A Life or Death Decision in Battle: Cowardice or Common Sense? by an anonymous retired Special Forces officer Here dead we lie, by A. E. Housman Here dead we lie Because we did not choose To live and shame the land From which we sprung. Life, to be sure, Is nothing much to lose, But young men think it is, And we were young. _____ The motivational speaker Tony … [Read more...]
Is Mental Illness an Asset in the Military?
Is Mental Illness an Asset in the Military? by Kevin Wilson It takes a special sort of person to thrive in the military. Between the strictly regimented lifestyle, the sitcom-levels of absurdity on a daily basis, the extremely nihilistic and self-destructive culture, and the fact that everyone from the grunt to the cook exists in an apparatus designed to kill and destroy, … [Read more...]
The Lion
The Lion by Leo Jenkins To state it simply, there are few lions. There are many sheep, fewer wolves and even fewer sheep dogs yet the lion has become an endangered species. The value of the once revered hunter in the times of ancient Greece has corroded and dissipated under the guise of our so-called civilized nature. The lion does not guard the sheep and should not be … [Read more...]
COVID-19 and the “Luxury World”: A Minimalist’s Point of View
COVID-19 and the "Luxury World": A Minimalist’s Point of View by Kerry Patton Living in the country, surrounded by farmers, it’s often difficult to block the mutters of arrogance and ignorance heard on a daily basis by those who live different lifestyles. In fact, former Democrat Presidential Candidate Michael Bloomberg really put a nail in the coffin amongst a core group … [Read more...]
Fully Knowing the Hazards
Fully Knowing the Hazards by Marty Skovlund This first appeared in The Havok Journal March 23, 2014. "Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession." That is the first sentence of the first stanza of the 242-word Ranger creed. It’s been seven years since I wore the beret yet drunk or sober I can still recite every word. … [Read more...]
A Veteran vs. Jesus
A Veteran vs. Jesus by Kerry Patton Easter is arguably the most holy day in Christianity. I am a veteran who also happens to be a practicing Catholic. What I am about to write may come across as sacrilegious. It’s the first time I’ve ever written out my thoughts/ questions toward Jesus Christ—and I am nervous as hell. Jesus is considered the son of God. But if we as … [Read more...]
Where Do We Go from Here?
Where Do We Go from Here? by Kevin Wilson I feel like it says something about our society that liquor stores are considered “vital” in a pandemic, and thus, are allowed to remain open while nearly everything else is going to hell. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure as hell not complaining; I’m stuck in the house day in and day out with two extremely bored kids who are going … [Read more...]
I am Unapologetically American… are You?
I am Unapologetically American... are You? by Scott Faith My name is Scott Faith and I am Unapologetically American. I am proud to be a freeborn citizen of the wealthiest and most powerful country the world has ever seen. I believe that the concept of American Exceptionalism in politics, economics, culture, sports, and military might is not unconstrained hubris, it is an … [Read more...]
“What Happened to My War Games?”: Shut Up Lieutenant
"What Happened to My War Games?": Shut Up Lieutenant by Gabriel Prince This first appeared in The Havok Journal March 11, 2015. I am a U.S. Army lieutenant and I have never, not even once, been asked to participate in a “war game.” I have not been trained how to do this, and neither have I been expected to figure out a combat scenario on my own in which I control the … [Read more...]
From Ritual to Reality: Because He Lives
From Ritual to Reality: Because He Lives by Scoti Domeij My annual nostalgia of Easter now blossoms in reverse. My firstborn was killed in Afghanistan in the fall of 2011, the wild season of skeletal trees surrendering their fiery leaves to swirl and spiral into oblivion. Winter’s crushing mourning forged ahead—unstoppable, bringing life as I knew it to an abrupt halt. … [Read more...]
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