After years hearing "Thank you for your service" a thousand times from friends and strangers, the final straw for me came from the most unlikely of persons. It was a few weeks ago while driving into neighboring Fort Campbell, when the young Army MP at the gate handed back to me my retiree ID card, offering his own "Thank you for your service."I was too surprised to … [Read more...]
“Draft Dodger:” I Don’t Think You Know What That Word Really Means
In the aftermath of Muhammad Ali’s death and the recent Havok Journal article about it, the determination about his worth in the veteran community centered on one facet, his stance on Vietnam and his personal refusal to serve. The term most often used? “Draft dodger.” And it’s been used lavishly. And the term has been used inappropriately.Consider first that the draft … [Read more...]
Memorial Day: Ranger Heroes Remembered
Memorial Day is a weekend that comes with a lot of mixed emotion. For those of us who served in the military and the families who stayed behind and patiently waited for a safe return- it is a weekend we remember those that did NOT return. They made the ultimate sacrifice. We remember their memory, and the great men and women that they were. We think of the Gold Star families, … [Read more...]
On Being A Veteran
It doesn’t seem that long ago. The memory of pulling away from the brown fence that surrounded 3rd Ranger Battalion for the final time is still as vivid in my memory as the taste of the burnt black coffee that I had for breakfast this morning. Despite it being 7 years and 2 weeks since I was honorably discharged I still recall how that particular drive home felt. Notions … [Read more...]
“We the people of the United States…”
Way back in the 1970s when I was a kid a record came out entitled, “Free To Be, You and Me”. It had such hit songs as, “It's All Right to Cry” and other snowflake soliloquies. It was revolutionary in the fact that it explored gender equality issues and other sensitive topics for the first time. One of the main themes throughout the record was the importance of being unique, an … [Read more...]
YouTube and You: Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff
Written by Kevin WilsonAs most of you are probably aware, YouTube recently changed its rules, drastically restricting the ability of content creators to share firearms related videos.Almost since its inception, the popular video streaming site has been the place to go for just about any sort of video related content. Their service makes it easy to upload videos and … [Read more...]
Why I Support the 2nd Amendment
Written by Kevin WilsonIf you’re familiar with this thing called the Internet, chances are you’re equally familiar with the debates about gun control that have raged back and forth across the world. Since I choose to write for The Havok Journal, I’ve been caught up in quite a few of them myself. One question that keeps popping up from those who would seek to limit or … [Read more...]
My Gun, My Safety
I have a question for the far left:Have you ever felt that another human being was a threat to your safety or even your life?I have.Have you ever been told by the police that there is no legal protection they can offer you?I have.Have you ever sat in the dark, holding your child, wondering at every creak and sigh of your house or the trees or the wind, … [Read more...]
Definition of Rare: Interview with a Delta Force Operator
We were fortunate enough to have the chance to sit down with 1st SFOD-D ("Delta Force") Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Tom Satterly and talk PTSD, his time in the Battle of Mogadishu ("Black Hawk Down"), Tom's personal struggle with suicide, and "All Secure Foundation"--the non profit support group for Special Forces Veterans. … [Read more...]
Walkouts Are the New Fidget Spinner
Written by Kevin WilsonOn March 14, all across the nation, students staged walkouts from their regularly scheduled classes to protest...something. In theory they were protesting gun laws, but knowing teenagers, the vast majority were protesting having to sit in class. When you’re 14, any excuse to cut class is a valid one.Being the calm, thoughtful nation we are, we … [Read more...]