Ryan Sharp

Ryan Sharp

Pit Boss Nation, join us in recognizing our June Pit Boss Hero of the Month: Captain Ryan Sharp!

Captain Sharp is an F-16 flight instructor pilot, 162^nd Wing, Morris Air National Guard Base. Serving in this capacity is something he knew he wanted to do since he was a kid.

After graduating college, he earned his private pilot’s license and continued his education, earning a master’s degree in systems and industrial engineering before interviewing with the U.S. Air National Guard.

He went on to F-16 training and graduated as a Second Lieutenant. He served for a decade before taking an instructor pilot position.

Despite his impressive resume, when he was nominated to be a Pit Boss Hero, it was his volunteer spirit and heart for others that prompted the submission.

In fact, it was noted that while serving, Ryan is known for volunteering for the jobs that others didn’t want, such as ALERT so that others could be with their family.

While serving with the New Jersey Guard, Ryan donated a vertical smoker to the unit and would regularly smoke meat for his maintenance crew and flight line employees.

When he became an instructor pilot, Ryan took over the “airmen’s snack store,” taking the time to clean it, reorganize, and bring in new food options – often using his free time outside of work to make the trips to replenish stock.

He also still volunteers for ALERT on top of his assigned duty, taking the time to smoke meat for the maintenance crew on duty to show his appreciation for them and his fellow pilots.

Thank you for your service, Ryan!