Memorial Day and the Ramadi Mule by Paul O'Leary Memorial Day is quickly approaching and that means different things to different people. We will be reminded, no doubt, that the purpose of Memorial Day is to honor those who fell in service of our country. To honor those who paid the ultimate price for defending America. While this holiday is not, as many people seem … [Read more...]
Seven Nightingales
Seven Nightingales by J.E. McCollough Sometimes the truth is intentionally covered up. Sometimes, though, the truth just slips through the cracks, obscured by the fog of war and then overtaken by surrounding events. This is the true story of seven American Prisoners of War rescued after twenty-two days of captivity. On April 13, 2003, U.S. Marines recovered seven … [Read more...]
5 Things I Wish I Knew before Deployment
5 Things I Wish I Knew before Deployment by Scott Faith My wife and I were watching TV and I received a phone call saying I will be going on a deployment, details will be given at a later date. Instantly, I thought, “finally, it’s here! Now it’s my turn!” What I didn’t think about was all the preparation to leave. I, like other many young soldiers, was in a naïve mindset … [Read more...]
High Risk Soldier
High Risk Soldier by Marshall McGurk I decided to purchase High Risk Soldier for two reasons. First, the cover art drew me in: a shot glass filled with pills and a 9mm round. The imagery was powerful. As a combat veteran, I knew exactly what that imagery symbolized. Second, Major Terron Wharton and I were classmates at West Point. We did not have classes together but we … [Read more...]
Dreaming of Ishtar in the Land of the Two Rivers
Dreaming of Ishtar in the Land of the Two Rivers by Jonathan Baxter I knew I would come back to her, eventually. The Etihad flight delivered me into Baghdad International Airport, and I was back home. When I left Iraq on my last military deployment there in 2009, I had the feeling it was only temporary, and I’d eventually wind my way back to the Land of Two Rivers. It … [Read more...]
Camp Pozzi: An Excerpt from a Former Polish GROM Operator
Camp Pozzi: An Excerpt from a Former Polish GROM Operator by Alyssa Sudermann We, at The Havok Journal, are honored to have met Polish GROM Operator, Naval Polska, at an exclusive party hosted by Ben Thomas, Lemba Rum, and Alma de Agave Tequila at SHOT Show. With Polska's permission we are going to be sharing excerpts from his books throughout the coming months. The books … [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...]
Get Help: A Female Veteran’s Perspective
Get Help: A Female Veteran's Perspective by Lana Duffy Last night I sat having a beer or two with some good friends who happen to be fellow veterans. As it sometimes does, the conversation turned to mental health and our experiences. I haven’t been back to a counselor since the last one told me I looked like his wife and started speaking to me in Italian. I’m not Italian, … [Read more...]
Soldiers at Christmas: Past and Present
Soldiers at Christmas: Past and Present by Mike Kelvington To the Soldiers at Christmas past and present: I did not write this poem, that credit goes to Michael Marks.[1] However, I've used it many times in the past, and thought it prudent to use in the present as a medium to remind myself and others of those who cannot be at home during this holiday season: A SOLDIER’S … [Read more...]
The Most Effective Weapon on the Modern Battlefield is…Concrete?
The Most Effective Weapon on the Modern Battlefield is...Concrete? by John Spencer Ask any Iraq War veteran about Jersey, Alaska, Texas, and Colorado and you will be surprised to get stories not about states, but about concrete barriers. Many soldiers deployed to Iraq became experts in concrete during their combat tours. Concrete is as symbolic to their deployments as … [Read more...]
