Special Forces soldiers, the Green Berets, get a bad rap for “outside the box” thinking. Detractors label us "cowboys;" bearded, gun-toting, Continue Reading
As a Black Army Officer, My Recommendations for Renaming Military Bases Named After Confederate Generals
by Marshall T. McGurk, Major, U.S. Army This first appeared in The Havok Journal on June 10, 2020. In a written message to the U.S. Army on June 3, Continue Reading
Eight Resume-Writing Tips for Veterans
I recently spoke with a recruiter from my current company and he mentioned the wide gap in the quality of resumes he received from veteran applicants. Continue Reading
Lessons Learned from a SOF Multi-Purpose Canine
“Fox 13 Q… does that mean what I think it means?!” It was a stupid question to ask on the radio; I had just seen Q, a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant Continue Reading
Wounded By War: The PDSS Flight
This first appeared in The Havok Journal on June 10, 2017. Returning from the pre-deployment site survey (PDSS) was a bit of a cluster. On the Continue Reading
Please, Come Back
“Go to war. Your country needs you.” Robert's Ridge, Thunder Runs, Objective Rhino Go I did. “Mission Accomplished.” 6 months into 12. 12 months into Continue Reading
Stillness
The cycle of life flows like water, from spring to unstoppable sea. Snowfall thaws atop the tree-line; transforms into brook and river Continue Reading
Ten Things Every Veteran Should Do When They ETS
There is a lot to think about when a veteran decides to leave the service (ETS). Many lists are focused on preparation, the transition itself, and Continue Reading
Renewal
In spite of all this, what have you become? Nay, this better to list things given up. Perhaps reframed: Where is this new You from, able to Continue Reading
War Letters: A Timeless Form of Communication
I wrote over 100 letters to my wife during my last deployment. I got really good at writing one-pagers fast. Five minutes was all it took to make the Continue Reading
A Few Reminders for Firearms Owners
This first appeared in The Havok Journal on April 30, 2019. You are responsible for every round you send downrange. Don’t own firearms unless you’re Continue Reading
Knock it Off and Get to Work: 4 Problems Bigger than Partisan Politics
This first appeared in The Havok Journal on March 10, 2019. What has changed since then? I was often asked about what I would do after President Continue Reading
