Colonel Paul R. Weaver graduated from the State University of New York Maritime College and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in May of 1992. Following graduation from The Basic School (TBS) and Air Support Control Officers Course, he was assigned to Marine Air Support Squadron (MASS) 2.
While assigned to MASS-2, he deployed as the Air Support Element Officer in Charge (OIC), Marine Air Control Group 18 Detachment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). Throughout his three year tour he participated in numerous exercises on and off Okinawa earning his qualifications in the Direct Air Support Center (DASC).
In August 1996 he transferred to MASS-1 at Cherry Point, North Carolina. As a Captain, he deployed as the OIC, Marine Air Control Group (MACG) 28 Detachment, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263, 24th MEU. Upon returning from deployment he was selected to be MASS-1’s DASC OIC. By the end of his tour, Captain Weaver was a qualified Forward Air Controller (FAC) and Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI), graduating from both the Tactical Air Control Party and Weapons Tactics Instructors Courses.
In December 1998 he was selected to be an instructor at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron (MAWTS) 1 in Yuma, Arizona. While at MAWTS 1 he served as Division Head for both the DASC and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) divisions for eight consecutive WTI courses.
In July of 2002, Major Weaver transferred to the Naval Postgraduate School as a candidate for a Masters Degree in Operations Research. While at the school, he applied his operational experience to develop a time sensitive targeting decision aid in support of his thesis requirement. For his work, he qualified as a finalist for the MORS/Tisdale Award. In July of 2004, he received his Masters in Operations Research and transferred to Headquarters Marine Corps, Programs and Resources Department.
While at Headquarters, Major Weaver served as an analyst in the Programs and Resources Department (HQMC P&R) and was later assigned as Aide-De-Camp to the Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources. Additionally, he was assigned as the operations analyst on the USMC QDR (2004) team, and served in the N8 “Bullpen” as the Marine Liaison before departing the Pentagon.
In July of 2007, he transferred to MACG 28 and deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM as the Assistant Operations Officer and subsequently the Operations Officer for the Group. In February 2008, upon redeployment to CONUS, Lieutenant Colonel Weaver assumed the duties of Executive Officer, Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28.
In January 2009, he rejoined the MACG-28 Headquarters for his second deployment to Operation IRAQI FREEDOM as the Executive Officer. While deployed, Lieutenant Colonel Weaver assumed Command of Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28 on 25 July 2009. While in Command – MTACS 28 supported both OIF and OEF deployments and was selected by the Marine Corps Aviation Association as the Marine Air Command and Control Unit of the Year for 2010.
Upon relinquishing command in December 2010, Lieutenant Colonel Weaver assumed the duties of Marine Air Control Group Executive Officer for a second time until his departure for Top Level School at The Naval War College.
Upon completion of his assignment to school Colonel Weaver transferred to USEUCOM as the Plans Division Deputy within the EUCOM J5 where he helped oversee all contingency planning throughout the crises in Syria and Ukraine.
Colonel Weaver’s personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal w/gold star, the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/Gold Star.