Ryan Vaught, 27

A self-described “chameleon,” Ryan Vaught is accustomed to, as he puts it, “running parallel paths.” Growing up, his family moved often, and he attended 11 different schools. “Tampa is the ninth different city I’ve lived in,” he says.

That ability to adapt served him well when he decided to join the military, where people of all races, religions and socioeconomic backgrounds are thrown together and molded into a team with clearly defined goals.

“At 21 years old, I was in charge of 45 people,” he says. “Kids who are 18 and men in their late 30s, early 40s. You have leaders above you, but your feet are held to the fire at a very young age.”