Ashley Cook

Ashley Cook is the Chief of the Strategic Assessments Branch within the Strategy Development Division on Joint Staff J-5 at the Pentagon. Lt Col Cook is the principal advisor to CJCS, VCJCS, and DJ5 on the Chairman’s Risk Assessment to the execution of the National Military Strategy. She develops risk assessment options for the CJCS in coordination with OSD Staff, the Services, and Combatant Commands. Additionally, Ashley prepares Joint Staff leaders for engagements with the President, Secretary, National Security Council, and Congress. Lt Col Cook commissioned in May of 2008 from James Madison University through the Reserve Officer Training Corps with a degree in Mathematics. She has served her over fourteen years of active duty within two separate career fields, first as a Combat Communications Officer and now as a B-1B Weapons System Officer. Lt Col Cook has deployed in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, INHERENT RESOLVE and FREEDOM SENTINEL throughout her career. Prior to her current position, Lt Col Cook received a Master of International Public Policy Degree from the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C. through the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Strategic Thinkers Program.