The Havok Journal

The Voice of the Veteran Community

West and Dunn

Wisdom is Where You Find It, Even at Biker Bars and Redneck Rat Cage Juke Joints

Wisdom is Where You Find It, Even at Biker Bars and Redneck Rat Cage Juke Joints by Michael Bama Katt This is somewhere in the late '80s. I was on the back patio of this skeezy redneck rat cage juke joint where I was Head of Security, trying to figure out what's up with this guy who couldn't take two steps without crashing into the furniture but showed no other signs of … [Read more...]

4 Reasons to Purchase Collision Insurance, Even If It’s Optional

4 Reasons to Purchase Collision Insurance, Even If It's Optional While you may think of your car insurance as a single policy for which you make one monthly payment, auto insurance providers price each coverage component separately. While shopping around for a new insurance plan, you'll have to decide which coverage forms you want to include in your policy. Before … [Read more...]

Life Lessons from the Unofficial Triathlon known as “The Picnic”

Life Lessons from the Unofficial Triathlon known as "The Picnic" R.W. Trask How an adventure with no accolades, socks, and friends can give valuable life lessons... experiences may vary! The Picnic is an unofficial triathlon that is divided into three disciplines that range from Jackson, Wyoming, followed by a swim across a lake, and finally up to the Grand Tetons. Now … [Read more...]

Duane “Dewey” Clarridge: A Spy for All Seasons

Duane “Dewey” Clarridge: A Spy for All Seasons by Scott Faith This is a repost of the obituary writeup for Duane Clarridge. I thought our readers would enjoy reading about his exploits and service to our nation. This first appeared in The Havok Journal May 10, 2017. _____ Duane Ramsdell Clarridge, a legendary CIA officer known for his daring exploits, colorful bravura … [Read more...]

They’re Not Racist, You’re Just an Asshole

They're Not Racist, You're Just an Asshole by Gary Stevens Before sitting down to author this piece, I had a mind to err on the side of caution in keeping my thoughts comfortably placed within the confines of my own mind. However after taking a second glance over the material, and a quick review of news headlines it became painfully evident that what I feel I need to say is … [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...]

2 Reasons Your Outrage Over Caitlyn Jenner is Unwarranted

2 Reasons Your Outrage Over Caitlyn Jenner is Unwarranted by Chris Otero This first appeared in The Havok Journal June 4, 2015. _____ You need to stop with all the Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner posts and pictures. If you are not tracking - noted athlete, socialite, and reality TV star Bruce Jenner completed his/her transition into a transsexual woman named Caitlyn. Vanity … [Read more...]

Mass Murder in America: The Obscure Killer

Mass Murder in America: The Obscure Killer by Leonard Benton Our society is wracked again by a killer, someone who everyone (after the fact) suspected was a bit strange, who committed a heinous act in the slaughter or innocence. We have seen it before in Sandy Hook, Aurora Colorado, Oklahoma City, and others. One person who decides that today they will act. They will … [Read more...]

Mean Tweets and PTSD: Facts, Fakers, and the Future

Mean Tweets and PTSD: Facts, Fakers, and the Future This article was first published May 18, 2014... but it never seems to get old. _____ Americans love labels. We look to distinguish ourselves by the physical labels in our clothing, on the cars we drive, on the bottle of beer we drink. It’s interesting in a society consumed with “not labling” others, we are quick to label … [Read more...]