Commander Lida Cooper is a native of North Carolina. She graduated from Tulane University on a Naval ROTC scholarship and commissioned in 2004. In 2011, she completed master’s degrees in International Development from Tulane University and National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.  In June 2020, she graduated from the U.S. Naval War College Senior Officer’s Course.
 

She recently was the Director of International Training at Surface Warfare Officer School. Her most recent sea tour was as the Commanding Officer of USS THUNDERBOLT (PC 12).
 

Prior sea duty assignments include Operations Officer in USS STERETT (DDG 104), Training Officer in USS MILIUS (DDG 69), and Ordnance Officer in USS RUSSELL (DDG 59).
 

Ashore, Commander Cooper served as the TLAM Officer at Tactical Training Group, Pacific. Additionally, she was assigned to Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines as the Manila Element Officer-In-Charge for nine months.

Commander Cooper’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards), as well as various campaign and unit awards.