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Special Operator 2nd Class, Ryan Job, Navy SEAL
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Ryan was raised in Issaquah, Washington. He was a high school athlete who loved to
 hunt and had a passion for flying. He earned his private pilots licence about the same time he received his drivers license. His dream was to become a Navy SEAL then a fighter pilot, to marry a beautiful woman and live on a Ranch with a hoard of kids. Ryan graduated from Issaquah High School in 1999 then attended the University of Washington for 3 years before enlisting in the Navy in 2002. He completed Navy boot camp and reported to BUDS Training, a year later he had become one of the elite; a Navy SEAL. In April 2006 he deployed to Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq as a member of SEAL Team 3, Task Unit Bruiser. During this time Ramadi was the most dangerous place in the world. In fact, a secretly leaked Marine Corps report stated that; “Al Anbar had been lost and there was almost nothing that could be done.”
Ryan conducted over 20 combat operations leading the way to the “Awakening of Al Anbar.” On one of these missions he was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor for saving the lives of his fellow SEALs. Ryan and his team were ambushed and pinned down in a narrow alley, risking his safety, Ryan stepped into the center of alley and provided cover fire while his team escaped behind him.
On the morning of August 2, 2006 on a roof top in Ramadi, Ryan was shot in the face by a sniper. While his SEALs worked to save his life, Ryan regained consciousness, told them that he was OK, then as if raising from the dead he stood up and evacuated himself while his team covered him as they shot their way to an awaiting Bradley. Ryan said that if it were not for his training and his fellow SEALs who cared for him, he would have died that day. The wound rendered Ryan totally blind, forcing him to medically retire from the Navy. |
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Conquering Blindness
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Ryan was great at being blind. He never complained, never made excuses. In July of 2008 Ryan traveled to Washington to climb the 14,411 Mount Rainier as a member of the Camp Patriot’s Summit Challenge Team.
“I read a description of the climb to him which stated that 50% of all climbers that attempt to reach the summit don’t make it. Ryan told me the he would be in the other 50%.”, recalled Robert Vera, Ryan’s friend.
As they climbed toward the summit, Ryan followed his Camp Patriot guides, the rope kept them within feet of each other. The 14,411-foot summit of Mount Rainier lay ahead. “Every step they told me to take, I took,” Ryan recalled. “Trust was the key factor to my success. I totally trusted the team.”
Sure enough on July 9, 2008, Ryan stood on the rooftop of Mount Rainier, less than 2 years after he cheated death on a rooftop in Iraq. Camp Patriot arranged for two F-15 fighters to fly directly over his head so that he knew that he had made it to the top.
“The summit was amazing, even for a blind man,” Ryan said. “I could sense that nothing was above my head because of the wide-open sound and wind, the two F-15 fighters buzzing the top was an awesome confirmation, I could feel them!”
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Husband, Father & Scholar
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In March 2007, Ryan married Kelly in San Diego and then moved to
 Scottsdale, AZ to resume their degree programs. In 2009 Kelly became pregnant with their first child, a daughter who was born on April 1, 2010.As part of ongoing treatments for his wounds, Ryan underwent multiple surgeries to repair the damage to his face. On September 24, 2009 during recovery from his most recent surgery, Ryan passed away unexpectedly.
Ryan had just completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in September 2009 from Jones International University, and was preparing to start an MBA program. Illustrative of his dedication and motivation is the fact that he graduated with a 4.0 grade point average despite being blind. He completed an Internship with General Dynamics, where he was to be employed.
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| In Ryan’s Honor |
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SEAL Teams, police, fire, athletes and friends from across the globe have established a fundraising event in Honor of Ryan. Participant’s donate $10, $20 or some other amount online to do the same workout that Ryan did to prepare for his Mt. Rainier climb. The goal is to raise $100,000 in Ryan’s name by January 10, 2013. All proceeds to benefit Camp Patriot.
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| Ryan’s Legacy |
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Ryan was an incredibly dynamic and motivational man who gave of himself to many
 organizations and individuals. He was Camp Patriot’s National Spokesman, and with the help of Camp Patriot, Ryan summited Mt. Rainier and bagged a magnificent elk in 2008. He then returned to help other injured veterans climb Mt. Rainier in 2009. Ryan’s story has inspired 1,000’s and has motivated other wounded veterans to climb Mt. Rainier as part of Camp Patriots annual Summit Challenge event. The Best Selling Book; American Sniper, is dedicated in Ryan’s memory. Ryan put others before himself, both in military service and in his personal life.
Ryan was a combat-decorated warrior who’s awards include; Naval Special Warfare Insignia, the Navy Parachutist Insignia, Silver Star and Bronze Star Medals both with Valor, Purple Heart, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat Distinction, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Expert Rifle and Pistol Medals.
Ryan is loved and greatly missed.
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| About Camp Patriot: Challenge, Change and Lead |
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