# @usnavalacademy on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd_q8slEXfS
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/71183870-usnavalacademy-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/11a3b30234.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-10-02T14:12:34.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** United States Naval Academy (@usnavalacademy) — https://gondola.cc/usnavalacademy

## Caption

This week’s #FirstieFriday is Ryan Jolton. He currently serves as 21st Company’s executive officer.

Originally from Lakewood, Colorado, just over an hour from Colorado Springs, MIDN Jolton grew up learning what service meant to him.

“My dad would take me down for Air Force Academy football and baseball games. From there, I fell in love with the idea of going to a service academy, where you and your peers have the same common goal in mind: to serve your country. My grandpa served in the Army as a tank commander in Korea, and hearing his stories, learning about the memories and friendships he made, and observing the life he led, I knew I wanted to go to a service academy. I really love the opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself and work with like-minded individuals. I am so thankful for this experience, and I cannot wait to get to the Fleet. As I’ve been here, it has become so much easier to appreciate everything we have and to really take it all in. We genuinely walk in the footsteps of giants, and I think it is really important that every now and then, we all take a second to appreciate what we have and the opportunity to attend USNA.”

His favorite memory at the Academy was serving as 21st Company’s Sea Trials company commander last year. Their plebes placed second in the Brigade.

“This was such an amazing opportunity because I got to detail this group of plebes during Plebe Summer nine months prior. I was able to get to know them and train them from I-Day up until their last day as plebes. It was such a unique experience. Getting to watch all 30 of them grow, develop, and settle into the Academy was remarkable. It was even better when, during our culminating event, all of our hard work came together and we were able to take second place. I felt so proud of my plebes and confident that they will have much success in their Academy careers.”

As an Operations Research major, he also participates in extracurricular activities around the Yard and serves as vice president of the Fishing and Conservation Club. Upon commissioning in the spring, he is excited to see the amazing things his friends will go out and do in the Fleet.

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 2,619
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 62

## Tags

firstiefriday

---
Copyright (c) Gondola