Matthew Cox

Matthew Cox has been a defense reporter since 1998. He covers all the services, with a close eye on Army weapons development and procurement, body armor testing, camouflage, ammunition as well as readiness and training issues. He previously worked for 12 years for Army Times. He traveled to Afghanistan and Iraq numerous times from 2002 to 2008, covering Stryker and light infantry units in combat. He also spent four years in the U.S. Army during the second half of the 1980s, serving as an infantryman in the 82nd Airborne Division.

Email: matthew.cox@military.com

Latest Articles

Prototypes of the FTUAS for field-testing.

Army Field-Testing Quieter Drones to Avoid Enemy Detection

The Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System is being developed to replace the current RQ-7B Shadow UAS.

An MP demonstrates how to use handcuffs.

Army Commanders Will Soon Be Able to Track 'Risky Behavior' Trends Across the Service

The New Commanders' Risk Reduction Toolkit (CRRT) is currently being fielded to active-duty units.

Soldiers execute the sprint-drag-carry portion of the ACFT.

Army to Outfit 110 Active Brigades with Fitness Experts to Boost Soldier Performance

The Holistic Health and Fitness strategy is designed to work with unit leaders and individual soldiers to hone performance.

M3E1 Multi-Role Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel Weapon System that fires an 84mm munition. (Image: Saab)

The Army Is Paying $87 Million for An Upgraded Carl Gustaf

The seven-year deal is for an indefinite quantity of the M3E1 Carl Gustaf multi-role, shoulder-fired weapon.

Army Wants to Spot-Promote Officers Moved into Hard-to-Fill Jobs

Congress granted the Army authority to move lower-ranking officers into critical unit positions as part of the 2019 NDAA.

A precision strike missile was fired on April 30, 2020, at White Sands Missile Range

Army Wants Missile to Kill Enemy Targets Beyond 900 Miles

The surface-to-surface missile that the Army wants could be positioned in areas in the Pacific islands to deter China.

5th Security Force Assistance Brigade at Camp Thanarat, Thailand.

The Army Is Reorganizing Its SFAB Units to Deploy Globally

The Army created six SFABS to serve as special advisory units to train and advise foreign partner armies.

National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin

Army Focus on Combat Training Center Rotations 'Unsustainable,' General Says

The Army's new "action plan" will reevaluate the training that units are required to endure prior to their CTC rotation.

A U.S. Army UH-72A Lakota helicopter over Washington D.C., January 18, 2017.

Army Probe into Helicopters Buzzing DC Protesters Now Under Pentagon Review

The senior leadership authorized the Guard to use helicopters to "observe and report" on demonstrations, officials have said.

Textron Systems Next Generation Squad Weapon rifle variant. (Matthew Cox/Military.com)

The Army Is About to Get Improved Next Gen-Squad Weapons for Testing

Textron Systems has a new batch of Next Generation Squad Weapon prototypes, featuring improvements from soldier tests.

New Army recruits recite the Oath of Enlistment.

Army Beats 2020 End Strength Goal Despite Major Recruiting Roadblocks

Despite grim predictions early in the pandemic, the Army is finishing ahead of its 485,000-soldier end strength target.

Hometown recruiter at the Zaragoza Recruiting Station in El Paso.

Army Wants More Female Recruiters and Women Leading Combat Units

Army Recruiting Command has seen a "huge benefit" from female recruiters and their ability to connect with female applicants.

A team made up of Textron Systems, Howe & Howe and FLIR Systems, Inc. is debuting the new Ripsaw M5 unmanned vehicle it intends to offer for the U.S. Army’s Robotic Combat Vehicle effort at the 2019 Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting. (Courtesy Textron)

This All-Electric Robotic Combat Vehicle May Accompany Army Units into Battle

Textron announced it will deliver an all-electric version of its M5 Ripsaw Robotic Combat Vehicle for experimentation.

Soldiers participating in a live fire event.

Army Forced to Treat COVID-19 Infections Like Combat Casualties as Training Resumes

Army combat leaders are finding that coronavirus infections affect units the same way as battlefield casualties.

Soldiers track an unmanned aerial systems threat as part of Black Dart 18.

To Launch Deadly-Fast Precision Fire, Army Will Need to Turn Soldiers into Coders

Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said the service will need to man its units with software coding experts.

