The Havok Journal

The Voice of the Veteran Community

West and Dunn Law

What a Runner Could Learn from a Ranger Mom

What a Runner Could Learn from a Ranger Mom by Kenneth Posner A long time ago, I was a U.S. Army Ranger. It was just about the toughest thing I ever did. Honestly, I wasn’t very good; my path ended up taking me to Wall Street, which was a better fit for my skills. But I’m proud to have served my country as best I could, and I remain very impressed with the caliber of people … [Read more...]

The Five Martial Arts a Vet Should NEVER Do

The Five Martial Arts a Vet Should NEVER Do by Christopher Paul Meyer Working as a bouncer on the Sunset Strip, I laid hands on people every night. But before conducting face-to-fist diplomacy, my antagonists had a Bond-villian-like habit of warning me exactly how many stripes of aggregated badassery they had accumulated. Some were Division I wrestlers and boxing coaches, … [Read more...]

Myostatin Inhibitors: Life Saver Or The Next “Performance Enhancing Drug?”

Myostatin Inhibitors: Life Saver Or The Next "Performance Enhancing Drug?" by Richard Farnum In 1997 Dr. Se-Jin Lee and Alexandra McPherron from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine discovered a gene encoding a substance known as myostatin. These two geneticists were able to successfully breed mice who possessed so-called “loss of function mutations” in the gene … [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...]

Interview with Tactical Games Athlete: Ivan Loomis

Interview with Tactical Games Athlete: Ivan Loomis by David Bruce This first appeared in David Bruce's Blog April 27, 2019. It is re-published here in The Havok Journal with the author's permission. (Photo courtesy of http://reconphoto.com and https://thetacticalgames.com) Ivan Loomis, the Kit Badger, has worn many hats: veteran, law enforcement officer, and security … [Read more...]

The Five Best Martial Arts for Vets

The Five Best Martial Arts for Vets by Christopher Paul Meyer Editor's Note: January is "Fitness Month" on Havok Journal.  In this article, Christopher Paul Meyer offers his opinion on the five best martial arts out there for veterans. What do you think of his list? You’re a vet. You’ve lived more than most people have experienced at the movies. But do you really want … [Read more...]

5 Steps for Coping with Injury in Special Operations and Professional Athletics

5 Steps for Coping with Injury in Special Operations and Professional Athletics by Leo Jenkins How do you define yourself? This question does a great deal to provide insight to our mental well being.  If you are a powerful attorney but you suck at golf you likely don’t identify yourself as a golfer.  If you are an animal in the gym but have a job where you are the … [Read more...]

8 Ways to Know There are Privates at the Gym

8 Ways to Know There are Privates at the Gym by Justina Bahriak (Actual text conversation between the husband and myself) Me: was there an influx of new soldiers recently? Like new to life? Hubs: welcome to my life. Me: it’s like they’re new to the world. Do I help them? Hubs: young fawns fresh from the womb. Look at them, barely able to survive… After 10 years … [Read more...]

7 Easy Steps That Guarantee You to Pass Any SOF Selection

7 Easy Steps That Guarantee You to Pass Any SOF Selection by Leo Jenkins This first appeared in The Havok Journal September 30, 2014 and has been updated. So you’ve seen some cool videos on YouTube and have decided to sign a multi-year contract committing you to a lifestyle of cool-guy-dom. What could go wrong? After all, you played sports in high school and your coach … [Read more...]