Nonprofit journalism about military service, war, and its impact.

Donate

Reflections

Vivid, intimate storytelling by service members and military-connected civilians that provides the emotional context for our reporting.

Latest

We Were Winning in the Middle East. But the Civilian Casualties Kept Coming

We Were Winning in the Middle East. But the Civilian Casualties Kept Coming

‘When the injured become people who should never have been part of the fight, it cracks any wall you built.’

by Robert Fabich March 25, 2026March 25, 2026

Tuition, Training, Housing: How to Sell the Military as the Path of Least Resistance

Tuition, Training, Housing: How to Sell the Military as the Path of Least Resistance

by David Chetlain March 18, 2026March 18, 2026

A Marine Went on a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land to Heal from War. War Found Him Anyway

A Marine Went on a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land to Heal from War. War Found Him Anyway

by Michael Pereira March 11, 2026

His Family Legacy Led Him to the Military. But He Found Contentment as a Family Man

His Family Legacy Led Him to the Military. But He Found Contentment as a Family Man

by Michael Kingslayer March 4, 2026

Award-Winning Journalism in Your Inbox

Never miss a story. Subscribe to our free newsletters.

In case you missed it

Desperate for Help, a Marine Battles Phone Trees, Hold Music, and Indifference

Desperate for Help, a Marine Battles Phone Trees, Hold Music, and Indifference

by Evan Slusser February 25, 2026

I Thought Removing Confederate Names Meant Black Soldiers’ Legacy Mattered. Then, the Names Were Restored

I Thought Removing Confederate Names Meant Black Soldiers’ Legacy Mattered. Then, the Names Were Restored

by Jack Lowe February 18, 2026

He Hunted Roadside Bombs in Iraq. Now He Hunts Adventure to Combat PTSD

He Hunted Roadside Bombs in Iraq. Now He Hunts Adventure to Combat PTSD

by Casey Elliott February 11, 2026

I Decided Not To Go On a Patrol in Iraq. An IED Killed My Friends

I Decided Not To Go On a Patrol in Iraq. An IED Killed My Friends

by J. Michael Comstock February 4, 2026

A Marine Father, an Air Force Son, and the Distance Between Them

A Marine Father, an Air Force Son, and the Distance Between Them

by Michael Hyon Johnson January 28, 2026February 10, 2026

I Carried Death’s Shroud With Me From Afghanistan. But I Do Not Fear It

I Carried Death’s Shroud With Me From Afghanistan. But I Do Not Fear It

by Cindy Seipert January 21, 2026January 21, 2026

After 30 Years in the Military, an Army Colonel Asks: Who Am I Without the Uniform?

After 30 Years in the Military, an Army Colonel Asks: Who Am I Without the Uniform?

by Alan M. Evans January 14, 2026

Curing Insomnia with Magic: How One Veteran Finally Got a Good Night’s Sleep

Curing Insomnia with Magic: How One Veteran Finally Got a Good Night’s Sleep

by Eric Hook January 7, 2026January 12, 2026

A Look Back At Some of Our Favorite Reflections of 2025

A Look Back At Some of Our Favorite Reflections of 2025

by The War Horse Staff December 22, 2025January 14, 2026

We Pined for the Comforts of Home. We Got Tube Socks and Old Candy for Christmas Instead

We Pined for the Comforts of Home. We Got Tube Socks and Old Candy for Christmas Instead

by Zach West December 17, 2025

I Left the Military and Tried to Heal, But I Was Unraveling. This Helped Me Reset

I Left the Military and Tried to Heal, But I Was Unraveling. This Helped Me Reset

by Samantha Juan December 10, 2025January 21, 2026

A Marine Fights a New War. This Time With Her Own Body

A Marine Fights a New War. This Time With Her Own Body

by Tamara Geyer December 3, 2025February 10, 2026

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.