Fort Campbell Soldiers Training to Become EMTs in Clarksville

Two Fort Campbell soldiers are getting ready for life after the Army by training to become EMTs right here in Clarksville. Ivan Shao and Austin Potter are learning emergency medical skills through Ascension Saint Thomas EMS, and their story shows how military experience can lead to meaningful careers in healthcare.

 

How the Program Works

 

The U.S. Army's Career Skills Program (CSP) gives soldiers a chance to gain civilian work experience and certifications during their final 120 days of service. It's a smart way to bridge the gap between military life and a new career. Ascension Saint Thomas partners with the program to help active-duty soldiers build healthcare skills before they transition out of the military.

 

For Ivan, EMT training connects directly to what he learned in combat. He wanted to use his time in CSP to become even better at keeping people alive. Austin feels the same way. He says EMT training lets him serve both his unit and his community in a way that really matters.

 

Military Skills Transfer to Healthcare

 

The skills these soldiers learned in the military—working as a team, staying calm under pressure, and making quick decisions—turn out to be exactly what EMTs need every day. Ascension Saint Thomas designed their program for people who have a heart for service and can handle high-stress situations where every second counts.

 

Ivan and Austin already know how to work in tough environments. They've been trained to think fast and act even faster. Those abilities make them natural fits for emergency medical work, where helping someone could mean the difference between life and death.

 

Why This Matters for Clarksville

 

There's a healthcare shortage across the country, and programs like this help fill the gap. Every service member who moves into healthcare strengthens the local workforce and helps Ascension Saint Thomas keep serving the community. By giving soldiers real-world training before they leave the Army, CSP creates stable career paths for veterans and supports their families as they settle into civilian life.

 

For Clarksville, this means more trained professionals ready to respond to emergencies and care for neighbors. For soldiers like Ivan and Austin, it means their commitment to service doesn't end when they take off the uniform. 

 

If you're interested in stories about Fort Campbell and how service members are building new careers in Clarksville, https://ClarksvilleScoop.com shares updates like this to keep you connected to what's happening locally.

 

What's Next

 

Ivan and Austin are proof that military experience, compassion, and opportunity can come together to create something powerful. They're helping build a stronger healthcare workforce for the Clarksville area, and their next chapter in service is just getting started.