Ryan

The Mediator

Who he is....

 Ryan is the executive officer of Gray's squadron.  He's cheerful and friendly, despite his work and the situation of the world.  He's Gray's best friend, and seems to be quite open minded; he is the kind that would get along well with almost everyone he met.

 I think that Ryan was supposed to be one of the most popular characters, but very (very) often he is consigned to the background.  This is especially true in fanworks.  I can't figure it out; Personally, he's one of my favorite characters, and I rarely know what to do with the poor guy.

 A contrast - Neil is cheerful, but never struck me as happy.  Ryan, on the other hand, not only struck me as happy, but as happy!

 I first got the impression that Ryan joined the USMF later in life, but on later contemplation decided this wasn't true.  It's said he joined after his father died, and this probably meant that he joined because his father died and that his father died when he was young.  My guess is he joined when he was seventeen or eighteen (the 'normal' age).

 Where most of Gray's attempts at peacable solutions fail, many of Ryan's succeed.  It often seems that when Ryan speaks, everyone listens.

 Whether he's more intimidating, or people like him more - no one knows.