Captain Paul J. Nies graduated from the California Maritime Academy with BA in Nautical Industrial Technology in 1979. In 2008, he graduated from the Naval War College with MA in National Security and Strategic Studies.

He sailed in the commercial maritime shipping industry for 11 years, including worldwide oil field tug support, hydrographic survey, passenger service, new technologies (SWATH development program), and union shipping.

Captain Nies also sailed with Military Sealift Command for 28 years. He spent 18 years as Ship’s Master and 10 years as Master of the USNS Henry J. Kaiser. His experience since assuming command includes tours aboard tugs performing towing, salvage, and dive ops., tankers in Afloat Training Group and battle group services, and ammunition ships supporting load adjust and battle groups operating in 3rd, 5th and 7th fleets.

He retired from MSC in January 2019 and joined TRLMI in September 2019 as an instructor.