Samohi graduate has plans to take to the air in Naval fighter
PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY Jaden Risner has his head in the clouds and is planning on keeping it there for the long haul.
The 22-year-old Santa Monica native just graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland with a degree in political science and is now training in Pensacola, Florida to become an aviator. His dream is to become a fighter pilot, but more than anything else, he just wants to continue to be of service to others, something which he has done for most of his life as a volunteer at the Red Cross, an Explorer with the Santa Monica Police Department and as a volunteer helping to build homes in Nicaragua.
“My parents taught me that it was really important to put others first,” said Risner, who was dressed in the traditional summer white uniform during an interview earlier this week at the Public Safety Facility, where he spent time with the current class of Explorers, offering advice to the teenage volunteers who are interested in a career in law enforcement.
Risner, a graduate of Santa Monica High School, was only in town for a few weeks before being sent to flight school, and while other graduates may decide to use that time to relax and go on vacation, Risner decided it would be best to spend a few hours with the youth and give something back to the program that he said helped prepare him tremendously for the challenges he faced during his four years at the academy. It is that willingness to lend a helping hand that has impressed those around Risner, a true officer and a gentleman with a quick wit and a knack for sarcasm.
“He’s a great kid,” said SMPD Lt. Alex Padilla. “He’s real sharp … always willing to help out when he can.”
Risner’s love of flying can be traced to his youth when his father, a sound producer at Warner Bros., would take him to air shows and Santa Monica’s Museum of Flying to learn about the fighters of old. When he got old enough, Risner began taking flying lessons at the Santa Monica Airport and made his first solo flight when he was 16. To pay for the lessons, Risner bagged groceries, helped Japanese kids with their reading and math (Risner’s mother is from Japan) and maintained aircraft at American Flyers, the flight school where Risner learned how to fly.
“It’s hard to explain why I love (flying). It’s just that feeling that you get when you’re in the air,” Risner said. “The weather has been so great the last couple of days. How could you not want to get up in the air?”
Risner better love flying. He’ll be committed to it for the next eight years as part of his obligation to the Navy for putting him through the academy and flight school. Even if Risner is at the top of his class, there still is no guarantee that he’ll fly a fighter. Depending on the needs of the Navy, Risner could find himself flying helicopters or larger aircraft that are used for transport.
“Of course most people want to fly jets, but you just have to be the best you can and see what happens,” Risner said. “You could be number two in your class and still not get what you want. You never know where you stand so basically you just do the best you can and I’ll be happy with whatever I fly. I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”
Being a pilot, one has to have great eyesight, and Risner is no exception. He cherishes his 20-20 vision, so much so that he said the only doctor’s appointments he cares about are those with his optometrist.
“Every time I’m going to see the doctors I make sure I get a good rest before,” he said. “I’m joking, but it’s serious. If anything happens to my eyes it can disqualify me.”
Aside from flying, Risner said he loves spending time with his family and friends. As a single child, Risner said his friends are very important and a major reason why he has dedicated his life to public service.
“My parents taught me to look out for my friends,” he said. “Plus my mother being from Japan, it was a matter of common courtesy. I was taught to respect others, especially those my senior. I was taught to be selfless and not get caught up in other distractions that life can provide. Being selfless is a very important part of the Japanese culture and one that has stuck with me.”
When asked what he liked most about being part Japanese, Risner quipped, “Being able to use chopsticks.”
As an officer, Risner will have to use the lessons he learned from his mother. He will be responsible for the lives of others under his command, something which he quickly learned while at the academy, where students were forced to rely on one another for support during trying times.
“Some kids didn’t know what they were getting themselves into, but the Explorers gave me a leadership perspective and taught me to look out for my classmates,” he said. “Once you got there, you knew that you come last. You worry about yourself last and look out for others. You have to take care of your people, stay focused and be confident.”
Risner had the opportunity to lend a helping hand to the poor in Nicaragua. For three straight summers, Risner decided to forgo vacations and spend time in the jungle building homes for villagers, many of whom were sleeping on dirt floors. There Risner had the opportunity to exchange stories with the villagers, build bridges and break down emotional walls. In speaking about the experience, it is easy to see how Risner cherished that time in his life.
Risner remembers one incident in particular. A young boy around 10 years old grabbed a stick and in the dirt drew a near perfect outline of the continental U.S., a feet that Risner couldn’t match.
“I asked him where he learned that and he said ‘I read a book,’” Risner said. ‘Now here’s a kid who travels hours to go to school each day and doesn’t have the advantages others do and he can do something like that. It was amazing to see that and to realize how much of an impact that kid can have if he were just given the opportunity.”
With the opportunity of a lifetime, Risner knows he has a lot to be thankful for. He owes a lot of his success to his family and friends, who have been supportive throughout, even though some of his buddies tried to tempt him to leave by telling him stories of their escapades, things that Risner couldn’t do in Annapolis, Maryland where the academy is located. During his first year, Risner couldn’t watch television, listen to the radio or engage in any other form of entertainment. He was-n’t allowed off campus until his second year, and even then he had only one day, Saturday, and he his curfew was 10 p.m.
Risner has no regrets about missing out on the typical college experience. He knows he made the right decision and has his sights set on finishing his training and serving his country. The only thing he isn’t sure about is what he’ll do once he finishes his tour of duty. He’s contemplated going career, serving with the Navy until he retires. He’s also considering returning to Santa Monica to work in law enforcement. One thing’s for sure, he’ll do something that benefits the greater good.
“I think I’d feel pretty useless as a commercial pilot.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 9, 2007. Read the original PDF.