Chaplain Thomas Tine Cook was born in Shelbyville IL. He is a direct commission to the Navy Chaplains Corps, service he began in 2004. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications/Commercial Music, a Master of Divinity with an Emphasis in Biblical Languages, a Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies, and a Master of Theology in Historical/Theological Studies, a Doctor of Ministry in Military Ministry and a PhD in Public Policy.
Chaplain Cook’s operational assignment include 1st Force Service Support Group/Marine Logistics Group, where he deployed twice to Iraq and served as the Group Chaplain for CSSG-15 and the Regimental Chaplain for Combat Logistics Regiment-15 (Forward); the USS Bataan (LHD-5); 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion (1st MSOB) where he deployed to Afghanistan with SPECIAL OPERATIONS TASK FORCE—WEST(SOTF-W); Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN, where he deployed for 7 months in support of OEF and Western Pacific interests; Naval Special Warfare Group-TWO (NSWGR2) where he deployed twice to Afghanistan with SEALTEAMS FOUR and EIGHT, and served as the Chaplain for SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND FORWARD-EAST AFRICA(SOCFWD-EA); USS KEARSARGE (LHD-3) as the Group Chaplain, where he deployed in support of SIXTH FLEET interests in the ARCTIC and BALTIC Seas; and, currently he is the FORCE Chaplain for NAVCENT/C5F in Bahrain.
His shore assignments include Director of the Chaplains Religious Enrichment Development Operation (CREDO) for Commander Navy Region Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia; Group Chaplain for Naval Construction Group 1; and, CTF-80 FORCE Chaplain at Commander U.S. Fleet Forces Command. He holds various non-combat qualifications and designations which include Surface Chaplain Officer, Fleet Marine Force Officer, and Navy Parachutist. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and the Fleet Marine Force Ribbon.