Biography
Executive Officer, 1st Battalion 11th Marines
Major Hopkins

Major Hopkins graduated from Virginia Military Institute with a Bachelor of Arts in History and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in May 1997.  Second Lieutenant Hopkins then completed The Basic School and the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course.

He was subsequently assigned to Battery A, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines where he served as a fire direction officer and forward observer.  In August 2000, First Lieutenant Hopkins was attached to Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) as a forward observer and forward air controller.  While deployed he participated in OPERATION RESTORE HOPE in East Timor and OPERATION DETERMINED RESPONSE in Aden, Yemen in support of the USS COLE (DDG 67).

In May 2001, First Lieutenant Hopkins was ordered to 3rd Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, MCRD San Diego.  He was promoted to captain 1 July 2001.  He served as a Series Commander with Company L and Company K and Commanding Officer, Company K.  Following command, he served as the Protocol Officer for the Commanding General, MCRD/WRR San Diego, California.

After graduating from the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course, Captain Hopkins reported to 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines in August 2004 and served as Commanding Officer, Battery E.  Between May 2005 and December 2006, he deployed twice as an Individual Augment.  First deploying to the Joint Special Operations Task Force - Philippians in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM serving in various operations billets and then with Regimental Combat Team 7 in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM serving as a Senior Watch Officer.

In May 2007, Captain Hopkins was ordered to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and served as the Assistant Operations Officer and Fire Support Officer.  He was promoted to his current rank in September 2007.  Major Hopkins deployed on a WESTPAC with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.  Following his return he received orders to the 75th Ranger Regiment and served as the Marine Artillery Exchange Officer.

In July 2009, Major Hopkins reported to Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Pacific and served as the Naval Surface Fire Support Branch Head.

In July 2011, Major Hopkins was transferred to 5th Battalion, 11th Marines where he served as the Executive Officer.  In October 2011, he was reassigned as the Officer-in-Charge, Border Advisor Team 1 in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM and deployed to Afghanistan from April to November 2012.  Following this deployment he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 11th Marines as the Executive Officer.

 

 
1st Marine Division