Paragon earned his VFW eligibility as a "Devil Doc” combat medic with the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit and team member for the Commander Amphibious Squadron Six during the 1983-84 Beirut embassy bombing operations. A U.S. Navy Surgical Technician and fleet trainer  Paragon was the Sr. Research Associate in physiology while teaching at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD (1985–1996).  Paragon later transitioned to government service and served as the Pharmacy Officer reaching the GM15 status as Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs at the Pentagon.

A lifelong spiritual seeker, Paragon was ordained as a Thai Buddhist monk at Wat Ban Koon in the jungles of Thailand, an experience that continues to guide his leadership and advocacy for holistic healing.

Since joining Wallace Chaffee VFW Post 1679 in 2016, he has held nearly every key role—Commander, Senior Vice Commander, Adjutant, Surgeon, House Committee Chair, and Assistant Quartermaster—culminating in his election as District 7 Commander. He currently chairs the Student Veterans Association, serves as Department Deputy Inspector, and sits on the Board of Directors for the California VFW Foundation.

Beyond the VFW, Paragon has championed community resilience as a member of the Ventura County Domestic Violence Task Force, a certified Sexual Assault Advocate, and Duty Chief for Burning Man’s Emergency Services Department, Mental Health Branch. He is also a board member of the Adrea Soter Simonson Cancer Foundation and a leading advocate for alternative plant-medicine therapies addressing PTSD, depression, and addiction.

Paragon is the proud recipient of the first ever Leage of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Veteran Trailblazer Pioneer Award in 2024.

An Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow alumnus, Paragon previously chaired his local Scout troop committee taking them to Philmont high adventure camp. Paragon is an avid pool player, published author, actor and philanthropist He treasures time with his three children—Adam, Heather, and Ashley—and delights in the company of nine energetic grandchildren.