Colonel Richard T. Cooney, Jr. is the Permanent Professor and Head of the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Colonel Cooney leads a diverse faculty of 40 Psychologists, Sociologists, Leadership Experts, and Human Factors Engineers responsible for teaching over 30 undergraduate courses to over 3000 cadets annually. His team delivers a world-class education experience using scientific thinking in multiple behavioral and social science disciplines in order to develop leaders of character. He also oversees the Warfighter Effectiveness Research Center (WERC)—a high-powered research team that focuses on human-machine teaming, social robotics, readiness, and leadership development.

Colonel Cooney began his military career by enlisting in the Air Force in 1987. As an honor graduate of both Basic Military Training and Aircraft Armament Systems Specialist Technical School, he was assigned to the 5th Munitions Maintenance Squadron at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota as a Weapons Load Crew Member. In 1989, he accepted an appointment as a Cadet at the United States Air Force Academy and was a Distinguished Graduate of the Class of 1993.

Colonel Cooney has served in a variety of leadership, staff, and academic positions. His joint positions include Chief, Global Assessment at United States Special Operations Command’s Information Operations Division and Case Research/Quality Assurance Officer at the Department of Defense’s Office for the Administrative Review of the Detention of Enemy Combatants. He has also served in the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy and has held positions leading the development of diversity policy at Headquarters Air Force, on both the Secretariat and Air Staffs. Colonel Cooney has twice previously been a faculty member at the United States Air Force Academy and, prior to his current assignment, served as the Dean of Students at the Air Force Institute of Technology, Air University, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and Dean of Students and Support at Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Colonel Cooney holds a Doctorate in Sociology from the University of Maryland

Air War College (correspondence) (2012)

Air Command and Staff College (correspondence) (2005)

Doctor of Philosophy, Sociology, University of Maryland, College Park, Md. (2003)

Squadron Officer School (correspondence and residence), Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Ala. (2000)

Master of Arts, Sociology, University of Maryland, College Park, Md. (1997)

Bachelor of Science, Behavioral Sciences & Leadership, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. (1993)

Permanent Professor and Head, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. (2019-Present)

Dean of Students, Graduate School of Engineering and Management, Air Force Institute of Technology, Air University, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio (2018-2019)

Dean of Students and Support (Group/CC equivalent), Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Ala. (2016-2018)

Vice Dean of Academic Affairs, Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Ala. (2014-2016)

Chief, Global Assessment Program and Chief, PSYOP Program Evaluation, Military Information Support Operations (MISO) Branch, Information Operations Division, Operations Directorate, HQ United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Fla. (2010-2014)

Chief, Special Programs and Support Branch, Force Management Division (AF/A1PF), Directorate of Force Management Policy, Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower and Personnel, Pentagon, Washington D.C. (2009-2010)

Chief, Diversity Research and Analysis, Office of Strategic Diversity Integration (SAF/MRD), Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Manpower and Reserve Affairs), Washington D.C. (2006–2009)

Assistant Professor and Deputy Department Head for Academics, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. (2003–2006)

Graduate Student (PhD), Department of Sociology, University of Maryland, College Park, Md. (2000–2003)

Assistant Professor, Course Director, and Personnel Officer, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. (1997–2000)

Graduate Student (MA), Department of Sociology University of Maryland, College Park, Md. (1996–1997)

Test Psychologist and Chief, Test Support Section, Air Force Occupational Measurement Squadron, Randolph Air Force Base, Universal City, Texas (1993–1996)

Air Force Academy Cadet, Cadet Squadrons 16 and 37, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. (1989–1993)

Aircraft Armament Systems Specialist, Weapons Load Crew Member, 5th Munitions Maintenance Squadron (5MMS), Minot Air Force Base, Ward County, N.D. (1987–1989)

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Air Force Meritorious Service Medal (4 oak leaf clusters)

Joint Service Commendation Medal

Air Force Commendation Medal

Air Force Achievement Medal

Joint Meritorious Unit Award

Air Force Organizational Excellence Award (1 silver oak leaf cluster, 1 bronze oak leaf cluster)

Air Force Good Conduct Medal

National Defense Service Medal (1 bronze star)

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon (1 silver oak leaf cluster, 1 bronze oak leaf cluster)

Air Force Special Duty Ribbon

Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon

Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon

Air Force Training Ribbon (1 oak leaf cluster)

Military Sociology

Survey Methodology