A native of Mountainhome, Pennsylvania, Ryan graduated from the United States Naval Academy in June 1967 with his twin brother, Vice Admiral Norbert Ryan Jr. After designation as a naval aviator, his initial assignment was to Patrol Squadron 8.

He then served two years aboard the USS Nimitz as Assistant Navigator followed by a department head tour in Patrol Squadron 26.

He has also completed the program for Senior Executives in National and International Security at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Other Shore assignments included the Strategic Concepts Group in the Office of Chief of Naval Operations, Military Assistant to the Executive Secretary in the immediate office of the Secretary of Defense, Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air Warfare), and Executive Assistant to the Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Command.

Concurrent with his duties at the Maritime College, Ryan briefly filled in as Interim President of the University at Albany.