Sergeant Major Ryan Eldredge was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He enlisted into the United States Marine Corps on 8 January 2002 and completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina.
Upon completion of recruit training, he reported to Marine Combat Training, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and later obtained his initial Military Occupational Specialty of 6173, Helicopter Crew Chief. He attended Helicopter Mechanic School and subsequently reported to HMT-302 for training as a Crew Chief on the CH-53E Super Stallion.
In February 2003, he reported to HMH-461 and executed two deployments in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in the Horn of Africa region and was promoted to the rank of Corporal. He was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Sergeant in February 2005, and attended Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One for training as a Weapons and Tactics Instructor for the CH-53E. In 2006, he was assigned to HMM-261 to deploy with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Sergeant Eldredge finished his tour of duty with HMH-461, deploying a fourth time in September 2006 to Camp Lemonier in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
In June 2007, he executed orders to Fleet Readiness Center East and served as the H-53 Assistant Program Manager, performing Functional Check Flights following Depot facility repair of H-53 Navy and Marine Corps Helicopters. He was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in July 2007.
In November 2009, Staff Sergeant Eldredge reported to Marine Corps Embassy Security Group and served as a Detachment Commander for Marine Security Guard Detachment Luanda, Angola from April 2010 to July 2011, and Marine Security Guard Detachment Lisbon, Portugal from July 2011 to March 2013. He was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in July 2011.
Gunnery Sergeant Eldredge reported to HMH-366 in April 2013 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina where he served as the Flight Line Division Chief. In July 2014, Gunnery Sergeant Eldredge deployed with HMH-366 to Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM 14.1. In 2015, First Sergeant Eldredge executed orders to 2d Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and served as the Unit Senior Enlisted Leader for Headquarters and Service Company and deployed with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, finishing his tour with Company G.
In March 2017, First Sergeant Eldredge reported to Detachment Delta, 4th Law Enforcement Battalion, Force Headquarters Group in Anchorage, Alaska and served as the Inspector Instructor First Sergeant and Unit Senior Enlisted Leader. Sergeant Major Eldredge was promoted to his current rank in November 2019 and reported to 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay and served as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader from January 2020 to April 2022. In April 2022, Sergeant Major Eldredge reported to 3d Battalion, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment and deployed to Okinawa, Japan from June to December 2022.
In January 2023 he reported to 3d Marine Littoral Regiment where he is currently serving as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader.
Sergeant Major Eldredge's personal awards include the Air Medal with individual action and four strike flight awards, Navy Commendation Medal with four Gold Stars, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars.