Sean Cooper, Commander, USN
Executive Officer | Aviation Warfare Officer: sean.cooper@yale.edu
Commander Cooper “Torch” is a native of Hamilton, Massachusetts. He received his commission in 2005 through the Navy ROTC program at Boston University after earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Physics. He was selected for flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in May of 2007.
He began his fleet operational tours as Detachment ONE Administrative Officer, Schedules Officer, Detachment FIVE Operations Officer, and Detachment ONE Maintenance Officer with the “Warlords” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 51, homeported at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan. As part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces, he deployed to 7th Fleet area of responsibility aboard USS Mustin (DDG 89), USS McCampbell (DDG 85), and USS Lassen (DDG 82), including flying relief mission in Operation TOMODACHI following the Sendai earthquake of 2011. During his time with the “Warlords” the squadron twice received the Naval Air Force, Pacific Battle “E” award. For his second sea tour, he was assigned to Carrier Strike Force Training Pacific, which was redesignated as Carrier Strike Group FIFTEEN (CSG-15) during his tour. While assigned to CSG-15, he served as Sea Combat Syndicate Helicopter Mentor, Operational Risk Management Mentor, and Staff Safety Officer, and qualified as Command Duty Officer, Underway onboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). During his department head tour at the “Wolf Pack” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75, he served as Aviation Safety Officer, Safety Department Head, Detachment Officer in Charge, and Squadron Maintenance Officer, deploying to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility on board USS Princeton (CG 59) as a part of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group. During his tour with the “Wolf Pack” the squadron was recognized with the Battle “E” Award, and he was selected as the squadron’s 2018 Officer of the Year. He currently serves as the Force Protection Officer and Future Operations Officer on the staff of Carrier Strike Group ONE.
Ashore, he served as an Instructor Pilot with the “Seahawks” of HSM-41, the Navy’s west coast MH-60R Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) and Model Manager. He served as the Ground Safety Officer, Aircraft Division Officer, and Curriculum Officer, managing the syllabus for both east and west coast FRS operations, and developing the tailored syllabus for the Foreign Military Sales training of Royal Danish Navy aircrews in the MH-60R. He also served as Wing Safety Officer for Commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific, administering the Wing’s Safety Management System covering eleven subordinate squadrons spread across San Diego, CA, Kaneohe Bay, HI, and Atsugi, Japan. During his tenure the Wing experienced the safest year in its history, with no Class “A” mishaps, no Class “B” mishaps, and only two Class “C” mishaps.
His personal military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three). He has accumulated over 2,500 total flight hours, predominantly in the SH-60B and MH-60R aircraft.
Lieutenant Ryan Buck, USN
Submarine Warfare Officer | Nuclear Power Officer: ryan.buck@yale.edu
Lieutenant Ryan C. Buck was born and raised in Westerville, OH. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from The Ohio State University and commissioned from their NROTC Unit in May 2018 as a Submarine Warfare Officer.
Lieutenant Buck completed the nuclear training pipeline at Nuclear Power School and Nuclear Power Training Unit abord the MTS-626 in Charleston, SC. Following Prototype, he reported to Submarine Officer basic Course in Groton, CT.
He received orders and reported to his first boat, USS MICHIGAN (SSGN-727) BLUE in Bangor, WA in November of 2019. Onboard MICHIGAN, he served as the Electrical Assistant, Special Operations Forces Division Officer, Quality Assurance Officer and Assistant Engineer. He completed a Major CNO Availability and Sea Trials on MICHIGAN. Additionally, he augmented the crew of the USS CONNECTICUT (SSN-22) and completed a WESTPAC deployment supporting a mission vital to national security.
In August of 2022, Lieutenant Buck reported to the Naval ROTC Unit at Yale University as the Submarine Warfare Officer and Nuclear Programs Officer.
Lieutenant Buck’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal with gold star in lieu of second award, and other unit and campaign awards.
Lieutenant Buck married his wife, Emily Buck, of Westerville, Ohio in 2021.
Lieutenant Nick Gioia, USN
Surface Warfare Officer | nicholas.gioia@yale.edu
Lieutenant Nick Gioia was born in southern California and raised in Medford, Oregon. He graduated with honors from the University of Oregon in 2017, where he double-majored in Political Science and Russian Studies. In 2018, he was commissioned through Officer Candidate School as a Surface Warfare Officer.
For his first tour, he served as the Strike Warfare Officer onboard USS COLE (DDG-67) out of Norfolk, Virginia. Following this, he served as the Damage Control Assistant onboard the forward-deployed minesweeper USS PATRIOT (MCM-7), homeported in Sasebo, Japan. While onboard PATRIOT, he supported six multinational exercises in the Seventh Fleet area of responsibility. In 2022, he was selected as the Mine Countermeasures Squadron Seven Junior Officer Tactician of the Year.
Lieutenant Gioia reported to the Naval ROTC Unit at Yale University as the Surface Warfare Officer in February, 2024.
Lieutenant Gioia’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and other unit and campaign awards.
In 2021, Lieutenant Gioia married his wife, Caitlyn Gioia of Chincoteague Island, Virginia. They live with their cat, River, in Branford, CT.
