Civic Essays
What We Owe the Next Generation
There is a kind of conversation that has gone out of fashion in this country, and we are paying for its absence. It is the conversation older people used to [...]
The Havok Journal | Military & Veteran News, Commentary, Culture
- The Father Who Reflects Strength, Courage, and Compassion June 21, 2026By Lt Col (ret), US Army, Darin Gaub Editor’s Note: This article began as a Father’s Day sermon/reflection submitted by the author. The Havok Journal adapted it for publication by removing the sermon-style structure, editing for clarity and flow, and formatting it as a faith-based commentary article while preserving the author’s core message, Christian perspective, […]Special Guest
- Operator Syndrome: Reclaiming the Warrior’s Path to Healing June 21, 2026Editor’s Note: This 4-part series was adapted by Chris Frueh, PhD, from his book titled Operator Syndrome (2024; Ballast Books). The pattern of injuries and impairments associated with the Operator Syndrome framework is often seen in soldiers from the combat arms, private defense contractors, intelligence agents, law enforcement officers, and firefighters. Read Parts 1: Operator […]Special Guest
- The Nice People Setting the House on Fire June 20, 2026The most dangerous people in public life are not the obvious crooks. At least a crook has the decency to enjoy the money. No, the real menace is the person who ruins a neighborhood, a school, a workplace, or an entire class of citizens while speaking in the soothing voice of therapeutic concern. He arrives […]Tammy Pondsmith
- White Lies, that Kill June 20, 2026When I met my now-wife, she quickly learned not to ask questions she didn’t want honest answers to.“Does this dress make me look fat?” My answer would, of course, not simply be “Yes,” but rather a well-crafted, honest response with context. “Did you like the food I cooked?” Again, I would respond honestly. While this […]Jake Smith
- Deterrence Is (Still) a Lie We Tell Ourselves June 19, 2026There’s a comforting fiction at the heart of modern strategy: that we can control outcomes by signaling strength clearly enough, loudly enough, and credibly enough. We call it deterrence. It sounds clean. Rational. Mathematical. You raise the cost high enough, the other guy backs down. You make your intentions clear, the other side understands. You […]Charles Faint
