U.S. Army veteran deployed to Afghanistan at age 19
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – He was deployed to Afghanistan at the age of 19, where he served on a U.S. Army security team. He came home to Kansas and joined the National Guard. Altogether, he served his country for 13 years.
Travis Hofer says he always knew when he was young that he wanted to serve in the U.S. Army. So, at the age of 17, he contacted a recruiter, and after earning his GED, Hofer was off to Fort Benning, Georgia, for basic training.
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“So, I was 17 years old, and I finished all my training at Fort Benning,” said Hofer. “My MOS was 11 Bravo Infantry, and that’s where all the infantry for the Army goes for training on Sand Hill at Fort Benning.
Hofer completed his training in 14 weeks and was sent back home to Wichita, where he waited to be deployed. Finally, he received his assignment.
“So, 19 years old is when I was deployed to Afghanistan.”
His duty in Afghanistan was as a dismount on a security team.
“Dismount will be like, say, if you have a bunch of vehicles, you’ve got your drivers. You got your gunners, your truck commander, and then the discounts are in the back,” explained Hofer. “So, when you stop and do something, the dismounts all get out. The drivers and the gunners stay in their vehicles.”
Hofer’s unit traveled in convoys. His convoys were always on the move, and he says they saw plenty of action.
The Army rode in armored vehicles such as the RG-31, an armored 4-by-4 with a V-shaped hull that protected the crew against anti-tank mine detonations. M-ATVs were also used. They are mine-resistant, ambush, all-terrain vehicles.
“We would have people that would meet with leaders of different villages that would help give them money and come up with a plan to help them build roads. Stuff like that. And so we were their security team.”
Hofer’s unit also served as a QRF or Quick Reaction Force.
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“If somebody was in combat, and they needed support, that’s what QRF is for,” he said.
Hofer’s deployment to Afghanistan lasted about one year. He returned to Wichita and was activated by the Kansas National Guard.
“We got activated on active-duty order from the Guard. So, when you’re in the Guard, you do your ATs (advanced training) and all that stuff, and you’re training in between, and then the state can activate you for state missions,” said Hofer. “So, I’ve done several state missions when we got really bad ice storms and stuff. We got activated to go to different spots throughout the state that were affected really badly by it. And we’d be on standby to help our emergency services if they needed us.”
He spent about a decade with the Kansas National Guard. A back injury forced Hofer to be medically discharged in 2021, ending 13 years of service.
“It felt good. I was free. I’ve been kinda under the thumb of somebody since I was 17 years old and so being able to do my own thing was cool.”
One of those things was finally driving up to Minneapolis to see his favorite football team play in person.
“Absolutely. I’m a huge Vikings fan. I don’t miss a game.”
Among Hofer’s other passions are his 10-year-old son, Maxon, and mental health.
Like so many other veterans, he’s tackling PTSD.
“I don’t struggle with it a whole lot anymore. I’ve had a pretty good support system that’s been there for me when I needed them.”
And he’s teamed up with another veteran who KSN News recently featured, Aaron Childress, to help fellow vets address their PTSD and thoughts of suicide.
“I’ve lost a lot of close people that I served with to suicide and stuff, so it’s something that’s always been big and something that I’m very passionate about. And so is Aaron.”
Hofer and Childress often team up to address groups and discuss the warning signs of depression, PTSD, and suicidal ideations. Their mission is to equip college and university staff, companies and organizations with the skills and knowledge to identify and mitigate potential areas of concern among students, staff, and even their own friends and family.
To schedule Aaron Childress and Travis Hofer, contact Aaron at aaron.childress@yahoo.com.
If you want to nominate a veteran for our Veteran Salute, email KSN reporter Jason Lamb at jason.lamb@ksn.com.
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