Jason C. Redman | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Jay |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1992–2013 |
Rank | Lieutenant |
Unit | United States Navy SEALs |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Navy Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Ranger tab, Navy Achievement Medal (five awards), Combat Action Ribbon (2 awards), Alumni Service Award (Old Dominion University), Hope and Courage Award |
Other work | Motivational Speaker, Founder and Spokesperson of Wounded Wear, and Writer |
Lieutenant Jason C. Redman, USN (Ret)[ clarification needed ] is a retired naval officer and U.S. Navy SEAL. He is the founder and spokesperson of the nonprofit organization Wounded Wear. He is also the author of the memoir The Trident: The Forging and Reforging of a Navy SEAL Leader and of the book Overcome: Crush Adversity with the Leadership Techniques of America's Toughest Warriors.
Redman was born in southern central Ohio. [1] He grew up in North Carolina, Florida, Virginia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. [2] Redman comes from a military family. His paternal grandfather flew B-24 Liberator bombers for the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II and was highly decorated. His great uncle was shot down in the Pacific during the early years of World War II. Redman's sister is a United States Air Force officer and his brother is a Marine. His father was an Army Airborne instructor, airborne rigger, and jumpmaster during the Vietnam War. [2] [3] [4] From an early age, Redman knew he wanted to serve. [4]
He attended Lumberton High School in North Carolina. [1]
Redman graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in business management and honors in business administration from Old Dominion University. [1] [2] [5]
On September 11, 1992, at the age of seventeen, Redman enlisted in the United States Navy. [2] [5] His first two years in the Navy were spent working as an Intelligence Specialist working for Naval Special Warfare. [6] Redman was accepted to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S) at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado and graduated BUD/S class 202 in December 1995. Following SEAL Tactical Training (STT) and completion of a six-month probationary period, he received the NEC 5326 as a Combatant Swimmer (SEAL), entitled to wear the SEAL Trident. [7] Redman then took part in several counter-narcotics missions in Colombia and Peru. [8]
By 2000, he had risen to the rank of Petty Officer First Class. In December 2000, he was an instructor for SEAL Team's Basic Land Warfare block of training. For a year and a half, he taught Marksmanship, Reconnaissance, Surveillance operations, and Advanced Communications. [1] Shortly after, Redman was selected as one of the 50 enlisted personnel in the Navy to participate in the Seaman to Admiral program, which would put him on the "officer track." [3] [9]
In May 2004, he was commissioned a Officer. [3] Redman was transferred from SEAL Team 4 to SEAL Team 10. [10] The next year he was deployed to Afghanistan then Iraq. [9] In 2006, he graduated from the U.S. Army Ranger School.
The next year, Redman was deployed to Fallujah, Iraq. [5]
On September 13, 2007, during a special operations mission, Redman was struck by machine gun fire. It first hit him in the left elbow, then in the right side of his face, entering his jaw and exiting through his nose. [2] [11] At the time he was acting as the Assault Force Commander. Their mission was to capture a "high-value Al-Qaeda operative." [12] In all, Redman was shot seven times to the face and arms. [13]
LT Redman arrived at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland on September 16, 2007. [13] As of 2012, he had undergone 37 surgeries, [11] and required 1,200 stitches, 200 staples, 15 skin grafts, and one tracheotomy. [13] Redman lost his sense of smell and has a limited range of motion in his left arm. [11]
While Redman was recovering, he hung up a sign on his hospital door. He said, "the sign came about because a few people came into my room with sorrow for the wounds I received and I pledged shortly after I was wounded not to feel sorry for myself, so I wasn't going to allow anyone else to feel sorry for me." [3] The bright orange sign read:
Attention to all who enter here. If you are coming into this room with sorrow or to feel sorry for my wounds, go elsewhere. The wounds I received I got in a job I love, doing it for people I love, supporting the freedom of a country I deeply love. I am incredibly tough and will make a full recovery. What is full? That is the absolute utmost physically my body has the ability to recover. Then I will push that about 20 percent further through sheer mental tenacity. This room you are about to enter is a room of fun, optimism, and intense rapid regrowth. If you are not prepared for that, go elsewhere. [13]
It was signed, "The Management." [3] The sign attracted then-President George W. Bush, and Redman had the chance to meet him in the Oval Office. [13] [14] The sign hangs at the wounded ward of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. [3]
Copies of the Sign on the Door are available on Jason Redman's website.
