The Havok Journal

The Voice of the Veteran Community

West and Dunn

It is What It is: 10 Things Military Veterans Just Do

It is What It is: 10 Things Military Veterans Just Do by Marshall McGurk No person leaves the military the same as when they entered. Here are some things Veterans do after some time in the military: Sitting towards a door or exit. Spouses and family members, don’t try to change this in your veteran. If your wife wants to sit towards the door to have the exits … [Read more...]

Influence-based Leadership: Critical Importance of the Alpha

Influence-based Leadership: Critical Importance of the Alpha by E.M. Burlingame Mostly in the West and Far East, post-WWII, but increasing dramatically during the Vietnam War and after, the understanding, acceptance and role of the Alpha has been mostly, intentionally, lost. After two catastrophic world wars, with tens of millions of dead, and vast amounts of resources … [Read more...]

Sheepdogs and a World Without Guns

Sheepdogs and a World Without Guns by Keith Sipmann I was engaged in a discussion this morning with a woman, when the topic of guns came up. The woman stated “I’m totally against guns.”  I appreciated her blunt honesty, but these words immediately shut me down, much like a robot with his batteries being taken out. My mental shutdown was not activated so much because she … [Read more...]

“Give it Over to the Road”: Turning 37, Looking Back and Accepting Life 

“Give it Over to the Road": Turning 37, Looking Back and Accepting Life By Brandon Young I shouldn’t even be here, but I am. This month I turn 37. It’s been a long 37 years. I have learned much, the first of which is that I have much to learn, but the second (and possibly most challenging) thing I’ve had to embrace is how to be alive. How to live with myself now. How … [Read more...]

“Situational Awareness”: The Gold Standard

"Situational Awareness": The Gold Standard by Kevin Sipmann Have you ever had a conversation with someone, only to have them look at someone or something directly behind you or off in the background of your environment, but they still appear to be maintaining their focus point and listening to what you are saying? Most people would probably say that this is an example … [Read more...]

You are Not “Broken,” You are “Refurbished”

You Are Not "Broken," You Are "Refurbished" by Six Jane I need all you out there who feel they're lost, who cry themselves to sleep, those battling some medically labeled disorder, anyone who feels alone because it seems people have turned their backs, and all of you who are just tired of what life has thrown at you. I need you to listen... and listen real good, … [Read more...]

Manning: You’re doing it wrong

I’m old. I don’t go to Denny’s at 5 PM for the early bird special, wear pants with elastic waistbands or watch “Matlock” and ” Murder She Wrote” reruns. However, being forty-nine, I don’t consider myself, “middle-aged”, more like, “closer to death than birth”. Times change. What defines a man today is obviously different than when I was younger. That being said, some … [Read more...]

Feminism, and…

Feminism, and... by Justina Bahriak Remember when that mom brought vagina cookies to her second graders classroom in an effort to spark a class-wide discussion about the female anatomy? While the jury (Snopes) is still out on the validity of this story, the real problem is that it is completely believable. Feminism is known for representing the extremes while using … [Read more...]

Homesick, and Hitting the Road

Homesick, and Hitting the Road by Emily Loewer This was originally published in the blog "A Little Loewer," [Editor's Note: link not active as of January 31, 2020] and is posted here with the permission of the author. This first appeared in The Havok Journal February 10, 2015. So, I've been back home a couple of weeks now from the road trip Leo Jenkins and I took. … [Read more...]