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

Command Sgt. Maj. John Brown, senior enlisted advisor of the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, provides a rousing speech to the Soldiers of Bravo Battery before departing on a deployment to the United States Central Command area of responsibility on August 19, 2024 at Kadena Air Force Base, Japan. (U.S. Army photos by Capt. Frank Spatt)

Which Americans Will Be Automatically Registered for Military Draft, and When?

Last year's defense bill passed by Congress paved the way for the new automatic registration process.

A VA Clinic Gave Veterans GLP-1s for Weight Loss. A Year Later, Everything Improved

Researchers tracked 201 veterans prescribed semaglutide, the drug sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy. After one...

Marine Corps veteran Al Duran. (Facebook)

WWII Veteran Who Lied About His Age to Serve Takes Honor Flight

Joining the military at 16 to serve in World War II to service in Korea and Vietnam, humble Al Duran has lived quite a life.

A federal class-action lawsuit accuses a company, Trajector, of taking advantage of disabled veterans and their spouses. (Adobe)

Disabled Veterans Charged Up to $20K to File VA Benefits Claims: Lawsuit

The company being sued told Military.com it doesn't charge for VA claims. Plaintiffs disagree, citing purported deceptive...

3 Big Military PCS Changes Are Coming at Once. Here’s What to Know Before 2026 Peak Season

In 2026, three major changes are affecting military household goods moves: a new permanent agency to run the system, the end...

Latest Military Videos

Views Across Southern Lebanon Show Widespread Destruction

Views across southern Lebanon show widespread destruction from Israel's razing of villages.

For NATO, Spring Brings Surge of Interceptions of Russian Planes

For NATO, spring brings surge of interceptions of Russian planes in the Baltic region.

Navy Secretary John Phelan Is Leaving in Latest Departure of a Top Defense Leader

Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving in latest departure of a top defense leader.

Photographer Reflects on the Legacy of Chernobyl

AP photographer reflects on the legacy of Chernobyl after 4 decades of coverage.

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

Retired Brigadier General Don L. Scott's "US@250&You" podcast debuted on Thursday, April 23, 2026 (Don L. Scott).

Ex-General's New Podcast Tackles US History Ahead of 250th Anniversary

Ret. U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Don L. Scott calls himself "a living testament to how America has evolved to include all of its...

Army Maj. Paul Voelke with his sons Andrew, left, and Ben. (Submitted)

Gold Star Family Takes NFL Draft Stage to Announce This Team's First Pick

Andrew and Ben Voelke will realize a lifelong dream and honor their late father, Maj. Paul Voelke, when they get to take the...

Navy News

Secretary of the Navy John Phelan speaks, at President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

What Led to Navy Secretary John Phelan Losing His Job? What We Know

Phelan, a big GOP donor in 2024, is out and becomes the first top military official to depart the Trump administration.

'Military Child of the Year' awards wait to be presented to past honorees at an awards gala. (Operation Homefront)

'Military Child of the Year' Awards Honor Seven Teens from Seven Services

Lila Morgan is 18 years old but has written a book, started a nonprofit, and is graduating college soon. She credits her...

Air Force News

'Military Child of the Year' Awards Honor Seven Teens from Seven Services

Lila Morgan is 18 years old but has written a book, started a nonprofit, and is graduating college soon. She credits her...

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft flies over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility during Operation Epic Fury, March 9, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Air Force Extends A-10 Warthog Through 2030 After Combat Missions in Iran

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink announced that three A-10 squadrons will keep flying through 2030, following the Warthog's...

Space Force News

'Military Child of the Year' Awards Honor Seven Teens from Seven Services

Lila Morgan is 18 years old but has written a book, started a nonprofit, and is graduating college soon. She credits her...

Robbie Robertson, Sedaro CEO and co-founder, presents a live demo to USSF leadership Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at Spacepower Conference in Orlando, FL. (Photo courtesy of SFA)

National Spacepower Center: Advancing US and Allied Spacepower

The Space Force Association launched the National Spacepower Center in Dec. 2025 to connect government, academia and industry...

Marine Corps News

'Military Child of the Year' Awards Honor Seven Teens from Seven Services

Lila Morgan is 18 years old but has written a book, started a nonprofit, and is graduating college soon. She credits her...

U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Crisis Response - Central Command, provide assistance at an Evacuation Control Checkpoint (ECC) during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 21, 2021 (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Victor Mancilla)

Abbey Gate Marines Receive Upgraded Valor Awards After Pentagon Review

The Pentagon has upgraded valor awards for Marines who defended Abbey Gate during the 2021 Kabul suicide bombing.

Coast Guard News

'Military Child of the Year' Awards Honor Seven Teens from Seven Services

Lila Morgan is 18 years old but has written a book, started a nonprofit, and is graduating college soon. She credits her...

An HC-130 Hercules airplane crew offloads supplies in Saipan.

Coast Guard Searches for 6 People After Losing Contact with Boat Following Typhoon Sinlaku

A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircraft was launched to search for the six people on board, but it had to return to Guam...

Joel Searls

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