Force Reconnaissance Team Leader-Gunnery Sgt Ryan “Koup” Kuperus

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 an 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. 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 2017. Since the end of his Military service Ryan has worked as an contractor for Arrow Security and Training where he has been a “G” Chief, and Training lane manager for Exercise Derna Bridge. He also runs Hunting Carolinas, which is a Guide Service for Hogs, Coyotes, Deer, Bears and Turkeys. He is also the President of The Reason Outdoors, which is a 501 c3 non-profit that takes Veterans, First Responders and their kids hunting, fishing and on outdoor excursions. 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 has three children, Dylan 21, Shelby 17, and Ryli 9. They are currently living in Wilmington , North Carolina. Ryan's website-https://thereasonoutdoors.org/about-us/ Ryan's IG-https://www.instagram.com/huntingcaro... Urban Valor Interview-Recon Marines Endure Heavy Combat in Nauza... 0:00 Introduction 1:23 Early life on the farm 3:56 Working and playing sports 7:20 Athletics and leadership 10:38 Family military history 16:11 Deciding to enlist 25:06 Marine boot camp 37:34 School of infantry 48:51 Fleet life and early deployments 1:00:54 September 11th impacts 1:07:10 Invasion of Iraq 1:24:03 Becoming a recon marine 1:36:52 Advanced training and recon 1:49:27 Combat in Afghanistan 2:10:24 Post-deployment and operations 2:20:39 Instruction and retirement 2:42:00 Transitioning to veteran outreach