After 21 years in the US Navy, Redman retired in 2013. [9]
Redman founded the non-profit organization Wounded Wear while he was recovering. [11] Because of his scars, he was always being asked if he was wounded in a car accident or motorcycle crash. Redman was never asked if he was hurt in combat, and that made him "bitter." After a culmination of questions, he decided to design a t-shirt that read, "Stop staring. I got shot by a machine gun. It would have killed you." On the back of the t-shirt was the American flag. After getting positive feedback from strangers, Redman realized that other wounded soldiers must be feeling the same way. [4]
Wounded Wear was founded in 2009. [4]
The organization donated clothing kits to warriors hurt in combat and to families of fallen soldiers. The kits contained clothing like jackets, workout gear, and t-shirts. [4] They also altered clothing for soldiers injured in combat, to accommodate their medical devices. [9] Everything was provided free of charge. By 2014, Wounded Wear had donated 2,000 kits. [4] In March 2015, Redman announced that he planned to hire a professional to take over his role, with Redman intending to remain their spokesperson. [15]
Wounded Wear transitioned to the Combat Wounded Coalition in 2015 and continued to provide services to wounded warriors including a leadership program called the Overcome Academy.
Combat Wounded Coalition phased down as an organization in Dec of 2018.
Redman also travels the country as a motivational speaker. [12] He has spoken to the Marriott Corporation, the NFL Cincinnati Bengals, and the U.S. Men's 2010 Olympic Hockey Team. [5]
He is the head of staffing at Blue Star Veterans Network, where his job is to hire and employ wounded warriors and service disabled veterans. [14]
Redman is the founder of the private company SOF Spoken. [15]
Redman started writing his memoir, The Trident: The Forging and Reforging of a Navy SEAL Leader , while he was in recovery. [3] It was co-authored with John Bruning. It is a New York Times Best-seller.
His second book Overcome: Crush Adversity with the Leadership Techniques of America's Toughest Warriors was published by Center Street in 2019. [16] It is an Amazon Best-Seller.
His third book, Pointman Planner was released in July 2021
While he was recovering at Bethesda Naval Hospital, Redman was honored with the Purple Heart. [11] He has also earned the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (five awards), and Combat Action Ribbon (2 awards). [12]
In November 2009, Redman was awarded the Alumni Service Award from his alma mater, Old Dominion University. In 2010, he was given the Hope and Courage award. [5] Redman was honored with the Military Hero Award from The Hampton Roads Community in 2013. [1]
Redman was awarded the Welles Crowther Red Bandana Award in 2017
Redman is married to his wife, Erica, whom he met in Louisville, Kentucky circa 2000, just months after her son was born. In addition to that child, they have two daughters together. [9] [17]
In July 2010, Redman reached the summit of Mount Rainier along with three other wounded service members. The purpose was to prove that "there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome if you have the drive, the determination, and the tenacity to rise above." [1]
The United States Navy Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) Teams, commonly known as Navy SEALs, are the U.S. Navy's primary special operations force and a component of the Naval Special Warfare Command. Among the SEALs' main functions are conducting small-unit special operation missions in maritime, jungle, urban, arctic, mountainous, and desert environments. SEALs are typically ordered to capture or kill high-level targets, or to gather intelligence behind enemy lines. SEAL team personnel are hand-selected, highly trained, and possess a high degree of proficiency in unconventional warfare (UW), direct action (DA), and special reconnaissance (SR), among other tasks like sabotage, demolition, intelligence gathering, and hydro-graphic reconnaissance, training, and advising friendly militaries or other forces. All active SEALs are members of the U.S. Navy.
The Underwater Demolition Team (UDT), or frogmen, were amphibious units created by the United States Navy during World War II with specialized missions. They were predecessors of the navy's current SEAL teams.
The United States Naval Special Warfare Command (USNSWC), also known as NAVSPECWARCOM and WARCOM, is the naval component of United States Special Operations Command, the unified command that oversees and conducts the nation's special operations and missions.
Thomas Rolland Norris is a retired United States Navy SEAL and Distinguished Eagle Scout, who received the Medal of Honor for his ground rescue with the assistance of Petty Officer Third Class Nguyen Van Kiet of two downed aircrew members in Quảng Trị province during the Vietnam War on April 10–13, 1972. At the time of the action, Lieutenant Norris was a SEAL Advisor with the Strategic Technical Directorate Assistance Team. Norris was one of three SEALs to receive the Medal of Honor for actions during the Vietnam War.
