The Havok Journal

The Voice of the Veteran Community

West and Dunn Law

The Death of a Ranger

The Death of a Ranger by former Ranger Johnny B. So, you heard a Ranger died today What a tragic waste, you said That he should die in a foreign land With so much of life ahead He still had so much left to do He was too young, you lament Why should a man like him have to die With so much of his life unspent? Yes, it's true, he was too young And his death is a … [Read more...]

You’re Not Entitled to Your Own Opinion

You're Not Entitled to Your Own Opinion by Leo Jenkins The following is not a statement of blame and is in no way intended to pass the bill of responsibility, in affairs current, to which we have all collectively contributed. In fact, this is more of a confession of my own wrongdoing and an observation that I have made throughout the course of my travels and varied life … [Read more...]

Meditations of an Army Ranger: A Warrior Philosophy for Everyone

An excerpt from Meditations of an Army Ranger: A Warrior Philosophy for Everyone  by LTC (Ret) JC Glick and author, Dr. Alice Atalanta: Why philosophy? “Learn to ask of all actions, ‘Why are they doing that?’ Starting with our own.” ٠Marcus Aurelius٠ “War is the father of all things.” ٠Heraclitus٠ Philosophy is in a predicament: years of being used as a pawn in … [Read more...]

“Empty Chairs”: By a Fellow Ranger

Empty Chairs by a Fellow Ranger An empty chair standing still An empty chair- absence filled They're missing soldiers off to war Fighting enemies ne'er seen before Shielded warriors- many come home Proud of duties that they performed Armor off, swords sheathed Now it's time to settle and breathe Yet haunting thoughts come at night Long lost friends fill my … [Read more...]

What I Signed Up For

What I Signed Up For by Scott Cee I’ve seen increasing rhetoric these days from some veterans regarding their views on their service, and the service of others in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other GWOT areas of conflict.  Some have even claimed to speak for ALL veterans, stating “No! That’s not what we signed up for.” I’m throwing the bullshit flag right now on that. Here is my … [Read more...]

A Note On Brotherhood

A Note On Brotherhood by Kasey Pipitt I joined the Army on January 30, 2008 - a late bloomer to those of you that have been fighting the good fight for a while, I know. I arrived at 2nd Ranger Battalion in 2009, did three deployments and was wounded by a grenade on my third. I was then honorably discharged from the Army in 2012. The day after I was discharged, I came back … [Read more...]

The Ranger Way: Earning My Combat Scroll

The Ranger Way: Earning My Combat Scroll by James Webb It was my 3rd mission that I bagged my first bad guy. Right out of the bird, I knew we were running up to the top of a hill and just above the target building. To be blatantly honest, all I paid attention to at that point was how far we were walking and if there was a terrain feature or not we had to cross, meaning a … [Read more...]

Heroes and Horses: Not a Vacation Part I

Heroes and Horses: Not a Vacation Part I by Tim Selbrede   #NotAVacation, that is what was repeatedly emphasized for weeks to months before I ever stepped foot on the Jumping Horse Ranch in Ennis, Montana. That point was driven home day after day during my time as a student in Class 2-19 for the Heroes And Horses program this past summer. “Not A Vacation” almost … [Read more...]