Major Ryan Thompson is a native of State College, Pennsylvania. Commencing his service as an enlisted Marine in July 2006, he obtained the rank of Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps Reserves by October 2012. His transition to commissioned officer status occurred through the successful completion of the Platoon Leadership Course in October 2012, followed by his integration into the active component in October 2013.
Major Thompson commenced his officer training at The Basic School in October 2013, culminating in his graduation from the Infantry Officer Course in October 2014. Post-graduation, he assumed responsibilities at the Third Battalion, Seventh Marines in Twentynine Palms, California. He commanded a platoon in Kilo Company during a deployment to Al Asad, Iraq, participating in the SPMAGTF-CR-CC 15.2 mission from April 2014 to October 2014. Following this deployment, Major Thompson undertook the role of Company Executive Officer for Kilo Company, leading them during a redeployment to the U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq, as part of the SPMAGTF-CR-CC 17.1 mission from September 2016 to March 2017.
In May 2017, Major Thompson transitioned to the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group, where he served as a Marine Security Guard Inspecting Officer. Assigned to Region 3 in Bangkok, Thailand, he meticulously inspected Marine Security Guards stationed at Embassies and Consulates across Southeast Asia and the Pacific. He was then selected on the Commandants Career-Level Education Board, paving the way for his attendance at the Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico, Va. He successfully graduated from the program in May 2021.
Following the completion of the Expeditionary Warfare School, Major Thompson returned to Twentynine Palms, assuming command as the Company Commander for Headquarters and Service Company at Second Battalion, Seventh Marines. During his tenure, the company embarked on a deployment to Okinawa, Japan, from October 2021 to April 2022, contributing significantly as part of the UDP-W rotation assigned to the Fourth Marine Regiment.
Following his return from deployment, Major Thompson received orders to join the Marine Corps Training Mission in the United Arab Emirates. In this capacity, he served as an advisor to the Presidential Guard (PG), Khalifa Bin Zayed II Brigade. His responsibilities included providing advisement to battalion commanders on the professional development of their soldiers and the tactical employment of their unit. Major Thompson also dedicated his efforts to enhancing partner capacity, fostering interoperability between the United States Marine Corps and the PG, and actively supporting the establishment of a lasting strategic partnership between the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
Major Thompson currently serves as the Inspector-Instructor for Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment.
Major Thompson holds a Bachelor of Science in Security and Risk Analysis, acquired in 2012, and furthered his education with the attainment of a Master's of Business Administration in 2020. Additionally, he is a graduate of both the Marine Corps University Expeditionary Warfare School and the United States Naval War College Naval Command and Staff. He has received (1) Meritorious Service Medal, and (3) Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals.