 He received a bachelor of science degree in military science from the University of Omaha in 1965, and a master of science degree in international affairs from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., in 1968.He graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk, Virginia, in 1965 and from the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, in 1968.Ryan became an aviation cadet in September 1949, and after completing pilot training at Reese Air Force Base, Texas, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in October 1950.