Rear Adm. Paul graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Science. Homeported in Norfolk, Va., he served aboard USS Kidd (DDG-993) as fire control officer/gunnery officer, electronic warfare officer, auxiliaries officer and damage control assistant during deployments to the Mediterranean, Black Sea, North Atlantic and Persian Gulf and participated in several exercises in the Western and Northern Atlantic and Caribbean.

From 1987 to 1989, Paul served on the Pentagon Joint Staff as an action officer in the Operations Directorate (J-3). He was then assigned as the Secretary of the Navy Senate liaison officer for two years, followed by a year as Special Assistant in the Navy Programs Division until 1991. During this assignment, he was able to work with members of Congress on the Senate Armed Services Committee, including Senator John McCain (R-AZ).

In 1991, Paul transitioned to the Navy Reserve while working on Senator John McCain's Capitol Hill staff. Assigned to Navy Command Center from 1991 to 1996, he then moved to the OPNAV N86 Surface Warfare Augment Unit from 1997 to 1998, and was executive officer of the N85 Expeditionary Warfare Augment Unit in 1999. As commanding officer of CVNE-0109 in Memphis, Tennessee, from 1999 to 2001, the 150-member aircraft carrier Augment Unit supported AIRLANT aircraft carriers and was recognized with the 2001 Commander Naval Air Force Reserve Robert I. Barto Award by providing over 1,900 days of integrated operational support.

From 2001 to 2003, Paul was commanding officer of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head, Md., Augment Unit, and after rapidly responding to full unit mobilization in support of Operation Noble Eagle, the Secretary of the Navy recognized their effective support with the Meritorious Unit Commendation. As commanding officer of the Commander, Navy Region, Mid-Atlantic Augment Unit in Norfolk, from 2003 to 2005, assigned Sailors fully aligned to support all command capabilities, and he was mobilized in support of JTF Katrina as the Joint Force Maritime component commander, Chief of Staff.

Paul was commanding officer of the Commander, U.S. Forces, Japan Augment Unit in Akron, Ohio, and at Yokota Air Base, Japan, from 2005 to 2007. By providing over 2,300 days of direct headquarters, contingency and exercise support, enhancing the U.S.-Japan Security Alliance, the unit received the Joint Meritorious Unit Award. From 2007 to 2008, Paul served as the Naval District Washington Deputy Reserve component commander supporting the Navy Total Force in the National Capital Area. From 2008 to 2011, Paul served as the deputy commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, the command received the Navy Unit Commendation for its outstanding successes in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He presently serves as the deputy commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic and is the Republican deputy staff director on the Senate Armed Services Committee, where he received the 1999 Congressional Staffer of the Year Award. Personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.