Captain Ryan J. Heilman

Captain Ryan J. Heilman was born in Aurora, Colorado in November 1968. He graduated from Charles M. Russell High School, Great Falls, Montana, in 1987. He then enlisted in the United States Navy as a Machinist Mate (nuclear option).

In 1991, he was selected for the Nuclear Enlisted Commissioning Program and in 1994 he graduated Oregon State University with a B.S. in Physics and a B.S. in Engineering Physics. He was commissioned via Officer Candidate School in December 1994.

Captain Heilman commanded USS NEVADA (SSBN 733)(BLUE) from 2016-2019, homeported in Bangor, WA. Under his command, NEVADA completed five strategic deterrent patrols and received the 2018 CSS-17 Battle Efficiency award, the Olympia Bowl, and the Omaha trophy. His other sea tours include serving as the Executive Officer on USS NEBRASKA (SSBN 739) (BLUE), the Navigator/Operations Officer on USS NEVADA (GOLD), and as a Division Officer and plankowner on USS WYOMING (SSBN 742)(BLUE). He has completed 17 total strategic deterrent patrols over his career.

His shore tours have included time at USSTRATCOM, Trident Training Facility Bangor, the U.S. Naval War College, and Submarine Squadron Seventeen. Most recently, Captain Heilman served as the Commanding Officer of TRIDENT Training Facility Kings Bay from July 2021 to December 2023.

Captain Heilman is a graduate of the United States Army’s Command and General Staff College, the United States Navy’s Naval War College and is a qualified Joint Service Officer. He holds a M.S. in Management Information Systems from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a M.A. in National Security Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. His personal awards include the Legion of Merit (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), the Joint Commendation Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (four awards) and the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards).