SSgt Tyler Armstrong, U.S. Air Force (2009-2015)

Yes, there was a defining moment during my civilian life when my military training became not just useful, but lifesaving.

After separating from the military, I was driving on a remote highway late at night when I came upon a multi-car accident. Several people were injured, and it was clear that emergency services hadn’t yet arrived. The scene was chaotic, vehicles were smoking, people were in shock, and one car had flipped over with a driver trapped inside.

At that moment, my military training kicked in instinctively. I quickly assessed the scene for safety hazards, delegated tasks to bystanders, and prioritized injuries using the same triage principles I had trained with during deployment. I stabilized an unconscious victim’s airway using field-expedient techniques and calmed others who were panicking. I directed people to create a perimeter and flagged down incoming traffic to prevent another accident.

By the time first responders arrived, I had managed to bring structure to what could have spiraled into further chaos. Paramedics later told me that the immediate response, especially maintaining the airway for one of the victims, likely saved that person’s life.

This experience reminded me that military training is not just about combat readiness; it s about leadership under pressure, staying calm when others can t, and acting decisively in the face of uncertainty. That night, I wasn’t in uniform, but everything the uniform taught me was with me.

Read the Military Memories of our Runner-Ups.