The Havok Journal

The Voice of the Veteran Community

Learning to Breathe Through the Journey Of Addiction and PTSD

Learning to Breathe Through the Journey Of Addiction and PTSD by Jenny Pacanowski, The War Horse. The first time I snorted heroin felt like the peace of a sunset at dusk, the ending of the day and beginning of darkness. Even though I had a great service dog and a solidly maternal house dog, I struggled. I searched for an alleviate my pain by escaping my memories, … [Read more...]

Find a Fight You Can Believe In Again

By Joe DeCree This was originally published on Lifeafterwar.org and shared on The Havok Journal with permission. Warriorhood — the status of being a warrior.  Warrior  — a person who is called to defend others; to live by a code of honor and ethics in pursuit of the greater good; to lead the non- warrior class in living up to the ideals of the society. These … [Read more...]

The Ranger Way – A “Peer Eval” on Benghazi Survivor Kris Paronto’s Book

It is fitting with the upcoming, week-long celebration at Fort Benning, Georgia known as “Ranger Rendezvous” to highlight a book published in May 2017.  The Ranger Way, written by Kris “Tanto” Paronto, underscores both the value and unique lifestyle of a Ranger.  Having both earned the “coveted” Ranger tab and served in 2nd Ranger Battalion, Tanto underscores the importance and … [Read more...]

7 Things You Need To Know To Succeed As A Veteran

7 Things You Need To Know To Succeed As A Veteran by Marty Skovlund Jr. For those who have served, it’s always a bit (or a lot) of an adjustment when you take the uniform off for the last time. Whether you did a three-year hitch or you are taking stars off your chest on retirement day, it takes some time and effort to recalibrate yourself and/or your family. There are many … [Read more...]

Battle of the Bridge: A Company, 1-505th at La Fiere Bridge

Battle of the Bridge: A Company, 1-505th at La Fiere Bridge by Major Mike Kelvington 75 years ago, units of the American Paratroopers had already landed behind German lines in France.  One such unit was the 505thParachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), a seasoned element of the 82ndAirborne Division.  Some of its elements had already completed their third combat jump in about a … [Read more...]

D-Day & Beyond: Land of the Free Because of the Brave

D-Day & Beyond: Land of the Free Because of the Brave by Major Mike Kelvington   D-Day is certainly a day to be celebrated; but it is also important to recognize, for those who survived the jumps and beach landings, that day was just the start of a long, hedgerow to hedgerow fight across France towards Germany.  This fighting included subsequent jumps behind … [Read more...]

Filthy Thirteen: Symbol of American Fighting Spirit

Filthy Thirteen: Symbol of American Fighting Spirit by Major Mike Kelvington Units in the Airborne Divisions portrayed characteristics and a culture symbolic and unique to paratroopers.  A demolition section attached to the 1stBattalion, 506thParachute Regiment, 101stAirborne Division, nicknamed the “Filthy Thirteen,” provides a great example.  They were not the “Dirty … [Read more...]

Building a Winning Culture: Easy Company, Unit Cohesion & Grit

A group of individuals who came together to become one of the tightest fighting forces in World War II was the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, specifically Easy Company.  These young men, glamorized in the Stephen E. Ambrose book and HBO Series, Band of Brothers, epitomized the culture of Airborne units.  Stephen Ambrose chose to write about these men because he “astutely … [Read more...]

Paratroopers of WWII: Double Volunteers

When soldiers are asked why they volunteered for the paratroopers, their responses come in many forms.  Many men signed up to be in the Airborne because they possessed a desire to fight for their country after the attacks on Pearl Harbor.[1]  Many believed it was their patriotic duty.[2]Family was another reason.  There were those who had relatives in WWI and figured that it … [Read more...]

Roots of Airborne Success: the Parachute Test Platoon

The American Airborne concept, first suggested in World War I, became a need heading in to World War II.  The war started years before direct American involvement.  The Airborne concept had to quickly yield results to support the allied cause, which at the time of its creation, was losing in both the Pacific and European theaters.  While there were no Airborne units in the … [Read more...]