Captain Cower enlisted in the Navy in 1994 and attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School, Newport, R.I., prior to appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., where he graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. In August 2000, Captain Cower reported to Navy Recruiting District Raleigh assigned as a recruiter and as the Enlisted Programs Officer.  In November 2003, Captain Cower reported to Navy Recruiting Orientation Unit where he was assigned as Director, Enlisted Navy Recruiting Orientation, instructor and inspector.  In March 2005, he deployed to Iraq assigned to the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq as Officer in Charge, Coalition Support Cell, J-1 in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. In November 2005, Captain Cower was assigned to the office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Director, Total Force Programming and Manpower Management Division as a manpower requirements officer. In July 2007, Captain Cower reported to Transient Personnel Unit Norfolk where he served as Executive Officer.  In November 2007, he deployed to Afghanistan where he served as Executive Officer 1st Brigade, 203rd Corps, Afghan National Army, Embedded Training Team in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.  In May 2010, Captain Cower assumed command of Tampa Military Entrance Processing Station.  While there, his command earned multiple excellence awards for superior performance and efficiency.  In November 2012, Captain Cower reported to NRD Jacksonville as Executive Officer and in February 2014 assumed command.  While there, NRD Jacksonville earned multiple awards to include the Bronze Recruiting “R” for recruiting excellence.  In June 2015, Captain Cower reported to Commander, Navy Recruiting Command assigned as the National Enlisted Programs Officer and later as the Director of Operations and Chief of Staff. In June 2019, Captain Cower assumed command of Navy Manpower Analysis Center. In July 2022, Captain Cower reported to Naval Service Training Command as Chief of Staff. Captain Cower served as the HR Millington Regional Captain and is a member of the HR Community Executive Board.

His professional military education includes the Surface Warfare Officer School, Human Resources Advanced Course, College of Naval Command and Staff, Naval War College and the Joint Forces Staff College.  He earned a Master of Business Administration Degree and Master of Science Degree in Organizational Change and Leadership from Pfeiffer University, Master of Arts Degree in Human Resources Management from Webster University, the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He earned the Master Training Specialist and Joint Qualified Officer designations.

Captain Cower’s decorations include two awards of the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, two awards of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, three awards of the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, three awards of the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal and various unit and service medals and ribbons.

Last Updated: 12 July 2023