Todd Copeland

CAPT Todd Copeland was born in Orlando, Florida and commissioned in 1996 following graduation from the United States Naval Academy.

CAPT Copeland entered flight training in 1997 at NAS Pensacola and was designated a Naval Aviator from VT-31 in April of 1998. After completing Fleet Replacement training in the P-3C Orion at VP-30 in 1999, CAPT Copeland reported to Patrol Squadron NINE in Kaneohe, Hawaii and qualified as a Patrol Plane Commander, Mission Commander, and Instructor Pilot while executing multiple deployments to the Pacific and Middle East. Following his first sea tour in January 2002, he was assigned to the Fleet Replacement Squadron, VP-30, at NAS Jacksonville, FL where he served as a P-3C Fleet instructor pilot and Fleet Instructor Under Training lead pilot and coordinator.

CAPT Copeland’s follow-on assignment in August 2004 was to the staff of the Commander Naval Forces Europe as a P-3C Air Planner. After completing his tour in Italy, CAPT Copeland attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island where he graduated with distinction with a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.

In 2007, CAPT Copeland reported for his Department Head tour in VP-26 at NAS Brunswick, Maine and served as Maintenance Officer and Senior Pilot. From December 2009 to December 2011, he assumed the duties of Deputy P-3C and P-8A Requirements Officer for the Director of Air Warfare on the Chief of Naval Operations Staff in Washington D.C. CAPT Copeland was selected for aviation command in 2011 and assumed command of VT-31 in January of 2013. Following his command tour, CAPT Copeland was assigned as the Deputy Director for Strategy, Policy, and Assessments on the staff of Naval Forces Central Command in Bahrain. CAPT Copeland was subsequently assigned to the Joint Staff, J-7 Directorate as the Strategy, Policy, and Engagement Branch Chief for the Joint Lessons Learned Division. CAPT Copeland was then assigned as the Chief of Congressional Affairs for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and most recently served as Commanding Officer of Naval Support Activity South Potomac.

In July 2023, CAPT Copeland reported to Kansas University and currently serves as Commanding Officer, NROTC and Professor of Naval Science. 

CAPT Copeland has received the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (four awards, one with combat distinguishing device) and the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards) as well as various unit, campaign and service awards.