The Havok Journal

The Voice of the Veteran Community

West and Dunn

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 Recognize My Brother as “The Deceased”

I Recognize My Brother as "The Deceased" by Anonymous “I recognize my brother as the deceased.” Words I never thought I would write. Words no one prepares you for… Words no thing prepares you for. It’s not supposed to be this way, And it is this way. He’s gone. _____ “I recognize my brother as the deceased.” Mission mode. Official business. Transactional. I am not … [Read more...]

The Day I Learned about Snake Handlers…the Religious Kind

The Day I Learned about Snake Handlers...the Religious Kind by Michael Bama Katt Oh the things you'll find on Facebook that will tear the scab clean off a deeply repressed memory. When I was a warehouse foreman/traffic manager at the sawmill back in Tuscaloosa, I'd borrow people from the plant sometimes when too much had to get out in one day. One of them was usually … [Read more...]

A Bipartisan Boogaloo?

A Bipartisan Boogaloo? by Kevin Wilson It feels weird that the idea of the boogaloo has become, if not mainstream, then at least a major tributary of the public awareness. This time last year, if you were “in the know,” chances are you were hanging out in some fairly obscure corners of the internet. Or at least, you had friends who were, and didn’t mind ending up in … [Read more...]

Medium Length Hairstyles for Off-Duty Female Soldiers

Medium Length Hairstyles for Off-Duty Female Soldiers by Avery Devereaux Medium length hairstyles for women rock. Want to look like the queen you are? Here are some styles to draw inspiration from. Take a gander. Swoon-Worth Medium Length Hairstyles for Women to Copy https://www.instagram.com/p/B0hLSbbJqLH/ Medium length hairstyles are amongst the most flexible … [Read more...]

COVID-19, “Vanity Metrics” and the Quantitative Game of Numbers

COVID-19, "Vanity Metrics" and the Quantitative Game of Numbers by Kerry Patton Numbers, they do not lie. Numbers are science. Numbers demonstrate a scale, which needs much attention. Without numbers, we have no metrics. Most have heard at least one of the aforementioned statements, maybe all of them, in our adult lives. But how many understand the flaws in such … [Read more...]

Would You Refuse to Salute Hitler?

Would You Refuse to Salute Hitler? by Scott Faith We’re frequently told “don’t be that guy,” often with good reason.  Drunk and douchey at a party?  Don’t be that guy.  Park in a spot someone else shoveled out of the snow?  Don’t be that guy.  Chow thief at Ranger School?  Definitely don’t be that guy.  But sometimes situations arise where you DO need to be that … [Read more...]

We Who Fought, Those We Fought against, and Those We Fought for

We Who Fought, Those We Fought against, and Those We Fought for by Anonymous This first appeared in The Havok Journal March 8, 2019. I never really have much to say. I guess one of the skills I developed since leaving the Army is to keep my mouth shut and to listen. After I got out, I took a personal journey to clear my head. I stopped watching television for the … [Read more...]