By Deborah Speicher

Someone once told me that if you want to get something done, ask someone who is busy. I found that to be true and Colonel Ronald P. Rook (USMC Ret) embodies that saying.

Ron was born in Milton, FL, graduated from Milton High School in 1964, and entered the Marine Corps in August 1964. He served in the infantry from 1964 to 1967, including a tour in Viet Nam with Alpha Company, 1st Bn, 5th Marines in 1966/67. During his career, he progressed through the ranks of Staff Sergeant, Chief Warrant Officer 3, and Limited Duty Officer (LDO) (Captain) — before being selected for redesignation to unrestricted officer status in 1981. As such, Colonel Rook is the first former CWO/LDO in the Marine Corps to redesignate to unrestricted officer — and then to be promoted through the ranks all the way to Colonel. Ron retired in 2001 after 37 years of continuous active duty.

While in the military, he took time out to obtain an Associates Degree in Law Enforcement (1973 from Pensacola Junior College, FL); a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice (1975 from Park College, Parkville, MO); a Masters Degree in Administration of Justice (1978 from Wichita State University, Wichita, KS); and a Masters Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies (1993 from the Naval War College — where he was a Distinguished Graduate and received the Navy League’s “Stephen B. Luce Award” as an honor student).

Ron has worked at U.S. Central Command continuously since his retirement from the Marine Corps in January 2001. He is currently a GS-14, and serves as the Chief, Cooperative Defense Branch, Combating WMD Division, CCJ5-C, U.S. Central Command at MacDill AFB, FL.

Colonel Rook has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with four Gold Stars in lieu of five awards), Navy Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Joint Unit Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation (with one Bronze Star), Navy Unit Commendation (with two Bronze Stars), Meritorious Unit Commendation (with two Bronze Stars), Good Conduct Medal (with one Bronze Star), National Defense Service Medal (with one Bronze Star), Viet Nam Service Medal (with three Bronze Stars), Southwest Asia Medal (with two Bronze Stars), Sea Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (with four Bronze Stars), Marine Security Guard Ribbon, Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry Medal (with Palm), Viet Nam Civic Action Medal (with Palm), Vietnam Campaign Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait). Colonel Rook is also authorized to wear the Presidential Service Badge.

Ron tells me that when he joined the Marines they informed him that if he ever wanted a wife, they would issue him one. And that they did – Ron has been married to Mary for over 42 years now. She was also a Marine when they met. They have two grown daughters – Deborah and Shani.

In addition to his dedication to family, friends, country and the Marines, Ron is an avid motorcyclist. At age 14 he bought a Cushman Motor Scooter with monies saved from his paper route. However, after watching a movie with Steve McQueen on a Harley, he had his heart set on owning his own Harley one day. Over the years, he had owned a few used metric bikes, but after he retired he bought his dream bike – a 2002 Ultra Classic—which he is still riding.

Ron spends his “free” time as the Assistant Director of the Old Town HOG (Brandon) Chapter and the President of the Defenders LE/MC (Tampa). In spite of the constant travel required by Ron’s current position at MacDill, he has managed to put over 90,000 miles on his Ultra Classic. For all you do, Colonel Rook we salute you!

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