By Sgt Emma Foley, Georgia State Defense Force Public Affairs Office
What began as a routine day of First Aid Specialist Level II training quickly became an opportunity for Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) Citizen-Soldiers to put their training into action.
During litter-carry training on August 30, 2026, members of the class heard a crash near their training location and immediately responded to the scene of a serious vehicle accident. Without hesitation, they moved toward the incident and began applying the skills they had been practicing just moments before.
The group quickly secured the area, directed traffic away from the vehicles, assessed those involved, and provided assistance while coordinating with arriving law enforcement, fire, and EMS personnel. Once emergency responders had taken over the scene, the GSDF Soldiers returned to their training.
Among those responding was GSDF LTC Dustin Kosar, a retired U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant colonel, who provided triage and assisted with coordinating the initial response.
Reflecting on the incident, Kosar said, “I am very proud of our Soldiers who took the responsibility to put their training into action. They recognized that people needed help, stepped forward, and worked together until professional emergency responders arrived.”
The unexpected incident provided a powerful reminder of why readiness matters. Training isn't simply about preparing for a scheduled exercise—it gives GSDF Soldiers the knowledge, confidence, and teamwork needed to respond when their community needs them.
For these Soldiers, the opportunity to Serve IN Georgia wasn't something they had to wait for. It happened in the middle of training.
Train to serve. Ready to respond. Proud to Serve IN Georgia.
Want to make a difference when your community needs you most? Find your opportunity to serve: https://gsdf.georgia.gov/
(Georgia State Defense Force photos by Sgt. Jess Bowling, GFAB-N)
