Soar_Book_2021_Edition 3

PAGE 4 Captain of the seas, Ryan Gaskin has always been used to steering the ship and forging a path on his own. As an only child to British immigrants, when he found Goose and Maverick from the hit Hollywood movie Top Gun , and went on a field trip to the RAAF Base Amberley, he found his passion for the armed services and a future career ambition. Starting as an eager Year Eight student in 1989, Ryan’s earliest memories of JPC were coming home to his parents after the first day, in awe of the number of extra and co-curricular activities available to him. He fondly remembers being part of the winning TAS Championship U13 cross country team as well as early morning swimming squad training at the Woodridge pool with no lights! ‘As soon as you bumped into the wall, you knew it was time to turn,’ he recalls. It was in his senior year that the numerous captaincy titles he received would lay the foundation for his navy leadership roles in the future. Ryan was School Vice Captain with responsibility to the Elementary School, Burke House Captain, Prefect and Concert Band Captain. ‘I think the orderly structure and discipline of a JPC education made my transition into the navy more seamless. For me, the lessons learned throughout my time at JPC prepared me very well for wearing a uniform in service of my country. There were many staff at the College who ultimately contributed to me finding my career path, although Ian Weatherley, Deanne Crockett and Stephen Mapstone were among the most influential,’ he says. After Ryan graduated, he visited the Defence Force Recruiting Centre in Brisbane to undertake a series of aptitude tests as part of the screening process to be a a pilot. While the recruiting centre was quick to tell him he was not suitable for that role, the navy was keen to explore options and subsequently Ryan was accepted as a Maritime Warfare Officer. He was accepted into the navy through the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in Canberra in January 1994. At the time, he had also been accepted into the applied science (human movement) degree at the University of Queensland (UQ). He decided to spend his first year out of school studying at UQ, before joining the Royal Australian Navy via ADFA in 1995. He graduated from ADFA in 1997 and joined the Sydney-based fleet in 1998 as a trainee midshipman. Now, 26 years later, he can see how the decision to switch to the defence force has paid dividends. Progressing from midshipman to captain has been an amazing journey, and one that has seen him deploy on numerous operations. Among his many notable missions, Ryan has been awarded the Australian Active Service Medal (Iraq 2003) and the International Coalition Against Terrorism or ICAT Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Operational Service Medal (Border Protection), the Australian Service Medal (Bougainville), the Defence Long Service Medal and the Australian Defence Medal. Most recently, after two years at sea, Ryan handed over the reins as the Commanding Officer of the Destroyer HMAS Hobart and has since been appointed Director Navy International Engagement within the navy headquarters in the ACT. For Ryan, passion and perseverance are two key drivers for his success. He says, ‘in life it’s about finding something you love doing and have a passion for, and persevering through all of the challenges and bumps in the road along the way.’ The navy is his passion; defending Australia and its interests is a noble cause that drives him to persevere and succeed. He credits the navy for its various career opportunities, not to mention the chance to lead fine men and women in service of our great country. His aspirations of being part of the Navy Seniors Leadership Group is his next big ambition. His continued service is conditional and contingent upon his family’s unwavering love and support. His wife and four children have endured extended periods of time with Ryan working away from home, particularly during his service at sea. His gratitude for their loyalty is immense. Class of 1993 Director of Navy International Engagement and Former Commanding Officer (Captain) Destroyer HMAS Hobart Ryan Gaskin