The Havok Journal

The Voice of the Veteran Community

West and Dunn Law

I Wish You Could See Your Suicide

I Wish You Could See Your Suicide by Thomas Knight You didn’t mean to hurt anyone. That’s what the priest told us during the funeral Mass. It sounds good, at least. I’d love to ask what you were thinking, but, well, y’know. That ship has sailed. None of us outside that casket are going to know what was going through your mind right before the bullet. We never got to see the … [Read more...]

Reality Check: Abortion

Reality Check: Abortion by Leonard Benton This article first appeared in The Havok Journal January 29, 2015. In the modern world, we still have medieval values. A persistent and volatile argument revolves around the birth of the soul and the right of a woman to do as she sees fit with her body. The idea of life at conception and choice of self are diametrically … [Read more...]

The “If” and “When” of Tactical Training

The “If” and “When” of Tactical Training by Scott Cee With the new year starting and people starting to look at their training plans for the year, lets briefly discuss 2 of the types of training you encounter: “If” and “when” training.  Whether it’s tactical training such as pistol and rifle skills or even tactics based training; medical training and refreshers to stay … [Read more...]

PTSD, Adjustment Disorder, and the Healing Power of Iron

PTSD, Adjustment Disorder, and the Healing Power of Iron by Michael Saint Amand I did not transition well after my last deployment. I did not reintegrate. I did not resume my duties at my home station. I did not get my regulatory-mandated ninety days. I moved because the military told me to move. That I was in Afghanistan the week prior was immaterial. My family, who was … [Read more...]

Planned Parenthood, Eugenics, and U.S. Race Relations

Planned Parenthood, Eugenics, and U.S. Race Relations by Frank Jefferson This article first appeared in The Havok Journal January 19, 2015. Race has been a hot issue recently. The tragic loss of Eric Garner and Michael Brown and the grand jury decisions sparked national outrage. All this rage over the unfortunate death of two black men pales in comparison to the life … [Read more...]

A Green Beret Leaves the Service: How to Ruin Your Transition in Five Ways

A Green Beret Leaves the Service: How to Ruin Your Transition in Five Ways by Marshall McGurk Oh, so you're getting out of the military?  I did it a year ago.  Here's what NOT to do: Don’t ask for help.  Asking for help is a sign of strength because you are self-aware of your weaknesses.  Being the person to bring the help is even better.  How do you think Patton’s … [Read more...]

Leading in a Crisis: “Firefighting” in Information Technology

Leading in a Crisis: "Firefighting" in Information Technology by Matt Trevathan Chances are you know a person at work that is good at cleaning up messes and handling critical situations. in the information technology (IT) community, such people are often referred to "janitors," "cleaners," or my personal favorite, "fire fighters."  These are commonly thought of as the first … [Read more...]

That Thing You Call “Hazing” Made Me the Man I am Today

That Thing You Call "Hazing" Made Me the Man I am Today by Jarred Taylor Editor's Note: Jarred "J.T." Taylor wasn't always a movie star or an executive of a multimedia empire. Before Article 15 Clothing, before the Range 15 movie, J.T. was... well, you'll see. This is the story of what helped make him the man he is today. This first appeared in The Havok Journal on March … [Read more...]

Breaking Through: “Microaggressions,” “Trigger Warnings,” and the New Meaning of “Trauma”

Breaking Through: “Microaggressions,” “Trigger Warnings,” and the New Meaning of “Trauma” by Chris Hernandez This article first appeared in The Havok Journal January 9, 2015. When I joined the Marines, I met a man who had survived a helicopter crash during a training exercise. The first time I saw him his head and face were covered in burn scars. A balloon filled with … [Read more...]