Her numerous leadership assignments are, but are not limited to: Deputy
Commander & Director, AREC, ARMY SOUTH, Deputy Commander for Readiness,
Mission Support Element under the 200th Military Police Command; Deputy
Commander & Chief of Staff, 1st Mission Support Command; Group/Brigade
Commander, Strategic Intelligence Group; Battalion Commander, 203rd Military
Intelligence Battalion (Technical Intelligence); Assistant J2, Chief Intelligence
Officer, Joint Task Force, National Capital Region, NORTHCOM; Battalion
Commander, 11th Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 104th Division (Leadership
Development) and other critical joint assignments including a deployment with
the 3rd Armored Division (SPEARHEAD) under her mentors MG Paul Funk and
CSM Joe Hill during the Gulf War – OPERATION DESERT SHIELD, STORM,
and CALM.
Dr. Zoppi served as an Adjunct Faculty Member for the U.S. Army War
College, Distance Department of Education, where she pioneered the first course
on “Latin America, Central America, and the Caribbean: U.S. National Interests.”
She is also a former Adjunct Professor at the College of Business, Strayer
University. She is served as a visiting Adjunct Professor at the Western
Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC), Fort Benning, Georgia.
From teaching to mentoring and public speaking, Dr. Zoppi admits that
retiring from the military was hard. Like many who have served, her military
service has been her way of life for over 35 years. She believes the military
taught her many life lessons she would not have acquired elsewhere
throughout her journey.
“The Armed Forces prepares you to succeed by equipping you with
knowledge and skills at each rank, but also to be mentally, physically, and
spiritually fit,” she shares. “This is a place where you will find that motivation,
charisma, and magnetism as a projection of your image, reputation, and
self-esteem in the way you carry yourself both in and out of uniform. Because
this is a vocation of arms, it is like no other career.”
Brig. Gen. Irene Zoppi, U.S. Army Reserve deputy commanding
general for the 200th Military Police Command, receives her star as she
is promoted from the rank of colonel during a promotion ceremony held
on Fort Meade, Maryland, Aug. 28, 2017. MG Phillip M. Churn gives
BG Zoppi the oath of office. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Master Sgt.
Michel Sauret).
Beyond the rigorous military occupational training and educational
opportunities, she is proud to have acquired the ability to communicate, both in
writing and orally, with diplomacy and poise for action in the unity of effort toward
mission achievement that incorporates motivation and teamwork. Dr. Zoppi
explained: “The Army sent me to Defense Language Institute for English, which
set me up for success.”
“You will gain the experience of your lifetime, as each military assignment
provides you with developmental opportunities to excel as a leader – who knows
how to lead multiple tasks and accomplish anything, anywhere, at any time,”
she shares. “Plus, the stance to serve along your familia, who are part of our
military mission. Our families represent – all that we are, and together, we can
make the difference!”
When asked what is next for her, she proudly shares that she will continue
to serve. Currently, she volunteers as a Member, Board of Trustees, Anne
Arundel County Community College, ranked #1 in a national ranking of
community colleges by Academic Influence, a team of academics and data
scientists providing objective, influence-based rankings for higher education.
She is also part of the Advisory Board for Racial Equity and Inclusion Initiative (REI)
in our military’s Prestigious Blue Star Families, Encinitas, CA. In support of the
military Reserve, she serves as a member of the Reserve Officer Association,
Pan American Union of Armed Forces Reserve Officers, Washington, DC.
Finally, she hopes to fulfill her dream of writing a book on Latinas in the
military and hopes someday to attend the first movie centered on Latinas in the
military. “Tell our story from struggle to success,” she shares. “Through our
stories, we will boost Latino inclusion at all levels. Vamos!”
Despite her humble personality, she is proud to say that she is related to the
16th U.S. President, as a cousin, five times removed, of Abraham Lincoln.
“Familia is everything, always remember your ancestors, honor them,” she
shares. “We are a tapestry of diversity, be proud of your ancestors in such a
way we uplift our community and our Nation toward its total greatness. Keep
making a difference. Keep that torch on fire and pass it on, always for a
greater purpose!”
LS
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Dr. Zoppi receives the Faculty of Excellence Award, Strayer University,
120th Commencement, Baltimore, Maryland, 2012.
24 www.latinastyle.com LATINAStyle V ol. 27, No. 6 , 2021