Suboficial
Austlid's father was a folk high school principal from Gausdal. After completing examen artium and Non-commissioned officer education, he enrolled and completed the higher division at the Norwegian Military Academy in 1923, followed by the winter warfare division in 1923–24. In 1924 he purchased the farm Såstad Søndre in Stange. He served as an aviator scout in the Norwegian army and received infantry training. He was promoted to captain in 1938.