SGT Bradley Cooney

Hello, I’m SGT Cooney.

I was a very rambunctious teenager. I played in metal bands, had multi-colored hair, and wore multiple studded belts. I thought of myself as someone who was outside of the norm of society. With that being said, I always felt the urge to help in my community. I had thought about joining the military when I was in high school, but I always thought that I wouldn’t fit the mold of what it meant to be a Soldier. I interviewed with several recruiters from different branches of the military, but nothing seemed like the right fit. I still wanted to be me. One day, I looked into the Oklahoma Army National Guard. It was everything I was looking for. I got to serve my state and country while still retaining my personal identity and life that I love in Oklahoma. I now have the opportunity to help my state in times of need while remaining here in Oklahoma with my friends and family. After spending the majority of my military career as a photojournalist, I’ve now focused my efforts on ushering in the new generation of Citizen-Soldiers as a career counselor. While I wear this uniform every day, I am, at heart, still the punk kid who loves loud music and helping others.