Admiral Brad Cooper
Commander, U.S. Central Command
Charles Bradford “Brad” Cooper II was born in 1967 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He earned an undergraduate degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and a master’s degree from the National Intelligence University. He has also availed himself of many other education opportunities afforded him through the military.
Cooper served in the Gulf War and the War in Afghanistan. His commands include the USS Russell, the USS Gettysburg, U.S. Naval Forces Korea, Expeditionary Strike Group 7, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic, and later headed the United States Fifth Fleet and Naval Forces Central Command. Most recently, Cooper served as deputy commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
President Donald Trump nominated Cooper to command CENTCOM in June 2025. He was confirmed by the Senate in June and installed as commander at a change of command ceremony in August.
Cooper is married to Susan and they have two children.
In the News…
Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), issued a memo late last month that highlighted the paramount importance of the protection of civilian life by the U.S. military.
Admiral Cooper wrote, “Protecting civilian life is part of our culture as a professional fighting force… It is embedded in how we plan, how we target, and how we fight.”
The CENTCOM commander continued in the unclassified memo, “Every target nomination. Every strike. Every engagement. At every echelon, from the campaign plan to the individual tactical decision, you will distinguish between those who fight and those who do not, applying force only against lawful military objectives, and exercise judgment before you employ your weapons.”
“Our commitment to the law of armed conflict is not a constraint on our lethality,” Admiral Cooper added. “It is the source of our legitimacy, the reason our partners choose to stand with us, and a direct contributor to our operational effectiveness. A force that fights with discipline and fidelity to the law is more lethal, not less.”
