The life of a U.S. Navy SEAL is tough, and it will lead you to dangerous places and situations. In 2007, Lt. Jason Redman was an experienced SEAL warrior when he walked into a deadly al-Qaeda ambush outside Fallujah, Iraq. Lt. Redman’s Assault Team came under heavy fire and was severely wounded. He was shot multiple times but was able to survive the shooting and do great things afterward.
Doing his time at Bethesda Medical Center while recovering from his injuries, Jason Redman authored a bright orange sign on his door. The encouraging orange sign became a statement and symbol for wounded warriors everywhere. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor, the Purple Heart, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal for his service and actions during his career.
Early life
Jason Redman, also known as Jay among his friends, was born in a small town in central Ohio. He attended schools in Ohio, North Carolina, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Florida before graduating from Lumberton High School in Southern North Carolina. On September 11, 1992, he joined the Navy and began his naval career at boot camp in Orlando, Florida.
Navy Career
Jason Redman began his career in the Navy working as an Intelligence Specialist working for and around Naval Special Warfare for the next two years. 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 1995. Almost a year later, in December 1995, Jason Redman graduated with BUD/S class 202.
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 training block. 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 among fifty naval enlisted members selected for the prestigious Seaman to Admiral Program. He began school at Old Dominion University in August 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.
Redman 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 2006, he graduated from the grueling U.S. Army Ranger Course of Instruction to further his tactical knowledge and understand 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 HVT (High-Value Target), LT Redman’s Assault Team came under heavy machine gun and small arms fire, and he, along with two other Teammates, was 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 bravely, winning the fight and ensuring everyone came home alive.
Wounded Warrior
In August, 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 allowed LT Redman and his family 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. He reached the summit of Mount Rainier as a testament to wounded warriors and all Americans that no obstacle cannot be overcome if you have the drive, the determination, and the tenacity to rise above.
In 2010, While still on active duty and recovering from his injuries, Redman founded the Wounded Wear™ clothing line and the Combat Wounded Coalition™. This Non-Profit organization inspires combat-wounded warriors to Overcome. Redman served as the executive director of the organization for almost ten years. The organization raised nearly $3 Million and helped thousands of wounded warriors.
In November 2013, after 21 years of service, Redman retired from the Navy and launched SOF Spoken LLC. This speaking company provides inspirational presentations on leadership, teamwork, and overcoming adversity for businesses, first responders, sports teams, and government organizations.
Bestselling author
Jason is the New York Times bestselling author of “The Trident: The Forging and Reforging of a Navy SEAL Leader” and has appeared on multiple national news networks, including Fox News, CBS, CNN, and CBN. He has seemed almost a dozen times on Fox and Friends and the (Mike) Huckabee show. Jason has been featured in multiple documentaries, including History channel’s Navy SEALs and America’s Secret Warriors. As an actor, he played the lead role in The Perfect Day film and was a supporting character on an episode of Hawaii 5-0.
Jason, your a true patriot. You fought along side of my nephew Bobby…