Cobb deployed to Croatia, active after 9/11

MADISON – During college, Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Cobb enrolled in ROTC and was commissioned into Transportation Corps as a Second Lieutenant. He then joined Alabama Army National Guard.

“In response to changing needs within the guard, I later transitioned to the Field Artillery,” Cobb said. “When I accepted the position of Fire Chief for Madison, I wasn’t sure of the time commitment, so I transferred to Army Reserve in a non-drilling status. I retired from the Army Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel.”

“I had the rare opportunity for three company-level commands over a 10-year span: transportation company, artillery service battery and howitzer battery,” he said.

Activated twice, Cobb deployed with Operation Joint Endeavor to Croatia. He was assigned for Operation Enduring Freedom after 9/11 terrorist attacks and deployed to Redstone Arsenal for one year by serving with Logistical Support Activity.

Cobb moved to Madison to accept the position of Fire Chief with Madison Fire and Rescue Department. He retired from that job this year.

A native of Lanett, Ala., Cobb earned a master’s degree in education at Auburn University.

At the Center for Domestic Preparedness, he works as a part-time teacher to instruct medical responders on ways to handle mass casualty operations after incidents of terrorism. He is a substitute teacher at James Clemens High School, which he considers community service.

His wife Peggy is retired. They have three sons, one grandson and one granddaughter. Lieutenant Josh Cobb with Tennessee National Guard works for Modern Technology Solutions in Huntsville. Corporal Ben Cobb in the Marine Reserve works for Science and Engineering Services (SES) at Fort Hood, Texas. Josh and Ben both served in Afghanistan.

Their youngest son, Adam Cobb is pursuing his master’s degree in organ performance at Florida State University.

Ralph Cobb plays trombone in Madison Community Band and serves as Assistant Director. He sings with Trinity Baptist Church Choir. “I’m now a ‘barber-shopper’ with Southern Splendor Chorus,” he said.

“I represent the City of Madison on the Madison County EMA Board,” Cobb said. “I thought I’d have spare time in retirement, but I haven’t found it yet. I enjoy genealogy. Men in my family have a history of military service dating from the Revolutionary War forward.”