The Havok Journal

The Voice of the Veteran Community

West and Dunn

War Cuts Deep

War Cuts Deep by Will Aker War cuts with an invisible blade. A blade you’re blind to, blind to how it cuts you. War slices everyone differently and the wounds heal at their own time. This type of cut goes goes so deep it makes you numb, you have to open it back up to feel again. Then you realize you might not want to feel at all. War cuts are dangerous you see. War cuts you … [Read more...]

The Army’s Marksmanship Problem

The Army's Marksmanship Problem by Kevin Wilson Back in May 2016, the Army Times ran a piece announcing that the Army was officially looking to replace the M16 family of weapons and the 5.56mm cartridge with a weapon system that is both more reliable, and has greater range. As the article states, they’re taking a hard look at “intermediate rounds,” or rounds with … [Read more...]

The Invisible War in My Brain

The Invisible War in My Brain by Jesse Sage Looking at me, you would never know that I have an injury I will deal with for the rest of my life. You will not see a broken bone, a bullet hole, a missing limb, or a scar across my body. You cannot see the damage that I endured to my brain. It’s 2008 and I’m deployed in Iraq. I’ve been in country for 9 months. My … [Read more...]

Drive the Change

Drive the Change by CPT Dana Reeder This article originally appeared on RallyPoint and was republished with permission. This article first appeared in The Havok Journal September 28, 2016. If you’ve watched any major sporting event on TV lately you’ve likely seen the Armed Forces newest commercial: “The challenges facing the country never stop…We train, adapt, and get … [Read more...]

How to Nurture Your Running Practice: Tips for Passionate Runners

How to Nurture Your Running Practice: Tips for Passionate Runners by Amanda Jan Any form of physical activity can be demanding. However, running is an activity that requires full-body engagement, and therefore, you need to keep up with some routine procedures even when you are not actively running. In this case, you could enjoy some health benefits of walking and keep up with … [Read more...]

My First Engagement with the Enemy

My First Engagement with the Enemy by Lori Butierries   I don't always know what will trigger a flashback of my deployment to Afghanistan, but today, it happened to be the song at the end of the 2020 Mulan movie titled, "Loyal Brave True" by Christina Aguilera. As cheesy as that might sound, hear me out. FLASHBACK: When one of the grunts shouted out the … [Read more...]

Preparing for a Natural Disaster Can Save Lives

Preparing for a Natural Disaster Can Save Lives by Luke Cain “There’s no harm in hoping for the best as long as you’re prepared for the worst.” Different Seasons, Stephen King It goes without saying for most of you, but preparation is key. Here is some great information for anyone needing to prepare for natural disasters such as hurricanes: 1. For a big storm like … [Read more...]

The Government and My Waistline

The Government and My Waistline by Scott Faith In Radley Balko’s essay “What You Eat Is Your Business,” Balko argues that what we put into our bodies is our business, not the government’s, and that personal responsibility should be primary in our nutrition choices. I agree wholeheartedly. However, while I do agree that personal responsibility is paramount, in the new age … [Read more...]

9/11, a Survivor’s Story

9/11, a Survivor's Story by Dan Geraghty On 9/11/2001 I stared into the gates of Hell … survived… and for that I am thankful. I probably should not be here writing to you, but I am. And when I go to that day, traveling through time, through all the moments of the past decade, I see myself there, questioning, wondering why I had survived … 9/11/2001 started much the … [Read more...]