Physical Fitness and Transitioning Back to Civilian Life Special Guest Author: Christian LopezAs time passes by, I often recount where my passion for fitness started. It has been tough to put a finger on that exact moment in time, as there have been many instances where fitness has had a major impact on my life. I started my personal training career as a young 18 year … [Read more...]
“Best Ranger” Mentality: Push It To The limit
The author of this article is a former Best Ranger competitor who wishes to remain anonymous. _____ As I crossed that finish line in 2001, I genuinely, and finally knew what it was to be tested. Up until that time, I had conquered most challenges I had thrown myself into without feeling that I had ever, truly, been pushed to my limits.I had won State & National … [Read more...]
“Give It Over To The Road:” Turning 37, Looking Back, And The Acceptance Of Life
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 to accept this gift of life when I feel an overwhelming sense of unworthiness every day. How to … [Read more...]
For Veterans, PTSD Isn’t The Only Form Of Anxiety
My day job, as well as my hobbies, require that I occasionally have to solder various electronic components. It’s one of my favorite things to do, and it’s something that my friends know I greatly enjoy doing. I have been taught some great techniques by some great people. My end results are something I am always proud of, but for a time, my friends all made fun of me while … [Read more...]
How I Got Healthy Enough To Start Working Out Again After A Back Injury
How I Got Healthy Enough To Start Working Out Again After A Back Injury by Jason MichaelIf you have ever been injured, you understand how intimidating it can be to start working out and playing sports again. A few months ago, I moved the wrong way and ended up seriously injuring my back. I never thought a simple twisting movement could result in such excruciating pain. For … [Read more...]
Mandatory Tactical Combat Casualty Care: Now What?
Mandatory Tactical Combat Casualty Care: Now What? by Andrew FisherThis article was originally published in March of 2018. From the Next Generation Combat Medic Admins Recently, GEN Joseph Votel, commander of Central Command (CENTCOM) mandated that allilitary personnel deploying to the CENTCOM Area of Operations (AO) must have completed Tactical Combat Casualty Care … [Read more...]
An Open Letter to the Future Women of Special Operations
At least once a day I receive a message from someone with aspirations to join Special Operations seeking advice. It occurred to me recently that over the years and thousands of inquiries, I have yet to receive one from a female. Make no mistake, woman have been playing an integral role in not just our military, but also our Special Operations Forces (SOF) for some time already. … [Read more...]
Fake News: “Studies Show that Current Military Tourniquets are Inherently Flawed”
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense, or the US Government.The basis for this article was pulled from a website that has the intent of mostly discrediting the Combat Application Tourniquet® (CAT), but some studies do mention the … [Read more...]
The ABCs of Gun Safety: An EMT’s Perspective
To begin, let me tell you why you need to read this article and absorb what I have to say. In just my small town, and just this week, I was involved in the care of three gunshot victims. Two of them died. One of those I took in a body bag to a morgue, the other I pronounced dead at the scene (let the coroner take care of that clean-up) and tried my damnedest to console a … [Read more...]
Quit Ovary-Acting! A Havok Guide to Hysterectomies
January at The Havok Journal was Health and Fitness month. Some of Havok's writers shared tips and ideas on how not to catch the flu, myostatin inhibitors, and crossfit. And then, there are those like me, those whose idea of fitness is more along the lines of “fitness whole pizza in my mouth” than it is about crossfit.Some of you are more into shoveling food into your … [Read more...]