Ryan English enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2007 and attended recruit training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island. Upon completion of recruit training in August 2007, Private First Class English attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, Camp Lejeune. He was assigned the military occupational specialty 1371, Combat Engineer.
Private First Class English reported to Bravo Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion December 2007. While a member of 7th ESB, he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal and served as a team leader. In September 2008, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 as a team leader. Lance Corporal English was promoted to the rank of Corporal in October 2008. He served as a team leader and deployed to Afghanistan in September 2009 in support Operation Enduring Freedom with Combat Logistics Battalion 1.
In November 2010, Corporal English transferred to Combat Assault Battalion in Okinawa, Japan as a squad leader. Corporal English was promoted to Sergeant in January 2011. Sergeant English deployed on the spring patrol of 31st MEU as a squad leader with Battalion Landing Team 2/5. He deployed for a second time in October 2011 to Afghanistan with 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines as a squad leader. He then deployed on another spring patrol of the 31st MEU in support of Battalion Landing Team 2/7 as the platoon guide.
Sergeant English reported to 2D Combat Engineer Battalion December of 2013, and was assigned to Engineer Training Area 9/10 as an instructor. In July 2014, he attended the Army Sapper Leaders Course where he graduate second in his class. Upon return to 2D Combat Engineer Battalion, he became the Chief Instructor down at Engineer Training Area 9/10.
In July 2016, Sergeant English executed orders to PP&O at the Pentagon. Sergeant English was promoted to Staff Sergeant in October 2016. Staff Sergeant English was an assistant watch chief in the Marine Corps Operations Center for about 4 months, until he moved seats to the watch chief.
In July 2019, Staff Sergeant English reported to the Marine Corps Engineer School to serve as an instructor for his MOS. In February 2020, Staff Sergeant English was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant and took over as the section leader for the explosive hazards section.
Gunnery Sergeant English reported to 2D Combat Engineer Battalion in September 2022, and was assigned as Platoon Sergeant for 2d Platoon, Company C. In November 2022, he attended the NATO Winter Instructor Course to become the Charlie Range Safety Officer during their cold weather training in support of Marine Rotational Force-Europe 23.1 from January 2023 to May 2023. In June 2023, he took the billet of Company Operation Chief for Company A. Gunnery Sergeant English was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant in August of 2024, where he took the billet of Company B First Sergeant.
First Sergeant English reported to Company E, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion in October 2024, where he is filling his current billet of Inspector Instructor First Sergeant.
His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with three gold stars.