Side by side we sat,
In the belly of the beast.
The beast roars as we approach.
Those at my side,
Were forged from chaos and grit,
Who cut their teeth on chaos long ago.
We rolled together,
Heading to the abyss,
Where wicked men hide
Behind walls and ill intent.
Our futures were shrouded in uncertainty, for we did not know the path that lay before us.
We play a game with Death once again.
Would we stack on a quiet doorway,
And move through hallways thick with smoke and silence?
Would Evil comply, or would the night explode with violence and screams?
Our futures were shrouded in uncertainty, and we did not know the path that lay before us.
Would we find children asleep in back rooms? Would we uncover rifles, cash, and drugs? Or would we uncover a more sinister plot?
Would a single trigger pull
Change a life, or end one?
Perhaps it would be a barricade, a hostage rescue, a hail of gunfire, with the chaos of returning fire.
The weight of seconds measured in heartbeats, and the sound of our brothers’ names over the radio.
We rode together in that armored beast, under city lights and over silent streets.
The minutes dwindled until the doors opened wide, and we stepped into the unknown once more.
Whatever fate we were going to,
We knew we would meet it together,
And that was enough for us.
_____________________________
Ayman is a combat veteran and seasoned law enforcement leader with over 20 years of operational experience. He served in Iraq as a U.S. Army soldier and translator during the height of the war against Al-Qaeda, gaining firsthand exposure to combat stress and leadership under fire.
In law enforcement, Ayman has worked in diverse high-risk roles including SWAT, DEA Task Force Officer, DEA SRT, plain clothes interdiction, and currently serves as a patrol sergeant. His experience offers deep insight into the physical and psychological demands faced by tactical professionals.
Ayman holds a Master of Science in Counterterrorism (MSC) and is the founder of Project Sapient, a platform dedicated to enhancing performance and resilience through neuroscience, stress physiology, and data-driven training. Through consulting, podcasting, and partnerships with organizations across the country, Project Sapient equips military, law enforcement, and first responders with tools to thrive in high-stress environments.
Follow Project Sapient on Instagram, YouTube, and all podcast platforms for engaging content. Feel free to email Ayman at ayman@projectsapient.com.
Follow Project Sapient on Instagram, YouTube, and all podcast platforms for engaging content.
Contact: ayman@objectivearete.com
Project Sapient: https://projectsapient.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8cO-sLPMpfkrvnjcM8ukUQ
As the Voice of the Veteran Community, The Havok Journal seeks to publish a variety of perspectives on a number of sensitive subjects. Unless specifically noted otherwise, nothing we publish is an official point of view of The Havok Journal or any part of the U.S. government.
Buy Me A Coffee
The Havok Journal seeks to serve as a voice of the Veteran and First Responder communities through a focus on current affairs and articles of interest to the public in general, and the veteran community in particular. We strive to offer timely, current, and informative content, with the occasional piece focused on entertainment. We are continually expanding and striving to improve the readers’ experience.
© 2025 The Havok Journal
The Havok Journal welcomes re-posting of our original content as long as it is done in compliance with our Terms of Use.
