Ty joined the Navy in 2012 when he was 23 years old. He served a total of 4 years.

He says his inspiration for joining the Navy, as opposed to other military branches, was his uncle, who flew a P3 in the ’70s and ’80s.

“The vision I had of the military before joining was non-existent… I didn’t know what to expect… But in the end, it was everything that I’d hoped for.”

To symbolize his time in the military, he got a Navy cutter tattooed on his arm. He says for him, the tattoo shows what Navy life is really like.

“It’s one of those proud moments that you have when people ask about it, and you get to explain your service, your career, and the times that you had with the guys you were serving with.”