Vice Adm. Cotton is a native of Norfolk, Virginia. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering and received his commission in June 1973. He was designated a Naval Aviator in October 1974.

He was forward deployed to Japan aboard USS Midway (CV-41) from 1975-1978 flying the A-7 Corsair II with Attack Squadron (VA)-93, and then served on the Commander Light Attack Wing U.S. Pacific Fleet staff at Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, California from 1978-1980.

Transitioning to the Navy Reserve in 1980, he flew with VA-2082, the A-7 augment unit at NAS New Orleans, and with the Navy's last RF-8G Crusader squadrons, Light Photographic Squadron (VFP)-306 and VFP-206 at Naval Air Facility Washington, District of Columbia. He returned to NAS New Orleans to command VA-2082 in 1988-1989, and then joined VA-204 for FA-18 Hornet strike fighter and adversary pilot transition training. While in command of the Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA)-204 "River Rattlers" from 1993 to 1994, the squadron received the Chief of Naval Operations’ Safety "S" Award completing 13 years of major mishap free operations, the Battle "E" and F. Trubee Davison Award as the top tactical Navy Reserve squadron, and a CNO Meritorious Unit Commendation. From 1994-1997, he commanded the NAS Keflavik unit at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Washington and the Navy Command Center unit at the Pentagon, while additionally serving as an instructor at the Command Leadership School at Naval Education and Training Command Newport, Rhode Island.

Cotton's initial flag assignment was deputy commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet, 1997-1999, and was recalled to active duty as deputy commander, Joint Task Force Southwest Asia, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, supporting Operation Southern Watch. At the Pentagon 1999-2003, he was recalled to active duty as deputy director of Navy Reserve, then served as assistant deputy Chief of Naval Operations Warfare Requirements and Programs, and was a member of the Secretary of Defense Reserve Forces Policy Board. He was again recalled to active duty for his final assignment as chief of Navy Reserve and commander Navy Reserve Force from 2003-2008.

Personal military awards include the Navy Distinguished Service, Legion of Merit, and Defense Meritorious Service Medals, and other personal, unit and service awards. He also received the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Award. He is a graduate of the George Mason University Executive Master of Business Administration program and completed a fellowship with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI. He is a Senior Fellow at the National Defense University Joint Forces Staff College and is a national security and defense consultant.

Last Updated: 29 December 2025