Career Timeline of Ryan Zinke: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Ryan Zinke, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Ryan Zinke is an American politician and businessman. A Republican, he currently serves as the U.S. Representative for Montana's 1st congressional district, a position he also held for the at-large district from 2015 to 2017. He also served in the Montana State Senate from 2009-2013. Most notably, Zinke was the United States Secretary of the Interior under President Donald Trump from 2017 until he resigned in 2019 amidst several ethics investigations.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

February 1986: Graduated from BUD/S training

In February 1986, Ryan Zinke graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S) class 136 and subsequently served with SEAL Team ONE.

1986: Joined the U.S. Navy SEALs

In 1986, Ryan Zinke became a U.S. Navy SEAL.

1988: Assigned as First Phase Officer of BUD/S

From 1988 to 1991, Ryan Zinke was assigned as a First Phase Officer of BUD/S.

1991: Orders to United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG)

In 1991, Ryan Zinke received orders to United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG) and completed a specialized selection and training course.

1993: End of Service at NSWDG

In 1993, Ryan Zinke ended his time serving at the United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG).

1996: Second Tour with NSWDG

From 1996 to 1999, Ryan Zinke served a second tour with NSWDG as team leader, ground force commander, task force commander and current operations officer.

June 1999: Received Fitness Report Blocking Promotion

In June 1999, Ryan Zinke received a Fitness Report that blocked him from being promoted to a commanding officer position or to the rank of captain.

1999: Executive Officer for Naval Special Warfare Unit Two

From 1999 to 2001, Ryan Zinke served as executive officer for Naval Special Warfare Unit Two.

1999: End of Second Tour with NSWDG

In 1999, Ryan Zinke ended his second tour with NSWDG.

2001: Executive Officer, Naval Special Warfare Center

From 2001 to 2004, Ryan Zinke served as executive officer, Naval Special Warfare Center.

2004: Deputy and Acting Commander

In 2004, Ryan Zinke was the deputy and acting commander of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula.

2005: Formed Continental Divide International

In 2005, Ryan Zinke formed Continental Divide International, a property management and business development consulting company.

2006: Selected to Establish Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Command

In 2006, Ryan Zinke was selected to establish the Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Command, serving as dean of the graduate school until his retirement from active duty in 2008.

2008: Retired from U.S. Navy SEALs

In 2008, Ryan Zinke retired from the U.S. Navy SEALs as a commander.

2008: Retired as commander

In 2008, Ryan Zinke retired from the U.S. Navy SEALs at the rank of commander.

2008: Elected to Montana State Senate

In 2008, Ryan Zinke was elected to the Montana State Senate, representing the city of Whitefish.

2009: Began serving in Montana Senate

In 2009, Ryan Zinke began serving in the Montana State Senate.

2009: Montana State Senator

In 2009, Ryan Zinke began serving in the Montana State Senate.

2009: Formed On Point Montana

In 2009, Ryan Zinke formed the consulting company On Point Montana.

2012: Joined board of QS Energy

From 2012 to 2015, Ryan Zinke served on the board of the oil pipeline company QS Energy (formerly Save the World Air).

2012: Founded Special Operations for America

In 2012, Ryan Zinke founded a super PAC named Special Operations for America, or SOFA, to support Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign.

2012: Running mate for Montana gubernatorial candidate

In the 2012 election, Ryan Zinke was the running mate of Montana gubernatorial candidate Neil Livingstone. The Livingstone/Zinke ticket won 8.8% of the vote, a total of 12,038 votes.

September 30, 2013: Resigned as chairman of SOFA

On September 30, 2013, Ryan Zinke announced he was resigning as chairman of SOFA.

November 20, 2013: SOFA Made Independent Expenditures

Since November 20, 2013, SOFA had been making independent expenditures in support of Ryan Zinke's campaign.

2013: End of term as Montana State Senator

In 2013, Ryan Zinke concluded his service in the Montana State Senate.

2013: End of Montana Senate term

In 2013, Ryan Zinke's term in the Montana State Senate ended.

November 2014: Announcement Regarding Continental Divide

In November 2014, Ryan Zinke announced that he would pass Continental Divide to his family while remaining in an advisory role.

