Growing up, Austin Troyer was one of those kids for whom school never seemed difficult. He skated by without putting in much effort — until junior year in high school.
“At that point, not studying caught up with me. I realized how much work school was going to be, and I realized I had not prepared for that at any point in my life, because I never had to up until then.”
At age five, Troyer was fascinated by airplanes and rockets. As he grew older and his motivation for college waned, he started questioning his future. The cost of college and flight training was daunting, and he had to decide if it was truly what he wanted.
The summer before his senior year, college was looming, but Troyer wasn’t mentally prepared to commit to a program. He began looking for alternatives, hoping for something that would give him a reset—a way to gain some perspective before jumping into an expensive and demanding college career.
In 2015 and 2016, Troyer found himself in a Service Adventure unit in Albuquerque, New Mexico, under vast skies and near the constant hum of airplanes from Kirkland Air Force Base.
He said learning to live in a community outside of his family for the first time was a significant part of the journey. The unit included people from Germany, Indiana, Ohio, and Troyer (from Virginia). He said, “We didn’t know each other but had to figure out how to live together in a small house.”
Troyer appreciated how the unit leaders balanced guidance with day-to-day interactions, making the experience unique for each of them.
He also found the Albuquerque Mennonite Church welcoming. The congregation integrated the Service Adventure volunteers into their church community and were available when the volunteers needed support. Many members were not born into the faith but had found their way to it through various life experiences. Hearing their stories enriched Troyer’s understanding of faith and community. Church members frequently visited the unit house, helping with meals, taking them to events, and hiking with them.
In Albuquerque, Troyer mentored children in an after-school program at Emerson Elementary School in the International District. He also worked with East Central Ministries, which managed a thrift store, urban garden, free health clinic, and community living program.
Some of the people Troyer met through his service work were conscientious objectors to war who had chosen alternative service instead of joining the military. They had made a commitment to helping others as their way of making a difference, and Troyer said being part of that community was transformative.
“You don’t realize how much these experiences change you.”
Troyer grew up in a stable, loving home, and began to understand what a privilege that had been. Living in a different part of the country showed him that stability isn’t what everyone receives.
“Service Adventure was an opportunity that didn’t look like one at first but turned out to be one of the most formative chapters of my life.”
At age 17, living in Virginia, Troyer said the jobs he did with Service Adventure wouldn’t have been something he would have considered. But looking back, “They were crucial in shaping my understanding of the world. It’s important to reflect on these moments because our opinions and perspectives evolve over time,” he said.
Then came the shock of going to college, to the familiar but oddly foreign struggles of grades and assignments. Troyer watched other students stress over getting a 92 on a test—the hardest thing they’d ever faced. While in Albuquerque, he’d worked with youth uncertain about their next meal or where they’d sleep.
The daily sight and sound of planes taking off and landing in Albuquerque had reignited Troyer’s passion for aviation. Watching them, he knew this was what he wanted to pursue. Service Adventure not only gave him clarity but also bolstered his college applications, setting him apart with his unique experience.
“Knowing what I know now, I would absolutely do it again. It really was the best thing for me to do. It created a domino effect that has led me to where I am today.”
Troyer said this while sitting in a garage hangar, working on his personal airplane, a Glasair experimental model built in the early ’90s.
“Despite the challenges, I knew I had to go all in if I was going to pursue my dream. This journey, from my sheltered upbringing to facing real-world issues and following my passion for flying, has been transformative. It taught me to appreciate different perspectives and the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone.”
