Upamanyu Biswas
In ‘American Sniper,’ a spotlight is shone on the extraordinary achievements of Chris Kyle, one of the deadliest snipers in military history, credited with 160 official kills across four different tours in Iraq. While Chris garnered a name for himself on the frontlines, his brother Jeff also served in the military, which is captured briefly in the Clint Eastwood directorial. The two brothers shared a close bond growing up, defining their relationship and the strength of their unity. It also propelled them to greater heights as a sibling duo, showcasing their passion for their country and their desire to serve in the army for the greater good. Even when things got tough for the brothers, they managed to come out of their situation with their heads held high, showcasing their grit and determination.
Jeff Kyle Joined the Military Soon After His Brother
Jeff Kyle was the youngest of two sons born to Deborah Lynn and Wayne Kyle. Although he and his brother Chris dreamt of serving in the military and their country one day, the siblings spent most of their formative years tending to cattle and horses. In August 1998, Chris enlisted in the Navy, moving away from his life as a cowboy. Around two years later, Jeff followed in his brother’s footsteps and joined the Marine Corps. Initially, he was chosen as a rifle and pistol instructor, giving him the opportunity to train numerous Marines and foreign soldiers, including Koreans, Japanese, and Australians. Later, he served as a Marine Infantryman and part of the Marine Recon, during which he was deployed on several missions to Iraq and other overseas regions.
Although his career is varied, Jeff was primarily a member of the 3rd and 4th Marine Divisions. While serving as a part of the former, he received the Navy Achievement Medal, an honor bestowed upon him for successfully leading the first Marine detachment transporting a nuclear submarine through enemy waters. In the meantime, his brother Chris had garnered a deadly reputation as a lethal sniper with countless kills in some of the most hostile regions of Iraq. Thus, the two brothers showed their distinction on the battlefield in separate ways. Jeff served in the military for 8 years, finally retiring from his post in 2008. This neatly coincided with his brother’s exit from the Navy SEALs in 2009. Following their service, they both had to readjust to civilian life, away from the constant fighting on the frontlines.
Jeff Kyle Was Devastated When He Learned About His Brother’s Death
After leaving the force, Jeff Kyle began working with war veterans, helping them find their way back to normalcy after spending significant lengths of time on the battlefield. His brother Chris was of the mindset that the challenges faced by veterans could be solved through physical fitness routines and therapeutic exercises. Tragically, Chris’ work with former soldiers ended up costing his life when an Iraqi veteran named Eddie Ray Routh killed him and his friend Chad Littlefield while they were trying to help the man. On February 2, 2013, they took him to a shooting range in Texas, hoping it would help him recalibrate. However, news arrived not long after that Chris and Chad had been murdered. The news was a devastating blow to Jeff, who received it through his father, Wayne Kyle.
The shock of Chris’s death pushed Jeff into a dark place. Some of his friends came by the house to keep him company while he grieved in solitude and with his family. One of his last memories of his brother was him holding his youngest daughter, Leighton, in his arms. She was born just six days before Chris’ passing. Jeff saw it as a sign of his brother’s true spirit and not the military persona people know him by. He explained in an interview, “Everybody sees him as this big fierce warrior. But he had the biggest heart and wanted to help out all who served.” On February 24, 2015, Routh was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murders of Chris and Chad. The judgment was greeted positively by Jeff, who also expressed a sense of relief and closure for a difficult period in the family’s lives.
Jeff Kyle is a Police Officer Today and Continues to Honor His Brother’s Legacy
Although Chris’ death left a gaping hole in Jeff’s life, he devoted his time, money, and effort to pushing forward with his brother’s good work. He serves as a board member for Guardians for Heroes, a service providing free in-home fitness equipment, individualized programs, personal training, and life coaching to veterans with disabilities, Gold Star Families, and those suffering from PTSD. The company was started with Chris’s help. Jeff and his wife, Amy, are active through various Veterans organizations, hoping to give back to those in need of help. The couple got married on November 3, 2007, and have two daughters together. She is a big inspiration in his life and a major advocate for all his different ventures and projects to help others like him.
While working with veterans is a big part of his life, Jeff also shares a passion for weapons instruction, which started during his days as an instructor in the Marine Corps. He started the business Texas Elite Tactical Academy for that express purpose, providing weapons courses to those interested to learn from the best. He is also the President of the American Valor Foundation, an organization that operates a memorial benefit in memory of Chris. The foundation is primarily run by the Kyle family, including Jeff’s parents. While running these various organizations has its responsibilities, he has also found another way to give back to his community. In 2021, he completed his police graduation from McLennan College in Waco, Texas. Today, the 47-year-old veteran is a police officer, finding a new way to combine his skills on the frontline with a worthwhile pursuit to uphold the law.
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