Director Joint Staff

Brigadier General Robert F. Paoletti assumed the duties of Director, Joint Staff on 1 May 2022. Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Chief of Staff, California Army National Guard, the Commander, 49th Military Police Brigade Homeland Response Force and concurrently served as Commander, California Counter Drug Task Force and the State’s Command Provost Marshal.

General Paoletti began his service in 1990, enlisting in the California Army National Guard and served with Golf Company, 1-140th Aviation in Stockton, California. After graduating basic training as distinguished graduate, he directly enrolled in the California Military Academy and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1994. General Paoletti served in a variety of assignments to include Infantry Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, Support Platoon Leader, Battalion Logistics Officer, 1-184 Infantry; Commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company 980th Service and Supply Battalion; Operations Officer, Task Force Aerosafe; Commander, Alpha Company 297 Support Battalion; Inspector General, Operations Officer, 185th Military Police Battalion; Chief of Operations, 49th Military Police Brigade; Operations Officer, Commander, 1st Battalion Military Police; Commander, 1st Battalion 223rd Regional Training Institute; Commander, 185th Military Police Battalion; and Provost Marshal, 40th Infantry Division. Brigadier General Paoletti deployed to numerous missions in support of Operation NOBLE EAGLE 2002 and IRAQI FREEDOM in 2005-2006 and 2009-2010. Brigadier General Paoletti has led numerous state Defense Support of Civil Authorities missions as commander 49th Military Police Brigade.

General Paoletti holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College, a Master of Criminal Justice degree from Boston University, a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College, and is a National Security Fellow of the Maxwell School of Government at Syracuse University.

General Paoletti’s military awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Reserve Forces Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Reserve Forces Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Overseas Training Ribbon, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Ribbon and Combat Action Badge. Brigadier General Paoletti has also been awarded the following state awards, California Legion Of Merit, California Medal of Merit, California Service Ribbon, California Good Conduct Medal, California National Guard Federal Service Ribbon, Counter Drug Service Ribbon and the California State Service Ribbon.