What began as a routine day of First Aid Specialist Level II training for members of the Georgia State Defense Force quickly turned into a real-world emergency response on August 30, 2026. While conducting litter-carry training, GSDF Soldiers heard a vehicle crash near their training location. Without hesitation, these Citizen-Soldiers moved toward the accident and immediately began applying the emergency response skills they had been practicing only moments earlier.
Upon reaching the scene, the Soldiers worked quickly to secure the area, direct traffic away from the damaged vehicles, assess those involved in the accident, and provide assistance while coordinating with arriving law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical personnel. Among those who responded was GSDF Lieutenant Colonel Dustin Kosar, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel, who is a highly decorated Combat Veteran from multiple tours in Iraq & Afghanistan. When he arrived at the scene he quickly assisted with triage and helped coordinate the initial response. Once civilian emergency responders arrived and took control of the scene, the GSDF Soldiers returned to their scheduled training.
“I am very proud of our Soldiers who took the responsibility to put their training into action,” Kosar said. “They recognized that people needed help, stepped forward, and worked together until professional emergency responders arrived.” The incident demonstrated how quickly a normal training environment can become a real emergency and how preparation, discipline, teamwork, and initiative can allow trained personnel to respond effectively when every moment counts.
Events such as this also demonstrate why the training provided to State Defense Force Soldiers during their basic training and further training they attained throughout their careers is so important. These Citizen-Soldiers train in first aid, emergency response, communications, search and rescue, disaster operations, logistics, and numerous other skills so they can be prepared when their communities need them. For many, that is precisely why they join a State Defense Force: to serve their fellow Americans in times of need. Sometimes that need may arise unexpectedly from a vehicle accident only yards away from a training site, at other times it may involve hurricanes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes, or other major disasters affecting thousands of residents. Whatever the emergency, State Defense Forces remain an important source of trained military manpower available to assist their states and communities when called upon.
StateDefenseForce.com commends the actions of these Soldiers who went to help their fellow Americans.
From Training to Action
Moments after practicing emergency response skills, GSDF Soldiers found themselves using them in a real-world situation
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)
Sources: Georgia State Defense Force – Georgia State Defense Force – LinkedIn
