Luke Ryan

About the author

Luke Ryan is a SOFREP journalist in Tampa, FL. He is a former Team Leader from 3rd Ranger Battalion, having served four deployments to Afghanistan. He grew up overseas, the son of foreign aid workers, and lived in Pakistan for nine years and Thailand for five. He has a degree in English Literature and loves to write on his own as well, working on several personal projects.

North Korean defectors: A basic rundown

A nuclear scientist from North Korea recently committed suicide as he was deported from China back to North Korea, where he faced the severe punishment that awaits all defectors — to include the three-generation punishment system that not only involves him, but any spouses, children, siblings and parents too. Hyun Cheol Huh is one of many […]

Some tips for filming deep in the boonies

Preparing, packing and readying for a film shoot out in the boonies is actually quite similar to preparing, packing and readying for a long FTX or mission overseas. However, instead of weapons, ammunition and radios you’re carrying cameras, SD cards and microphones. The equipment is more sensitive to the elements but just like in combat, […]

Op-Ed: The reality behind the word ‘bigot’

The word “bigot” gets thrown around a lot these days. It’s often used to dehumanize another person or group of people, for if someone is labelled a “bigot” then they become nothing more than that label in the eyes of others, instead of a nuanced human being with unique experiences and something to offer the […]

Anthrax antibodies in the defector’s blood: What does that mean?

A North Korean defector was recently found with anthrax antibodies in his blood which has caused quite the stir, particularly among South Koreans and U.S. forces in South Korea. There has been some confusion as to what this could mean. Why would someone have anthrax antibodies in his bloodstream? How is that indicative of some kind […]

Veterans in Hollywood: David Ayer

Not every veteran who has stumbled into the spotlight is chomping at the bit to tell everyone about their service. However, just because they don’t parade themselves around like a hero doesn’t mean that they don’t use their military service to greatly influence their work. David Ayer, successful screenwriter and director, is a prime example […]

Battle-ax wielding Utah man tasered and shot by police — doesn’t stop him

St. George, Utah — A man wielding what he called his “battle-ax” and sporting body armor threatened his family and neighbors with explosives at 11 p.m. Sunday night, and the situation developed into Monday morning. He also threatened the incoming police officers. While no explosives were found in his house, a long stand-off ensued which […]

Anthrax: What You Need to Know

The soldiers defecting from North Korea to the south have been interesting subjects of medical study. The defector who was shot several times was found to have tapeworms up to 11 inches long in his intestines. Fleeing soldiers or civilians are often malnourished and have been denied a lot of basic healthcare. However, the most […]

Nuggets of wisdom from Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill: British Prime Minister, writer and military man. His name is one of the most well-known in the United Kingdom and remains immensely popular not only throughout England, but around the world. He was undoubtedly a controversial figure, but remains one of the most well-regarded Prime Ministers in British history according to several polls. […]

Brown-outs and white-outs

Imagine yourself in the middle of nowhere in Afghanistan. Maybe the sun is high in the sky, blasting relentlessly at the heavily armed soldiers below, or maybe the moon is high, gently illuminating the shivering bodies across the Afghan, semi-arid desert. It’s been a long mission, and the dirt below your tired feet is tilled […]

Christmas in Afghanistan

I’m not the type of person that puts value in obscure objects just because “I’ve had them since I was X years old.” I am constantly rifling through my drawers, under my bed and through my storage unit, throwing things away that have no utilitarian or decorative value. Sentiment hasn’t gotten me much over the […]