Lieutenant Colonel Cristina Lopez is a native of Fort Worth, Texas. She served as an enlisted Marine from 2006 to 2010 and was commissioned via the Enlisted Commissioning Program in December 2010. She is a graduate of Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and minor in Classical Studies.
In January 2006 Lieutenant Colonel Lopez attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC; Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, Camp Lejeune, NC; and Personnel Administration School at Camp Johnson, Camp Lejeune, NC. Upon completion of entry-level training, she was assigned as a reservist to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234, Marine Aircraft Group 41.
Following completion of Officer Candidates School, the Basic School, and the Adjutant Course, Lieutenant Colonel Lopez was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 14, Cherry Point, NC. From September 2011 to June 2014, she served as the Group Adjutant and Legal Officer.
In 2014, Lieutenant Colonel Lopez attended the Marine Corps Expeditionary Warfare School, Quantico, VA. Upon graduation in 2015, she reported to Headquarters Marine Corps Aviation Department, where she served as the Aviation Administration, Budget and Security Branch Head.
In August 2017, Lieutenant Colonel Lopez reported to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and she served as the S-1 Officer from August 2017 to June 2020. During this tour, she deployed in support of WESTPAC 19-2 upon the U.S.S. Boxer Amphibious Readiness Group.
In May 2020, Lieutenant Colonel Lopez reported to Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, where she received a Master of Science in Management. She subsequently served with the Total Force Structure Division, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Combat Development and Integration from April 2022 to July 2024, as the Deputy Operations Officer & Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and Synchronization, Personnel, Facilities, and Cost Working Group Secretariat.
In July 2024, Lieutenant Colonel Lopez reported to 1st Marine Division, where she served as the Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1, and subsequently as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1.
Lieutenant Colonel Lopez’s academic and professional education includes Bachelor of Arts in History (2009); Expeditionary Warfare School (2015); Command and Staff College (2021); and a Master of Science in Management from the Naval Postgraduate School (2022).
Her personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards) and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards).