The Havok Journal | Military & Veteran News, Commentary, Culture

• Where Shadows Build Leaders August 1, 2026
  During the GWOT era, combat MOS soldiers typically had about two years to attend Ranger School after completing RIP or RASP. This applied not only to infantry, but also to combat medics, forward observers, mortarmen, commo specialists, and others. Failing to attend often meant being Released For Standards (RFS). Completing Ranger School meant earning your […]
  Jake Smith
• Tactical Regret August 1, 2026
  “A coward dies a thousand times before his death, but the valiant taste of death but once”. William Shakespeare I’ve had a lot of interesting jobs in the tactical world. The common denominators for these gigs were the fact that they were hard, dangerous and the pay sucked. So, when a guy offered me $30 […]
  Nick Perna
• War Just Got a Whole Lot Easier, so Expect More of It July 31, 2026
  The Changing Character of War The character of war has always evolved alongside technology, but its underlying logic has remained remarkably consistent: when the costs and risks of using force decline, the frequency of its use tends to rise. Today, advances in long-range strike capabilities, cyber operations, and artificial intelligence are reshaping the cost-benefit calculus […]
  Charles Faint
• I Was Just Doing My Job July 31, 2026
  Author’s note: This reflection was inspired by Sarah Barbo Nielsen’s essay, “Yes, I Served in Iraq. But What if People Mistake Me for a Hero?” published by The War Horse on June 3, 2026. ___ I served in the Navy. I deployed to Afghanistan. I was awarded a Combat Action Ribbon, and I was involved […]
  Lori Butierries
• You Have Chosen the State Over Christ July 31, 2026
  Don Timmerman died of cancer on July 19. He spent almost all of his adult life advocating for peace and justice. I am tempted to say that he was “fighting” for those causes, but I’m not sure if that word is appropriate to describe a man who was an absolute pacifist. Based on his understanding […]
  Frank Pauc