The Travis Mills Foundation: Strengthening Veteran Families Through Retreats in Maine

The Travis Mills Foundation welcomes post-9/11 recalibrated veterans, first responders, and their families to barrier-free retreats in Maine’s Belgrade Lakes Region. These all-inclusive experiences are designed for healing, rest, and connection—giving families the chance to participate in adaptive activities, build lasting bonds, and find renewal together. Provided entirely free of charge, the retreats restore strength and joy to those who have sacrificed so much. With your support, the Foundation can extend this transformative opportunity to even more heroes and their families.

What is a recalibrated veteran?

SSG Travis Mills coined the term “recalibrated veteran” after he lost portions of all of his limbs in an IED explosion while serving our country in Afghanistan. He was injured and healed; he didn’t want to be called a “wounded warrior” – his wounds had healed. Instead, he referred to himself as recalibrated. He adjusted to his new normal; he recalibrated.

Who is Recalibrated?

The word “Recalibrated” is used at the Travis Mills Foundation to describe a change in thinking. Recalibrated is used to describe a veteran with life-changing injuries. The term is also applied to students in Warrior PATHH who transform struggle into strength and learn to thrive in the aftermath of trauma by achieving Post-Traumatic Growth; they, along with the men and women who attend our Caregiver Program, are also recalibrated, as is any individual who embraces this mindset.