The Havok Journal

The Voice of the Veteran Community

West and Dunn

Veterans, Who are We?

Veterans, Who are We? by an Anonymous Veteran “We” - loosely speaking - are members of a “club” called U.S veterans. It’s a broad term with varying shades of gray. Anybody that signed on and then makes it through basic-training is a member, but the spectrum of participation is broad. Some members wash out a few months after graduation, but take their membership to heart … [Read more...]

In Case You Wanted To Read the US/Taliban Peace Deal Yourself, Here It Is

In Case You Wanted To Read the US/Taliban Peace Deal Yourself, Here It Is by Scott Faith The biggest news of the weekend is the new peace deal  between the US and the Taliban.  Many people are talking about the new agreement, but few people seem to have read it.  Here it is, straight from the Department of State's web site: Agreement for Bringing Peace to … [Read more...]

Don’t Lower the Drinking Age for Members of the Military

Don’t Lower the Drinking Age for Members of the Military by Scott Faith This article first appeared in The Havok Jorunal February 11, 2015. Don't lower the drinking age for members of the military; it's simply not a good idea. My friend and fellow Havok Journal writer Leonard Benton recently posted a well-argued article in support of a bill sponsored by North Dakota … [Read more...]

The Things I Carried: A Special Forces Officer Reflects

The Things I Carried: A Special Forces Officer Reflects by Tyler Mack On October 2, 2015, I gave notice to my boss:  it’s time to do something different after ten and half years in the Army. In the spirit of a writer from my Dad’s generation, I look back on the things I carried: A great admiration for then-Captain Craig Whiteside, West Point TAC officer. Our cadet … [Read more...]

Opportunity to Carry: The Right to Self-Defense

Opportunity to Carry: The Right to Self-Defense by Cora Kane This first appeared in The Havok Journal January 27, 2015. We are all opportunistic creatures. Exploit the fact that the hiring manager is physically attracted to you? Yeah, it happens. See an opening to finally put the moves on that special someone? Most definitely. Completely ignore an unattended computer … [Read more...]

Congress, Stop Buying Us S#!t We Don’t Need

Congress, Stop Buying Us S#!t We Don’t Need by Scott Faith No one speaks for all veterans, but there are things veterans can all agree on. One of them is this: Congress, we want you to stop buying us shit we don’t need. As just one example of Congressional budgetary malfeasance, the Army was forced to buy tanks it doesn’t want and can’t afford to maintain… and this … [Read more...]

Why the Military Draft is a “Forlorn Hope”

Why the Military Draft is a "Forlorn Hope" by T.S. Allen This article originally appeared in  War on the Rocks  and is reposted here with the permission of the original author. This first appeared in The Havok Journal January 20, 2015. In the 17th century it was customary to begin assaults on fortified places with a wave called the “forlorn hope,” led by a junior … [Read more...]

A Letter to the Special Immigrant Visa Recipients

A Letter to the Special Immigrant Visa Recipients by Kerry Patton Long ago, I wrote several letters. Arguably, they were the most difficult letters I had to write. They were letters to my wife and children should I not come home. I held onto the last letter and read it recently. After reading it, I decided to write another—not to my wife or children but to my … [Read more...]

In Defense of Broccoli

In Defense of Broccoli by Leonard Benton Tomorrow begins my campaign. To those who would sully the name and nature of the bounty of the almighty, retribution awaits for I have been commanded to lay waste to those heretics and pagans who willfully defy my Lord. My strength is magnificent, my cause is holy, and I will strike without mercy on the non-believer. Thank you … [Read more...]