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Most Popular Military News

U.S. Representative for Virginia's 2nd congressional district, Elaine Luria

VA Plans to Outsource All Compensation and Pension Exams

In a letter to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie, Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., said the plan was developed with no notice to Congress.

USAA Bank Fined $85 Million by Federal Regulators for 'Violations of Law'

USAA Federal Savings Bank is part of USAA, which has about 13 million military and veteran-affiliated members.

The Army Is Looking into the Soldier who Vibed with Cranberry Juice and Fleetwood Mac During an Airborne Jump

The Army has said they are looking into the soldier’s actions for potential safety violations.

Leg tucks during a pilot for the Army Combat Readiness Test.

'Soldiers' Careers Depend on It': Senators Want to Halt Army Combat Fitness Test Rollout

Two senators say the new Army Combat Fitness Test sets unrealistic standards for some soldiers.

AH-1W Super Cobra Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base

After More than 3 Decades, the Corps' AH-1W Super Cobra Makes its Final Flight

The Marine Corps has officially retired the AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter.

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Army News

President Donald Trump awards the Medal of Honor to former Army Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Shurer II for actions in Afghanistan.

Ronald Shurer, Medal of Honor Recipient Who Died of Cancer at 41, to Be Laid to Rest at Arlington

Shurer died in May at the age of 41 after a years-long lung cancer battle.

JBLM Soldier Killed in Non-Training Related Incident

Spc. Skyler Oliver served with 1-2 Stryker Brigade, 7th Infantry Division, according to I Corps public affairs officials.

Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division reunited with their families.

Have Army Emergency Relief Debt? It Could Soon Be Canceled

More than 1,000 soldiers and families who received loans this year from Army Emergency Relief are about to get a windfall.

Navy News

A T6-B Texan II taxis at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Florida, in 2010.

Navy T-6B Crashes in Alabama Neighborhood, Killing 2 Aircrew

The aircraft reportedly hit a house and two cars, but officials say no civilians were hurt.

An explosive ordnance disposal technician is hoisted from a Mark VI patrol boat.

Navy EOD Operators Are Heading Back to Sea After Clearing Bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan

The U.S. Navy's explosive ordnance disposal community is shifting its focus back to the sea.

Navy Capt. Brett Crozier's nameplate temporarily removed.

Navy Restores Fired CO's Nameplate to Roosevelt Plaque

Capt. Brett Crozier's nameplate was reportedly taken as a souvenir, not removed by the Navy.

Air Force News

Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 planes.

Senators Want Upgraded C-130s Assigned to Western Firefighting Mission

Lawmakers first made the request in February, before the Air Guard announced its list of candidates for the newer C-130J.

Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Air Force Gen. John E. Hyten

Judge Permits Sex Assault Case Against Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman

Air Force Gen. John Hyten has denied the allegations brought by former Army Col. Kathryn Spletstoser.

F-22 intercepts two Russian Tu-95 bombers.

US and Russia Scramble Jets in Another Exchange of Aerial Intercepts

NORAD said it also identified a Russian A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft supporting the intercepted aircraft.

Marine Corps News

Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David H. Berger delivers remarks.

Marine Commandant to Leaders: Quit The 'Soft Relief' of Fired Officers

Commandant Gen. David Berger reminded everyone that they needed to hold Marines accountable with a paper trail.

Marines Hop Islands, Set Up Long-Range Fires as Force Preps for Clash with China

Marines in Japan got a look at what future missions could look like during a recent island-hopping naval exercise.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jesus Hernandez-Aylala firefighting operations

Camp Pendleton Marines Return from a Month of Fighting California's Largest Fires

This is only the second time in 20 years Marines from Camp Pendleton have been tapped to fight wildland fires.

Coast Guard News

U.S. Coast Guard SailDrone and Spatial Integrated Systems

Coast Guard Judging Whether Drones Have Place in Service During Monthlong Hawaii Testing

The pair of drone systems being tested are quite dissimilar.

Coast Guard Academy football team prepares for a game in New London.

Six Coast Guard Football Players Test Positive for COVID-19

Six Coast Guard Academy football players are in isolation on campus after testing positive for COVID-19.

People being rescued by a Carnival Cruise ship off the Florida coast.

Cruise Ship Rescues 24 People from Boat off Florida Coast

The passengers were transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard after the rescue.