Col. Diamond D. Cookson is the Chief of Manpower Futures Division at Directorate of Manpower, Organization and Resources, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. He leads the directorate's “Think Tank,” where his team shapes the future of Air Force manpower, developing and championing initiatives that maximize personnel effectiveness and bolster combat power in support of National military objectives.

Col. Cookson completed Basic Military Training in 1998 and served as a C-17 Crew Chief prior to earning his commission through Officer Training School in 2005. He has served in a variety of positions at the squadron, group, major command, joint task force, Headquarters Air Force, and Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Col. Cookson has deployed in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and FREEDOM’S SENTINEL. Prior to his current position, Col. Cookson was the Deputy Director for Officer Personnel Policy, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia.

Master of Science, National Resource Strategy, The Eisenhower School, National Defense University, Washington, D.C. (2021)

Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan. (2018)

Master of Arts, Management, American Military University, Charles Town, W.Va. (2014)

Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2009)

Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2005)

Bachelor of Science, Professional Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla. (2004)

Chief of Manpower Futures Division, Directorate of Manpower, Organization and Resources, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. (July 2024 – present)

Deputy Director, Officer Personnel Policy, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. (July 2023 – July 2024)

Assistant Director, Joint Officer Management, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. (July 2021 – July 2023)

Student, The Eisenhower School, National Defense University, Washington, D.C. (July 2020 – June 2021)

Commander, 673d Force Support Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska (July 2018 – July 2020)

Student, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan. (July 2017 – June 2018)

Chief of Violence Prevention Branch, Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, Office of the Vice Chief of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. (December 2015 – June 2017)

Director of Manpower and Personnel (J1), Office of the Defense Representative-Pakistan, U.S. Embassy Islamabad, Pakistan (April 2015 – November 2015)

Operations Officer, 48th Force Support Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, England (July 2013 – March 2015)

Deputy Chief of Readiness and Plans Branch, Directorate of Manpower, Personnel, and Services, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein AB, Germany (November 2011 – June 2013)

Chief of Readiness; Chief of Military Personnel Section; and Manpower and Personnel Flight Commander, 31st Force Support Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy (October 2009 – October 2011)

Executive Officer and Director of Staff, 51st Operations Group, Osan AB, Republic of Korea (August 2008 – September 2009)

Squadron Adjutant, 1st Fighter Squadron; and Squadron Section Commander, 325th Operations Support Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla. (March 2005 – July 2008)

Summary of Joint Assignments

Deputy Director, Officer Personnel Policy, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., as a lieutenant colonel and colonel (July 2023 – July 2024)

Assistant Director, Joint Officer Management, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., as a lieutenant colonel (July 2021 – July 2023)

Defense Superior Service Medal

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters

Joint Service Commendation Medal

Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters

Air and Space Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster

Other Achievements

Commander-in-Chief’s Installation Excellence Award, U.S. Air Force (2020)

John L. Hennessy Award for “Food Service Excellence,” U.S. Air Force (2020)

General Curtis E. LeMay Award for “Best Large Force Support Squadron,” Pacific Air Forces (2019)

Lieutenant General Norm Lezy Award for Leadership, Pacific Air Forces (2019)

A1 Operations Program of the Year, U.S. Air Force (2014)

General Curtis E. LeMay Award for “Best Large Force Support Squadron,” U.S. Air Forces in Europe (2014)

Personnel Officer of the Year, U.S. Air Forces in Europe (2014)

A1 Special Recognition Team of the Year Award (Staff Level), U.S. Air Force (2013)

Personnel Officer of the Year, U.S. Air Forces in Europe (2013)

General Curtis E. LeMay Award for “Best Large Force Support Squadron,” U.S. Air Force (2011)

Gerrit D. Foster, Jr., Award for “Outstanding Military Personnel Program,” U.S. Air Forces in Europe (2011)

Top Operations Squadron, Air Education and Training Command (2008)

Maintenance Effectiveness Award for “Best Large Aircraft Maintenance Squadron,” U.S. Air Force (2002)

Effective Dates of Promotion

Colonel (May 1, 2024)

Lieutenant Colonel (Oct. 1, 2018)

Major (July 1, 2015)

Captain (Feb. 18, 2009)

First Lieutenant (Feb. 18, 2007)

Second Lieutenant (Feb. 18, 2005)

(Current as of April 2025)