Lieutenant paige miles, USN
Submarine Warfare Officer | Nuclear Power Officer: paige.miles@yale.edu
Paige Miles is originally from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Economics. During her time at the Academy, she played varsity volleyball. After graduation, she completed submarine officer training, including Naval Nuclear Power School, the Naval Prototype Training Unit, and the Submarine Officer Basic Course. Paige has served in multiple roles aboard the USS OHIO (SSGN 726) during a major maintenance period at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. She also completed a strategic deterrence patrol on the USS NEVADA (SSBN 733) and a theater anti-submarine warfare deployment aboard the USS SEAWOLF (SSN 21). Currently, she serves as the Quality Assurance Officer and Sea Trials Coordinator aboard the USS OHIO. Paige is qualified in Submarines and as a Professional Nuclear Engineer Officer.
Sumer N. Johnson, Captain, USMC
Marine Officer Instructor | sumer.johnson@yale.edu
Sumer was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She enlisted in the Arkansas Army National Guard in May of 2010 while attending Henderson State University. As a drilling member of the National Guard, she reported to the 216th Military Police Guard Company in North Little Rock , Arkansas . Upon completing her undergraduate degree and completing Army Reserve
Officer Training Corps commissionioning requirements , she commisioned as a Second Lietenant in the Army as a 31A Military Police Officer.
After completion of the Military Police Basic Officer Leadership Course, she received orders to Headquarters Company , United States Army Garrison at Fort Irwin, California . From 2013 to 2015 she served as a Military Police Platoon Leader primarily responsible for law enforcement duties . In 2015, Sumer transferred to the 16th Military Police Brigade at Fort Liberty, North Carolina to serve as the Executive Officer for Headquarters and Service Company. While at Fort Liberty, Sumer completed Air Assault School.
In 2016 , Sumer left Active Duty to begin studying at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law in Malibu, California focusing on estate planning where she earned her Juris Doctor. Sumer worked as a judicial extern for the Honorable Nancy J. Koppe , United States Magistrate for the Southern District of Nevada , and Beaumont Tashjian in Woodland Hills, California primarily handling bankruptcy matters until reporting for Officer Candidate School. In September 2020, Sumer reported to Officer Candidate School. Upon graduation , she executed temporary duty at the Nashville , Tennessee Officer Selection Office and reported to The Basic School in May 2021. Sumer reported to her current command and assumed her duties as the Battalion Adjutant in May 2022 .
Chaz King, Gunnery Sergeant, USMC
Assistant Marine Officer Instructor: chaz.king@yale.edu
Gunnery Sergeant Chaz C. King was born on 26 September 1989, in Shelby, North Carolina. He reported to Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, June 2008, was meritoriously promoted, and graduated September 2008. Private First Class King then reported to Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Private First Class King then attended Military Occupational Specialty School for Basic Combat Engineer in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Subsequent to completing training, PFC King was assigned to Bridge Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for duty.
PFC King was promoted to Lance Corporal in August 2009. LCpl King deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, Regimental Combat Team 2 from January 2010 to August 2010. Lance Corporal King was promoted to Corporal in November 2010. From July 2011 to November 2011, Corporal King deployed in support of Korean Integrated Training Program with Engineer Company, 8th ESB. Corporal King was meritoriously promoted to Sergeant in November 2012.
In May of 2013, Sergeant King reported to Combat Logistics Battalion 3. In June 2014, Sergeant King reported to Sergeant’s Resident Course where he was nominated as the Honor Graduate by the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer Academy in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Sergeant King served as Squad Leader, Construction Chief, and Platoon Sergeant for Combat Engineer platoon, Engineer Support Company, CLB-3 in support of 3rd Marine Regiment during continuous rotations of Lava Viper, Integrated Training Exercises, and Unit Deployment Program Hawaii from July 2014 to March 2016. In February 2016, Sergeant King competed in the Competitive Marksmanship in Arms Program and was selected to represent Marine Corps Base Hawaii in competitive shooting matches earning individual rifle, pistol, and team rifle badges during Pacific Division competition. Sergeant King reported to Drill Instructor School, Parris Island, South Carolina, in April of 2016.
Sergeant King reported to Recruit Training Regiment in August 2016 and was assigned to Bravo Company, First Recruit Training Battalion where he served as a Drill Instructor. Sergeant King was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in October 2017. Staff Sergeant King then served exclusively as Disposition Chief, Family Readiness Officer, Substance Abuse Counseling Officer, Alcohol Screening Program Coordinator, and Community Counseling Program Coordinator simultaneously. Staff Sergeant King was assigned to Company C, where he served as Senior Drill Instructor. Staff Sergeant King was selected as Senior Drill Instructor of the RTR, Eastern Recruiting Region in April, 2019.
In August 2019, Staff Sergeant King reported to 2D Combat Engineer Battalion and assigned to Company A. Staff Sergeant King completed Combat Engineer Platoon Sergeant’s course in December 2019. Upon completion of training, Staff Sergeant King served as Platoon Guide in direct support of 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment during Unit Deployment Program 20.2. Staff Sergeant King was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in May 2021 and served as the Platoon Sergeant for Alpha Company 1st Platoon in support of 2d Marine Regiment.
Gunnery Sergeant King’s personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and Drill Instructor Ribbon.
Gunnery Sergeant Sergeant King is married to Jeanne King and has two children; Ian D. King (13) and Leilani L. King (9).