Paul Garcia

Mr. Paul N. Garcia is a native of McAllen, Texas, and has served as the Joint Interagency Task Force – Counter Cartel (JIATF-CC) J5 Plans and Policy Director since June 2026. Prior to this assignment, he served as the Joint Task Force North (JTF-N) Strategic Communications and Coordination Officer (SCCO) from February 2023 through June 2026. Prior to his Government Civilian Service, Mr. Garcia served in the United States Army for 30 years, retiring as an Infantry Colonel in May 2022.

During his career, Mr. Garcia commanded formations up through the brigade level and served as the Operations Officer, Executive Officer, or Deputy Commander of various units up through the division level. Throughout this time, Mr. Garcia worked with diverse groups of foreign, joint service, interagency, and intergovernmental partners to build teams and solve complex problems. He also served in various multinational and joint operations, both in the United States and overseas, to include operational and combat tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, Haiti, and Korea. He closed out his thirty years in the military serving as the Deputy Commander of JTF-N at Fort Bliss, Texas.

In his duties as the J5 Plans and Policy Director, Mr. Garcia leads and integrates strategic and operational planning efforts in support of JIATF-CC objectives. He develops, coordinates, and synchronizes plans, policies, and supporting frameworks across joint, interagency, law enforcement, intelligence community, international, and other governmental partners. He provides policy analysis and recommendations to senior leaders, supporting the development of operational approaches, campaign plans, and future planning initiatives, aligning resources, authorities, and organizational efforts against evolving counter-cartel challenges.

Mr. Garcia is a graduate of the United States Military Academy, Command and General Staff College, and the United States Army War College. He holds a master's degree in general administration from Central Michigan University and a master's degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. Paul lives in El Paso, Texas, with his wife, Melinda. They have two adult children, Aaron and Karina.