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...

Military News

Get the Military Insider Newsletter

Get the latest on pay updates, benefit changes and award-winning military content. Right in your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Notice.

Thank you for subscribing!

View more newsletters on our Subscriptions page.

One last step.

Verify your free subscription by following the instructions in the email sent to:

Most Popular Military News

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron lands at a base in the Middle East, Jan. 18, 2026. The F-15's presence enhances combat readiness and promotes regional security and stability. (Courtesy Photo)

The US Military Will Risk Everything for Its Own. Here’s Why

The rescue of downed U.S. airmen in Iran shows why “leave no one behind” still defines the military, and why it matters for...

Bruce Willis in military gear in Tears of the Sun, actor who grew up in a military family. (Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing)

These Actors Grew Up as Military Children. It Shaped Everything

These 10 actors were raised in military families. Their upbringing didn’t just shape their lives—it still influences how they...

Veterans hold signs supporting the PACT Act.

You Took Separation Pay Years Ago. Now the VA Wants It Back From Your Disability Check.

Under federal law, a veteran cannot receive both separation pay and VA disability compensation for the same period of service...

New recruits take the oath of enlistment at the Advocate Center for the Eleventh Annual Chicago Bulls Special Recruit Division Enlistment Ceremony in Chicago. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Camilo Fernan)

Could the US Bring Back the Draft? Who Would Be Called First — and Who Qualifies

Could the U.S. bring back the draft? Here’s how Selective Service works today, who would be called first and why only about...

3 Big PCS Changes Are Coming at Once. Here’s What Service Members Need to Know Before 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

Texas Senator Ted Cruz Speaks with Artemis Crew

Texas Senator Ted Cruz speaks with Artemis crew as they prepare to enter Earth's atmosphere.

Kentucky Service Member Killed in Plane Crash Brought Home

Kentucky service member killed in plane crash brought home for funeral.

Russia's Internet Crackdown Leads to a Spring of Growing Discontent

Russia's internet crackdown leads to a spring of growing discontent.

Israeli Military Releases Video of Strikes on Southern Lebanon

Israeli military releases video of strikes on southern Lebanon.

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

An Army Veteran Is Charged with Sharing Classified Details of an Elite Commando Unit

An Army veteran has been charged with sharing classified information about an elite commando unit with a journalist, which...

Team Air Force wheelchair basketball athlete Joshua Oshua fights for a rebound against Team Special Operations Command athlete Master Sgt. Scotty Roessler during a preliminary game against Team SOCOM at the Department of Defense Warrior Games at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado, June 3, 2018. (U.S. Air Force)

Wheelchair Basketball Team Provides Purpose for Disabled Veterans

Searching for hope and direction after catastrophic injuries, a pair of Colorado veterans found their new community on the...

Navy News

A soldier visits a troop store on USAG Bavaria to make purchases at a self-checkout register. (Army & Air Force Exchange Service Public Affairs)

Military Exchange Shoppers Donated $2.5M to Army, Air Force in 2025

Military Exchange shoppers have donated more than $11.7 million dating back to 2017.

These Actors Grew Up as Military Children. It Shaped Everything

These 10 actors were raised in military families. Their upbringing didn’t just shape their lives—it still influences how they...

Air Force News

Military Exchange Shoppers Donated $2.5M to Army, Air Force in 2025

Military Exchange shoppers have donated more than $11.7 million dating back to 2017.

These Actors Grew Up as Military Children. It Shaped Everything

These 10 actors were raised in military families. Their upbringing didn’t just shape their lives—it still influences how they...

Space Force News

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...

This year's USO 2026 "Service Members of the Year." (USO)

'Exceptional Courage': USO Announces its 2026 Service Members of the Year

This year's crop of USO honorees saved motorcycle crash victims, rescued bodies underwater, saved civilians from a building...

Marine Corps News

Marine Corps veteran Michael Garcia. (Facebook)

Family Mourns Marine Veteran, 41, Killed by Gunfire While Driving

Marine Corps veteran Michael Garcia's senseless killing in New Orleans has loved ones shocked and grieving, shedding new a...

Army veteran David Zartarian holds a photo of Col. Francis "Frank" Cuddy. (Nora Lewis/University of Rhode Island)

Fight for Valor: Vietnam Veteran Battles to Get War Hero Medal of Honor

Is Marine Corps pilot Francis Cuddy deserving of the nation's highest military honor? Fellow Vietnam veteran David Zartarian...

Coast Guard News

Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) prepares to Moore at their homeport Honolulu, Hawaii Oct. 3, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer Nilson)

Coast Guard Cutter Finds, Retrieves Family Missing for 7 Days in Micronesia

The rescue mission was one not "routine" to the Coast Guard and cutter crew that succeeded.

'Exceptional Courage': USO Announces its 2026 Service Members of the Year

This year's crop of USO honorees saved motorcycle crash victims, rescued bodies underwater, saved civilians from a building...

Joel Searls

Latest Articles

Military News

Select Service

Get the Military Insider Newsletter

Most Popular Military News

Latest Military Videos

Investigations and Features

Army News

Navy News

Air Force News

Space Force News

Marine Corps News

Coast Guard News