Ryan J Kuperus

President/Co-Founder

Gunnery Sergeant Ryan J. Kuperus was born on September 9, 1982 in Newton
NJ, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on 21 August 2000 and
attended Recruit Training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South
Carolina in Platoon, 2101, Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion.

Upon completion of recruit training he attended the School of Infantry at Camp
Geiger NC, and was assigned the MOS 0311 Rifleman. Upon completion of the
School of infantry he was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal (LCpl)and
was assigned to Second Battalion Sixth Marines G co 3rd Platoon at Camp
Lejeune NC.

While with 3rd Platoon 2nd Squad LCpl participated in the Battalion and
Regimental Super squad competition. LCpl Kuperus deployed as a automatic
rifleman, and member of the Maritime Special Purpose Force security element in
February 2002 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with the 22d Marine
Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

Upon returning home from the 22d MEU LCpl Kuperus was made a squad leader
of 3rd Squad 3rd Platoon and was promoted to Corporal in November 2002.
While Serving as a squad leader in 2003 Cpl Kuperus deployed to Operation Iraqi
Freedom.

February 2001

November
2000

January 2004

March 2013

Upon returning home from Operation Iraqi Freedom he deployed with the Unit
Deployment Program to Camp Schwab in Okinawa Japan. Cpl Kuperus was
promoted to Sergeant in January of 2004. Sgt Kuperus deployed with his squad in
support of Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines. Upon returning home
from Okinawa he was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in August of
2004.

Upon Discharge from the Marine Corps Sgt Kuperus attended Monroe Community
college where he was a First Team All Region midfielder, Academic All American
and Captain of the Lacrosse team. During this time he also was a squad leader with
Alpha Co. Anti Terrorism Bn in Rochester NY with the USMC Reserve.

Sgt Kuperus re-enlisted in the Marine Corps on 31 March 2006, and received orders
to the 2D Reconnaissance Bn Reconnaissance Training Platoon (RTP) in June of
2006. After completing RTP and the Basic Reconnaissance Course was stationed
as a Team Leader with Charlie Co 2D Reconnaissance Bn. In 2007 Sgt Kuperus
was involved in a serious HMMM-V rollover prior to deployment to OIF. Upon
healing he served as a Team Leader with Alpha Co 2D Recon Bn and deployed in
support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

In January of 2010 he was promoted to Staff Sergeant and was assigned as a Team
Leader with Force Reconnaissance Co II MEF. He deployed with the Force Recon
platoon 22D MEU in support of Operation Unified Protector, and Operation
Enduring Freedom. Upon returning home from this deployment SSgt Kuperus was
selected to receive the Peter Johanssen award (Force Recon Team Leader of the
Year).

In September of 2012 SSgt Kuperus was assigned to Special Operations Training
Group II MEF Expeditionary Operations Branch and served as the Lead Instructor
of the Close Quarters Tactics Course, Reconnaissance and Surveillance Course and
Visit Board Search and Seizure Course. In March of 2013 he was promoted to
Gunnery Sergeant and soon after took over as chief instructor of the Expeditionary
Operations Branch.

In September of 2015 GySgt Kuperus was assigned to Wounded Warrior Battalion
East, where he retired in September of 2017.
Post Retirement Ryan Co-Founded and is president of The Reason Outdoors, a 501c3 non profit that takes Veterans, First Responders and their kids on "eco therapy adventures", as well as hunting and fishing. He also runs Hunting Carolinas, a Guide Service in Eastern NC.

His personal decorations include the Purple Heart, Navy Commendation Medal with
“V”, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 2 gold stars, Combat Action
Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal fifth award, Conspicuous Service Cross (NYS),
Conspicuous Service Star (NYS), and Medal of Merit (NYS).

Gunnery Sergeant Kuperus is married to Kelli Oosterling Kuperus, and they have
three children, Dylan 22, Shelby 17, and Ryli 10. They are currently living in
Wilmington , North Carolina where he plans to retire.