Matthew Cox

Matthew Cox has been a defense reporter since 1998. During his time with Military.com he covered 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.

Latest Articles

American tanks and soldiers take part in a yearly military parade marking the Polish Army Day, in Warsaw, Poland, Monday, Aug. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)

Army Growth May Not Keep Pace with Deployments: General

Even as the Army prepares to grow, Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson still worries about units not having enough time between...

A mural for Army Spc. Vanessa Guillen in Austin, Texas.

Army Disciplines 13 Leaders, Confirms Murdered Soldier Vanessa Guillen Was Sexually Harassed

The report found that Guillen twice tried to report that she had been sexually harassed, but leaders failed to take...

AN/PRC 148 2-channel Leader radio to transmit position location.

Army Light Infantry, Stryker and Armored Forces Are Getting This Advanced Comms Gear

Fielding a more robust tactical network that can stand against enemy cyber and EW attacks is one of the Army's top...

Army simulated real world injury and simulated real world MEDEVAC

Army Wants New Medical Gel that Seals Off Hemorrhaging Wounds on the Battlefield

The Army Research Laboratory is providing technical oversight on a new hemostatic gel known as StatBond.

The Army has adjusted its ponytail policy.

Army Allows Female Soldiers to Wear Long Ponytails in All Uniforms

Initially, female soldiers could wear long ponytails only while conducting fitness training and during field training.

Section of the poster for “The Calling.”

Army Embraces Anime in New Recruiting Campaign

"The Calling" is a series of short videos being aired on YouTube focused on five soldiers from difficult backgrounds.

Retired Col. Ralph Puckett Jr visits U.S. Army Rangers.

Army Ranger Legend to Receive Medal of Honor at 94

President Biden will upgrade Ralph Puckett's Distinguished Service Cross to the Medal of Honor.

Sig Sauer officials test fire the auto rifle prototype of their NGSW prototype.

New Video Teases Sig Sauer Prototypes for Army's Next Gen-Weapons Effort

The video comes as Sig and its two competitors wait for the Army to complete the final phase of testing.

Col. Christopher Warner at Joint Base Lewis-McChord

Army Commander of JBLM Hospital Removed Over Undisclosed Allegations

Col. Christopher Warner has been suspended from the job since Oct. 5.

Extended Range Cannon Artillery System, or ERCA, being tested.

Army Eyes Autonomous Robotic Arm to Rapidly Resupply its Futuristic Long-Range Howitzer

Apptronik Inc.'s prototype robotic arm features a design that can lift more than current robotic arms while weighing less.

Fort Drum Commander Fired over Alleged Misconduct

A Fort Drum spokesman would not release details about the charges, but said they were "administrative in nature."

Army Identifies Reserve Soldier Found Dead in Kuwait

Staff Sgt. Christopher F. Pantos was found dead in his living quarters at Ali Al Salem Air Base, according to the Pentagon.

Army Platoon Leader Creates App to Help Grunts Earn the Expert Infantryman Badge

First Lt. Egor Krasnonosenkikh created the EIB Pro by teaching himself how to program through YouTube videos.

As the sun rises, a soldier hikes along a 12-mile road march course. (U.S. Army: Sgt. Scott Lamberson)

US Soldier Serving in Kuwait Found Dead

The soldier, who has not been identified, was found dead in his living quarters at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.

U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Luke Blum walks with ExoBoot technology.

Army Scientists Want to Teach Exoskeleton Gear How to Improve Soldier Performance

The study uses sensors to help researchers track and record the soldiers' physical state as they interact with exoskeletons.

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Most Popular Military News

In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo, rioters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington. (John Minchillo/AP Photo File)

Yes, an Air Force Recruit with Ties to a Hate Group Is Out. But the Military’s Extremism Problem Isn’t Fixed.

The Air Force has kicked out a man who belonged to the white nationalist group Identity Evropa months after reporters...

U.S. Army Reserve 1st Lt. Amber English qualified for the 2020 Olympic Games Skeet Event

Army Shooter Is First US Service Member to Win Gold Medal at Tokyo Olympics

First Lt. Amber English, a logistics officer and member of the Army Marksmanship Unit, bested Diana Bacosi of Italy, the 2016...

