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

• The Freedom of Information Act Is a Hostage Negotiation November 10, 2026
  America has a charming arrangement with its government. We give it money, power, and enough office space to house the entire cast of Law & Order. In return, it agrees to let us see what it’s doing, provided we submit a written request, locate the correct office, and survive long enough to enjoy the answer. […]
  Tammy Pondsmith
• I Was There When Disabled Men Were Drafted November 10, 2026
  By Chuck Yarling  I recently read an article entitled, “Inside the Pentagon’s shameful effort to draft mentally disabled men to fight in Vietnam.” After reading this report, it didn’t take much time for me to realize I was most likely involved with a soldier whom I believed was one of the men in this article. […]
  Special Guest
• A Fighter Pilot’s Perspective from the Skies of Iraq November 10, 2026
  By Robert G. Ray Jr., Lt Col (Retired), ALANG On March 21st, 2003, I was a flight leader of two ship F16C-Plus Block 30 aircraft OIF combat sortie assigned to the 160th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 410th Allied Expeditionary Wing, JSOC. We were flying from an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia (Base X) performing combat patrols […]
  Special Guest
• When We Mistake Credentials for Competence November 9, 2026
  I spent a long time in the Army, and most of my adult life in a uniform of one type or another. I have many awards and decorations, including three combat patches from different special operations units, four bronze star medals, and seven combat stripes. I value those credentials and are grateful for the experiences […]
  Charles Faint
• Low-Hanging Fruit and Other Ways to Sound Smarter Than You Are November 9, 2026
  Why people use complicated language to impress others, and why it often backfires. There is a peculiar phenomenon that occurs when otherwise intelligent people enter a conference room. Ordinary words suddenly become inadequate. Simple tasks become “low-hanging fruit.” Problems become “challenges.” Using something becomes “leveraging” it. And apparently, nobody can just talk to someone anymore. […]
  Dave Chamberlin