Paul W Taylor is an irregular warfare specialist in the Washington, D.C. area. He most recently served as a policy analyst and Strategic Communications Branch Chief for the United States Army Special Operations Command G-5 Functional Planning Division, as well as adjunct instructor of foreign policy at Methodist University.
Previously, Paul served from 2013 to 2018 as an irregular warfare policy and strategy analyst with Cydecor, providing support to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy (Navy Warfare Group) in the analysis and drafting of strategy, policy, concepts, and doctrine related to irregular warfare and the integration of conventional and special operations forces.
From 2008-2011, while studying at Seton Hall University, Paul was a research fellow the Center for Policy & Research, in which capacity he participated in habeas litigation for Guantanamo Bay detainees, investigated US military detention operations, and conducted research into forensic evidence and expert witness standards and processes.
Paul served from 2003 to 2007 as a fire support specialist and forward observer for 82nd Airborne Division. During this service, he deployed to Iraq in 2004 and Afghanistan from 2005-2006. His awards and decorations include the Combat Action Badge, Army Commendation Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, and Royal British Parachutist Wings.
Paul has served in multiple volunteer positions, including several leadership positions with the Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP), including most recently, as Chair of YPFP’s Defense Discussion Group. He is also founder and editor of the National Security Strategy Archive.
He has received a joint Juris Doctor and Masters of Arts in Diplomacy International Relations at Seton Hall University, in which he focused on national security issues. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in theoretical mathematics from Sonoma State University, just outside his hometown of Santa Rosa, CA.