Joel Searls

Joel Searls is a journalist, writer and creative who serves as a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve. His writing has appeared in Military.com, We Are The Mighty, Leatherneck Magazine and The War Horse. Joel has completed the Writers Guild Foundation’s Veterans Writing Project, is a produced playwright, a commissioned screenwriter and an entertainment consultant. His most recent feature film-producing project is “Running with the Devil,” written/directed by retired Navy SEAL Jason Cabell. His most recent TV series producing credit is with “Top Combat Pilot,” hosted by Dennis Quaid.

Latest Articles

Jack Carr, the author of 'The Terminal List' series of books, served with the Navy SEALs.

How Jack Carr's Time as a Navy SEAL Permeates 'The Terminal List' Universe

These days, Jack Carr is a busy man. The author of seven "The Terminal List" books, he has also helped oversee television...

Ben Edwards (Taylor Kitsch) and Raife Hastings (Tom Hopper) are shown during a scene from 'The Terminal List: Dark Wolf."

'Terminal List' Prequel Series 'Dark Wolf’ Delves into the Darker Side of Warfare

Based on the bestselling "The Terminal List" books from author Jack Carr, the series revolves around SEAL James Reece, who...

Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland on set (A24)

4 Questions for 'Warfare' Filmmakers Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza

24's "Warfare" has a relatively simple mission: to drop audiences into the chaos of a Navy SEAL mission gone wrong, told in...

Acclaimed screenwriter William Broyles Jr. (right) served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.

How a Military Veteran's Experience in Vietnam Inspired Him to Write 'Cast Away'

Academy Award-nominated screenwriter William Broyles Jr. is a decorated Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran and shares how "Cast...

June (Kim Hunter) and Peter (David Niven) stand against the judge, jury and trial members.

This Gem of a Movie About an Airman’s Brush with Death Holds Up 80 Years Later

“A Matter of Life and Death” is a romantic fantasy that centers around a British airman’s love for a U.S. Army Air Corps...

Utkarsh Ambudkar, Sonequa Martin-Green (middle) and ‘My Dead Friend Zoe’ director/co-writer Kyle Hausmann-Stokes prepare for a scene in which the 2 actors play a shooter arcade game.

How ‘My Dead Friend Zoe’ Reflects its Director’s Real-Life Military Experiences

"My Dead Friend Zoe" -- now available on several streaming services -- is inspired by the experiences of director and co...

Sonequa Martin-Green, left, and Natalie Morales in 'My Dead Friend Zoe.'

'My Dead Friend Zoe' Delivers an Eye-Opening Message for Military Veterans

In "My Dead Friend Zoe," a female Afghanistan veteran -- engaged in a mysterious relationship with a wise-cracking (and dead)...

'Warfare' is a visceral story of modern combat and brotherhood.

'Warfare' Is One of the Best War Movies of the Post-9/11 Era

"Warfare" is a must-see that brings full combat immersion, miles of depth and natural believability, making for one of the...

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Most Popular Military News

Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis serving in Afghanistan. (I Have Your Back/Facebook)

New York Soldier Killed in Afghanistan Will Finally Receive Medal of Honor

Advocates pushed for years for Michael Ollis to receive the nation's highest honor. On Tuesday, their dream became a reality.

The West Pittston United Methodist Church, where hundreds of residents and veterans gathered to honor U.S. Navy veteran Jeffrey Kalnas, who died without immediate family, ensuring he was not buried alone. (Facebook)

Hundreds Turn Out to Honor Navy Veteran Who Would Have Been Buried Alone

Hundreds of strangers filled a Pennsylvania church to ensure a U.S. Navy veteran who died without family received the send...

An enlisted soldier's rank insignia on a uniform jacket.

Why Some Disabled Veterans Can't Get Both VA Disability and Military Retirement Pay

Military service members planning medical retirement face a critical decision point at the 20-year mark.

Cher Ami, the heroic messenger pigeon who saved the Lost Battalion in WWI. (Army Photo)

How a Wounded Pigeon Named Cher Ami Saved the Lost Battalion in WWI

A wounded pigeon named Cher Ami helped save a battalion of American soldiers, becoming one of the most recognized animals in...

First Black Marine Medal of Honor Recipientv

This 20-Year-Old Sacrificed His Life and Became the First Black Marine Medal of Honor Recipient

Every February, Black History Month shines a light on Americans whose contributions shaped the nation. One belongs to Pfc...

Latest Military Videos

US Sending Second Aircraft Carrier to Middle East Amid Iran Tensions

US sending second aircraft carrier to MidEast amid Iran tensions; AP explains.

