Colonel Paul Jones began his military career when he graduated from the Officer Cadet School (OCS) Portsea in 1956. He then held a number of junior regimental appointments before attending a Long Gunnery Course in Canada in 1963-64.

On his return he served as an IG at the School of Artillery  before commanding 106 Field Battery on active service in South Vietnam in 1967-68. He was then posted to RMC as the Artillery Instructor until 1970. His involvement with training institutions continued, with postings as CI of the New Zealand School of Artillery and then as a member of the Directing Staff at Queenscliff.

Colonel Jones spent three years as Military Secretary and Comptroller  to Governors General Sir John Kerr and Sir Zelman Cowan. This was followed  by his appointment as CO of the Corps of Staff Cadets in 1980-82. 

Promoted to Colonel in 1982, he commanded CARO in Melbourne before returning to Canberra to become Team Leader of the RMC/ADFA Project Team prior to his resignation.