The Havok Journal

The Voice of the Veteran Community

West and Dunn

“Temporary Problems”: War in Afghanistan

"Temporary Problems": War in Afghanistan by Christopher Carey Somewhere in the skies above Helmand Provence, Afghanistan, 2010 “I’m fed up of listening to FANG bitch about shit, have you got that trivia book up there?” asked John “Shrek” Fox. The pilot, Dumbo, replied, “Of course I do, I never go flying without it.  Give me a second and we can start studying for the pub … [Read more...]

Excerpt: ‘Stoned’ by G.M. Skovlund

The following excerpt is from the newly released book, Stoned by G.M. Skovlund.  I go back to painting. It's not long before the last stroke of creamy white paint is applied. ‘He who dies with the most toys wins!’ Dumb quote. I tap the paint lid back on the can and grab the stencils, pen and paint brush. The shop is quiet other than the radio blaring ‘American … [Read more...]

Jihadi Novels: Same Story, Different Medium, Wave of the Future?

Jihadi Novels: Same Story, Different Medium, Wave of the Future? by Mike Kelvington This first appeared in The Havok Journal June 21, 2017. In reading “A Guest on This Earth: Humam al-Balawi and the Birth of Jihadist Fiction” by Nadav Samin, the content struck me as both contemporary and historical. On one hand, the subject of the story, doctor and author turned … [Read more...]

Warning Order: An Excerpt

Warning Order: An Excerpt This is a must-read excerpt from, “Warning Order: A Search and Destroy Thriller” by Joshua Hood a former 82nd Airborne soldier and currently is a member of the SWAT team in Memphis, TN.  This first appeared in The Havok Journal June 20, 2016. Syria, 2014 Mason Kane stepped out of the shadows, which hung like skewed curtains over the tight … [Read more...]

The Vampire Life, Part II

The Vampire Life, Part II by Christopher Paul Meyer Note: The following is adapted from a chapter of Christopher Paul Meyer’s memoir, Icarus Falling: A True Story About the Broken Dreams, Broken Heart and Broken Bones of a Nightclub Bouncer in LA. You can read Part I here. This first appeared in The Havok Journal June 21, 2017. It was another hour of dealing with … [Read more...]

The Vampire Life, Part I: An LA Bouncer’s Tale

The Vampire Life, Part I: An LA Bouncer's Tale by Christopher Paul Meyer Note: The following is adapted from a chapter of Christopher Paul Meyer’s memoir, Icarus Falling: A True Story About the Broken Dreams, Broken Heart and Broken Bones of a Nightclub Bouncer in LA. This first appeared in The Havok Journal in June 2017. _____ I was bleeding. I felt light-headed and … [Read more...]

The Ranger Way – A “Peer Eval” on Benghazi Survivor Kris Paronto’s Book

The Ranger Way - A "Peer Eval" on Benghazi Survivor Kris Paronto's Book by an Army Ranger It is fitting with the upcoming, week-long celebration at Fort Benning, Georgia known as “Ranger Rendezvous” to highlight a book published in May 2017. The Ranger Way, written by Kris “Tanto” Paronto, underscores both the value and unique lifestyle of a Ranger. Having both earned the … [Read more...]

First Train Out of Denver: A Ranger’s Story

First Train Out of Denver: A Ranger's Story This is an excerpt of Leo Jenkins' book, First Train Out of Denver, which includes the adventures of two former Army Rangers who go on an amazing international journey with just a few dollars in their pockets and the packs on the backs in order to raise awareness for veterans' issues and to support the charity Gallant Few. … [Read more...]

#VanLife: Don’t Judge a (Ranger) Book by its Cover

#VanLife: Don't Judge a (Ranger) Book by its Cover by Marty Skovlund Jr. We have been making our way out to Sequoia National Park, but because I have a ton of work to catch up on, we have been in a small town in California for the last two days. Although the weather has been a bit overcast - it's been a nice stop, and a pleasant town. As a writer and independent film … [Read more...]