Trump's Push for Greenland Reveals a Political Weak Spot, New Poll Finds

Trump's push for Greenland reveals a political weak spot, new poll finds.

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Zelenskyy says Russia is 'hesitating' about another round of US-brokered talks.

Trump Administration Briefly Closes El Paso Airspace, Blames Mexican Cartel Drones

Trump administration briefly closes El Paso airspace, blames Mexican cartel drones.

Investigations and Features

In One of the Marines' Most Iconic Jobs, a Stunning Pattern of Suicide

Marine Corps drill instructors are a national symbol of discipline. But for some, their imposing persona belies a dark...

Army Capt. Jeremy Kuykendall and his wife Kate, cradle their daughter

Unsupervised: Military Child Care Centers Slow to Report Abuse with Little Oversight

A Military.com investigation into military day care centers revealed that service branch rules generally prioritize...

Army News

Godfrey Wade poses in his U.S. Army uniform during his military service. (Kozycki Law, LLC)

Army Veteran Deported Despite Pending Appeal: 'He Served This Country'

“He served. He did what he was supposed to do. And now he’s not even here.”

Letters from a WWII Soldier to His Sweetheart Offer an Intimate Picture of Love During Wartime

A trove of more than 200 letters from World War II that were found in a Tennessee home offers an intimate picture of love...

Navy News

On Feb 13, 2026, Capt. Chavius Lewis was removed from command of the USS Mason (US Navy Photo)..

USS Mason Commander Relieved: The Hidden Cost of ‘Loss of Confidence’

The Navy relieved the USS Mason’s commander during a key training exercise, a move that underscores accountability and the...

Second US Aircraft Carrier Is Being Sent to the Middle East, Source Says, as Iran Tensions High

The United States will send the world's largest aircraft carrier to the Middle East to back up another already there, a...

Air Force News

U.S. Air Force veteran Choice Jackson spent eight years at Beale Air Force Base in Yuba County, Calif. (Choice Jackson)

Transitioning From Military to Civilian Life: An Air Force Veteran’s Story

"From what I learned in the military, I know how to pivot," Air Force veteran Choice Jackson told Military.com.

Military spouse Erica Thompson and her children are photographed inside a Washington lawmaker's office. (Erica Thompson)

Mold-Induced Housing Health Issues Lead Alabama Military Spouse to Capitol Hill

A military spouse from Alabama told Military.com that her children are seeing what old-fashioned advocacy can do to fix...

Space Force News

POLARIS at NATO Exercise REPMUS 25 in October 2025. POLARIS is a small, gimballed free space optical communication solution for naval vessels and unmanned surface vessels. (Photo source: NATO DIANA, courtesy of Astrolight)

Russian Satellite Activity Exposes Gaps in Satellite Communications Security

Military.com spoke with Astrolight CEO Laurynas Mačiulis on why laser-based optical communications offer a resilient...

U.S. Space Force Capt. Erin Davis, 1st Range Operations Squadron range operations commander, maintains situational awareness inside the Morrell Operations Center during support for the Falcon 9 Starlink 6-78 mission, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, Nov. 20, 2025. The Starlink 6-78 mission marks the 100th launch from the Eastern Range this year. The MOC supports every space launch from CCSFS and Kennedy Space Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Gwendolyn Kurzen)

US Space Force Turns 6: Has It Met Expectations?

The U.S. Space Force marked its sixth anniversary in December, reflecting a shift from stand-up to sustained operations as...

Marine Corps News

Judge Dismisses California Deportation Case for Mexican Father of 3 US Marines

An immigration judge has dismissed the deportation case against a landscaper who was arrested in Southern California last...

Virginia Supreme Court Rules US Marine’s Adoption of an Afghan War Orphan Will Stand

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Coast Guard News

More than 12,750 pounds of cocaine and marijuana are stacked on pallets aboard USCGC Seneca (WMEC 906) to be offloaded at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Sept. 30, 2025. Seneca is a Famous Class medium endurance cutter homeported in Portsmouth, Virginia. (U.S Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Diana Sherbs)

Coast Guard Seizes 200,000 Pounds of Cocaine in Six Months in Pacific Ocean

Operation Pacific Viper, which began in August, is getting rave reviews from federal officials.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106) transits the Philippine Sea. Stockdale is underway and conducting operations in international waters as part of a dual carrier strike force exercise. The U.S. Navy has patrolled the Indo-Pacific region routinely for more than 70 years promoting regional security, stability and prosperity. (U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Connor D. Loessin)

Amid Political Turmoil in Haiti, US Warship Arrives off Coast of Port-Au-Prince

The USS Stockdale is an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, and is now among several warships the Trump...