Cmdr. John C. Copeland is a native of Independence, Missouri. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Missouri – Kansas City (2002), a Master of Science in Information and Project Management from Grantham University (2010), and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College (2013).
 

Copeland’s operational tours include service in a Marine radio battalion deployed to West Germany (1988) and a radio reconnaissance team member assigned to 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) (Special Operations Capable) for two deployments (1991-1992); assistant intelligence officer onboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), deployed with 24th MEU for Joint Task Force Katrina (2005) and Combined Task Force 59’s Lebanon non-combatant evacuation operation (2006); intelligence officer for Special Operations Task Force – Southeast, deployed with SEAL Team 2 and elements of 1st and 5th Special Forces Groups in Uruzgan, Afghanistan (2012); intelligence officer onboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) for two deployments (2020-2021); and intelligence assistant chief of staff for Carrier Strike Group 4 performing mentorship, training and assessment for  information warfare (IW) Sailors assigned to Carrier Strike Group 8 and Amphibious Squadron 6 (2021-2022).

Copeland’s shore tours include service as watch officer and training officer at Naval Ocean Processing Facility – Dam Neck (2003-2005); communications officer, instructor for command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance-AM, (C4ISR-AM) and division officer for operational intelligence "C" school at the Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center (2007-2010); defensive cyber operations lead intelligence planner, Navy element executive officer and aide to the J2 at U.S. Cyber Command (2014-2016); and intelligence mission readiness team lead at Naval Information Forces (2017-2019).  

Copeland assumed command of Information Warfare Training Command Virginia Beach on June 30, 2022.

Commander Copeland’s personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (two awards).

Last Updated: 19 July 2022