James Austin Cooper, a freshman in exercise and sport science, has spent most of his life moving from place to place because of his father’s 23-year career in the U.S. Air Force, a career that ended two years ago with his father’s retirement from active duty. Cooper said he enjoyed his experiences growing up, as he had a chance to live all around the world when his father was transferred.
Cooper, who was born in Little Rock, Ark., while his father was stationed there, has lived in three different places spanning two continents because of his father’s military service. At age 5, Cooper was uprooted when his father was transferred to Geilenkirchen, Germany, where he was stationed at a NATO Air Force base. For the next four years, Cooper was immersed in a new language and culture.
“It was hard trying to learn German at such a young age, but it’s an experience I will never forget,” Cooper said. “The time I spent away from the country made me learn a lot, but was also very fun.”
When Cooper turned 9, his father was transferred for what ended up being the last time to Hill Air Force Base. After all of his experiences, he said he wouldn’t change anything.
“I loved being able to experience so many different places and different cultures when my dad got transferred,” Cooper said.
His life has been far from ordinary, but that is just the life of a military child, he said.
“My son had a lot on his plate whenever I got transferred,” said his father, Senior Master Sgt. James Leon Cooper. “But he was always able to excel wherever we were.”
Mike MangumJames Austin Cooper moved to Germany when he was 5 years old because his father was in the Air Force. Cooper moved from place to place until two years ago when his father retired.