Patty Klop

On 30 April 1994, Col. Patricia S. (Bacon) Klop graduated from Berry College in Rome, Ga., with a Bachelor of Science degree in Broad Field Social Science and minors in education and psychology, and subsequently commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps via the Platoon Leaders Class Program. After basic training, then Second Lieutenant Klop graduated from Adjutant Course and served overseas as an Adjutant and Protocol Officer in Okinawa, Japan and Songkhla, Thailand in support of COBRA GOLD 1996. Second Lieutenant Klop was 1995 Woman Athlete of the Year for All Marine Corps Bases; Okinawa, Japan. From July 1996 through August 1999, first Lieutenant Klop was assigned to women boot camp, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina to supervise drill instructors as they trained recruits.

On 11 January 2000, Captain Klop transferred to the Selected Marine Corps Reserves and joined Marine Air Control Group 48, Great Lakes, Illinois as the reserve Adjutant.

In May 2005, Major Klop joined 6th Civil Affairs Group, a humanitarian unit to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi local population while influencing governance, economics, and civil society. She deployed to Ramadi and Fallujah, Iraq from 26 August 2005 through 4 April 2006 in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 04-06.2.

From 15 August 2006 through 6 July 2007, Major Klop was mobilized and deployed to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany as the Hospital Liaison Officer-in-Charge to oversee wounded Marines and Sailors medically evacuated from Iraq and Afghanistan.

From 22 April through October 2009, Major Klop was mobilized as the Personnel Retrieval and Processing (mortuary affairs) Detachment Officer-in-Charge and deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM 09.1.

From July 2012 to February 2013, Lieutenant Colonel Klop was the Assistant Chief of Staff G-1 for 4th Marine Logistics Group, New Orleans, Louisiana. From March 2013 to May 2016, Lieutenant Colonel Klop was a Detachment Commander for 3D Civil Affairs Group, Great Lakes, Illinois. From February 2018 to December 2020, Colonel Klop was the Reserve Assistant Chief of Staff G-1 for Marine Forces Pacific, at Camp Smith, Hawaii. Colonel Klop is currently serving as the Reserve Assistant Chief of Staff G-1 for I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California since January 2021.

Colonel Klop graduated from Webster University, Beaufort, South Carolina in August 1999 with a Master of Arts in Human Resources Development and Management. Additionally, she graduated from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois in December 2004 with a Master of Science in Physical Education, Curriculum and Pedagogy.

Her personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation (2), Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal (6), National Defense Service Medal (2), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (2), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (4), Drill Instructor Ribbon, and NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Afghanistan Medal.

She is married to David A. Klop. They have two sons, David and Danny, and reside in Wauconda, Illinois.