COL(R) Rebecca S. Hooper was born and raised in Berea, Ohio. After graduating from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1974, she entered active duty to attend the U.S. Army-Baylor University Graduate Program in Physical Therapy. 
     The pinnacle of her military career came when she was sworn in as the 15th Chief of the Army Medical Specialist Corps on November 21st, 2000.  In this position she was charged with the responsibility for over 1000 Army Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Dietitians, and Physician Assistants worldwide. She served in that capacity for four years and then finished her time on active duty serving as the Chief, Department of Health Education and Training, Academy of Health Sciences, AMEDD Center and School.  
     COL(R) Hooper’s education includes a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Texas at Austin in 1995 and graduation from the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks in 1996. Her awards include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Surgeon General’s “A” Proficiency Designator, the Order of Military Medical Merit, and the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service.  
     In February of 2006, COL(R) Hooper accepted a position as the Program Manager for the soon to be completed Center for the Intrepid (CFI) at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC). She worked at the CFI until her retirement from civil service on 31 January 2014.  Working with the dedicated staff at the CFI and making sure that wounded service members got the best care in the world will always be her favorite assignment. 
     COL(R) Hooper is married to COL(R) Travis Lee Hooper, a retired Armor officer and lives in San Antonio, TX.