Selena Coppa Selena Danielle Coppa ( born February 25 , 1983 ) was a military intelligence Sergeant in the United States Army . She is primarily notable for her organizing and activism against the US Occupation of Iraq while serving as an active duty military member , including serving on the Executive Board of Iraq Veterans Against the War . In 2009 it was announced that she was heading a committee responsible for gaining and training more active duty anti - war soldiers . She has the somewhat unusual status of being a war resister strictly holding to legalities , and has been identified as a primary " force multiplier " for other servicemembers attempting to resist the war through legal means . Military service . Coppa enlisted in the Army in 2000 under the Delayed Entry Program and began her service as a Military Intelligence soldier in February 2001 . Much of her work during the war was classified , and she has generally refused to speak about those matters , citing legal restrictions . Protest activities . In February 2007 , Coppa became active with Iraq Veterans Against the War ( IVAW ) , though she did not come to prominence until January 2008 , when she took over the GI Outreach Team for IVAW . She began coordinating the active duty wing of IVAW , flying and driving around the country , and visiting military bases to speak , distribute information , and organize other soldiers . She rose to international media attention in March 2008 , when she testified at the hearings in Silver Spring , Maryland . One of only two active duty participants , she chaired the Breakdown of the Military panel . Shortly after testifying , she was reassigned to Germany but still made regular appearances inside the US , including at the Winter Soldier on the Hill hearings before Congress in May 2008 and on the State of the Union Base Tour . She was a main organizer of the DNC and RNC protests . In early 2009 , she was named to the IVAW Board of Directors , and was subsequently elected to the Executive Board . She later resigned from this position , whistleblowing and citing ethical concerns about another executive board member . She was removed from the board after refusing to recant the charges . Military repercussions . Coppa reported suffering informal harassment by her unit and was also investigated by CID with no charges filed shortly after Winter Soldier . Shortly after being named to the Board of Directors , she was also placed under investigation and threatened with court - martial and potential discharge for her blogging and other activities . Coppa was represented by military law expert Michael Lebowitz , who successfully defended her against charges of disloyal statements and dereliction of duty . Coppa later received company - grade nonjudicial punishment for appearing in uniform at a protest march during participation at an IVAW - led march two years prior . Print and film . Coppa was a main character in the documentary filmseries " This Is Where We Take Our Stand " , appearing in several episodes and the introductory and closing sequences . Coppa has also been an active blogger on both her own blog called " Active Duty Patriot " and the nonpartisan blog " Military Pundits " .