Originally published on 16DEC14 _____ My sons are experts in the art of enhanced interrogation, better known as “torture.” When they were young, Kristoffer and Kyle reserved intensified interrogation techniques for their most vital and challenging captive — me. Their methods are not new: feigning suffocation, forcing me to stand in stress positions, coercing exercise until … [Read more...]
The Gifts of Brokenness
Brokenness was not on the top of my Christmas list. The ornaments defining our family tree lay shattered. The ragged edges of devastation replaced the joyful, annual pandemonium of Christmas’ past.My first Christmas alone wasn’t the first time sadness and depression capsized my heart. My dad’s death flat-lined the joy of the Christmas spirit. However, the unwelcome … [Read more...]
Book Excerpt: It’ll Be Fine: A True Story by Rebecca Rose
Written by Rebecca Rose An excerpt from It'll Be Fine: A True Story by Rebecca Rose, a story about the ups and downs of a relationship with a Naval Special Warfare operator. This book is available now on Amazon.com.The year that had passed since I last spoke to him had been one of those that really “got my attention.” Life seems to have a way of doing that from time to … [Read more...]
Gift Ideas for Veterans: The Semi-Auto Rubber Band Gun
Gift Ideas for Veterans: The Semi-Auto Rubber Band Gun by Scott FaithThis Christmas season, we're going to help you shop for the military veteran who has everything.This is too cool: a Walther PPK-style multi-shot rubber band gun. I mean, what veteran wouldn't want a James Bond-style semi-auto rubber band gun?This is WAY cooler than that "gun" you used to make … [Read more...]
Family, Adversity and Thanksgiving
Family is brought together by adversity, held together by choice.When people meet my wife, Kelly, and hear our story, they often ask, “how did you do it?”Her response is typical, “you just do, nobody plans for this; nobody really knows what they are getting into, but you just make do and help one another when you can.” Between September 17, 2001 and June 14, 2002, Kelly … [Read more...]
Soldier. Sailor. Swinger?
I have a confession to make, this is not my first marriage. This is not my first marriage to someone in the military. When my first husband joined sometime between the age of eighteen and oops, teen pregnancy, we decided it would be a great idea for us to get married.As it turns out, it was not a great idea.My second husband, my forever husband, had to do a lot of … [Read more...]
Saudi Women and the War on Terror
In the masculine-driven nation of Saudi Arabia, women are subordinate men and the state, yet, in the eyes of both, they serve as an important role within their society. Historically and contextually, the Saudi government sees women as weak and “depicted as needing to be protected, controlled, and guided within an authoritarian, paternalistic, and protective framework, lest … [Read more...]
Letters From War: A Timeless Form of Communication
April is "Military Family Month" here at The Havok Journal. Letters are a timeless yet oft-forgotten form of communication between Soldiers and their families. We challenge our readers to put pen to paper, and write a long hand letter to a friend, loved one, family member, or deployed servicemember. _____ I wrote over 100 letters to my wife during my last deployment. I got … [Read more...]
Questions From 2nd Graders – Adventures Of A Navy “Soldier”
I was recently asked to speak at a local school for a yearly “Great American Teach In.” All of our local schools were doing it, and this particular school was an elementary school. Each school was asking for members of the local community to come in and speak about their jobs and how it helped the local community members. The intent was to give the children ideas of what they … [Read more...]
What Parenting on Empty Taught Me about Resilience
Sizzling burnout, sleep deprivation, and physical illness triggered troublesome thoughts that hijacked my optimism, “I hate my life. I can’t do this anymore. I’m tired of being responsible for everything. I just want someone to take care of me.” Pushed beyond my emotional margin, I sobbed. I screamed. I banged my fists on the floor. I felt so-o-o-o-o guilty knowing Kristoffer … [Read more...]