Have you ever wondered who you'd be without the war? Seriously? I have thought about it quite a bit and, if I was given the choice, I'd do it all Continue Reading
When Politics Feels Like Betrayal
There comes a point for many people when watching politics stops producing disagreement and starts producing something else entirely: disgust. Not Continue Reading
Living with Survivor’s Guilt
It was a pleasant September day in 2005. The Praetorians were getting ready for their patrol. This time, we had another squad with us. Out of respect Continue Reading
When Humanity Goes Quiet
Editor’s note: Citation superscripts have been removed to align with The Havok Journal’s formatting. Full references remain listed at the Continue Reading
Combat Stress Reaction Treatment and Why It Works
When we first came home from Iraq, we landed in New Jersey. We remained on base for a couple of weeks to get "acclimated back to the civilian world." Continue Reading
Certified but Unprepared
Editor’s note: Citation superscripts have been removed to align with The Havok Journal’s formatting. Full references remain listed at the Continue Reading
Some Promises are Written in Blood
Witnessing 11 Days: The Story of Operation Pineapple Express I recently had the honor of attending a play titled 11 Days: The Story of Operation Continue Reading
Carrying the Weight Forward and Speaking Anyway
For most of my life, words were either unnecessary or dangerous. In war zones, clarity mattered more than poetry. In law enforcement, intelligence, Continue Reading
Trust Earned in Training Paid for in Blood
I’ve spent most of my young adulthood on specialized teams in both law enforcement and the military. One thing I’ve learned is that there’s a Continue Reading
Law Enforcement: First World Problems vs. Real World Problems
There are times when I've responded to calls and left shaking my head. I'm sure fellow officers reading this would agree. The problems we have to Continue Reading
The Face of Burden
Why are you always intense? Why are you always mean? Why are you always angry? You look like you’ve been through hell. These and many Continue Reading
When the Call Comes
Side by side we sat,In the belly of the beast.The beast roars as we approach. Those at my side,Were forged from chaos and grit,Who cut their teeth Continue Reading