Tactical Poetry: WE WHO ARE ABOUT TO DIE by Carl Martin Johnson“We who are about to die salute you!” As is custom, thus we greet. Great Caesar, we fight to suit you. In victory and defeat.This arena is where we kill. Where someday we will die. I and my brothers serve your will. It does no good to cry.I have fought often in this ring Since your legions took … [Read more...]
Men of God, a Splash of Red
_____ Splash of Red by Rob Sanders _____ Do you remember the splash of red high and to the right? Above our heads in the ravine? We wanted to look, Dreaded to look. Hated to look. The little girl, dead and desecrated? Raped, pillaged and beaten for her fathers faith? Allah Akbar! Her fathers side was not theirs. Her fathers faith was not ours. Her father would not … [Read more...]
There is So Much More to Living
Written by Special Guest Author: Barnes desolation at its best is described without despair and help an endless drug of depression will run a struggle throughout life nothing is what it seems the last years have been a fake not a minute could show you how much I’ve torn trazodone and alcohol help tranquilize These two will surly take me out I … [Read more...]
Stoicism For Hitters
Philosophy: Not Just for Pretentious Ivy LeaguersBy Dylan NassanoThis was originally published on SOFLETE and shared on The Havok Journal with permission.In this article, we’re going to deep-dive into Stoicism, a philosophical school whose ancient Greek founders codified the #DieLiving mindset long before Zeus rolled the first jug of TBNN down from Mount … [Read more...]
The Death of a Ranger
EDITORS NOTE: I am honored to introduce guest contributor, Johnny B, who is both a former Ranger and a poet. I have read some of his other work and it is equally as stirring. I don't think I am alone when I say "This one hits home." The Death of a Ranger So, you heard a Ranger died today What a tragic waste, you said That he should die in a foreign land With so much of … [Read more...]
Shortcomings and Lessons Learned of a Ranger
Written by Kasey PipittVery recently I was a victim of my own wake up call, one caused by no one other than myself. It was a real “look in the mirror” moment, if you will. I’m going to try and put this as detailed as possible without making this article seem like a “poor me” story because it isn’t.About six months ago I lost control of myself. I had, what I thought, was … [Read more...]
You’re Not Entitled To Your Own Opinion
The following is not a statement of blame, and is in no way intended to pass the bill of responsibility, in affairs current, to which we have all collectively contributed. In fact, this is more of a confession of my own wrongdoing and an observation that I have made throughout the course of my travels and varied life experiences than a pointing of fingers.There are two … [Read more...]
Boer War to Blade Runner: A Soldier’s Assimilation Into Society
Boer War to Blade Runner: A Soldier's Assimilation Into Society by Jonathan Baxter, author of The Ghosts of BabylonAs the New Year brings in topics of change and transformation, it is relevant to explore the age-old theme of a soldier returning from conflict and attempting to transition into civilian society. Two works that directly or indirectly touch upon this theme are … [Read more...]
The Morning After I Killed Myself
The Morning After I Killed Myself by Meggie RoyerEditor's Note: When I saw this article on imgur.com, I knew we had to run it on The Havok Journal. I got in contact with the author, who graciously allowed us to re-post her work here. With the crisis of veteran suicide continuing unabated, it's important to get the word out that suicide is a permanent reaction to what is … [Read more...]
Morality in War: A Not So Merry Christmas Story
“He whom you see evil may be the greatest of all Saints.” He mastered the greatest plan, which inevitably brought together the greatest of followers. He gave us His one and only son only to later be sacrificed for our atonement. And that son became man through an immaculate conception.The miracle of Jesus is more than just that of Mary giving birth to a baby without the … [Read more...]