Cmdr. Ryan Heilman
Commanding Officer, Blue Crew, USS Nevada
Commander 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 Magna Cum Laude from Oregon State University with Bachelor of Science degrees in Physics (optics) and Engineering Physics. He was commissioned from Officer Candidate School, Pensacola, Florida in December 1994.
In June of 1996, he was assigned to the PCU WYOMING (SSBN 742) (BLUE), home ported in New London, CT. Following USS WYOMING's commissioning in July 1996, the ship transferred to Kings Bay, GA. During his tour on WYOMING, he served as Navigation Division Officer, Electrical Assistant, Main Propulsion Assistant, Damage Control Assistant and Tactical Systems Officer / Quality Assurance Officer. During this tour, the WYOMING completed post shipyard testing and certification, a Demonstration and Shakedown Operation and four strategic deterrent patrols. The WYOMING received the 1999 CSS-20 Battle Efficiency award and a Meritorious Unit Commendation for 1998 to 2000.
In December of 1999, CDR Heilman reported to United States Strategic Command as a Communications Operations Officer / C4 Program Manager for the J6 directorate. While stationed at USSTRATCOM, he graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a Master of Science degree in Management Information Systems.
In August of 2002, he reported as Navigator / Operations Officer in USS NEVADA (SSBN 733) (GOLD), home ported in Bangor, Washington. During his tour, the NEVADA completed post shipyard testing and certification, a Demonstration and Shakedown Operation, an Inspection and Survey, inter-fleet transfers from the Pacific Fleet to the Atlantic Fleet and back, a Follow-on Commander Evaluation Test, and five strategic deterrent patrols. The NEVADA received the 2005 CSS-19 Battle Efficiency award.
In September of 2005, CDR Heilman reported to Trident Training Facility, Bangor, Washington as the Engineering Training Department Director. During his tenure, TRITRAFAC, Bangor was awarded the 2006 and 2007 Naval Education and Training Command Training and Retention Excellence awards.
In March of 2008, he reported as Executive Officer in USS NEBRASKA (SSBN 739) (BLUE), home ported in Bangor, Washington. During his tour, the NEBRASKA completed a dual media reactor plant discharge and three strategic deterrent patrols. The NEBRASKA received the 2010 CSS-17 Battle Efficiency award.
In March 2011, CDR Heilman, after graduating from the U.S. Naval War College with a Master of Arts degree in National Security Studies, was assigned as a Military Professor in the Joint Military Operations Department at the U.S. Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island.
In December 2013, CDR Heilman reported to Submarine Squadron Seventeen, in Bangor, WA, as Deputy Commander for Readiness.
CDR 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. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Commendation Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (four awards) and the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards).