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...

TV producer Chas. Floyd Johnson is on the set of 'JAG' with U.S. Marine Corps Cobra gunship helicopters in the background.

The Circle Makes Its Rounds: ‘NCIS’ Producer Chas. Floyd Johnson on Military Service and Hollywood Success

Chas. Floyd Johnson is the executive producer for the long-running CBS TV series “NCIS” and won an Emmy for his work on “The...

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Most Popular Military News

2026 Military Pay Charts

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British Regimental Sgt. Maj. Mark Bethell, Forward Land Forces, Battle Group regimental sergeant major, Royal Tank Regiment, takes command of his formation during a joint ceremony with the French, British and Estonian Soldiers, Nov. 20, 2025, on Camp Tapa, Estonia. This ceremony was for the British Royal Tank Regiment to celebrate Cambrai Day, a holiday celebrating the Battle of Cambrai during the first world war. It was significant because it was the first ever large-scale use of tanks in warfare. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Nathan Morse)

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Boeing B-52G in flight, similar to the one involved in the nuclear incident in Greenland in 1968. (Wikimedia Commons)

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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

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Army News

APTOPIX Immigration Enforcement Minnesota

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"Woody" Woodhouse laughs showing a photo from his World War II days at his birthday celebration on Wednesday. (Submitted photo)

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A life raft carrying survivors from German submarine U-546 in the midst of a group of U.S. Navy destroyer escorts. (Wikimedia Commons)

Operation Teardrop: The Secret Navy Mission to Stop German Submarines From Launching Rockets on New York City

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Wind turbine blades sit at the State Pier in New London, Connecticut.

Pentagon Brushes Off Request to Understand How Wind Turbines Threaten National Security

Whatever the reason for its latest concern, the Pentagon won’t talk about it, even when pressed by members of Congress with...

Air Force News

Pentagon Brushes Off Request to Understand How Wind Turbines Threaten National Security

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An artist rendering of the proposed Vietnam Veterans' Memorial in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. (Photo from Terry Massey/The Post & Courier)

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Space Force News

President Donald Trump holds top a signed executive order as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth watches in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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A painting of a Defense Support Program satellite from the Air Force Art collection. DSP provides a variety of national security capabilities. Its flagship mission of launch detection was made famous during the Cold War. (U.S. Air Force image)

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Marine Corps News

Captain Walter Fleming (right) with two of his Marines in Vietnam. (Fleming)

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Coast Guard News

A U.S. Coast Guardsman, a member of Port Security Unit (PSU) 308, mans a Browning M2HB heavy machine gun while on patrol near South Padre Island, Texas, Nov. 2, 2025. PSU 308 was deployed to South Padre Island in support of Operation River Wall, the Coast Guard’s response to increased drug and human trafficking along the Rio Grande River. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Cheyenne Basurto)

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Adm. Kevin Lunday was sworn in Thursday as the 28th commandant of the United States Coast Guard. (US Coast Guard)

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