Ryan Antes, a former Ranger and current attorney, shares his military experience, the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, and the importance of resilience. Ryan recalls his journey from military service to law, his experiences in combat, and the health challenges he has faced since leaving the service. They discuss the value of volunteerism, friendship, community engagement, and the importance of helping others.
About Ryan Antes
Ryan Antes was born and raised in Long Beach, CA. He ran high school cross country at Long Beach Poly and enlisted in the US Army at 108 pounds upon graduating in 1999. Ryan shipped off to Ft. Benning, GA that summer to be trained as an infantryman (11B) with an Airborne and Ranger Indoctrination Program contract.
After successfully completing jump school and RIP, Ryan was assigned to B Co, 2nd Battalion, 75 th Ranger Regiment in Ft. Lewis, WA. Ryan deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002, and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Ryan participated in the Jessica Lynch rescue mission, the first and only successful POW rescue since WWII, and was saved by his body armor from a nearly point-blank AK-47 round in Iraq.
During the brief period between those 2 combat deployments Ryan successfully completed US Army Ranger School. Ryan was honorably discharged in December 2003 as a corporal and returned home to Long Beach, CA.
Ryan had saved up his combat pay from both tours and was able to afford an engagement ring for Jessica, whom he met in 7th grade but expressed no interest in him romantically until after he had been bulked up by the Army. He enrolled in California State University, Long Beach for the Spring 2004 semester and married Jessica that July. Ryan graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology and a Minor in Chemistry in May 2006.
Jessica did not want to be poor or live on a boat, so Ryan signed up for law school. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School in May 2009 and took the July 2009 California Bar Exam. Ryan passed the Bar on his first attempt and took a job at 100- lawyer defense litigation firm in Irvine, CA where he had worked as a law clerk during the summer after his first year of law school.
After leaving the Army, Ryan sought out volunteer opportunities to help deal with the void he felt being so far from those with whom he served. Ryan was selected to serve as a Commissioner on the City of Long Beach’s Veterans Commission spending several years as Chair. He reached his 8-year term limit in 2024. Ryan has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Gold Star Manor in Long Beach since 2022 and serves as the President of the Board of the Long Beach Area Veterans Collaborative.
Ryan’s early law practice focused on the defense of national homebuilders in a variety of property damage and personal injury actions. Ryan and Jessica were graced with a son, Jackson, in 2012 and a daughter, Aurora, in 2013. He took control of the law firm’s recruiting and mentoring programs and rose through the ranks to become an equity partner.
After a couple of heart attacks in the early 2020s and a falling out with his partners, Ryan transitioned his practice to a solo operation focusing on trust law, contract law, and small business counseling. He opened his own one-man law firm in March of 2024.
Episode Takeaways
- Resilience is often rooted in stubbornness and determination.
- Volunteerism can provide a sense of purpose and community.
- It's important to listen more than you speak in conversations.
- Health challenges can reshape one's approach to life and career.
- Helping others can lead to unexpected friendships and connections.
