Sergeant · 2014–2018

Ryan Gunning's U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Service

Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist supporting Marine Special Operations Teams.

Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist

Ryan Gunning served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2014 to 2018 as an Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist, working within Marine Special Operations Teams as an enabler. He supported Marine Raiders through airborne operations, precision resupply, and mission-critical air delivery.

Sergeant Ryan Gunning training with fellow Marines during his service in the U.S. Marine Corps
Sergeant Ryan Gunning training with his team, U.S. Marine Corps.

Service Record

I served four years in the Marine Corps, and these are the highlights I'm proudest of.

U.S. Marine CorpsSep 2014 – Sep 2018
Sergeant (E-5)Final rank
MOS 0451 · 8023Airborne/Air Delivery Specialist · Parachutist
HQ, Marine Raider RegimentLast assignment: Headquarters, Marine Raider Regiment (MARFORSOC), Camp Lejeune, NC
DeploymentsAfrica (2016) and the Middle East (2017 and 2018)

Awards

  • Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
  • Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
  • Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
  • National Defense Service Medal
  • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
  • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
  • Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
  • Expert Rifle and Expert Pistol qualification badges
  • Navy/Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia

Schools

  • Basic Airborne Course (2015)
  • Parachute Rigger courses (2015)
  • Multi-Mission Parachute System (2015)
  • SERE School (2016)
  • TORDS Rigger, Airborne Mobile Training Team (2016)
  • Lance Corporal Leadership and Ethics Seminar (2016)
  • Corporals Course
  • Multi-Mission Double Bag Static Line Parachutist (2016)

Service timeline

  • 2014 — Enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.
  • 2015 — Completed Airborne School.
  • 2016 — Completed SERE School.
  • 2016 — Deployed to Africa.
  • Completed Corporals Course.
  • 2017 — Deployed to the Middle East.
  • 2018 — Deployed to the Middle East; completed his service.
Sergeant Ryan Gunning during desert training in the U.S. Marine Corps
Sergeant Ryan Gunning during desert training, U.S. Marine Corps.

What service carried forward

That operations and logistics background shaped what Ryan studied next at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, and it drives The Calm Seas Project, which brings veterans and first responders back together on the water.

Ryan also honors Marine history in his American Valor series. More service photos are in the gallery.

Photos of Sergeant Ryan Gunning, U.S. Marine Corps

More photos in the Ryan Gunning photo gallery.