Pacific Region Chaplain

Chaplain (Lt Col) Paul Ward

Phone: 805-234-5496
PO Box 5245
San Luis Obispo CA 93403

Chaplain (Lt Col) Paul Ward is a native Californian. He attended Santa Paula High School, Ventura College and Vanguard University of Southern California in Costa Mesa, California, where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1973. In 1988, he attained a Master of Ministry Degree from International Seminary.

Paul began his ministry career after receiving his BA degree and served on pastoral staffs in the Southern California area.

Chaplain Ward received his Chaplain's appointment from CAP-USAF in October, 1996 and was assigned to Squadron 103, San Luis Obispo.  He has served as a Group Chaplain, a Deputy Wing Chaplain, and the CAWG Chaplain (2001-2007). Chaplain Ward served as the Professional Development Officer on the Pacific Region Chaplain’s staff from 1999 until his appointment as the Region Chaplain in 2008.  He also serves as the Publications Specialist for the National Chaplain Corps.

His commitment to the three-fold mission of CAP is demonstrated in his Emergency Services rating as a Mission Chaplain, serving on the staff of various cadet activities and events, and earning the Yeager Award for completing the Senior Member Aerospace Education program.  The annual observance of CAP Sabbath/Sunday was an event that Chaplain Ward promoted in the California Wing.

Professional Development is an area that is dear to Chaplain Ward’s heart.  He holds a Master’s rating in the Chaplain, Cadet Programs Officer, and Senior Program Officer specialty tracks.  Chaplain Ward has completed Civil Air Patrol’s Senior Member Professional Development Program receiving the Gill Robb Wilson Award (#2095). He has served on the faculty for Squadron Leadership School, Corporate Learning Course, Unit Commanders Course, and Pacific Region Chaplain Corps Staff College. Chaplain Ward served as Chaplain for the 2006 and 2007 National Staff College and as a seminar advisor in 2008.

In 2005, Chaplain Ward developed a “Core Values Course for Senior Members” curriculum for the CAWG, which is available on the CAP Best Practices website: http://level2.cap.gov/index.cfm?nodeID=5963.  Based on his experiences and observations while serving as the CAWG Chaplain, he authored a handbook for newly appointed Wing Chaplains in 2008, entitled: “So You are the New Wing Chaplain…”.

In recognition of his contributions to CAP, Chaplain Ward has been the recipient of the Commander's Commendation Award (7 clasps), the Meritorious Service Award (2 clasps) and the Exceptional Service Award.  Other Civil Air Patrol awards that Chaplain Ward has received include: the CAWG Chaplain of the Year, the Pacific Region Squadron Chaplain of the Year, the Pacific Region Senior Chaplain of the Year, and the National Senior Chaplain of the Year.

For more than 30 years Paul Ward served in church ministries.  He had also served as a volunteer chaplain with public safety agencies for over 20 years.  In 2003, Paul retired from pastoral ministry after serving 21 years as a Senior Pastor and began a new career in the area of Information Technology.