Paul Slough grew up in a small town in West Texas. He joined the army straight out of high school to serve his country, see the world, and earn a college education. Paul began Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) however he stepped in a hole in the woods and reinjured his Achilles tendon. Instead of sending up his star cluster, he drug his pack to the course finish even though he could not finish selection.

After his distinguished service in the Army, including a tour in Bosnia, he left active duty military and joined the National Guard so that he could attend school.

Shortly thereafter, Paul met his wife Christin while attending school. They married, but just months after their wedding, his unit was activated and sent to Iraq. While serving with the National Guard, he participated in many security operations including convoy support. During a particularly difficult and confusing attack, Paul earned his Combat Infantryman Badge for refraining from firing his weapon due to the threat of civilian casualties, but also ensuring that all team members escaped the attack unharmed. Paul was given a field promotion to Sergeant on this deployment and left the military honorably in 2007.

After his distinguished service in the Army, including a tour in Bosnia, he left active duty military and joined the National Guard so that he could attend school.

Shortly thereafter, Paul met his wife Christin while attending school. They married, but just months after their wedding, his unit was activated and sent to Iraq. While serving with the National Guard, he participated in many security operations including convoy support. During a particularly difficult and confusing attack, Paul earned his Combat Infantryman Badge for refraining from firing his weapon due to the threat of civilian casualties, but also ensuring that all team members escaped the attack unharmed. Paul was given a field promotion to Sergeant on this deployment and left the military honorably in 2007.

Paul’s Medals and Honors

• (2) Army Commendation Medal
• (2) Army Good Conduct Medal
• National Defense Service Medal
• (2) Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal
• (2) Army Service Ribbon
• Overseas Service Ribbon
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device
• NATO Medal (Yugoslavia)
• Combat Infantryman Badge
• Driver & Mechanic Badge
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Iraq Campaign Medal

After finishing his deployment, Paul worked for a short time at a big box retailer, however compared to his previous work with the military, he found this work unfulfilling. He felt passionately about the work being done in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and contemplated re-enlisting and going through the Green to Gold program. While researching this with his wife, he attended a career fair for veterans and was solicited to apply for a security contractor position with Blackwater Worldwide, under contract with the United States Department of State. It was presented as the best of all worlds... he would be able to do what he did so well with the Army National Guard, and instead of working six months and only being home two weeks, he would only be required to work 90 days and then would be off 30 days. In addition to the financial considerations, another large advantage was the lack of lengthy contract requirements, which is the case with re-enlistment in the military.

Paul worked hard and has been described by his co-workers and supervisors as a man of good judgment and integrity. Many have come forward to write letters of support on his behalf and attest to his strength of character and his deep and abiding faith. Just moments after the guilty verdicts were read, he sent a message via his lawyer to his wife... "Keep the faith." We've adopted this message as the battle cry of this fight for these men's lives. #KEEPTHEFAITH