ABOUT PAUL

 

​     Born and raised in a small town in Pennsylvania, Paul Taylor knew military service was in his future. He competed in track, cross-country running, and swimming to prepare for his career but an accident his senior year delayed his dream. After graduating in 1991, he continued to train, and finally entered Marine Corps Basic Training at Parris Island in January 1993.

 

     After basic, Paul was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment in Twenty-Nine Palms, California. He served as an Infantryman through Fire Team Leader in a line company, and as a spotter and Scout Sniper in the 2/7 Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) Platoon. His accomplishments while serving in the Marines includes graduating the USMC 1st Marine Division Scout Sniper School in 1995 and winning the 1st Marine Division Scout Sniper Team Competition in 1996.

 

     After honorably serving four years in the Marine Corps, Paul moved back to Pennsylvania and joined the Marine Reserves with 25th Marines out of Harrisburg PA. After serving in the reserves for one year and missing the comradery and brotherhood of being a full time service member, he enlisted in the army under an Airborne Ranger contract.

 

     In 1998, Paul began his army career, starting with Airborne School then the 75th Ranger Regiment Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP). He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in Savannah, GA, serving as an Anti-Tank Gunner, Fire Team Leader, and Squad Leader. He graduated Ranger School, CL 1-99, and then Jumpmaster School in 2001. He deployed as a Squad Leader in A CO, 1/75 RGR RGT to Afghanistan in 2001 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF I).

 

     In October 2002, SSG Taylor was reassigned to 18th Airborne Corps LRS as a Long Range Surveillance (LRS) Team Leader. He deployed and was part of the initial invasion into Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF I).

 

     September 2004, SSG Taylor completed the Special Forces Qualification Course. Over the next two years, Taylor completed the Special Forces Small Unit Tactics (SUT) Course, Arabic Language Training, Special Forces Engineer Sergeant (18C) Course, Survival Evasion Resistance Escape (SERE) Course Level C, and Robin Sage; earning the Special Forces Tab and coveted Green Beret.

 

     Upon completion of the Q-Course, Taylor was assigned to B Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group and immediately deployed on two Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCETs) to Pakistan in support of OEF, training the Pakistani Special Forces. He also returned to Afghanistan (OEF XI) in 2006, deploying to Chamkani Fire Base on the Pakistani Border as the ODA Senior Engineer Sergeant.

 

     SFC Taylor then volunteered for the 3rd SFG Combatant Commander's In-Extremist Force (CIF) Team in 2008. He deployed with B-2-3 to Iraq and conducted operations in Central and Northern Afghanistan, training assisting and mentoring the Iraqi Counter Terrorist Force (ICTF). He also deployed with 2nd Battalion to Panjiwa in the Kandahar Province of Afghanistan and Maktab in the Helmand Province as his ODAs Senior Engineer Sergeant to support Operation Enduring Freedom.

 

     After twenty years of service in the United States Marine Corps and United States Army, and eight combat deployments overseas supporting OEF and OIF, Paul retired from the military and started the next phase of his life. He again made his way to Afghganistan, this time as a Contractor, training and mentoring two Special Forces ODAs and the 6th CDO Kandak Commandos and ANA SF outside of Kabul. He planned and supervised the training cycle of two Special Forces ODAs and two ANA Commando Kandaks, specifically focusing on Basic Marksmanship Skills, Battle Drills, Basic Demolition to CQB, Sniper Marksmanship and Tactics, Advanced Breaching, and Live Fire Maneuver Exercises.

 

     Paul is now focusing on teaching his knowledge and skills to the ones that matter the most, his fellow Americans. He has adapted his extensive military training to the civilian sector and is NRA Instructor Certified. He is also a NC CCW Instructor for those individuals interested. 

 

 

MILITARY TRAINING

 

JFKSWCS, Special Warfare Instructor Course, 2013

Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course, 2012

SAFEHOUSE Advanced Evasive Driving Course, 2010

Static Line Jumpmaster Instructor Course, 2010

VIKING TACTICS Carbine, Pistol and CQC Course, 2009

Conflict Kinetics Warfighter Training Course, 2009

Dillion Aero M134 (Mini Gun) Operator Training Course, 2009

Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance Targeting Exploitation Course, 2009

Army Special Operations Training/Broken Axle (ASOT Level II), 2007

Special Forces Qualification Course, 2006

Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE High Risk) Course, 2006

Basic Modern Arabic Language Course, 2005

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), 2004

Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Leader Course, 2002

Jumpmaster Course, 2001

Ranger Course, 1998

International Pre-Ranger Course, 1998

Airborne Course, 1998

Combat Lifesaver Course, 1997

Army Special Operations Training (ASOT Level II), 1997

Warrior Leader Course, 1997

Jungle Warfare Operations Course (Panama) , 1996

USMC Scout Sniper Course, 1995

USMC High Angle Sniper Course (Hawthorne, NV), 1994

USMC Mountain Warfare Training Course (Bridgeport, CA), 1994

USMC Battalion Squad Leader's Course, 1994

USMC Basic Training, 1993

 

AWARDS

 

Bronze Star Medal (3rd Award) … Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Award) … Joint Service Commendation Medal … Army Commendation Medal with 'V' Device … Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award) … Joint Service Achievement Medal … Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award) ... Navy Achievement Medal … Army Good Conduct Medal … Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal … National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award) … Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star … Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star … Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal … Global War on Terrorism Service Medal … Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (2nd Award) … Army Service Ribbon … Navy Sea Service Development Ribbon … NATO Medal … Special Forces Tab … Ranger Tab … Combat Infantryman Badge … Expert Combat Infantryman Badge … Senior Parachutist Badge