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Born into a military family, Cooper's early life laid the groundwork for his eventual military career. He joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 19 in 1962, where he excelled and eventually became part of Naval intelligence. It was during this service that Cooper uncovered what he believed to be secret documents revealing government dealings with extraterrestrials. This discovery catalyzed a shift in his perspective, initiating his journey as a whistleblower.
After being discharged from the Navy in 1975, Cooper sought to reintegrate into civilian life, only to be haunted by what he had learned. He attended college and briefly taught in the school system, but a growing compulsion to speak the truth pushed him into the realm of public discourse.