At Ramstein Air Base in Germany, a quiet moment of concern became the difference between life and death—and earned one Airman the title of 2025 USO Airman of the Year.
Air Force Senior Airman Anthony Palacios, 27, was just finishing up another day calibrating gear for the 86th Maintenance Squadron when he noticed something was off about a younger Airman in his unit, 22-year-old Senior Airman Austin Irving. Normally upbeat and full of energy, Irving looked distant—like a ghost.
Palacios trusted his gut. He stopped Irving and asked him a few simple questions. What followed was a moment of brutal honesty that changed both of their lives forever.
Irving, overwhelmed by personal and professional struggles, had secretly planned to kill himself that evening. He had the pills and alcohol at home, ready to go. But when Palacios asked if he’d see him at the squadron barbecue the next day, Irving replied, “No. If I go home, I’m going to kill myself.”
Palacios didn’t hesitate. “Okay,” he said. “You’re not going home. I’m going to call someone, and we’re going to get you the help you need.”
Life Saved by Simple Questions
Palacios may not have known the full protocol, but he knew one thing: do not leave a struggling brother behind.
With support from their unit’s first sergeant, Palacios helped get Irving into a suicide prevention program that same day. It was a critical move that undoubtedly saved a life.
“If he hadn’t stopped me, I wouldn’t be here,” Irving said. “He saved my life, without a doubt.”
Irving’s struggles weren’t just mental—they were silent. Like many service members, he feared the stigma of seeking help more than death itself.
“I was more scared of being in trouble for being suicidal than I was of dying,” he said. “The idea of death felt more palatable than going through the hardship of getting care.”
The Road to Recovery
What Irving found after stepping forward was not punishment, but support. He was diagnosed with anxiety and began treatment that included counseling, medication, and time away from the stressors of daily military life.
“It’s like putting glasses on for the first time,” he said of finally getting the right help. “You go, ‘Oh my God, this is what the world looks like to everyone else?’”
Leadership at Ramstein stood by him, visiting daily and working closely with healthcare professionals to ensure Irving had the time and space to recover. Palacios stayed involved, too—mentoring Irving and encouraging him to use his experience to help others.
Today, Irving is doing just that—serving as a suicide prevention advocate within his squadron.
A Culture Worth Building
Palacios’ act of compassion is being recognized on a national level. On May 29, 2025, he was honored in Washington, D.C., as the USO Airman of the Year. Irving was at his side as his guest.
Palacios said the moment still feels “surreal,” but he hopes it sends a message to others in uniform.
“I just want to make sure that my people are taken care of,” he said. “You don’t always know what someone’s dealing with. But if you just check in—even a little—it can mean everything.”
Palacios has long had a connection to the USO. While deployed to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, he volunteered at the USO center, and even helped build a new USO site at an Army missile post. “The USO has always been the saving grace for my family and me,” he said. “I just wanted to help.”
Breaking the Silence
Irving now works to dismantle the stigma that nearly ended his life. He speaks openly about medication, treatment, and the myth that asking for help will end your military career.
“You’re not getting kicked out,” he said. “You’re not losing your clearance. What you are doing is saving your own life—and giving yourself the tools to help others, too.”
His advice to fellow service members is direct: pay attention. Speak up. Ask the hard questions.
“If someone seems off, ask them what’s going on. Be there for them. Because you never know what kind of situation they may be going through.”
And if you’re the one suffering?
“I want people to know that help exists. It works. And you are not alone.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, don’t wait. Contact the Military & Veteran Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1, or text 838255.
© 2025 The Salty Soldier. All rights reserved.
This article may not be republished or redistributed without express written consent from TheSaltySoldier.com.
