Naval Staff
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Lieutenant Cody Popelka
Assistant Professor of Naval Science
Freshmen Advisor
LT Cody Popelka, of Cut Bank, Montana graduated from Montana State University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He joined the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program (NUPOC) while at MSU in 2016 and attended Officer Candidate School (OCS) in 2018.
LT Popelka commissioned as a Submarine Warfare Officer and, upon finishing the nuclear training pipeline, reported to his first sea duty assignment aboard the Virginia class fast-attack submarine, PCU Montana in Norfolk, VA. His 36-month tour included initial sea trials and commissioning of the submarine into the USS Montana. His billets included Main Propulsion Assistant, Reactor Control Assistant, and Assistant Operations Officer.
LT Popelka transferred to a non-traditional shore tour also in Norfolk,VA to serve as the Submarine Liaison Officer at Destroyer Squadron Two. He oversaw multiple Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercises and certifications.
LT Popelka’s personal awards include a Navy Commendation Medal, four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various unit and service awards. He is currently assigned to the Naval ROTC Unit at the Ãå±±½ûµØ as the Nuclear Programs Officer on staff, 4th Class Midshipmen Advisor, and Introduction to Naval Science and Engineering Instructor.
Lieutenant Michael Drennan
Assistant Professor of Naval Science
Sophomore Advisor
LT Michael Drennan, of Memphis Tennessee, graduated from University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering.
LT Drennan commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer and reported to his first sea duty assignment aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS MUSTIN (DDG 89), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. From April 2019 to April 2021, he served as the Strike Warfare Officer, responsible for planning and executing Tomahawk missile operations in support of fleet-wide tasking.
Following his tour on USS MUSTIN, LT Drennan was selected for the Navy’s nuclear power program and attended Nuclear Power School in Charleston, South Carolina. Upon completion of training, he reported to the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) in August 2022, where he served as the Reactor Controls Division Officer. In this role, he led sailors in the operation and maintenance of the ship’s reactor instrumentation and control systems, ensuring the safe and effective operation of the nuclear propulsion plant throughout multiple deployments.
Lieutenant Elijah Jones
Assistant Professor of Naval Science
Junior Advisor
LT Elijah Jones, a native of Rancho Cucamonga, California, graduated from high school in 2015 and went on to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a minor in Japanese.
Commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer, he reported to his first sea duty assignment in February 2020 onboard USS CURTIS WILBUR (DDG-54) in Yokosuka, Japan, serving as Ordnance Officer, Electronic Warfare Officer, and Combat Information Center Officer. During his time onboard, he completed three Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Japan (FDNF-J) in the East and South China Seas, as well as a homeport shift to San Diego, CA.
In 2022, LT Jones transferred to USS DEWEY (DDG-105) in Yokosuka, Japan, where he served as the ship’s Navigator. He participated in multiple FDNF-J patrols, multi-national exercises, and Freedom of Navigation Operations. During the 2024 FDNF-J Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training, he was selected as Force Navigator, responsible for the safe navigation of six U.S. and Japanese warships.
LT Jones's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals, and various other awards. He is currently assigned to the Naval ROTC Unit at the University of Colorado as the Surface Warfare Officer on staff, 2/C Advisor, and Navigation Instructor.
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