Jason “Jay” Redman was born in a small town in central Ohio and attended schools in Ohio, North Carolina, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Florida before graduating from Lumberton High School in Southern North Carolina. He joined the Navy on September 11, 1992 and began his naval career at boot camp in Orlando, Florida.
Jason spent his first two years in the Navy working as an Intelligence Specialist working for and around Naval Special Warfare. During Boot Camp he had tried out and was accepted for Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL training (BUD/S) and he reported to BUD/S in January of 1995. He enjoyed a full year of friendly instructors, relaxing times on the beach, and endless nights under the Coronado moon before graduating with BUD/S class 202 in December of 1995.
Jason set off on a whirlwind career, completing three deployments to South America where he conducted numerous Counter Drug missions throughout Colombia and Peru. He returned in December of 2000 to become an instructor for his SEAL Team’s Basic Land Warfare block of training. He spent the next year and a half teaching Marksmanship, Reconnaissance and Surveillance operations, and advanced communications.
In August of 2000, Petty Officer 1st Class Redman was one of fifty naval enlisted members selected for the prestigious Seaman to Admiral Program. He began school at Old Dominion University in August of 2001.
Jason graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management; Summa Cum Laude with Honors in Business Administration. He was commissioned in May of 2004 as a Naval SEAL Officer.
Jason immediately reported to his new SEAL Team and was directly assigned as an Assistant Platoon Commander. His platoon deployed to Afghanistan in July of 2005 and conducted numerous combat operations that directly contributed to the Global War on Terror.
In May of 2006, he graduated from the grueling US Army Ranger Course of Instruction to further his tactical knowledge and increase his understanding of Joint Operations and Army mission planning. In May 2007, Jason deployed to Fallujah, Iraq and served as Mobility Force Commander and Assault Force Commander for over 40 Direct Action missions throughout western Iraq.
On September 13, 2007, while acting as Assault Force Commander on an operation to capture an Al Qaeda High Value Individual LT Redman’s Assault Team came under heavy machine gun and small arms fire and he along with two other Teammates were wounded in the ensuing firefight. Despite being shot twice in the arm and once in the face, as well as multiple rounds to his helmet, Night Vision Goggles, body armor, and weapon, Jason and his Team fought valiantly winning the fight, ensuring everyone came home alive.
While recovering at Bethesda Naval Medical Center, LT Redman wrote and hung a bright orange sign on his door, which became a statement and symbol for wounded warriors everywhere. This sign gained national recognition and earned LT Redman and his family an invitation to meet President George W. Bush in the Oval Office. The original sign on the door, signed by President Bush, now hangs in the Wounded Ward at the National Naval Medical Center Bethesda.
In July 2010, Jason joined three other wounded service members and reached the summit of Mount Rainier as a testament to wounded warriors and all Americans that there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome if you have the drive, the determination, and the tenacity to rise above.
LT Redman retired from the Navy in 2013 and founded Wounded Wear, which later evolved into the Combat Wounded Coalition, a Non-Profit organization which supports combat wounded warriors and families of the fallen. He currently acts as the executive director of the organization and is also the founder and CEO of SOF Spoken, a speaking company which provides inspirational presentations on leadership, teamwork and overcoming adversity for businesses, first responders, sports teams, and government organizations. He has spoken to many great organizations including the Marriott Corporation, the NFL Cincinnati Bengals, ODU Monarchs Football Team, the MLB San Diego Padres, NASCAR, and the United States Naval Academy.
In November of 2013, Redman published The Trident: The Forging and Reforging of a Navy SEAL Leader. His book details lessons learned in leadership and overcoming adversity throughout his SEAL career while also discussing his combat deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as his personal journey with his wife Erica and their three children. The Trident was selected in 2014 as part of the Chief of Naval Operation’s professional reading program.
He was recognized in November of 2009 by his alma mater Old Dominion University with their prestigious Alumni Service Award in recognition of exemplary leadership, and significant, compassionate service to community, state, and nation. He was a 2010 recipient of the Hope for the Warriors, Hope and Courage award. The Hampton Roads community and Wendy’s recognized him with their Military Hero award in 2013. In 2014, Jason was awarded the 2013 Still Serving Veteran of the Year Award for the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. In 2015 he was presented with the American Veteran Center – The Honors Paul Ray Smith Award and in 2016 he was recognized by Crown Royal as winner of the your hero’s name here naming rights contest for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Jason was the first recipient in the history of the contest to decide not to name the race after themselves, instead naming the event after his non-profit, the Combat Wounded Coalition 400 at the Brickyard.
In 2019, Jason released his 2nd book, Overcome, which outlines the process he learned and teaches to persevere despite the “ambushes” life throws at us.
His military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (five awards), Combat Action Ribbon (two awards) US Army Ranger Tab and numerous service awards.
Jason lives in Virginia with his wife Erica and three children Phoenix, Angelica, and Mackenzie.
Jason’s Website: Click Here
Jason’s Books:
The Trident
Overcome
Other recommended books:Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown - Eric Blehm
Hannibal and Me: What History's Greatest Military Strategist Can Teach Us about Success and Failure - Andreas Kluth
Recommended Movies:
The Matrix
The Last Samurai
Free Solo