Specialist Travis Koochel served as the POW/MIA Chair Sentinel on Sept. 20, 2025 as Nebraska Football took on Michigan.
A native of Albert, Kansas, Koochel served as a combat infantryman with the 101st Airborne/Air Assault Division. Specialist Koochel deployed to Kuwait in February 2003 and was part of the initial invasion into Iraq the following month. While in Mosul Iraq, Specialist Koochel was wounded by grenade shrapnel and was awarded the Purple Heart. Specialist Koochel was honorably discharged in 2005.
Travis lives in Lincoln with his wife Linsey and his three stepchildren, Jake, Tyler & Chloe. He remains deeply engaged in numerous veterans organizations, working to improve the lives of fellow service members.