Commander Dennis L. Hopkins, USN
Commander Dennis Lee Hopkins (now Captain), United States Navy, was born in Huntington, West Virginia, on 12 April 1955. He graduated from the University of Michigan and was commissioned through the Navy ROTC program as an Ensign on 30 April 1977.
Captain Hopkins served in his first ship, USS ELMER MONTGOMERY (FF-1082), from September 1977-July 1980 as Gunnery/Missile Officer and Electronics Maintenance/Electronic Warfare Officer. After NROTC instructor duty from August 1980-October 1983 at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he earned a Master's degree, Captain Hopkins completed the Surface Warfare Officer Department Head course in May 1984.
Captain Hopkins' first Department Head tour was in USS REID (FFG-30) as Operations Officer from July 1984-July 1986. From August 1986-December 1987 Captain Hopkins served in USS HALSEY (CG-23) as Operations Officer, including a World Cruise with the USS KITTY HAWK Battle Group. Captain Hopkins completed Joint Professional Military Education at the Armed Forces Staff College (AFSC), Norfolk, Virginia in June 1988, subsequently assigned to the Strategy Division, Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J-5), Joint Chiefs of Staff, working strategic issues from July 1988- June 1990. He is a designated Joint Specialty Officer.
Captain Hopkins served in USS BIDDLE (CG-34) as Executive Officer from September 1990-April 1992. During the Persian Gulf War with Iraq, he participated in both Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. From May 1992-June 1993 he was a member of Chief of Naval Operations, CNO Executive Panel (N00K). Captain Hopkins was Commanding Officer of USS RODNEY M. DAVIS (FFG-60), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan, from January 1994-November 1995. From December 1995-December 1997 he was the Plans and Doctrine Officer (N51) on the staff of the Commander, Seventh Fleet, homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. From December 1997 to July 2000 Captain Hopkins served as the Deputy Director, War Gaming Department, Naval War College, Newport, RI. Captain Hopkins reported to the University of Michigan in August 2000 as the 23rdProfessor of Naval Science and Commanding Officer of the Navy ROTC Battalion.
His personal decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (4th award), the Navy Commendation Medal (4th award) and the Navy Achievement Medal (2nd award).
Captain Hopkins is married to the former Joy Ellen Boers of Chicago, Illinois. She is a Registered Obstetrics Nurse (RNC). Captain and Mrs. Hopkins have two daughters, Bethany and Stacy.
