Kerry Patton • The Havok Journal

Collective Action: What Veterans Can Learn from the Baltimore Protests

Collective Action: What Veterans Can Learn from the Baltimore Protests by Kerry Patton This first appeared in The Havok Journal May 2, 2015. What happened in Baltimore last year? One man died. There is no need to get into his background or even how he died, let alone pointing blame on law enforcement officials or anyone else. What is needed for appreciation? The … [Read more...]

Murder, Or Taking Care of Business? The Railroading of a Special Forces Major

Murder, Or Taking Care of Business? The Railroading of a Special Forces Major by Kerry Patton This first published appeared in The Havok Journal May 14, 2015. There are people in this world who deserve to die. Put an unarmed ISIS fighter in front of the majority of you after he beheaded some poor soul. Yeah, if you had a gun on you, I’m sure you’d have zero qualms … [Read more...]

“Dark of Light”: Ridiculous Responses to a Movie Intended to Spark a Conversation

"Dark of Light": Ridiculous Responses to a Movie Intended to Spark a Conversation by Kerry Patton This first appeared in The Havok Journal May 17, 2017. Sometimes I wonder who folks really are, especially those who send private messages without revealing their true identities. Two weeks after creating the movie Dark of Light, I have received a few startling messages. … [Read more...]

3,000 Days in Afghanistan: Fighting Instability, Narcotics, and Poverty in a Dangerous Place—A Book Review

3,000 Days in Afghanistan: Fighting Instability, Narcotics, and Poverty in a Dangerous Place—A Book Review by Kerry Patton Prior to reading further, a disclaimer must be made. I know the author of the book 3,000 Days in Afghanistan: Fighting Instability, Narcotics, and Poverty in a Dangerous Place. Chris Corsten is a genuine man who worked tirelessly in Afghanistan … [Read more...]

What We Lost and What We Should Seek

What We Lost and What We Should Seek by Kerry Patton Many veterans feel alone when they leave service. The claim is, they lost a part of their tribe. Maybe it is time to ask whether they were ever truly part of a tribe in the first place and if so, what they can do to bring back that inner tribal self. You had a purpose. You lived under a unique cast system which you … [Read more...]

The “Clap” Got Me “Q’d”

The “Clap” Got Me “Q’d” by Kerry Patton There are people in life whom you try your hardest to respect or at least be kind to but just can’t. To you, they are worse than some sexually transmitted disease constantly giving you that uncomfortable burning feeling like “The Clap.” Ironically, former Director of National Intelligence James “The Clap” Clapper is that guy and … [Read more...]

The Hunt and the Hustle: A Veteran and Stuntman’s Journey

The Hunt and the Hustle: A Veteran and Stuntman’s Journey by Kerry Patton and Patrick Walsh Act 1: The Hunt The phone rings. Pat Walsh announces, "Yo dude, I’m hopping on the 11:10 bus to Pittsburgh.” A silent pause passes. Out from my mouth, I blurt, “Why don’t you jump on the 5:30 to Scranton instead?” Pat wasn’t confused, but rather wanted confirmation. “Why … [Read more...]

COVID-19 and the Blame Game—Who Is Truly at Fault

COVID-19 and the Blame Game—Who Is Truly at Fault An oversight committee for this. An oversight committee for that. An Oversight committee for everything and anything. When will it end? Apparently, the madness with everything and anything pertaining an oversight committee will continue even as a newly proposed oversight committee for the COVID-19 response is argued today … [Read more...]

Behind the Scenes: Dark of Light

Behind the Scenes: Dark of Light by Kerry Patton First and foremost I despise when people write about their own projects. However, a friend who helps tremendously at The Havok Journal told me I needed to write the motivation behind my first soon to be released feature film. So, based on her advice, here it is. Dark of Light is a suspense thriller based on a horrifying … [Read more...]

Did the United States Endure a Coup d’Etat in 2019?

Did the United States Endure a Coup d'Etat in 2019? by Kerry Patton This first appeared in The Havok Journal April 2, 2019. “The technique of the coup d’état is the technique of judo: The planners of the coup must use the power of the state against its political masters. This is done by a process of infiltration and subversion in which a small but critical part of the … [Read more...]