Profiles in Havok

Dave Campisano is the founder and president of 22 Mohawks. So it's no surprise we start talking about veteran suicide, the pros and cons of raising awareness about veteran suicide, the "dysfunctional veteran" narrative.  But that is only the start. How much does sex and death fuel our life choices? How do you rebound when your hopes and dreams are denied?How did Dave manage to go through Special Forces Assessment and Selection as a junior enlisted soldier in a recruiting battalion? A great time talking with one of the most ambitious and dedicated minds in the veteran non-profit space. 

Show Notes

22 Mohawks

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Ayman Kafel is no stranger to the Weekly Havok, but every time he's been on he's managed to pique my interest with another personal tidbit that I don't have time to dive into during a roundtable discussion. Until now. From a childhood in spent in the Liberian and Lebanese civil wars to combat tours in Iraq to a prolific law enforcement career, Ayman has had an incredibly unique life. In a conversation that veers from the political to the personal to the biographical, we cover everything from the politics of law enforcement to the most fascinating warlord in African history. 

Show Alibis

I didn't plan on talking about longtime Harlem congressman Charlie Rangel during the episode, so I was really going from memory when I said he may have won the Medal of Honor for his actions in Korea. He didn't. He won a Bronze Star with Valor. His famous statement which I paraphrased was, "Since Kunu Ri – and I mean it with all my heart, I have never, never had a bad day."  

Show Notes

Project Sapient 

Charles Taylor

Veterans Repertory Theater

The Havok Journal

This episode was recorded during the holidays, but no holiday spirit was harmed during the making of it. Well, actually, it was. Driven by a few text messages, I plunge into a recap of the past few months in Afghanistan and what it likely means for the rest of the world. 

Show Notes

Charlie and I end the year talking about Zulu, one of my favorite military movies of all time. If you haven't seen it, you owe it to yourself - and your kids. No, it's not politically correct. But then, what was in 1879? (That's when the Battle of Roarke's Drift occurred. Not the movie. That was 1964. But still not a super politically correct time.) What it lacks in neuroses, it makes up for in accuracy - not so much with the events, although they are largely correct - but in regards to leadership, discipline, and the nuances of life and death struggles. Have a great time overthinking this one with us.

It's the holidays, well, pretty much. So what, did you think we were going to knock ourselves out? It's not that we didn't want to - there is an AFG-focused episode or four coming up - but for the holidays, we wanted to do something a little lighthearted. Not to mention give you some inspiration for holidays movies to share with the family. Well, maybe. So this week, Charlie and I sat down to talk about one of his favorites, Red Dawn. We talk about its impact, its legacy and we overthink all of the meaning and significance we can find. But it's a good time. Enjoy - and hey, Merry Christmas!

Show Notes

Havok Journal

Second Mission Foundation

Veterans Repertory Theater

Savage Wonder

It is on record. Mike Kelvington predicts: Army 31-17, with Army passing 5 times. Charlie Faint says: Army wins by two touchdowns. Marshall McGurk goes with: Army by 21 points or more. And I said: I was enlisted and can't play in these reindeer games.

Now, you're probably thinking that since it was just a bunch of Army types, we must have conducted a very biased episode of the Weekly Havok. Apart from the predictions, I can honestly say no Navy personnel's feelings were harmed during the making of this episode. In fact, everyone went out of their way to talk about the tragic death of CDR Brian Bourgeois, as well as their appreciation for the Air Force on a day that they are generally forgotten. So it was a very genteel treatment of the other services. 

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We did try to get a Department of Navy representative on the show, but it didn't work out and left us to police our own trash talk to the point that it never really came out. Next year, we'll try to work on our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion of the other services.

Stick around to the end of the show to hear whether Mike Kelvington would choose to attend Ohio State-Michigan or Army-Navy if he had to pick one. I won't spoil his answer, but I'll just say that I would hate to run against him if he ever runs for political office.

Show Notes

OSU Buckeye ROTC

Service2School

GoFundMe for Navy SEAL CDR Brian Bourgeois

Riveting Mission LLC

Second Mission Foundation

The Havok Journal

Veterans Repertory Theater

Savage Wonder podcast

I sat down with Lani Hankins, Lori Buttieries and Dex for a frank conversation about not just women in the military, but femininity in the military - its uses, its problems - and how each of them personally wrestled with it. We cover a lot of ground - the cliquishness of female servicemembers, the need to never be the weakest link, the desire to be held to the same standards. The ladies were articulate, fearless and didn't shy away from their very personal insights and critiques of both themselves and others. This episode has a lot of food for thought, I've found myself thinking about it every day since we recorded. I think this started a much larger conversation.

Show Alibis

A few times on the show, I've mentioned that I wasn't around females that much in the military. I guess that's generally true - except for one administrative position I held, I was in all-male units. But after this show, I kicked myself for not bringing up some of my experiences with females in the military and how I saw femininity express itself - or not. But then, I wanted to hear about Lori, Lani and Dex's experience more. Just realized I might have more to say than I had let on. More to follow on that down the road perhaps...

I thought it was funny how each lady appeared in awe of the others' experiences. Nothing wrong with awe, but certainly they each deserved to be there. Very complimentary yet individual takes on their time in the military. I can honestly say, I was surprised at their answers. I think these ladies have made lives out of taking the hard rights over the easy wrongs. Or maybe we just didn't talk long enough. 

Show Notes

Bottled Away by Lani Hankins

Gift from God by Lori Buttieries

Patrol Base Abbate

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Follow Lani Hankins on IG

Follow Lori Buttieries on IG

Lani Hankins' Kruse Corner

Daniel Gade returned to the show for a spotlight episode about a month ago. As with all spotlight episodes, there's a long flash-to-bang before airing since these are evergreen episodes that we use to cover down on weeks I'm probably too busy with VetRep. Daniel is an American disability and veteran rights activist, political candidate, professor, and researcher. He is a West Point graduate. He became an amputee in 2005 while serving as a company commander in Ramadi, Iraq. Daniel wen't on to serve in the Army until 2017, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.  He was the Republican nominee for Virginia's senate race in the 2020 election.

Daniel's book Wounding Warriors: How Bad Policy is Making Veterans Sicker and Poorer is out now and available everywhere - it was in pre-order stage when the episode aired, so don't be fooled - it IS available now!

Show Notes

Wounding Warriors: How Bad Policy is Making Veterans Sicker and Poorer

Dan Gade on Twitter

James Gordon Meek is an Emmy, SPJ and Overseas Press Club Award-winnng national security investigative reporter for ABC News. Previously he was Senior Investigator and Senior Counterterrorism Advisor to two chairmen of the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security.

James was my guest this week as we dove into his 90-minute documentary feature "3212 Un-Redacted" which premieres on Hulu on November 11.

Due to his heavy promotion schedule, we didn't have a ton of time, so we get right to the point and start pointing figures and naming names. 

Show Notes

3212 Un-Redacted

Task Force Pineapple

James Gordon Meek

Veterans Repertory Theater

Savage Wonder