Turning Beliefs Into Action

Name: Ryan S. Gibson
Home Country: United States
Degree: Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR)
Scholarship: Dean’s Scholarship Award

What led you to Johns Hopkins SAIS?

I came to SAIS because I wanted to be forced out of my comfort zone. I have had an incredibly rewarding career, but I never had the opportunity to challenge myself academically. I really loved my most recent role as a global security consultant, but I wasn’t feeling challenged anymore, and I find that I grow the most when things are “hard and scary.” I’m a firm believer that one should always be in a state of self-improvement, and SAIS is providing me with an opportunity to do just that.

Left: Ryan, his wife, and the National Veterans Network visited battle sites in rural France in honor of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Biffontaine, France. Right: Ryan, his dog, and a member of the National Veterans Network.

Where did you grow up and what drew you to a career in the U.S. military?

I was born in Germany while my family was stationed overseas with the United States Air Force, but primarily grew up in North Carolina. I felt both a push and a pull when it came to military service. The push was straightforward. I enlisted during the 2009 financial crisis when opportunities were few, especially for someone like me with little financial or social capital. I believe the military is the greatest safety net in the United States, and I was, and am, incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to serve.

The pull was a bit more abstract but no less important. My early life was deeply affected by the conflicts in the Middle East. I’m part of one of the youngest age cohorts that vividly remembers the attacks on 9/11, and my high school years were colored by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I didn’t have the vocabulary to articulate it at the time, but promoting the right to self-determination and protecting those who could not do so for themselves was deeply important to me. The Marine Corps was somewhere I could turn those beliefs into action.

Why did you pick the service branch you joined and how long did you serve?

I served in the United States Marine Corps for six years. I chose the Marine Corps because I’ve never had it in me to do anything halfway, and I knew the Marine Corps would push me out into the world where I could make an impact. Their reputation for being particularly challenging and selective, combined with their storied history was a powerful incentive.

The Marine Corps is where I was first able to work with the Department of State inside U.S. embassies. That opportunity exposed me to the field of international relations and set me onto my current path.

How has your time in the military helped you with personal and professional growth?

I am convinced  that my success in life has been a combination of luck and a few good decisions, one of the best of which was joining the Marine Corps. I owe my life to the Corps. I had several immensely influential mentors and I got to participate in missions that I would never have thought possible. Everything I have accomplished is a direct result of the opportunities provided to me and the people and places I was exposed to. The Marine Corps is where I was first able to work with the Department of State inside U.S. embassies. That opportunity exposed me to the field of international relations and set me onto my current path.

Left: Ryan at the Teatro Regio di Parma, an opera house in Parma, Italy. Right: Ryan hiking the Dolomites in southern Tyrol.

What has been your favorite experience at SAIS and why?

My favorite part of my SAIS experience so far has been getting to know my fellow students and hearing their perspectives. It’s been wonderful meeting so many people at many different stages in life and from so many different backgrounds. Every time I sit down in the café or join in an aperitivo, I end up drawn into conversations about everything from moral philosophy and the impacts of state interventions, to sharing stories of travel across the globe and mutual experiences. The SAIS student body is what helped me finalize my choice for my master’s program and it’s also part of the reason I’m enjoying my time so much.

What is one piece of advice you would give to students in the process of choosing graduate schools?

Aim high and don’t overthink it.

Apply to the schools you think you’d be successful in, not the ones you think you’re “good enough” for. Always try to punch above your belt. It forces you to adapt and grow. Even if you fail you still take something away from each experience, and the gains from your successes are that much more impactful.

Don’t run yourself ragged overthinking every detail or worry yourself with the fear of missing out. When you find the fit that’s right for you, you’ll know it. Follow your instincts. The only right choice is the one you make.

What do you plan on pursuing after graduation?

I very intentionally haven’t decided exactly where I want to go after this program. Throughout my career, I have always worked in some form of service, specifically advancing the mission and values of the U.S. Regardless of where I end up, I know that I will be in another place with a strong mission and people who are willing to match my intensity, or at least my principles.

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