Totally Blind: Ryan Job, Navy SEAL, nearing the summit of Mt. Rainier

Special Operator 2nd Class, Ryan Job, Navy SEAL 

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; 

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. 

"I came across his Bronze Star and other medals in his closet, he never told me of them. I read the citation and asked; were you afraid? He told me that he was more afraid to let his team down than to be killed by the enemy. I think that Ryan was afraid, but he did it anyway. He did it because he loved the brothers that he trained and fought beside." Said Robert Vera, Ryan's friend.

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.

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. 

Husband, Father & Scholar

Ryan is loved and greatly missed. 

Camp Patriot is a Christ-centered 501c3 non-profit organization that offers wounded veterans of all generations unique outdoor challenges that allow them to earn back confidence and dignity and prove that they can accomplish anything. Each challenge is specifically designed to create a powerful "life transformation".    Our program fosters strong relationships between our veteran participants and our mentor staff. Camp Patriot mentors are themselves community leaders who assist in guiding our veterans though the process of healing their physical and emotional wounds in order to successfully reintegrate back into school, careers, their families and communities. Many of our alumni have gone on to great leadership positions in their communities.   Camp Patriot is rated "5 Stars" by the organization Great Nonprofits  and is the charity of choice for Justin Boots, Ranch and Home, TriWest, Operation Give Gratitude and other organizations.    Thank you for your support.    God Bless,  Micah, Bob, Bill and all of us at Camp Patriot robert@camppatriot.org p. 480-201-4036 www.camppatriot.org