Lieutenant Colonel Ismael Lopez enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in May 2003 and graduated from 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Parris Island, South Carolina, on 16 August 2003. Upon completing Marine Corps recruit training, he received orders to 4th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (4th ANGLICO), Marine Forces Reserve, West Palm Beach, Florida. In 2005, he reported to Field Radio Operators Course (FROC) at 29 Palms, California, receiving the Military Occupational Specialty of 0621, Field Radio Operator.
In 2006, Cpl Lopez was activated to support Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. He was assigned as the Communications Chief of Firepower Control Team 6, 4th ANGLICO. From October 2006 to November 2007, Cpl Lopez served in that role attached to 5th ANGLICO, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
In November 2008, Sgt Lopez was mobilized again, attaching to 2D ANGLICO, II MEF, as Team Chief, Fire Support Team 10, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from November 2008 to July 2009.
In January 2010, Sgt Lopez was accepted to Officer Candidate School and reported to Marine Corps Base Quantico for Officer Candidate Course. On 26 March 2011, he earned his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. Following the Basic School, he reported to Fort Knox, Kentucky, for the Armor Basic Officers Course and earned the military occupation specialty of 1802, Armor Officer, in March 2011.
In May 2011, he received orders to Bravo Company, 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, and was assigned as 1st Platoon Commander. In September 2011, 1stLt Lopez received orders and reported to Detachment 4, TOW/SCOUT Platoon, 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Hialeah, Florida, where he served as TOW/SCOUT Platoon Commander.
In November 2013, 1stLt Lopez joined 4th Civil Affairs Group, Hialeah, Florida, and became a Civil Affairs Officer. He was assigned Assistant Team Leader, Team 2, Detachment 2, and deployed to Honduras (SMEE), Panama (Continuing Promise-15), and Brazil (UNITAS-16) as a Team Leader. In March 2016, he deployed as the lead CMO Planner for New Horizons-16 (Dominican Republic) on the JTF staff. In April of 2014, he was promoted to the rank of Captain.
In 2017, Capt Lopez was assigned as Civil Affairs Planner/Team Leader for Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Southern Command 17. He earned the “Jumping Joe Chambers” Leadership Award during this period. Maj Lopez served as the lead liaison and planner for Joint Task Force Leeward Islands in support of Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief Operations in the islands of Dominica and Saint Martin.
In 2018, Capt Lopez served as the Integrated Training Exercise 4-18 Logistics Operations Planner for 23d Marine Regiment in San Bruno, California.
In August 2018, Capt Lopez reported to Marine Forces South and joined the Individual Marine Augment Detachment, and joined the Naval Mission in Colombia as the Counter-narcotics Operations Planner from August 2018 to March 2021, where he led Marine Corps security cooperation initiatives with the Colombian Marine Corps and Navy. In Sept of 2019, he was promoted to the rank of Major.
From May 2021 – July 2023, Maj Lopez reported to Marine Forces Reserve, New Orleans, Louisiana, as an Inspector/Investigator in the G-7 in support of the 4th Marine Division, Commanding Generals’ Inspection Program.
In August 2023 – March 2025, Maj Lopez returned to the Civil Affairs OccField, joined 1st CAG as the Commander of Detachment 3, and led a Civil Affairs Team in executing Balikatan-23 in the Philippines.
In March of 2025, Maj Lopez received orders to 6th ANGLICO located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, as the Executive Officer and was subsequently promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
LtCol Lopez is currently serving as Commanding Officer, 6th ANGLICO.
LtCol Lopez’s civilian and military education includes Expeditionary Warfare School, Command and Staff College (Distinguished Graduate), Joint & Combined Warfare School (Hybrid), Air War College, a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of Tampa, a Master of Science in Management from Barry University, and a PMP Certification from Syracuse University.
LtCol Lopez works as a Program Analyst in the Humanitarian Assistance, Disaster Relief & Mine Action Division at the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
LtCol awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.