The Havok Journal

The Voice of the Veteran Community

Sean Parnell

Tactical Poetry: THE FENCE

By Carl Martin Johnson The soldiers came this morning To build for me a fence. They showed up without warning But I said they could commence. The enemy had been seen. I knew there was some danger. I heard the enemy was mean, So I was wary of any stranger. As I watched the troops working, I felt more and more secure. If the enemy was lurking, My new fence … [Read more...]

Startup Success is a Sequence of Running Gun Battles

A running gun battle: an argument that continues over a long period of time; and a fight that takes place as one group chases another. These are the very definition of a startup. The long running argument being why your product and service, as opposed to your competitor’s or complimentor’s product and service, should successfully obtain and increase market share … [Read more...]

A Rant on Suicide

"The thing that helped me was finally getting mad enough to fight myself to live, instead of encouraging myself to die." -Leonard Benton Dear Facebook and instagram fans, we are having a Suicide Party at my place. Come and join in! I am soliciting ideas on what way to go, should I hang myself, shoot myself, some pills maybe, I was really leaning toward a toaster in … [Read more...]

Veterans, Who Are We?

Veterans, Who Are We? “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 for the rest of their lives. … [Read more...]

Bridging the Gap: Framing America’s Civ-Mil Problem

Bridging the Gap: Framing America's Civ-Mil Problem by Scott Faith Despite being engaged in the longest period of constant warfare in United States history, the percentage of Americans who have served in the armed forces is at an all-time low; by some estimates, less than 1% of the total US population. Exacerbating this situation, members of the armed forces are often … [Read more...]

Veteran Author Interview: Terron Wharton

Major Terron Wharton is the author of the raw and powerful non-fiction book, High Risk Soldier. He spoke with The Havok Journal on February 16, 2017.  The book review is here. The Havok Journal: First, Major Wharton, thank you for agreeing to the interview. Can you tell our readers about yourself? Terron Wharton: I’m from Indiana and I graduated from West Point in 2005, … [Read more...]

“No Tougher Duty, No Greater Honor” Part 1: Into the Fray Once Again

"No Tougher Duty, No Greater Honor" Part 1: Into the Fray Once Again by Gunnery Sergeant (retired) L. Christian Bussler Editor's Note: These excerpts are from the multi-award winning book “No Tougher Duty, No Greater Honor” and were provided by the book's author, Gunnery Sergeant (retired) L. Christian Bussler, who retains the copyrights. This an exclusive look into the … [Read more...]

I Recognize My Brother As The Deceased

I Recognize My Brother As The Deceased by Anonymous “I recognize my brother as the deceased.” Words I never thought I would write. Words no one prepares you for… Words no thing prepares you for. It’s not supposed to be this way, And it is this way. He’s gone. _____ “I recognize my brother as the deceased.” Mission mode. Official business. Transactional. I am not … [Read more...]

Carry On Wayward Veteran

Originally published in February of 2017. For the past 18 months, I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to “unplug” from the operational Army and be a graduate student at Princeton University. During this time, I must admit I’ve been chasing ghosts. I’ve toiled and mulled over thoughts and feelings wondering: “Is there something wrong with me?” Sadly, veterans and the military … [Read more...]