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
- Before You Kill Yourself, Read This July 12, 2026by Britta Reque-Dragicevic This first appeared in Britta’s blog, “Life After War” and is republished with the author’s permission. ________________ You’re thinking about it. Ending your life. Stopping the pain. Doing it because you think it’s best for those around you. You’re tired of your shit being the cause of other people’s pain. Tired of […]Special Guest
- Work/Life Balance – STOP: Embracing Work as a Vital Part of Life July 12, 2026The concept of “work/life balance” is a misnomer that needs to be retired – TODAY. We must stop segregating work from life as if they are opposing forces in a perpetual tug-of-war. Work is part of life. Instead of striving for an elusive balance, we should focus on integrating work into the broader scope of […]JC Glick
- The Sky Is Full of Secrets and the Filing Cabinet Has a Security Clearance July 11, 2026UAP disclosure is the perfect American scandal because everyone gets to be wrong in their own special outfit. The government, naturally, behaves like a raccoon guarding a sandwich in a Pentagon air vent. Ask a simple question like, “What flew past the carrier group?” and suddenly some pale man with badge access starts sweating through […]Tammy Pondsmith
- Half Staff Flags July 11, 2026I watched it fluttering in the wind and took a moment to wonder why. My mind flipped through the Rolodex of reasons. As the world has changed, so has the traditional symbolism. In my life, it was a symbol of a country attacked by a foreign enemy. It was the symbol of a country in mourning. It was […]Jake Smith
- How Modern Combat Gear Influences Men’s Grooming July 10, 2026Tactical equipment shapes modern men’s style in very surprising ways. Heavy helmets, tight straps, and thick protective ballistic vests change how men handle daily grooming routines. These rigid pieces of gear require a smooth surface to function correctly without causing painful injuries during movement. Soldiers and tactical fans face intense skin friction every single day. […]Diane Taylor
