A Military Family Life Abroad: The Inspiring Journey of the Cook Family from the U.S. to Korea
- Jetta Allen
- Oct 16, 2024
- 7 min read
Honoring Service and Seeking Opportunity
Military families across the world serve a mission of peace and individual freedom. Each family has a unique story that led them to service and the Cook family is no different. Sgt. Terry Cook Jr., his spouse Tyrese, and their five girls are currently stationed at USAG Humphreys. I had the opportunity to sit down with this wonderful family of seven and listen to their story of love, respect, and adventurous spirit.
Family Roots: From Cincinnati to Chicago
In Cincinnati, Terry grew up in a blue-collar family who worked hard in the construction and trucking industries. His family had active members in their local labor unions, further teaching Terry how to advocate for the good of others, problem solve, and come to solutions to issues of concern. A strong work ethic was instilled early on in the Cook family.
Chicago-born Tyrese knew the military style well. She grew up as an Army brat. Her father, Sgt. Tyrus Hudson, was first stationed at Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) in Texas. She spent her formative years stationed at USAG Heidelberg in Germany. She reminisced about her learning German in kindergarten and other cultural experiences as a child that formed her into the adult she is today. Her father would later move back to Illinois after the Army, and then find other employment in Ohio.
A Love Story Rooted in Purpose
The two would grow up separately and meet in college as adults. Terry had recently followed in his father’s footsteps in transportation driving semi-trucks when they were expecting their first set of twins Nailah and Amare. With two children on the way, Terry wanted more. He wanted more from his career and social life, more time with his then fiance and children, and most of all, more opportunities for his entire family. Terry told me of a dream he had one night. In his dream, he was a drill sergeant and was coaching his younger self when his fiance, Tyrese at the time, was running around a track. The next morning he asked Tyrese, “What do you think about joining the Army?” She replied that she would support him, with no hesitation. A sense of excitement came over Tyrese as she remembered what the military life offered her as a child.
Together they discussed possible outcomes with the understanding that any decision had to be good for both of them and the family they were building. They spoke to Tyrese’s father looking for guidance. Conversations led to his father-in-law sharing the positive experiences the Army brought the Hudson family. Terry knew the military would give him the foundational skills he needed for him to succeed in life, just like it did for his father-in-law. Raising children abroad, growing up with cultural diversity and inclusion, and educational and career-oriented opportunities were benefits they couldn’t argue with. They knew it would give their kids more than just a hometown worldview, but one filled with lessons to broaden their horizons. And so, the Cook family began their journey of a life without borders, embracing the possibilities and purpose of military family life abroad.
New Beginnings: A Marriage and a Mission
In September of 2018, the two became married, and Sgt. Cook joined the Army shortly after in January of 2019. While at AIT, he was able to focus on his duty while Tyrese was supported by her Grandma Sandy. Grandma Sandy would share that a mother’s role in a military family is to support the home so the soldier can support the mission distraction-free. Tyrese’s mother, Karen has also been a significant source of support for the family, consistently calling her daily since the start of their journey together. Tyrese would keep that close to her heart for years to come.
Embracing Military Family Life Abroad
Their first duty station brought the Cook family to Germany! They were befriended by the Yoon family from Hawaii who took them in and loved their kids like their own. The Yoon family would give Tyrese support with friendship, planning her baby shower and hosting her birthday celebration, and inspiring her to delve into her creativity in her domestic skills. When they headed to Colorado and South Korea, the Yoon family would still be there, mentoring each of them, giving them career advice, treating the kids to care packages, and showing the Cooks exactly how friends in the military really never say goodbye.
This year began another international journey for the Cook family, the one that brought them to South Korea! Now with five children (two sets of twins!), they are still making memories abroad! Their two oldest set of twins, Nailah and Amare, just started school. Anaiya is an adventurous toddler, learning all about the world. And their youngest set of twins, Cheyenne and Anastasia are just seven months old. Together, they make a beautiful family.
Raising Global Citizens Through Service
Sgt. Cook believes that living amongst various cultures allows his children to have a worldview that will support them through life with lessons of compassion, cultural respect, ambition, and a sense of adventure that will help them be fearless. The military life will give them depth to their understanding that growing up in one town simply cannot bring. It will bring them a personality that stands out amongst the others he shared passionately as the thought about colleges for them in the future.
When asked what he feels is his purpose in the military, he said he aims to be an example to other service members, help them learn to be a person of their word, problem solve, and guide them. We shared a laugh as I commented that he was the Jiminy Cricket soldiers needed, a helping guiding man of conscience.
Cultural Connection and the Role of the Military Spouse
Tyrese shared her perspective on the importance of military spouses and their integral role in international relations. She highlighted that while military spouses abroad support their service members and raise their families, they also serve as representatives of their home country. Their life choices, interactions, and behaviors are closely observed by others making them influential ambassadors in their host nation. This has led to meaningful cultural exchanges, underscoring the importance of understanding and respecting local customs. Both the actions of the spouse and the children can impact other countries' opinions of their native country. She continued to say it is how one interacts with their host nation that can be more impactful than merely reading fear-inducing news articles and FB group posts. In Korea, she shared that so many have approached her family, wanting to share in the joy of their children, treat them to something special, and just share conversations and smiles. Her advice is to embrace the cultural norms of their host nation and seize every opportunity to connect with others, building international relations through the shared value of family.
Education, Faith, and Family Goals
Together this power couple has achieved so much. Tyrese finished her Master's Degree in Social Work and is a Certified and Licensed Social Worker in Ohio and Kentucky. She did her 600-hour internship with the Chaplaincy and the Family Advocacy Program in Germany in 2022 and now practices therapy for adults and children. Sgt. Cook has completed two degrees while in an active duty capacity since 2019. He has completed an Associate of Arts in General Studies and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management Information Systems and Cybersecurity. He shared that soldiers should start their education stating, “Go! Just Go! Do your general education first then pick a major”. Through his education, he has learned to prioritize and plan work and school life. Both Tyrese and Sgt. Cook emphasized the importance of communicating with professors and military commands to ensure they met deadlines. Sgt. Cook noted that military leadership is often willing to provide soldiers with the necessary time for their education, especially when informed in advance, such as needing time for a midterm. Tyrese agreed and said even professors can be compassionate too, understanding the servicemembers' mission always comes first.
A Life of Faith, Love, and Lasting Impact
With these accomplishments I had to ask, how was this possible? They shared that their Christian faith in God is the guiding principle in their life shaping every decision and experience. They discuss their goals together, as a family. No decision is made alone. This has helped them develop a system of support, each pitching in where needed. Sgt. Cook humbly shared that he wouldn’t be where he is without his dedicated spouse Tyrese. He shared that her ability to understand the challenges of work and school has pulled him through many difficult times, heartfully sharing, that it’s all possible because of her… They shared a sweet moment as he said this, and I could see their love could move mountains. As these two raise their children in this loving household, I can only imagine the great things their girls will do!
We all could learn a lesson or two from the Cooks. This family embraces everything the United Nations, United Nations Command, and the US Army stand for by living their life in a deliberate, meaningful way. They work together, respect each other, and value collaboration, sharing that with their children. Every day they contribute to the global mission of peace by serving around the world and being open to a life without borders.
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