Maj Michael Kopa

NL310 Professor

Major Kopa is a native of Woodbridge, Virginia.  He attended the Platoon Leaders Course in the summer of 2008.  In August of 2009, he graduated from Radford University in southwest Virginia and received his commission. From October 2009 to April 2010, he served as an assistant to the Officer Selection Officer (OSO) in Salem, VA. Major Kopa reported to The Basic School in April 2010.  After graduating he attended Infantry Officer Course from October to December 2010 in Quantico, VA.  Following completion he received the MOS 0302.

In January 2011, Major Kopa reported to 3d Battalion, 3d Marines where he was assigned as rifle platoon commander, Company L. From October 2011 to March 2012 he deployed in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM where he led his platoon during six months of patrolling operations in Garmser district, Helmand Province.  Upon return from deployment, Major Kopa was assigned as weapons platoon commander, Company L, and deployed from April to September 2013 in support of Marine Rotational Force-Darwin, Australia.  During this deployment, Major Kopa conducted numerous large-scale training exercises while fully integrated with Australian Army counterparts.

In June of 2014, Major Kopa reported to Infantry Training Battalion (ITB), School of Infantry (West), where he served as the executive officer of Company B. In December 2014 he was assigned as the Company Commander of Company B and later as the Company Commander for Headquartes and Instructor Company, responsible for the Battalion’s Instructor Group until May 2017.  During this assignment, Major Kopa served as the formal schools management officer, responsible for updating the training and readiness manual as well as the six programs of instruction within ITB.  Following his tour at ITB, Major Kopa received orders to 3d Battalion 7th Marines in May 2017. 

Major Kopa became part of 3d Battalion 7th Marine Regiment in July, 2017 and assumed command of Company K.  Following an eight month workup, Major Kopa deployed with his company as part of SPMAGTF-CR-CC 18.2 in support of OPERATION FREEDOMS SENTINEL where they worked under Task Force Southwest in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.  Throughout the deployment, Company K provided security for the advising effort of the Afghan National Army’s 215^th Corps within Helmand and Nimroz provinces.  Upon return from deployment, Major Kopa relinquished command of Company K and was re-assigned as the commander of Weapons Company from November 2018 to June 2019.  In July of 2019 he reported to the United States Naval Academy for instructor duty where he currently serves within the Leadership Department.