Every service member has their own reason for joining the military – some want to travel, some want to afford college, some want to find adventure outside the confines of small-town America or the bustling inner city. For Austin Langdon, currently the Acting Deputy for the Army Medical Materiel Development Activity’s (USAMMDA) Warfighter Deployed Medical System (WDMS) Project Management Office at Fort Detrick, Md., the reason came down to a chance to serve his nation and the hope of saving lives. “For me, I was older than most,” said the former Maryland National Guardsman from Easton, Md.
Every service member has their own reason for joining the military – some want to travel, some want to afford college, some want to find adventure outside the confines of small-town America or the bustling inner city. For Austin Langdon, currently the Acting Deputy for the Army Medical Materiel Development Activity’s (USAMMDA) Warfighter Deployed Medical System (WDMS) Project Management Office at Fort Detrick, Md., the reason came down to a chance to serve his nation and the hope of saving lives. “For me, I was older than most,” said the former Maryland National Guardsman from Easton, Md. who enlisted in 2009. “I joined at 27 after I closed down my contracting company due to the recession in [2007-2008]. I had laid off my employees slowly and really started to look at what I wanted to do with my life.” Coupled with the economic woes experienced by small-business owners across the country, one of Langdon’s good friend’s and motorcycle riding partner died around the same time – out of tragedy came the final inspiration to serve, said Langdon. “That event changed a lot for me. Having to explain to his mom how her only son died was a major paradigm shift for me. I was already looking into the military and this event really solidified the [flight medic occupational specialty] for me.” Older by several years than the average recruit, Langdon jumped-in head first, joining the Maryland Guard hoping for a chance to deploy and serve at the front line of the Afghanistan War. In 2012, he got his chance. “I came in to deploy, so when the [first sergeant] asked me to join the medevac, knowing we were looking to deploy in the next three years, I was more than fine with it. I came in with the intent to deploy and help as many as I could while present. I deployed as a flight medic for [Company C, 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment] out of Edgewood, Md. It was an epic deployment where we were chosen to pilot the Army’s “Vampire Program” in Helma
Size: 4695px × 3130px
Photo credit: © Operation 2022 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: .., activity, army, day, development, materiel, medical, veterans
