Colonel Shoop is from Elmwood, IL and attended the United States Naval Academy, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Control Systems Engineering in May 2000. Following commissioning, 2nd Lt Shoop attended the Basic School and
flight school. He was designated as a Naval Aviator in September 2003.
After completing F/A-18 transition training in VMFAT-101 at MCAS Miramar in April of 2005, he joined the “Bats” of VMFA(AW)-242. During his initial tour, Captain Shoop served as Powerline Officer, Quality Assurance Officer. He
deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom in August 2006.
Upon returning from deployment, Captain Shoop was selected to attend the Naval Strike Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) in July 2007. Upon completion, he served at the Pilot Training Officer and helped move the squadron to MCAS
Iwakuni, Japan. He was selected to attend the MAWTS-1 Weapons and Tactics (WTI) course and continued serving as Pilot Training Officer and squadron WTI upon his return. While in Japan he deployed to several countries and participated in numerous international exercises.
In May 2009, Captain Shoop reported to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) in Yuma, Arizona. During his tour at MAWTS-1 he worked as an F/A-18 advanced tactics instructor for 6 WTI courses, 3 Marine Division Tactics Courses (MDTC) and numerous fleet support periods. He was also the F-35 specialist in the Aviation Development, Tactics and Evaluation (ADT&E) department. During this time he was instrumental in tactics and training development for the Joint Strike Fighter, to include writing the Training and Readiness manual and the Joint Tactics 3-1 manual.
Major Shoop was assigned to the “Black Knights” of VMFA-314 in July 2012 and was placed as Aircraft Maintenance Officer. He deployed to the CENTCOM AOR in support of RFF-1200 in September 2012. Upon returning he assumed the Operations Officer billet for the remainder of his tour and participated in Enhanced Mojave Viper and Red Flag Nellis.
In March of 2014, Major Shoop reported to the Joint Strike Fighter Program Office in Arlington, VA. There he served as the Operational Test Lead for all three services as well as two partner nations.
Major Shoop reported to VMFAT-501 in December 2015 for transition training and assumed the position of Executive
Officer in May 2016. He also served as an Instructor Pilot for both US and UK transition students as well as the first Category 1 US students to complete F-35B training. He received an Executive Masters in Business Administration from the Naval Postgraduate School in September 2016.
Lieutenant Colonel Shoop reported to Marine Aircraft Group 13 in July 2017 and assumed the role of Executive Officer. He took command of VMFA-211 in January 2018 and deployed with the 13th MEU in July 2018. During the inaugural F-35 combat deployment he flew numerous missions in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve.
Post command, Lieutenant Colonel Shoop reported to the US Army War College for Top Level School. There he earned a Masters of Strategic Studies, completed the Advanced Strategic Arts Program and finished as a Superior Graduate.
Colonel Shoop recently completed a Pentagon tour serving as a TACAIR Analyst for Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Cost Assessment/Program Evaluation (CAPE) and OPNAV N95 Expeditionary Warfare Integration Branch head.
Colonel Shoop’s personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (9th Award), three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal, CAPE Bryan Creed Jack Award for Distinguished Defense Analysis and the JSF Program office F-35 innovation award. He has accumulated over 2,900 mishap free flight hours.