Paul Van Riper

Paul Van Riper served more than 41 years in the United States Marine Corps, including wartime service in Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm. One of the keenest minds on the future of warfare and military strategy, he continues to serve his country by teaching at the National Defense University, the Marine Corps University, and other military education institutions. He also consults part-time for the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) and to a variety of private companies and organizations. In 2002, he was chosen to lead Team Red, the "enemy forces" in Millennium Challenge 02, a $250 million war game designed by the DOD's Joint Forces Command to test the adaptability and resiliency of the new military. After only four days into the simulated three-week battle, he had sunk a large part of the U.S. naval forces, using decidedly low-tech and unconventional maneuvers and tactics. He continues to advocate a better understanding of the nature of warfare, and cautions against relying too heavily on unproven technologies or concepts. Paul is a captivating speaker on his favorite topics: addressing the new realities of warfare and terrorism, retooling command and control for organizational effectiveness, complexity and adaptability, and the history of strategy and conflict.