Captain Paul Young was commissioned in 1992 from the University of Nebraska. He holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science, a Master of Public Administration degree from Tennessee State University, a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School in Washington, D.C, and is a 2020 Fellow of the Massachusetts lnstitute of Technology Seminar XXI.
Captain Young has had the privilege of three command tours. From 2014-2017, he served as the first Commodore of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron Two (LCSRON TWO), based in Mayport, Florida. Established in November, 2014, LCSRON TWO is the lmmediate Superior in Command for all Littoral Combat Ships and personnel assigned to the Atlantic Fleet. From 2009-2010 he commanded USS MCINERNEY (FFG 8), where he led his ship and crew through a successful deployment to the USSOUTHCOM Area of Focus, disrupted more than ten metric tons of narcotics shipments and became the first Navy ship to deploy with the Fire Scout Vertical Takeoff/Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV). From 2005-2007, he commanded Mine Countermeasures CREW REAPER embarked in USS DEVASTATOR (MCM 6) and USS GLADIATOR (MCM 11 ), where he deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Other afloat tours include service as Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations (N3) for Commander, Carrier Strike Group Eight; aboard USS CARNEY (DDG 64) as Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer; and aboard USS CHOSIN (CG 65), where he served as Auxiliaries and Electrical Officer, Ordnance Officer and Navigator. Over the course of these tours Captain Young made multiple deployments in support of Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Active Endeavor, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Ashore, he has served as the Deputy Director of Surface Warfare, Ships (OPNAV N96E), where his team aligned requirements and resources for five classes of Navy Surface Combatants (an 8 billion annual portfolio) and established the Navy’s requirements for the CONSTELLATION class of Frigates (FFG 62). Additionally, he served at United States Strategic Command as Chief of the Capability/Resource Integration Branch, Capability/Resource Integration Directorate (J8), on the staff of the Director, Surface Warfare (OPNAV N76), and as a Naval Science instructor at NROTC Vanderbilt University.
His personal awards include the Legion of Merit (two awards), Joint Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy/Marine Corps Meritorious Service Medal (three awards). the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and various personal, campaign and unit awards.
