Cohen has achieved the prestigious "Award of Distinction" four times in American Society for Aviation Artists (ASAA) juried exhibitions, in addition to receiving the ASAA Service Award in 2007.In his contributions to the ASAA, Cohen held positions such as vice-president and chair of the exhibition committee. Furthermore, he earned recognition as the recipient of the "Best of Show" by an American artist from the British Guild of Aviation Artists, and he also received the esteemed "Best of the Best" award sponsored by Aviation Week & Space Technology Magazine.

Cohen served on the Board of Directors of the New York-based Society of Illustrators for several years, leading the Government Services Program responsible for overseeing the Air Force Art Program. In this capacity, he dispatched numerous artists worldwide to capture the U.S. Air Force's mission. Cohen, in his travels with the Air Force, ventured to conflict zones like Bosnia, Somalia, Central Asia, and Israel. The paintings resulting from these journeys are contributed to the U.S. Air Force Art Program. Notably, one of Cohen's paintings, illustrating the military supply airlift to Israel from the United States during the Yom Kippur War of 1973, was unveiled at the Dover Air Force Base Museum during ceremonies in October 1998, marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Yom Kippur War. 

Cohen has also taken on administrative responsibilities within the art community. Serving on the board of directors for the New York-based Society of Illustrators, he took on the role of chairing its U.S. Air Force Art Program. This initiative facilitated travel opportunities for artists to capture the U.S. Air Force's mission at bases worldwide. 

Clients during his 50 year plus career have included: The U.S. Information Agency, The National Park Service, Paramount Pictures, Bantam books, Harlequin Books, Random House, Holt Rinehart & Winston, Warner-Lambert, The U.S. Coast Guard, The National Guard Bureau, and Boeing & Sikorsky Aircraft Companies.

 

During the 1950s and 60s, Gil Cohen established himself as a prominent freelance illustrator, contributing to men's adventure magazines, a prevalent genre of that era. His notable collaborations included Magazine Management Company, publisher of magazines like Male, Stag, and For Men Only. Cohen's assignments were characterized by intricate illustrations with tight deadlines, often employing the duotone technique for impactful visuals. In 1961, an assignment for Argosy magazine to illustrate a serialized version of Ian Fleming's Thunderball marked a pivotal moment in Gil’s career. His recognition for this achievement led to subsequent book cover illustrations for the Mack Bolan series of The Executioner novels by Don Pendleton.

Cohen's association with Pinnacle in 1972 saw him take over The Executioner series covers for nine years, with notable works like "Satan’s Sabbath." Simultaneously, he continued diverse projects, creating cover art for various Pinnacle paperbacks and maintaining a significant presence in the magazine realm. However, his most impactful collaboration came when Charles Kadin enlisted him to continue producing Mack Bolan covers after being acquired by Harlequin, solidifying Harlequin as his primary client for over a decade. The abundance of work from Harlequin underscored Cohen's influential and enduring career in the realm of illustration.