We welcome Blake Cook to the Safariland CADRE. His story is one of true grit and determination—a career built from the ground up, starting with service and tested in some of the most demanding operational environments.
Blake’s path to becoming a trusted instructor and leader in the law enforcement and tactical community was defined by the fights he’s been through: a combat veteran with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, a Purple Heart recipient, a SWAT team operator, and a detective who tracked gangs and cartels. He didn’t just study high-risk environments; he lived them. His life has been defined by a simple, powerful maxim:
Taught by those who've done the job, for those still in the fight.
His professional journey reflects a relentless commitment and drive to overcome any obstacle life has placed in his way. As Safariland SAVE #2245, Blake Cook is living proof of our commitment to those still in the fight. We’re proud to have him join our CADRE team.
Forged in Service: Discipline and Determination
Blake Cook kicked off his career as an Infantryman in the famed 82nd Airborne Division. His dedication led him to a 2012 deployment to Afghanistan, where his service was distinguished, and his commitment was tested by a devastating injury. Wounded in combat, he was awarded the Purple Heart.
The battle for recovery kept going long after he left the theater. His rehab required nearly two years of intensive physical, speech, and memory therapy. This brutal process demanded a singular focus, teaching him that real resilience is found in endurance.
“The greatest test was the longevity of the process,” Cook shares. “Being used to having an injury and bouncing back quickly, it was different dealing with a multitude of internal injuries. You learn to be patient and trust the process.”
This foundational experience drilled in core lessons that still guide his work: Discipline and teamwork, or essentially, brotherhood. Cook carried that brotherhood and discipline directly into his next calling: law enforcement.
The Relentless Pursuit: From SWAT to Detective
After his time in the Army, Cook continued his service by joining the Fayetteville Police Department in North Carolina. His tactical background helped him quickly transition into specialized roles, logging several years on the demanding SWAT Emergency Response Team in both assault and sniper roles.
Beyond the entry teams, Cook spent years as a detective, specializing in the investigation of gangs, cartels, and illegal firearms trafficking. This work, which often required undercover operations, sharpened his investigative acumen and operational readiness, often partnering with federal agencies.
His dedication earned federal recognition, including being named Detective of the Year by the U.S. District Attorney’s Office. True to his belief in collective victory, Cook points out that the honor was a reflection of the entire team, which also earned the Gang Unit of the Year award.
The mental load of this kind of high-stakes work requires a strong outlet and steady mindset. For Blake, that meant refocusing on faith, discipline, and family to help keep him grounded through the pressures of the job.
The Moment of Truth: Safariland SAVE #2245
In 2015, Blake Cook faced the ultimate test. A routine traffic stop quickly spun into a life-or-death struggle when a large, violent felon charged him and immediately went for his sidearm.
The suspect closed the distance and slammed Cook onto the hood of his patrol car, yanking violently at the firearm. Cook credits his Safariland Level III holster with providing the critical margin of survival. The suspect was powerful enough to defeat the ALS® (Automatic Locking System) lever, but the integrated SLS™ (Self Locking System) hood held firm, preventing the weapon from being drawn.
“He was trying to rip this thing off me—pushing down, pulling, twisting,” Cook recalls. “If I hadn’t had that SLS hood in place, he would have pulled the gun out and shot me.”
The two battled for nearly two minutes—an eternity in a gunfight—until Cook was able to hit his emergency distress alert and backup arrived to subdue the assailant.
The lesson from that harrowing struggle informs every piece of training he gives today: “Slow down and process what’s going on around you. Be where your feet are.” It is a powerful reminder that presence and retention are the first and final lines of defense.
Leading the Line: Training and Purpose
Today, Cook leads from the front as the CEO and Director of Law Enforcement Operations at Black Flag Solutions. His training programs are highly sought after because they offer the practical intersection of battlefield experience and current law enforcement operational guidelines.
“There aren’t a lot of law enforcement companies out there that are run by law enforcement,” Cook explains. “We know the tactics, and we know the laws, and how they can operate. That blend is critical.”
Cook’s philosophy extends beyond the tactical field. As the founder of Broken Mast Co., a photography and lifestyle brand, he uses the image of a ship with a broken mast still finding its way home to symbolize strength through adversity.
For Blake, it’s a reminder that setbacks don’t define you, they reveal your steel and ability to endure and overcome, while continuing to move forward. His message resonates with veterans and first responders alike.
The message is clear: Even when the journey feels uncertain, have faith that you will find the path back on course.
Building on that same sense of purpose, Cook also co-leads the Relentless One Group, a men’s community focused on faith and brotherhood. Dedicated to suicide prevention by creating a prepared mindset, focusing on empowerment to be ready for the demands of the job or the tolls of everyday life.
This mission echoes through Blake’s work, knowing he is working to save lives beyond the battlefield or the job.
For Cook, this drive is sustained by a clear hierarchy of values: His faith and his family come first. “Everything I do, they come first. Anything else is just not meant for me.”
A Voice for the Prepared
Cook is joining the CADRE because he runs a brand that has proven its worth under fire.
“To me, it’s that I’ve been running Safariland my whole career—it’s saved me several times, I’ve trusted it,” he says. “I want to be able to represent a brand that works, that I am passionate about.”
His advice for every operator preparing for the unpredictable is simple, yet profound:
- Always seek out more training.
- Train for a Super Bowl that you don’t know when it’s coming.
Safariland is proud to welcome Blake Cook to the CADRE. His career represents the kind of experience-driven professionalism that defines our CADRE Members. Rooted in service, tested in adversity, and dedicated to helping others train smarter and perform under pressure.
Blake brings real-world insight from both the battlefield and law enforcement. His work reflects the CADRE mission: translating experience into practical training that Saves Lives.
