Paula Jansen was installed as the Senior Vice Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Department of California in June of 2025 at Orange, California.

Paula is a California Native who comes from a long line of military Veterans spanning all services including her father, uncles, brothers, sister, nieces and nephews.  After 21 years of service Paula retired from the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Storekeeper Chief.  She joined the VFW in 2012 becoming a Gold Legacy Life Member in 2021, She is a Cootie Life Member of Pup Tent 66 and a Century Life Member of VFW National Home. 

She has been married to Eric Jansen, who is also retired from the U.S. Navy after 26 years.  They have two children and one grandchild.  Paula has dedicated thousands of hours supporting the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Pageantry across San Diego.  She earned her eligibility for the VFW while deployed to the Persian Gulf onboard USS Constellation CV-64.  She was stationed in Misawa Japan and San Diego during her career but travel throughout the Pacific.  She earned Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (4), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Battle E Ribbon, Good Conduct (5), Armed Forces Expeditionary, Military Volunteer Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Oversees Service Ribbon (3). 

After retirement she worked for a defense contractor and then as a government employee in the logistics field.  She enjoys helping others, doing crafts and being involved in her community.

VFW 1^st District Commander 20-21 (All American)
All State Post Commander 5 years 17-21
All American Post Commander 18-19, 20-21, 21-22  
Lifetime Presidential Volunteer Service Award 2018
Woman of the Year for Senator Joel Anderson. 2018  
Veteran of Year for Senator Joel Anderson 2018
Representative to San Diego County advisory board 2021-2022-2023
Girl Scout Alumni
Dept of Ca Community Service Citizenship Chairman 22-23, 23-24
Dept of Ca Community Service Citizenship Chairman/ Youth Scouting JROTC  20-21
District 1 VOD/PP/Teach of Year Chairman 17-19
Co-Director of Positive Directions Pageantry Scholarship Pageant
Director of Miss Military Star California Pageant
Member of Women’s Club of Lakeside
Member of El Capitan Stadium Assn
Member of Kiwanis’s of Lakeside