BW -
The guy that is somewhat considered the "father" of Bible interpretation, or Scriptual hermeneutics is Friedrich Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher (1768-1834).

As I said earlier, google "Bible interpretation rules" and you'll come away with many different philosophies and views. Cooper's is just another one.

BTW, good luck to your son. Really sucks to see guys going on their second and third tours over there considering the war is barely two years old. Compare that to Vietnam that lasted 10 years and it was very uncommon to do more than one tour.