Steven P. Schook (born 1953) is a retired United States Army brigadier general and former United Nations diplomat. He has served in senior military commands in Europe, held key staff positions within the U.S. Army, and later acted as the Principal Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary‑General for Kosovo.
Early life and education
Schook was born and raised in Mount Clemens, Michigan. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, commissioning as a Regular Army Infantry officer. He later earned a master’s degree from the United States Naval War College.
Military career
- Command assignments: Schook commanded the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, and subsequently the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized).
- Staff and senior positions: From 1997 to 2002 he served on the Joint Staff and at United States Army Forces Command. He later held the posts of Chief of Staff, III Corps, and Assistant Division Commander of the 1st Cavalry Division. He also served as director of the Human Resources Policy Directorate at the Department of the Army headquarters.
- Operational leadership in Europe: In 2003 Schook became Chief of Staff of the Kosovo Force (KFOR) at Camp Bondsteel. In 2004 he assumed command of the Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, serving as the senior NATO military representative in the region.
- Retirement: Schook retired from the Army in 2005 and entered the private sector as a senior vice president of New Technology Management Inc.
United Nations service
On 19 April 2006, United Nations Secretary‑General Kofi Annan appointed Schook as the Principal Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary‑General (PDSRSG) for Kosovo. He succeeded Lawrence Rossin and served under Special Representatives Søren Jessen‑Petersen and Joachim Rücker.
In 2007 Schook was the subject of an investigation by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). His contract was not renewed, and he was succeeded by Lawrence Rossin. A subsequent OIOS review in May 2008 cleared him of any misconduct, concluding that there was no evidence of wrongdoing.
Later activities
Following his UN tenure, Schook has worked as an advisor in Kosovo, including consulting for former Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj.
Awards and decorations
- Defense Superior Service Medal
- Legion of Merit (three awards)
- Gold Cross of Honour of the Bundeswehr (Germany)
References
- “Steven P. Schook,” Wikipedia, accessed 2024.
- United Nations press releases, 2006‑2008.
- U.S. Army public affairs releases, 2004‑2005.