Michael Edwin Thornton is a retired United States Navy SEAL and recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the medal for saving the life of his senior officer, Lieutenant Thomas R. Norris, who also earned the Medal of Honor in an unrelated incident.
Charles Patrick Pfarrer III is an American writer, film producer, and former Navy SEAL. As an author, he has penned published screenplays, novels, comic books, and non-fiction works. His works deal with themes pertaining to the military. Pfarrer has worked on films including Navy SEALs, Darkman, and Hard Target.
Dick Couch is an American author, professor, and former U.S. Navy SEAL.
Michael Anthony Monsoor was a United States Navy SEAL who was killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom during the Battle of Ramadi when dove onto a grenade to shield his fellow SEALs, sacrificing his own life. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 2001 and graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training BUD/S class 250 in 2004. After further training he was assigned to Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 3.
Michael Patrick Murphy was a United States Navy SEAL officer who was awarded the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the War in Afghanistan. He was the first member of the United States Navy to receive the award since the Vietnam War. His other posthumous awards include the Silver Star Medal and the Purple Heart.
Phil Hinkle Bucklew was a professional American football player who went on to become a United States Navy officer. He served in one of the Navy's first special warfare units during World War II. While serving in the European Theater, he was twice awarded the Navy Cross, the second highest decoration in the United States Military.
Christopher Scott Kyle was a United States Navy SEAL sniper. He served four tours in the Iraq War and was awarded several commendations for acts of heroism and meritorious service in combat. He had 160 confirmed kills and was awarded a Silver Star, three Bronze Star Medals with "V" devices for valor, 2x Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with "V" device, as well as numerous other unit and personal awards.
Timothy Gerard "Tim" Szymanski is a retired United States Navy vice admiral who last served as deputy commander of United States Special Operations Command from October 15, 2018 to December 2021. He is the former commander of United States Naval Special Warfare Command in Coronado, California.
Mark L. Donald is a retired United States Navy SEAL, hospital corpsman, and physician assistant who served in the United States Navy. Donald is one of the few American warriors to have earned three high-level combat valor medals for displaying the highest levels of battlefield heroism on more than one occasion. Donald, a recipient of the Navy Cross and Silver Star awards in support of Operation Enduring Freedom during the fall of 2003 and the Bronze Star with V device denoting combat heroism for Operation Iraqi Freedom during the spring of 2003, is one of the most decorated heroes of the War on Terror.
John Gretton "Jocko" Willink Jr. is an American author, podcaster, and retired United States Navy officer who served in the Navy SEALs and is a former member of SEAL Team 3.
William Ryan Owens was a decorated United States Navy SEAL senior chief petty officer. He died in the Yakla raid in Yemen, making him the first American to die in combat under the Trump administration.
Britt Kelly Slabinski is a retired United States Navy SEAL who received the Medal of Honor on May 24, 2018, for his actions during the Battle of Takur Ghar. He also participated in the highly publicized rescue mission to recover Army PFC Jessica Lynch.
Keith Bently Davids is a retired American United States Navy special warfare officer with the rank of rear admiral. He served as the commander of Naval Special Warfare Command from 2022 to 2024. He was the commander of U.S. Special Operations Command South, United States Southern Command from 2020 to 2022. Previously, he served as director of the White House Military Office during the Presidency of Donald Trump. Earlier in his career, he was commanding officer of the Naval Special Warfare Center and SEAL Team One.
Peter Gerard Vasely is a retired United States Navy rear admiral who last served as the deputy director for future joint force development of the Joint Staff from June 3, 2022 to June 24, 2024. He served as a special assistant to the Director of the Navy Staff from November 4, 2021 to June 3, 2022. Before that, he served as the Director of Operations of the Defense Intelligence Agency from November 2019 to 2021 and then as the Commander of Special Operations Joint Task Force–Afghanistan and NATO Special Operations Component Command–Afghanistan from May 17 to August 31, 2021. Vasely is a Navy SEAL officer and former member of SEAL Team ONE and Development Group.
Hugh W. Howard III is a retired United States Navy rear admiral who commanded the United States Naval Special Warfare Command from September 11, 2020 until August 19, 2022. He was previously the Commander of Special Operations Command Central from July 19, 2018, to July 20, 2020.