Kubasaki High School’s SgtMaj Brent Cook (Ret.) named Marine Corps JROTC Instructor of the Year

Kubasaki High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (MCJROTC) Instructor SgtMaj Brent Cook (Ret.) was named the service’s Instructor of the Year on June 24, 2024.

“SgtMaj Cook is a dedicated educator who goes above and beyond to inspire, mentor, and educate his cadets,” said Kubasaki High School Principal Silvanus Thrower. “He uses a nurturing approach to teach his cadets the strong fundamental values of the Marine Corps JROTC program. He excels at teaching his cadets how to be the best versions of themselves in the classroom and at high-level drill competitions. This is a well-deserved recognition for our phenomenal JROTC instructor and I am honored to witness his greatness!”

Under Cook’s leadership, the Kubasaki High School Drill Team has earned national recognition, placing first in the Marine Corps National JROTC Drill Championship in 2023 and 2024. He is known for building strong relationships with students, parents and colleagues, as well as maintaining high expectations for cadets in the classroom, school, and community.

“I have really enjoyed the cadets who are at first quiet and introverted,” Cook said. “Watching them change and become confident and outgoing is special.”

Cook served as an active-duty Marine for 29 years, retiring in 2015. In 2016, he saw there was an opportunity to continue serving as a MCJROTC instructor at Kubasaki High School – a program he was familiar with, as both of his daughters attended Kubasaki and were a part of MCJROTC.

“They both told me that they thought I would be perfect to be a MCJROTC Instructor,” Cook said. “Their motivation, love of the Corps, and the support of my wife has been the inspiration for me to seek out to be a MCJROTC instructor and to be able to serve in the same program that my daughters were a part of is amazing. I love what I do, and I hope to be doing this for a few more years to come.”