CDR Charles T. Cooper

Past Commanding Officer, USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115)

09 May 2022 CDR Cooper is a native of Bexley, Ohio. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in History. He is a 2019 graduate of the U.S. Naval War College earning a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.  While at the Naval War College he also completed a Halsey Alfa Fellowship focused on wargaming in the Indo-Pacific AOR.

At sea, his assignments include First Lieutenant in USS BENFOLD (DDG 65). He also served as Detachment Three Assistant Officer in Charge and Ground Combat Element Commander in RIVERINE SQUADRON THREE.   As a department head, he was Operations Officer in USS DECATUR (DDG 73) and Future Ops and Plans Officer in Destroyer Squadron FIFTEEN. He most recently completed a tour as Executive Officer in USS RAFAEL PERALTA (DDG 115).  

Ashore, he served as an Export License Analyst at the Navy International Programs Office in Washington D.C.  After his department head tours he served as undersea warfare instructor and cell leader at Surface Warfare Officer School in Newport, Rhode Island