Paul K. Van Riper

Paul K. Van Riper is a retired United States Marine Corps lieutenant general. While he retired in 1997, he has become known for playing, and playing very well, the enemy in war gaming for evaluating potential national policies. His work in Millennium Challege 2002, exploring U.S. military action against Iran, became known and controversial. He has served in the Department of Defense senior mentor program.

He commanded Marine combat units from platoon to division, and served in combat deployments to the Dominican Republic, Republic of Vietnam, and Operation Desert Storm. He was also a United Nations observer in Lebanon, and im the Sinai Desert between Israel and Egypt.

In Academic Year 2005-6, he held the Marine Corps University’s Donald Bren Chair of Innovation and Transformation. He is a graduate of the Army’s Airborne and Ranger Schools, the Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School, the Navy’s College of Command and Staff, and the Army War College.

Publications

• "Planning For and Applying Military Force: An Examination of Terms." http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/display.cfm?pubID=646 Letort Papers series. Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College. March 01, 2006