On May 31, 2008, my squad was assigned as the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) for eastern Afghanistan in Nangarhar Province. While turning in documents at Continue Reading
When Strategy Becomes Power
In a previous article, I broke down the National Security Strategy (NSS), which serves as the document that sets the President’s vision for America’s Continue Reading
Southern Spear and the War on Narco-Terror
For years, Americans have watched the southern border crisis unfold like a slow-motion national security failure. Drugs poured in. Cartels grew Continue Reading
Logistics Lead the Fight, Tactics Finish It
For most of American military history, tactical excellence has commanded the most attention, and battles are remembered by their maneuvers, Continue Reading
When Washington Came for Maduro
In early 2026, the world watched as the United States carried out one of the most dramatic foreign operations in decades: the capture of Venezuelan Continue Reading
The 2025 National Security Strategy and the Return of American Focus
In November 2025, the United States released a new National Security Strategy (NSS) that marks a decisive break from decades of post–Cold War Continue Reading
Verdun and the Price of Endurance
Editor’s note: In-text citations have been removed to align with The Havok Journal’s formatting. Full references remain listed at the end. The Continue Reading
Maslow Was Right and the Military Still Builds Men
When Abraham Maslow published his theory of human motivation in 1943, he argued that human beings move through a progression of needs: physiological, Continue Reading
Measured in Multiples
Author's Note: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the Continue Reading
Under the Uniform They Bleed the Same for Less
Why is it that in the United States Army, the gold standard of mid-career recognition—the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM)—is so often pinned on the Continue Reading
The Enduring Legacy of the United States Disciplinary Barracks
by SGM Daniel L. Dodds, US ArmyThe views presented in this paper are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department Continue Reading
Mission Command at the Chosin Reservoir
by Sergeant Major Daniel L. Dodds The Korean War began when North Korea invaded South Korea on 25 June 1950, capturing the majority of South Korea, Continue Reading