Last In-Service Entry
April 4, 2026: 45 Days Remaining
I missed the 199 days remaining journal entry by over 150 days, it’s been busy, or at least that’s my excuse! Dad’s house sold, I’m already mostly out-processed, my BDD claim is filed, all my C&P appointments are complete, and I have an official retirement ceremony scheduled for May 20th only 45 days away. Both trips up North have gone well since my last journal entry, we got the E-150 up there, the black trailer is up there, and we are consolidated here in Panama City no longer distracted by Jay or the house there. The boat is done, Tyler and Heather visited, we’ve been diving our butts off, and I’ve been killing it at work. Everything is going extremely well all things considered. The next six weeks of work are going to fly by and then I’ll no longer have any commitment to the USAF, SERE, or the AFRCC which will be sad, but necessary to make the homestead happen.
There was record breaking snow this year in Trout Lake which did a lot of damage to the property. Even the brand new outdoor kitchen was crushed under the snow load and the cabin sustained a break in the main beam holding up the porch. The homestead needs us. It will fall apart without us being there so it’s time to let go of the military, even if I’m having a lot of fun at this assignment, and focus on securing the family’s future. I’m sure once this is all done I’ll know this is the right decision. I just wish that AFPC had provided a suitable replacement in time. I am leaving a bit of a vacuum with my departure but I can’t be blamed for the mis-management of assignments. I warned them 15 months ago that this would happen, confirmed it a year ago, sent my retirement orders in 8 months ago, and pushed for a solution. I did everything I could and still there will not be a replacement for nearly six months. That is what is driving my conflict with leaving. I am sure that I’ll get over it in time. Probably the moment I pull into the driveway in Michigan to be honest.
In my last post I wrote about getting into shape and we are on our way! The whole key is staying active and getting things done. Attack the day and make your life better through effort. It’s a pretty great lifestyle, but a difficult one in suburban Panama City. I keep building things, but I’m running out of projects! I even knocked together a go-kart for the kids recently just to stay up on my feet doing something. I know that in Michigan I will have infinite projects and infinite things to do for the homestead so that lifestyle will be inherent but for now it requires creative thinking and much more effort. Even now I’m racking my brain thinking of new projects to do. The house is in order, the boat is finished, the trucks are doing great, and the go-kart will be finished after tomorrow… I think I may have to use the gym as my hobby for the next six weeks. Not a bad way to live, but I’d rather my effort made a difference. I’d rather my toil make my life better in more than just fitness. In that regard, I can’t way to start splitting firewood and digging footers for the addition(s).
My only anxiety at this point is getting my VA rating. Lately, under the current administration, initial VA claims are getting denied across the board and if that happens to mine I will need to file a HLR review which will delay my pay by six months. If I don’t get it all sorted by Fall… we could be in trouble by Chirstmas. Now, I do have significant savings in a retirement fund we can reach into and use if we REALLY need to so we won’t fail. But it would be better if things just went smoothly. I hope it does. I’m sure I’ll know in two more entries and that’s all well and good for that version of me, but for now… I am waiting. My second least favorite thing to do just after UN-doing work because I forgot a step.
Next entry will be typed out in Michigan, probably at the dinning room table looking out at the wilderness. It does not yet seem real that I am so close… but the days keep ticking down and that countdown only goes in one direction. Since you will read this before typing the next entry as we always do…
Congratulations Travis. I know you’re going to try to blame past Travis for setting you up (and I have) but it was all you my man. One good decision after another over 20 years led you to live the life you are beginning now and we fucking deserve it! Be a good Dad, be a good Husband, be a good Friend and be good to yourself.
A VICTORIOUS Travis Fucking Siegwart!
