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)...

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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

Chinese Navy Conducts Military Exercises

Chinese navy conducts military exercises in the waters east of the Philippine’s Luzon Island.

Russian Officials Attend Military Memorial Opening in North Korea

Russian officials attend military memorial opening in North Korea.

Latest US Military Strike on Alleged Drug Boat Kills 3 in Eastern Pacific

Latest US military strike on alleged drug boat kills 3 in eastern Pacific.

Apollo Astronaut Schmitt Cheers on New Generation of Moon Missions

Apollo astronaut Schmitt cheers on new generation of moon missions.

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

Skyline Nav AI’s team outside their office in the Greater Boston area. (Nick Mordowanec)

$100 Billion Blackout: How One Startup is Saving Us from a GPS Catastrophe

Skyline Nav AI, headquartered in the Greater Boston Area, is changing the game with its Pathfinder technology that is making...

Alleged Serial Killer’s Remains Disinterred from National Cemetery

Due to a new law, the remains of a convicted rapist and alleged serial murderer have been removed from a national cemetery in...

Navy News

A container ship is seen in the Strait of Hormuz

The US Protected Ships from Iran in the Strait of Hormuz in the '80s. Could It Again?

The “Tanker war” grew out of the fierce eight-year war between Iraq and Iran in the 1980s.

The sun rises behind tankers anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran.

US Says it's Hunting for Explosive Mines in Latest Push to Open the Strait of Hormuz

Sweeping for underwater explosives could take months despite a tenuous ceasefire between the United States and Iran in the...

Air Force News

The plaque honoring Master Sgt. "Chappy" Chapman was unveiled on Wednesday. (Combat Control Foundation/Facebook)

Plaque on Mount Soledad Memorializes Medal of Honor Hero

His bravery led him to posthumously receive the Medal of Honor in 2018 and now Air Force hero John Chapman has been honored...

'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...

Space Force News

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius speaks, along with Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, during the joint press statement at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Yokosuka Naval Base on Sunday March 22, 2026, in Yokosuka, near Tokyo.(David Mareuil/Pool Photo via AP)

Germany Defense Spending Hits 36-Year High, Boosts Infantry & Space Program

Germany has positioned itself to become the "strongest conventional army in Europe" by 2039. Big military investments are...

'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...

Marine Corps News

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Carlos A. Ruiz, the 20th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, serves as the guest speaker for the Class II Logistics Facility ribbon cutting ceremony, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 14, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sergeant Jordan E. Gilbert)

Camp Lejeune Opens New Logistics Facility to Equip Marines Faster

Marines at Camp Lejeune now issue, turn in and repair gear under one roof at the new 109,000-square-foot Class II Logistics...

'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...

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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