Joe Cochran

Background

About Joe Cochran

In the United States Navy, I served for 5 years as an Aviation Rescue Swimmer. I was deployed twice during wartime, in 2002 for Operation Enduring Freedom and in 2004 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. I progressed through the ranks, becoming a Non-Commissioned Officer in just 2 1/2 years. During my service, I received several awards, medals, and Letters of Commendation, including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Medal. I also received a Flag Letter of Commendation for outstanding service and a Good Conduct Medal, among others. While studying at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), I earned academic honors every year and became a member of three National Honor Societies: the Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society, the Golden Key International Honor Society, and the National Scholars Honor Society. In 2007, I was awarded the National Security Education Program Scholarship (NSEP) and studied Mandarin Chinese for one year in Beijing, China. I graduated from SIUC in May 2009 with a 3.66 grade point average as an undergraduate. After graduation, I worked for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a Police Officer and completed the VA Law Enforcement Training Center in 2010. I then pursued my Masters in Criminal Justice at Columbia College while working at the VA. In 2012, I became a Conservation Police Officer for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. During my time as a Conservation Police Officer, I received the Merit Award for my quick response resulting in saving the life of a suicidal subject. I also received a certificate of merit during the 2016 flood for saving the lives of 3 adults, 3 children, and 7 dogs. In 2018, I joined the FMCSA as a Special Agent. Since then, I have graduated from the Instructor Development program and became an instructor for Enforcement Procedures-Investigative (EP-I) and Basic Investigative Techniques (BIT). Additionally, I was selected for the FMCSA Education and Training Assistance Program and completed the Management Skills for New Manager Training. I also participated in the FMCSA Mentoring Program, and most recently, I was reassigned to be a Household Goods Specialist and selected for a 120-day detail with the Office of Safety, Commercial Enforcement Division.