Army Reserve sergeant stirs chili at Bagram Airfield.

A $500 Rip It? How Grilled Cheese and Energy Drinks Fueled the Afghanistan Withdrawal

Energy drinks and tobacco became hot commodities as residents at Bagram Airfield hunted for diminishing supplies before the U...

Defense Department police officer Richard Martinez, a patrol officer with the 673d Security Forces Squadron, turns on a new body camera during a routine stop Jan. 8, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. (Senior Airman Crystal A. Jenkins/U.S. Air Force)

Air Force Suspends Using Body Cameras for Its Security Personnel

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Former Airman Who Leaked Details of Drone Program Sentenced, Will Serve Prison Time

A former Air Force intelligence analyst has been sentenced to 45 months in prison for leaking classified information.

Latest Military Videos

Disabled Veteran Among Those Impacted by Florida DEO Data Breach

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VA Mandates COVID-19 Vaccine for Medical Employees

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Vietnam Veteran gets VIP Treatment at Minnesota Twins Game

A Vietnam veteran living with stage four cancer got the VIP treatment at Monday's Minnesota Twins game.

Army News

Soldiers assigned to the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

Surge of COVID-19 Infections at Fort Polk as National Guard Training Continues

At least 115 soldiers have tested positive for COVID-19 during a critical National Guard training exercise this month.

Ecuadorian Court Revokes Citizenship for Julian Assange

Ecuador has revoked the citizenship of Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks who is currently in a British prison.

'Do You Want Him 6 Feet Under?' How a Purple Heart Recipient Infiltrated a KKK Murder Plot

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Navy News

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A user-generated skin based on the 1980 movie "The Final Countdown" was created for Digital Combat Simulator. (DCS World/Author "Reflected")

How the Navy Stole the Show In a Movie About the USS Nimitz Going Back in Time to 1941

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Iranian frigate "Sahand" of the Southern Fleet of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy.

Russia Marks Navy's 325th Anniversary, Iranian Ship Joins In

Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the main parade of more than 50 vessels in St. Petersburg.

Air Force News

Two A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft fly a flight training mission March 16, 2010, over Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The A-10C is the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close-air support of ground forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman)

Congress Rebuffs Air Force's Plan to Retire Older Aircraft, Putting A-10 Move on Hold

Lawmakers would block the retirement of the A-10s again if the recent Senate Armed Services Committee’s version of the bill...

Former Airman Who Leaked Details of Drone Program Sentenced, Will Serve Prison Time

A former Air Force intelligence analyst has been sentenced to 45 months in prison for leaking classified information.

Frank Kendall III, President Joe Biden's nominee to be secretary of the Air Force, appears for his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, May 25, 2021. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

Senate Confirms Frank Kendall to Lead Air Force

Despite facing several holds during the confirmation process, senators ultimately voted to confirm Frank Kendall as the 26th...

Marine Corps News

F-35B Lightning II lands at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

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Both aircraft, assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, landed safely after the strike and neither pilot was injured.

A $500 Rip It? How Grilled Cheese and Energy Drinks Fueled the Afghanistan Withdrawal

Energy drinks and tobacco became hot commodities as residents at Bagram Airfield hunted for diminishing supplies before the U...

Former Marine Thae Ohu joins the ranks of service members whose stories have grown to be rallying cries in the struggle for change in the way the military treats mental health and handles sexual assault. (Michael Hinesley)

'They Choose Not to Listen': Thae Ohu Speaks for the First Time on Her Experience in the Marines

Former Marine Thae Ohu's story became a very public symbol of the way military commanders can fail those under their care.

Coast Guard News

That is one Semper Paratus game face. (U.S. Coast Guard)

5 Combat Victories the Coast Guard Scored Against America’s Enemies

To honor the Coast Guard's August 4th birthday: five stories to remind you the Coast Guard punches way above its weight.

The remaining military aviation unit at the Former McClellan AFB, Calif., is home to Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento which operates four HC-130 Hercules fixed-wing aircraft with 189 personnel assigned to the unit. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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A duck boat that sank in Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, is raised.

3 Men Charged in Deadly 2018 Missouri Duck Boat Accident

Rides on the lake in modified former World War II vehicles once were a popular draw in the Branson area.