The Havok Journal

The Voice of the Veteran Community

West and Dunn

Transition Dispatch: Part One

Transition Dispatch: Part One by Tyler Mac As I go through the transition from military to civilian life, I’m more cognizant of things surrounding the transition process.  It is surprisingly smooth (I have yet to do  the Veterans Affairs medical process so we’ll see). I notice weird things, small things, things to remember, things to do.  It is not even the difference … [Read more...]

A Different “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

A Different "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" by J.T. My phone rang. It was my boss, explaining that he and his wife decided to let me go. I had worked at the furniture store for two weeks. It was not my ideal job, but it was a job and I was so thankful that this small company had decided to take a chance on me. It was the first company to hire me after being out work for nearly … [Read more...]

Carry On Wayward Veteran

Carry On Wayward Veteran by Mike Kelvington This first appeared in The Havok Journal in February 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: … [Read more...]

You Fought for Your Country, So Fight for Your Benefits!

You Fought for Your Country, So Fight for Your Benefits! by Chad H. Lennon, Esq. “You fought for you’re country, so fight for your benefits.” This is a quote from a friend of mine that has stuck in my mind for months. I found many of us who have completed active duty do not apply for our benefits. After months of thinking this over, I full heartedly support this. If you … [Read more...]

What are We Entitled to as Veterans?

What are We Entitled to as Veterans? by Kevin Wilson In a hair over two and a half weeks, I will be a civilian again, for the first time since I was 17 years old. For the first time since I raised my right hand and signed my life away, I can grow my hair and my beard. I can voice my displeasure with elected officials without having to worry about my chain slapping my … [Read more...]

Imperfections, Special Forces, and Entrepreneurship

Imperfections, Special Forces, and Entrepreneurship by E.M. Burlingame It is often subtle differences, slight incongruities, which are the real strength of the individual, making possible extraordinary contributions. And the success of any difficult venture is far more often than not, realized through the collective efforts of a group of individuals, each with their own … [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...]

For Veterans, College is a Bad Place to Make Sense of the War

For Veterans, College is a Bad Place to Make Sense of the War by Sean Russel Thanks to the GI Bill, college is the place a lot of veterans go after they finish their service. For veterans, it’s a time to grow like a normal person, but also a time to process what the hell just went down the last four or so years. That’s some trippy shit. College for a young vet means … [Read more...]

A Debt That Cannot Be Repaid

A Debt That Cannot Be Repaid by Andy Stumpf In a country that most would struggle to find on a map, in a compound that few possess the courage to enter, men from my previous life took the fight to our enemy. In that compound, they found men that pray five times a day for your destruction. Those men don’t know me, they don’t know you, and they don’t know America. They … [Read more...]

Why I Became a Veteran

Why I Became a Veteran by Nick Tran As we celebrate the New Year, I felt that it would be an appropriate time to share the story of my own journey here to the United States and how the actions of a certain generation of Veterans influenced my path to become an American Soldier. Even though I was only five years old at the time, I remember the deep drum-like thumping … [Read more...]