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 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

Ukrainian Farming Tycoon Helps Turn Volunteer Unit into Fighting Corps

Ukrainian farming tycoon helps turn tiny volunteer unit into fearsome fighting corps.

Divers Recover Artemis II Astronauts After Splashdown

New video of divers recovering Artemis II astronauts after splashdown.

Powerful Winds from Super Typhoon Sinlaku Impact US Islands

Powerful winds from Super Typhoon Sinlaku continue to impact US islands in the Pacific.

House Approves Aviation Safety Bill Based on Deadly Midair Collision

House approves aviation safety bill based on deadly midair collision near Washington.

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

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House Approves Aviation Safety Bill Based on Deadly Midair Collision near Washington

An aviation safety bill seeking to address lessons learned from last year’s midair collision of a jet with an Army helicopter...

Navy News

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces began setting conditions for clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, April 11, as two U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers conducted operations. (U.S. Central Command Photo)

‘Turn Around or Be Boarded’: US Blockade Forces Ships Back

U.S. warships are forcing vessels to reverse course without firing a shot, as officials warn the standoff could quickly...

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Air Force News

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The Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen board member James Thompson honors the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen in Philadelphia, Penn., on March 28. (The Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen)

'Not Just a Moment in History': Tuskegee Airmen Honored in Philadelphia

“It’s something that we need to make sure the rest of the world knows about,” a Tuskegee Airmen supporter told Military.com...

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

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The 2026 International Sniper Competition ends with an Awards Ceremony April 10, 2026 in McGinnis-Wickam Hall on Fort Benning, Georgia. Staff. Sgt. Tyler Johnson and Sgt. Spencer Harrell, representing the United States Marine Corps, won the championship trophy. (U.S. Army photo by Daniel Marble)

Marine Corps Team Takes Army's Top Sniper Title for First Time Since 2009

Staff Sgt. Tyler Johnson and Sgt. Spencer Harrell won the International Sniper Competition at Fort Benning, only the second...

Coast Guard News

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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.

Joel Searls

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