Conshohocken resident Ryan Hooper was sworn-in as a captain by the United States Army on March 19th, becoming the first direct commissioned officer for civil affairs (field of education). The ceremony followed an 18-month process.

Direct commissioned officers are considered experts in their field and are utilized by the army to aid other countries in creating or recreating aspects of their society such as education, transportation, law, infrastructure, etc. 

Captain Hooper previously served as an enlisted soldier for three years right out of high school. The Ohio native was part of the 82nd Airborne at the rank of specialist.

After the army, he participated in Teach for America in Baltimore and taught social studies at a high school for students with social-emotional disorders.

Captain Hooper is now a seventh-grade teacher at a Catholic school in North Philadelphia. In addition to teaching, he spends his summer and long weekends volunteering for TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), which serves military families, and Camp Hometown Heroes, which benefits gold star families.

Photo: Submitted