Lieutenant Colonel Paul Sipe joined the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Afghanistan District on May 30, 2020. As Deputy Commander, he is second in command of the District, which has more than 130 civilian, military, and contract employees who provide engineering solutions and expertise in support of U.S. efforts to help build a stronger Afghanistan.
Prior to this assignment, LTC Sipe was Deputy Commander of the Charleston District, responsible for supporting the district in delivering $300 million annual program comprised of Civil Works, Military Construction Support to Federal Agencies, Environmental Programs, Emergency Operations, and Clean Water Act Regulatory Functions throughout the state of South Carolina.
LTC Sipe served as Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer with the 16th Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Division in Giessen, Germany, deploying twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He commanded Alpha Company, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, controlling FOB Connelly, Nangarhar, Afghanistan. He also commanded Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Airborne Division in a subsequent train-up for deployment to Afghanistan. He served in several staff roles: Aide De Camp while deployed to US Embassy, Baghdad, Iraq, Project Engineer at Arlington National Cemetery, while assigned to Norfolk District, USACE and Brigade Engineer, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division both deployed to Afghanistan and at Fort Campbell, KY. LTC Sipe served as the Engineer Battalion Executive Officer, assigned to 188th Infantry Brigade, Fort Stewart, GA.
Originally from Manchester, TN, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree, International Relations at Middle Tennessee State University, TN where he commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Engineers. Later, he earned a Master of Arts Degree in Public Administration at Webster University, MO and a Master of Science Degree, Building Construction at Georgia Institute of Technology, GA. LTC Sipe's military education includes the Engineer Officer Basic Course, the Engineer Officer Advanced Course, and the Command and General Staff Officer's Course. LTC Sipe's military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal with "V" device, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Badge, and Air Assault Badge.