2014: Announced Candidacy for Montana's At-Large Congressional District

In the spring of 2014, Ryan Zinke announced his candidacy for Montana's at-large congressional district.

2015: U.S. Representative for the At-Large Congressional District

In 2015, Ryan Zinke began serving as the U.S. representative for the at-large congressional district.

2015: End of term on board of QS Energy

In 2015, Ryan Zinke's term ended on the board of the oil pipeline company QS Energy (formerly Save the World Air).

2015: Greater Sage-Grouse Protection Plan

In 2015, a plan was put in place to protect the greater sage-grouse. This was later unwound by Ryan Zinke in 2017.

December 13, 2016: Nomination for Secretary of the Interior

On December 13, 2016, Ryan Zinke was named as President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for United States Secretary of the Interior, at the recommendation of Donald Trump Jr.

2016: Elected to Congress

In 2016, Ryan Zinke was elected to Congress, defeating Democratic nominee Denise Juneau with 56% of the vote.

January 19, 2017: Policy Rescinded by Zinke

On January 19, 2017, Zinke rescinded the policy implemented by outgoing Fish and Wildlife Service Director Daniel M. Ashe that banned the use of lead bullets and lead fishing tackle in national wildlife refuges.

January 31, 2017: Nomination Approved by Senate Committee

On January 31, 2017, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved Ryan Zinke's nomination for Secretary of the Interior by a 16–6 vote.

March 1, 2017: Confirmed as Secretary of Interior

On March 1, 2017, Ryan Zinke was confirmed as Secretary of the Interior, becoming the first SEAL and first Montanan since statehood to occupy a Cabinet position.

April 2017: Review of National Monuments Initiated

In April 2017, Zinke began reviewing at least 27 national monuments to determine whether any of them could be reduced in size.

May 24, 2017: Greg Gianforte wins Montana special election

On May 24, 2017, Republican Greg Gianforte won the Montana special election to fill Zinke's vacated House seat, defeating Democrat Rob Quist with 49.7% of the vote.

June 2017: Recommendation to Scale Back Bears Ears National Monument

In June 2017, Zinke recommended that the boundaries of Bears Ears National Monument be scaled back.

December 2017: Reduction of National Monuments

In December 2017, President Trump, after Zinke's recommendation, signed executive proclamations that reduced Bears Ears National Monument by 85% and Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument by almost 46%. Zinke also recommended shrinking two more national monuments—Gold Butte National Monument and Cascade–Siskiyou National Monument.

2017: Secretary of Interior

In 2017, Ryan Zinke began serving as the United States secretary of the interior under president Donald Trump.

December 15, 2018: Trump Announces Zinke's Departure

On December 15, 2018, President Trump announced that Ryan Zinke would leave his post as Secretary of the Interior as of January 2, 2019.

January 2, 2019: Zinke Leaves Post as Secretary of Interior

On January 2, 2019, Ryan Zinke left his post as Secretary of Interior.

January 2019: Managing Director of Artillery One

In January 2019, Ryan Zinke began a new job as the managing director of Artillery One, a cryptocurrency investment firm.

2019: Resignation as Secretary of Interior

In 2019, Ryan Zinke resigned from his position as the United States secretary of the interior.

2020: Reconstitution of Montana's 1st congressional district

Montana's 1st congressional district was reconstituted after the 2020 census. In June 2021, Ryan Zinke announced his candidacy to return to the U.S. House of Representatives in Montana's 1st congressional district.

June 2021: Announcement of Candidacy for U.S. House

In June 2021, Ryan Zinke announced his candidacy to return to the U.S. House of Representatives in Montana's 1st congressional district.

2023: U.S. Representative for Montana's 1st Congressional District

In 2023, Ryan Zinke began serving as the U.S. representative for Montana's 1st congressional district.

2023: Vote Against Troop Removal from Syria

In 2023, Ryan Zinke voted against House Concurrent Resolution 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.

2024: Zinke Wins General Election

In 2024, Ryan Zinke defeated Democratic nominee Monica Tranel in the general election with 52% of the vote to Tranel's 45%.

June 2025: Opposition to Senate's One Big Beautiful Bill

In June 2025, Ryan Zinke expressed opposition to the Senate's version of the One Big Beautiful Bill over concerns of the proposed sale of over 1.2 million acres of public lands.