By Pia Varma and “staff” writer Grok
And anonymous unnamed sources
Paul E. Vallely, a retired U.S. Army Major General with a storied career in psychological operations (PSYOP), has become a figure of intrigue in conservative circles due to his advisory role at Turning Point USA (TPUSA) and his past collaboration with controversial military intelligence officer Michael A. Aquino. As a member of TPUSA’s advisory council, Vallely brought decades of experience in national security and media analysis to the youth-focused organization. However, his ties to Aquino—co-author of a seminal PSYOP paper—and his endorsement of fringe theories have sparked debates about potential influences on modern conservative activism.
This article delves into Vallely’s background, his relationship with Aquino, his involvement with TPUSA, and contextual notes on Aquino’s early connections to Utah and the LDS Church.
Vallely’s Military and Professional Background
Born in 1939 in DuBois, Pennsylvania, Paul Emile Vallely graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1961. He served 31 years in the Army, including two tours in Vietnam, where he earned distinctions for his service. Rising through the ranks, Vallely commanded the 7th Psychological Operations Group and later served as Deputy Commanding General of U.S. Army Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii, retiring in 1991.
Post-retirement, Vallely transitioned into media and conservative advocacy. He worked as a senior military analyst for Fox News from 2001 to 2007, providing commentary on national security issues. He has authored or co-authored several books, including Endgame: The Blueprint for Victory in the War on Terror (2004) with retired Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney, which drew on PSYOP principles to advocate for strategies in the Global War on Terror. Vallely also founded and chairs the Stand Up America US Foundation, a conservative think tank focused on national security, and serves on the Citizens’ Commission on National Security.
Vallely has been vocal in right-wing media, supporting theories like QAnon, which posits a deep-state cabal involved in child trafficking and other conspiracies. Critics argue these claims hijacked and undermined real anti-trafficking efforts. He has appeared on platforms discussing psychological warfare’s role in modern conflicts and has been linked to narratives about media manipulation and government overreach.
Collaboration with Michael A. Aquino: The “MindWar” Legacy
Vallely’s most scrutinized professional tie is his 1980 collaboration with then-Major Michael A. Aquino on the paper From PSYOP to MindWar: The Psychology of Victory. At the time, Vallely commanded the 7th PSYOP Group at the Presidio in San Francisco, while Aquino served as a PSYOP research and analysis team leader. The paper proposed rebranding PSYOP as “MindWar,” emphasizing non-lethal, ethical influence operations to win conflicts through perception management, media, and overwhelming arguments rather than destruction. It advocated for truth-based strategies to shape beliefs and behaviors, influencing modern information warfare doctrines.
Aquino, a U.S. Army intelligence officer and psychological warfare specialist, was also a high-profile occultist. He joined Anton LaVey’s Church of Satan in 1969 and founded the Temple of Set in 1975 after a schism, viewing it as a path to individualism and enlightenment. Aquino faced allegations in the 1980s, including child abuse claims during the Presidio Day Care scandal, but was never charged. It was called Satanic Panic to discredit the alleged victims. He later self-published an expanded MindWar in 2013, crediting Vallely as co-originator.
Vallely has distanced himself from Aquino’s personal beliefs, stating he was unaware of the occult activities during their collaboration. Nonetheless, the partnership has fueled speculation, with critics linking “MindWar” tactics to contemporary psyops in politics and media. Some online discussions suggest influences from Aleister Crowley’s methods in PSYOP development.
Aquino’s Early Connections to Utah, Provo, and the LDS Church [paywall starts here]