The Commander Who Quit: Why Ryan O'Leary Disbanded Chosen Company And What He Did Next

The military career of American volunteer Ryan O'Leary is a complex and intense narrative, spanning multiple global conflicts before his high-profile command in Ukraine. As the leader of the multinational volunteer unit known as Chosen Company, O'Leary became one of the most recognizable faces among foreign fighters, known for his direct communication and frontline presence. However, the most significant and recent development as of late 2025 is the controversial disbandment of his unit, a decision that sent shockwaves through the international volunteer community and highlighted deep-seated issues within the Ukrainian military structure.

The story of Chosen Company is not just one of heroism, but one steeped in the brutal realities of modern warfare, including high casualties and organizational friction. O'Leary's decision, publicly announced in May 2025, was a direct and unprecedented criticism of the command structure he operated under, leading to the formation of a new, more specialized group by his former fighters. This article details the full biography of the commander, the history of his company, the shocking reasons for its termination, and the rise of the successor unit, the Tempest Group.

Ryan O'Leary: A Profile of the American Volunteer Commander

Ryan O'Leary is an American military veteran whose journey from fighting in the Middle East to commanding a multinational volunteer unit in Ukraine provides a unique perspective on modern conflict. His background in the U.S. military set the stage for his subsequent roles as a foreign fighter and commander.

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• Nationality: American.
• U.S. Military Service: U.S. Marine Veteran. He served as a Corporal (Cpl. Ryan F. O'Leary), specializing as a data network specialist for G-6, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group.
• Deployment History (Pre-Ukraine): Served in Afghanistan. He also traveled to the Middle East to train Kurdish troops to fight against ISIS, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to international conflicts against extremist groups.
• Role in Ukraine: Commander of Chosen Company.
• Unit Affiliation: Chosen Company was a multinational volunteer unit, formerly known as the 312th Swedish Volunteer Company, which operated under the jurisdiction of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It was attached to Ukraine's 59th Motorized Brigade and was part of the 49th Special Purpose Detachment of the Ukrainian Security Service.
• Public Persona: Known for his candid and often critical commentary on the war, and for his direct engagement with the media and online communities.
• Current Status (Post-Chosen Company): Active in supporting the efforts of the successor unit, the Tempest Group.

The Rise and Controversial Fall of Chosen Company

Chosen Company began its existence in the early days of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, evolving from a Swedish volunteer unit into a diverse, multinational fighting force. The unit's mission was to resist the Russian invaders, and for 39 months, they operated on the frontlines, gaining a reputation for their tenacity and the high percentage of Western veterans in their ranks.

A Multinational Force on the Frontlines

The unit was comprised of international volunteers from various countries, including Australia, Canada, and the United States. Their operations were often complex, involving direct combat and special reconnaissance missions. O'Leary, as the commander, was responsible for coordinating these efforts, often highlighting the bravery and sacrifice of his fighters, such as U.S. Marine veteran Lance Cpl. Joel David Beal, who was killed in action while serving with the company.

The company, despite its volunteer status, was integrated into the official Ukrainian military structure, operating under the 59th Motorized Brigade. This integration, while providing necessary support and a legal framework, also subjected them to the broader military command structure, which would ultimately become the source of their demise. The unit was highly visible, even being the subject of a VET Tv documentary series, showcasing the personal motivations and risks faced by the volunteers.

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The Shocking Disbandment: Citing "Soviet Thinking"

In a move that garnered international attention in May 2025, Commander Ryan O'Leary announced the termination of Chosen Company's operations and its separation from the Ukrainian military. The decision was not a result of a lack of will to fight, but a direct protest against what O'Leary described as systemic failures within the command hierarchy.

O'Leary's public statement was a scathing critique of the leadership. He claimed that the unit was losing more personnel to internal mismanagement than to enemy fire. His most quoted and powerful statement was: "We've lost more people to poor leadership and Soviet thinking than to direct Russian actions." This accusation of "Soviet thinking" refers to what O'Leary and other Western military veterans perceive as an outdated, inflexible, and overly centralized command structure that prioritizes dogma over the lives of soldiers and modern tactical flexibility.

The disbandment came after 39 months of continuous service on the frontlines, underscoring the severity of the issues O'Leary felt compelled to address. His decision was seen by many as a courageous, albeit controversial, act of transparency, shining a light on the organizational challenges faced by foreign fighters operating under a non-Western military doctrine.

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Addressing War Crimes Allegations and High Casualties

The unit's history is also marked by significant controversy. Chosen Company's operations were so intense that one source reported a casualty rate as high as 90% for the unit, a devastating figure that highlights the brutality of the fighting. Furthermore, O'Leary himself has had to publicly respond to "War Crimes Allegations." While the specifics of the allegations, which have included claims of the execution of prisoners of war (PoWs), are highly sensitive and disputed, their existence underscores the extreme, high-stakes environment in which Chosen Company operated. O'Leary's public interviews served to address and counter these serious claims, defending his unit's conduct under fire.

From Chosen Company to The Tempest Group

The termination of Chosen Company did not signal the end of the fight for all its members. The core group of dedicated international volunteers, unwilling to leave the conflict but also unwilling to continue under the criticized command structure, quickly reorganized. This led to the formation of a new, independent unit: the Tempest Group.

A New Chapter of Specialized Warfare

The formation of the Tempest Group was a direct result of O'Leary's decision and the desire of his fighters to continue their mission with greater autonomy and a focus on Western military tactics. The new group is described as a compact, highly trained international volunteer unit with a specialized focus. Their primary operational areas include:

• Reconnaissance: Gathering critical intelligence behind enemy lines.
• Night Operations: Utilizing advanced night vision and thermal technology for tactical advantage.
• Low-Signature Infiltration: Conducting covert operations with minimal detection risk.

The shift from a larger, conventional company to a smaller, more agile and specialized group reflects a move towards precision warfare, designed to maximize impact while minimizing exposure to the kind of systemic risks O'Leary had criticized. While O'Leary announced the initial separation, the ongoing efforts of the Tempest Group continue the legacy of the foreign fighters who answered the call to defend Ukraine, albeit under a new, more independent banner. The story of Ryan O'Leary and Chosen Company serves as a powerful case study on the challenges, controversies, and ultimate sacrifices of the international volunteer effort in the ongoing conflict. His actions have sparked a necessary discussion about the integration and command of foreign fighters in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.