Paul served as Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, focusing on Department of Defense innovation and modernization priorities. He served more than 20 years in the U.S. Army in various Airborne, Special Operations, and Infantry units, including service as a Joint Chiefs of Staff Fellow, a company commander, a platoon leader, and a non-commissioned officer. Paul is also an Adjunct Senior Fellow for the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). He holds a master’s degree in Policy Management from Georgetown University, and a B.A. from Campbell University.