Blake Stilwell

Blake Stilwell is a former Air Force combat photographer with degrees in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations and Middle Eastern Affairs. Instead of using those, he (eventually) became a writer. His work has appeared on Business Insider, Military Times, We Are The Mighty, Fox News, ABC News, NBC Sports, HBO Boxing, and at the White House. Blake is based in Los Angeles but is often found elsewhere.

Email: Blake.Stilwell@Military.com

Latest Articles

The World War I Memorial Has a Doughboy in Full Uniform Playing 'Taps' Every Night

The doughboy plays Taps to honor those who were killed in World War I and everyone who has served their country since.

Insert the "doink doink" from "Law & Order" here. (U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Joshua Magbanua)

7 Offenses That Are Bizarre Crimes in the US Military

Some common activities that are totally legal in the civilian world will get you fines, a discharge or even jail time in the...

There will never be another Chesty. (National Archives)

You Will Never Be Chesty Puller, But Now You Can Live in His House

Before you put in a bid, ask yourself if you are prepared for the entire United States Marine Corps to be your HOA.

Don Coffey is celebrating his freedom by raising money for those who fought to protect it. (Courtesy of Don Coffey)

A Civilian Retiree Is Biking Cross Country for Veterans in the Most American Way He Can

Don Coffey appreciates his freedom to ride so much, he's raising money for wounded vets by riding across America.

Don Milne in Arlington National Cemetery. (Courtesy of Don Milne)

'Stories Behind the Stars' Wants to Tell the Story of Every American Killed in World War II

Founder Don Milne needs your help to write biographies of the fallen in time for the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII.

A Special Air Service Jeep Patrol. On the right is David Stirling, founder of the SAS.

A New Book Highlights Daring World War II Escapes by Allied Troops in Combat

Not every plan goes well, even for the British Special Air Service. A new book tells us what happens when things go awry.

Every U.S. military chow hall has produced at least one consistent thing for 200-plus years: heartburn.

6 Bygone Chow Hall Classics That Helped Shape the US Military

Some of these meals are notorious, some are delicious and at least one became a regional delicacy.

How 'Decoration Day' Became Memorial Day

In the 100 years following the Civil War, the day used to recognize the Union veterans evolved a lot.

The "Eskimo Scouts" were a joint effort, made up of members of many ethnic groups: Aleut, Athabaskan, Inupiaq, Haida, Tlingit, Tsimshian, Yupik and most likely others. (U.S. Army)

Alaska Enlisted the Help of 'Eskimo Scouts' to Protect Itself During World War II

The Eskimo Scouts included 27 women, one of them in a combat role, along with an 80-year-old man and a 12-year-old boy.

Then-Defense Secretary James N. Mattis meets Finland Defense Minister Jussi Niinisto and Sweden Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., May 8, 2018. (DoD/Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kathryn E. Holm)

6 Great Reasons to Welcome Sweden and Finland into NATO

Finland and Sweden want to join NATO. Here's why we should let them into the alliance.

4 Questions to Ask a Potential Employer During a Job Interview

Don't be surprised when an interviewer asks if you have questions for them, because they will.

If you could hear this photo, you'd be in physical pain. (National Museum of the U.S. Air Force)

The Experimental Aircraft That Was So Loud, It Made Ground Crews Throw Up

The XF-84 "Thunderscreech" was scrapped because no one would fly it and it was painful for anyone within earshot.

A 1911 painting of the Battle of Lake Erie by Edward Percy Moran

How 'Don't Give Up the Ship' Became a US Navy Rallying Cry

Early U.S. Navy officers had a habit of saying some really badass things, especially when they were dying.

Just one more island for battle-tested World War II Marines to capture. (D. Ramey Logan)

US Marines Were Called to Fight Prisoners in 'The Battle of Alcatraz'

Alcatraz was the prison for those too unruly for a regular prison stay. When they captured weapons, the government needed...

A mannequin of Pvt. Steele still adorns the church at Sainte-Mère-Église, memorializing the paratroopers who jumped into Europe on D-Day, June 6, 1944. (National Archives)

A Paratrooper Started D-Day by Hanging from His Chute on a Church

Pvt. John Steele's unit parachuted in the wrong place, while Steele himself was unlucky enough to get his chute caught on a...

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Most Popular Military News

Motivational Run on Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island

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U.S. Space Forces Service Dress prototypes.

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Army News

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A lot of recruits suffer injuries in basic training, some of which can be attributed to the sudden ratcheting up of physical...

Gen. Christopher Cavoli at reactivation ceremony, 56th Artillery Command.

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Tribute for Late VA Chief Max Cleland, Who Lost Limbs in War

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Navy News

USS Indianapolis (CA 35) is shown off the Mare Island Navy Yard, in Vallejo, Calif.

Documents Reveal Sea Burials for 13 USS Indianapolis Sailors

Two Japanese torpedoes hit the USS Indianapolis on July 30, 1945, when the heavy cruiser was on its way to the Philippines...

Navy Leader Floats Idea of Selling Troubled Littoral Combat Ships to South America

The Freedom-class variant was found to have a major flaw with its combining gear, leading to the decision to decommission the...

An E/A-6B Prowler pours smoke from its exhaust.

New Navy Climate Plan Is Mostly Silent on Its Biggest Polluters: Ships and Planes

The plan focuses on increased vehicle fuel efficiency and setting up new energy systems such as microgrids to become less...

Air Force News

T-38 Talon flies during The Great Texas Airshow

T-38 Crash That Killed Student Pilot in Texas Caused by Miscommunication, Leading to Change in Formation Landing Rules

An Air Force spokeswoman said that the service is changing its policy on formation landings as a result of the incident and...

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III meets with service members at Fort Carson.

Austin Tells Air Force Academy Grads to Be Honorable Following School's Cheating, Vaccine Scandals

During his speech in Colorado Springs, Austin said the country will expect a lot from the new airmen and Guardians.

Sheep pass through a fence line at Travis Air Force Base.

Bases Looking to Save a 'Sheep' Load of Money on Yardwork

Travis Air Force Base in California released around 1,000 sheep earlier this month to help stop non-native plants from...

Marine Corps News

You Will Never Be Chesty Puller, But Now You Can Live in His House

Before you put in a bid, ask yourself if you are prepared for the entire United States Marine Corps to be your HOA.

Marine Corps Considers Abandoning Parris Island Amid Rising Extreme Weather Threats

A string of recent reports has predicted that Parris Island will face increasingly frequent and ferocious hurricanes, floods...

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms main gate. Marine Corps photo

Marine Corps' Twentynine Palms Base Lockdown Caused by Inadvertent Weapon Discharge

No injuries were reported in the incident at the vast Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center located at Twentynine Palms, 125...

Coast Guard News

Vice President Kamala Harris U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduation.

Vice President Tells Coast Guard Grads Rule of Law Is Under Attack

Vice President Kamala Harris in the commencement speech at the academy in New London, Connecticut, reflected on the state of...

A U.S. Coast Guard Academy cadet participating in the NSA's annual cyber exercise

First Cyber Systems Majors to Graduate from Coast Guard Academy

The academy said once officers graduate, it will seek accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and...

A dog lost overboard in Pamlico Sound in North Carolina was rescued by a U.S. Coast Guard crew

Pup Overboard! Coast Guard Rescues Dog from Pamlico Sound

The crew inspected the exhausted dog to ensure she was not injured, then Myla was reunited with her owners, the Coast Guard...