Lt. Col. Christopher Paul McPadden currently serves as Chief of Operational War Plans at U.S. Central Command. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and began his career in the 3-505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.Lt. Col. McPadden’s other command and staff positions include Assistant S3 and Long Range Surveillance Detachment Commander, 1st Infantry Division; Assistant Chief of Division Plans, Battalion S3 and Commander for 1-27 Infantry, 25th Infantry Division; G3 Strategic Plans, U.S. Army Pacific; Strategy, Plans and Policy Officer (FA 59); and Deputy Chief of Operational War Plans, U.S. Central Command.Lt. Col. McPadden’s military education includes Airborne School, Ranger School, Infantry Officer Basic School and the School of Advanced Military Studies. He has taught at the Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Military Academy and has a Master’s Degree in History from Brown University.