Irene M. Zoppi
Irene M. Zoppi Rodríguez is a retired United States Army Reserve brigadier general and an educator. Born on August 22, 1966, in Canóvanas, Puerto Rico, she became the first Puerto Rican woman to achieve the rank of general in the Army Reserve. Her career blended military service with teaching and leadership in higher education.
Early life and education
- Zoppi grew up in Canóvanas, Puerto Rico, and was encouraged by family to pursue education.
- She joined the ROTC program at the University of Puerto Rico, starting military training in 1985.
- She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages from the University of Puerto Rico in 1988, becoming proficient in Spanish, English, Italian, French, and German.
- She later earned:
- MBA from Johns Hopkins University (2000)
- Ph.D. in Education Policy, Planning, and Administration from the University of Maryland (2000)
- Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College (2012)
- Homeland Security Planners Course at the Joint Forces Staff College (2011)
Military career
- Zoppi began as a private first class in the Army Reserve, serving in the Military Police Corps at Fort McClellan, Alabama, and in units in Puerto Rico.
- Her nickname, “Ramba,” comes from a reference to the Rambo character.
- She deployed to the Middle East during Operation Desert Storm and served with the 3rd Armored Division in Germany, performing as a special security officer and handling telecommunications duties.
- She left active duty in 1995 as a captain and continued to serve in the Army Reserve, rising through the ranks to major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel.
- In the reserves, she held several commands, including leadership roles at the 11th Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 104th Division; the 203rd Military Intelligence Battalion; and the 3100th Strategic Intelligence Group. She also led the 1st Mission Support Command in Puerto Rico and later served as Army Reserve Element Commander and J2 for the 76th Operational Response Command under U.S. Southern Command.
- In September 2017, Zoppi was promoted to brigadier general and became the deputy commanding general of the 200th Military Police Command. She was the first Puerto Rican woman promoted to general in the U.S. Army Reserve.
- In 2019, she was named director of the Army Reserve Engagement Cell and deputy commanding general for United States Army South. She has also visited Honduras to observe reserve medical training.
Academic and civilian career
- Zoppi has taught in Maryland’s public school system and at several colleges and universities.
- She has worked as an adjunct professor at the College of Notre Dame and as a Research Associate at the Maryland Institute for Minority Achievement and Urban Education, University of Maryland.
- As a professor in Strayer University’s Business and Education Departments, she was named 2012 Strayer University Faculty of the Year and gave a keynote at the 2013 Latina Style Business Series, highlighting the value of Latin American culture in business.
- She has taught at the National Intelligence University and directed its academic center within the National Security Agency.
Public service and accolades
- Zoppi served on the Maryland State Board of Education from 2017 to 2021.
- In 2020, she became the first Hispanic member of the Anne Arundel Community College Board of Trustees.
- Notable recognitions include:
- 2009: Maryland’s Top 100 Women
- 2012: Strayer University Faculty of the Year
- 2013: Knowlton Award from the Military Intelligence Corps Association
- 2015: Latina of Influence by Hispanic Lifestyle Magazine
- Kentucky Colonel honorary title
- 2019: Inducted into the Puerto Rico Veterans Hall of Fame
Personal life
- Zoppi married Thomas Zoppi in 1988. They have three children and two grandchildren.
Key decorations and badges (highlights)
- Bronze Star Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
- Army Commendation Medal with six oak leaf clusters
- Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with six oak leaf clusters
- Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
- Southwest Asia Service Medal with three service stars
- National Defense Service Medal with service star
- Army Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 2
- Parachutist badge
- Regimental insignia and other unit awards
Irene M. Zoppi Rodríguez’s career stands as a notable example of leadership advances by Puerto Rican women in the U.S. military and higher education.
This page was last edited on 1 February 2026, at 18:21 (CET).