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction Division and the J5 Strategy, Plans, & Policy Directorate (J5). He was directly responsible for conducting the Cooperative Defense Program in U.S. CENTCOM’s Area of Responsibility in order to enhance the capabilities of partner nations to deter, prevent, detect, and mitigate the circumstances of a weapons of mass destruction incident. He recently retired from U.S. Central Command as a Government Civil Service Employee. Based on the foregoing, Col Rook has completed 50 years of continuous government service (DOD) – Active Duty in the USMC from Aug 1964 until 2001, and as a Civilian from Jan 2001 through Aug 2014.

Col Rook has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with four Gold Stars in lieu of five awards), Navy Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Joint Unit Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation (with one Bronze Star), Navy Unit Commendation (with two Bronze Stars), Meritorious Unit Commendation (with two Bronze Stars), Good Conduct Medal (with one Bronze Star), National Defense Service Medal (with one Bronze Star), Viet Nam Service Medal (with three Bronze Stars), Southwest Asia Medal (with two Bronze Stars), Sea Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (with four Bronze Stars), Marine Security Guard Ribbon, Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry Medal (with Palm), Viet Nam Civic Action Medal (with Palm), Vietnam Campaign Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait). Col Rook is also authorized to wear the Presidential Service Badge for his assignment at Camp David, Maryland.

Col Rook is very active in motorcycle riding (had previously been the President for 8 years of the Defenders Law Enforcement Motorcycle Chapter in Tampa, FL, and is a former Director of the local Brandon Harley Davidson Motorcycle Club). Col Rook has completed 27 Marine Marathons, and 57 Marathons overall -- plus one (1) 50 Mile Ultra Marathon. Was inducted into the Marine Corps Marathon Hall of Fame. Also teaches Marathon Clinics to Marathoners. He teaches Leadership Classes to various organizations, including the Marine Corps League Districts of Florida, High School Career Days, and .misc. other groups in the Tampa, FL area. Married 55 years to his wife (Mary -- who is a Marine too), and has 2 Children, 4 Grandchildren, and 2 Great Grandchildren.