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

• In The Military and In Business: You Are What You Do, Not What You Say You’ll Do July 22, 2026
  Here is a simple truth that cuts through nearly every profession, every institution, and every claim of leadership: you are what you do, not what you say you’ll do. It is not a complicated idea. It is not even a new one. But it is one that is routinely ignored—especially in environments where words are […]
  Charles Faint
• Moments Are Thunder July 22, 2026
  But struck by lightningSometimes I wonder what my heart has been sayingThat’s what it’s all aboutSometimes it strikesOften it’s thunder and underI do it to meI often dream aloud Thoughts are thunderThey rarely strike like lightningWhat is beautifulIs often forgottenWhat are you to say to mineWho are we?Except expressed in motions Time can often feel […]
  Ryan Mimna
• The Reaper July 22, 2026
  From childhood to adulthood, I have felt his breath upon my neck. I have lived with him longer than without. I have borne witness to his labors. I have felt his crushing aftermath. I have done his work. I have protected others from him. I have stood numb to his toils. I have been brought to my […]
  Jake Smith
• Congratulations, Your Spouse Has Been Promoted to Casualty Affairs Officer July 21, 2026
  Veterans love readiness. They label cables, rotate supplies, memorize obscure acronyms, and keep enough batteries to power a minor coup. Some of them can still describe the location of a trauma kit in a vehicle they sold twelve years ago. Then they die and leave their spouse a shoebox containing an expired ID card, two […]
  Tammy Pondsmith
• Wisdom is Where You Find It, Even at Biker Bars and Redneck Rat Cage Juke Joints July 21, 2026
  This is somewhere in the late ’80s. I was on the back patio of this skeezy redneck rat cage juke joint where I was Head of Security, trying to figure out what’s up with this guy who couldn’t take two steps without crashing into the furniture but showed no other signs of intoxication, when I […]
  Michael Bama Katt