Service Members of the Year

Military Times presents the 2023 Service Members of the Year

The annual awards program, established in 2001, recognizes and salutes the exemplary service of military personnel, active and reserve, and one veteran.

On NATO’s eastern flank, this soldier rose to the challenge

Master Sgt. Justin Bolin, Military Times' 2023 Soldier of the Year, played a major role in the Army's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

This Marine took reins of air traffic control during Kabul evacuation

Master Sgt. Kevin Haunschild, Military Times' 2023 Marine of the Year, controlled air traffic for the largest noncombatant evacuation in military history.

Whidbey Island rescue aircrewman puts his life on the line for others

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Anthony Anglikowski, Military Times' 2023 Sailor of the Year, put his life on the line to rescue hikers in Washington state.

Coast Guard cutter commander lauded for mentorship, team building

Lt. Chelsea Sheehy, Military Times' 2023 Coast Guardsman of the Year, ensures her crew has the training and resources they need to achieve their goals.

Whidbey Island rescue aircrewman puts his life on the line for others

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Anthony Anglikowski, Military Times' 2023 Sailor of the Year, put his life on the line to rescue hikers in Washington state.

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Coast Guard cutter commander lauded for mentorship, team building

Lt. Chelsea Sheehy, Military Times' 2023 Coast Guardsman of the Year, ensures her crew has the training and resources they need to achieve their goals.

By Diana Stancy Correll

Air Guard nurse walked alongside Taliban to rescue patients from Kabul

Maj. Katie Lunning, Military Times' 2023 Airman of the Year, helped saved dozens of lives during the evacuation of Afghanistan as a critical care nurse.

By Rachel S. Cohen

Space Force captain kept US Cabinet officials safe amid Europe crisis

Capt. Victoria Garcia, Military Times' 2023 Guardian of the Year, led the first space electronic warfare deployment at the onset of the war in Ukraine.

By Rachel S. Cohen

Army retiree powerfully impacts veterans and his community

Lindsey Streeter, Military Times' 2023 Veteran of the Year, has made community outreach the central focus of his life.

By Leo Shane III

Service Members of the Year: Watch all their inspiring stories

Meet six extraordinary individuals.

By Military Times staff

The incredible story of how this Marine crash-landed a KC-130J, saving its crew after a midair collision

Military Times' Marine of the Year helped save the lives of his crew with his heroic piloting ― and got a new call sign out of it.

By Todd South

C-17 loadmaster led crew through onboard bomb threat in Kabul evacuation

"Do exactly as we say. Do not let anybody know that we know that there is a possible threat."

By Rachel S. Cohen

This Navy rescue swimmer saved lives after a boat capsized in San Diego

On May 2, 2021, Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 1st Class Cale Foy lived up to the Navy rescue swimmer creed: "so that others may live."

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

West Point grad’s charity provides college grants to Gold Star families

David Kim's Children of Fallen Patriots has given $50 million in college grants to Gold Star families.

By Meghann Myers

This Coast Guard rescue swimmer saved 9 people in disabled boat from freezing to death

Aviation Survival Technician 2 Joshua Carlson knew the Coast Guard was for him because he wanted to do something 'exceptional' with his life.

By Diana Stancy Correll

Soldier of the Year 2022 is only Army officer with two post-9/11 Silver Stars

Maj. Nicholas Dockery’s resume stands out even among his fellow Special Forces officers.

By Davis Winkie

No more stories

Military Times presents the 2023 Service Members of the Year

The annual awards program, established in 2001, recognizes and salutes the exemplary service of military personnel, active and reserve, and one veteran.

On NATO’s eastern flank, this soldier rose to the challenge

Master Sgt. Justin Bolin, Military Times' 2023 Soldier of the Year, played a major role in the Army's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

This Marine took reins of air traffic control during Kabul evacuation

Master Sgt. Kevin Haunschild, Military Times' 2023 Marine of the Year, controlled air traffic for the largest noncombatant evacuation in military history.

Whidbey Island rescue aircrewman puts his life on the line for others

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Anthony Anglikowski, Military Times' 2023 Sailor of the Year, put his life on the line to rescue hikers in Washington state.

Coast Guard cutter commander lauded for mentorship, team building

Lt. Chelsea Sheehy, Military Times' 2023 Coast Guardsman of the Year, ensures her crew has the training and resources they need to achieve their goals.

More Stories

Whidbey Island rescue aircrewman puts his life on the line for others

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Anthony Anglikowski, Military Times' 2023 Sailor of the Year, put his life on the line to rescue hikers in Washington state.

Coast Guard cutter commander lauded for mentorship, team building

Lt. Chelsea Sheehy, Military Times' 2023 Coast Guardsman of the Year, ensures her crew has the training and resources they need to achieve their goals.

Air Guard nurse walked alongside Taliban to rescue patients from Kabul

Maj. Katie Lunning, Military Times' 2023 Airman of the Year, helped saved dozens of lives during the evacuation of Afghanistan as a critical care nurse.

Space Force captain kept US Cabinet officials safe amid Europe crisis

Capt. Victoria Garcia, Military Times' 2023 Guardian of the Year, led the first space electronic warfare deployment at the onset of the war in Ukraine.

Army retiree powerfully impacts veterans and his community

Lindsey Streeter, Military Times' 2023 Veteran of the Year, has made community outreach the central focus of his life.

Service Members of the Year: Watch all their inspiring stories

Meet six extraordinary individuals.

The incredible story of how this Marine crash-landed a KC-130J, saving its crew after a midair collision

Military Times' Marine of the Year helped save the lives of his crew with his heroic piloting ― and got a new call sign out of it.

C-17 loadmaster led crew through onboard bomb threat in Kabul evacuation

"Do exactly as we say. Do not let anybody know that we know that there is a possible threat."

This Navy rescue swimmer saved lives after a boat capsized in San Diego

On May 2, 2021, Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 1st Class Cale Foy lived up to the Navy rescue swimmer creed: "so that others may live."

West Point grad’s charity provides college grants to Gold Star families

David Kim's Children of Fallen Patriots has given $50 million in college grants to Gold Star families.

This Coast Guard rescue swimmer saved 9 people in disabled boat from freezing to death

Aviation Survival Technician 2 Joshua Carlson knew the Coast Guard was for him because he wanted to do something 'exceptional' with his life.

Soldier of the Year 2022 is only Army officer with two post-9/11 Silver Stars

Maj. Nicholas Dockery’s resume stands out even among his fellow Special Forces officers.

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