Upon promotion to major, Cuppens was assigned as a staff officer to 10 Tactical Air Group Headquarters[6][circular reference] (10 TAG).

In March 1986, Cuppens was appointed the Chief of Liaison Services and the Commander of the Canadian Contingent Multinational Force and Observers in Sinai, Egypt.

In July 1995, Cuppens was promoted Lieutenant-General and was appointed by Canada and the United States of America as Deputy- Commander-in-Chief of the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

At the retirement ceremony, in April 1998, the government of the United States of America awarded Cuppens the Legion of Merit.

Cuppens and his spouse, Christine Fitzpatrick, of Saint John, New Brunswick, parented a son and a daughter, Sean and Gretchen, who have both served as members of the Canadian Forces.

While in that position, he represented the Legion on the Canadian Forces-Veterans Affairs Canada Advisory Council that led to the creation of the Modern Day Veterans legislation.