Patrick Paterson is the Associate Dean for Research and Publications at the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies (WJPC). A 1989 graduate of the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, he retired from the Navy as a Commander in 2009. His last assignment was as the Political‑Military Advisor on the Fourth Fleet staff in Mayport, FL. His PhD in Conflict Resolution at Nova Southeastern University focused on negotiations with military institutions during post‑conflict transitions to democracy. He has a master’s degree in National Security Studies from the Naval Post‑graduate School in Monterey, CA, a master’s equivalent from the Argentina Naval War College in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and a master’s degree in Political Science from American University in Washington, DC.

He is the author of five books and numerous defense and security‑related articles in journals such as The Journal of Military Ethics, Military Review, Armed Forces Journal, Proceedings Magazine, Joint Force Quarterly, Naval History, The Journal of International Affairs, and Security and Defense Studies Review. His latest book, The Almanac of Latin American History, is a compilation of the most historically significant events in Latin America and the Caribbean from 1800-2020, containing vignettes of more than 700 events organized per month and calendar date.

His principal areas of expertise include civil‑military relations, human rights, international humanitarian law, maritime security, and US and Latin American history.