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

Commemorative pistol presented by Sig Sauer to retired Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Britt Slabinski to coincide with the launch of the documentary “For Service As Set Forth: The Story of CMC Britt Slabinski, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient.” (Courtesy of Sig Sauer)

Sig Sauer Honors Navy SEAL Hero With Epic Commemorative Pistol

The maker of the Army's new Modular Handgun System presented Britt Slabinski with a special-edition MK25 pistol.

Gearing Up for SHOT Show 2018

Military.com's crew will be among the 65K attendees expected at SHOT Show 2018, being held from Jan. 23 to Jan. 26.

Organizers Cancel SHOT Show as COVID-19 Cases Spike

The spread of COVID-19 presented too many challenges for the firearm industry trade association to hold the indoor event.

Army Paratrooper Charged in 2013 Kidnapping and Rape of Minor

A soldier in the 82nd Airborne was arrested for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl.

Colt's Halt to Civilian AR-15 Sales Could Prompt Other Gunmakers to Exit Market

Despite the decrease in demand, the AR-15 is still an extremely popular rifle.

Pentagon Report Predicts Rise of Machine-Enhanced Super Soldiers

Still unclear: whether society will accept human-machine fusion.

Trump Awards Medal of Honor to His Own Secret Service Agent

The most recent recipient of the Medal of Honor is fighting stage 4 lung cancer.

Army Doctors in El Paso Surged to Care for Victims of Mass Shooting

Army doctors who treated victims of the recent mass shooting in El Paso said the emergency room scene was like a war zone,

SecDef: Soleimani’s Killing Dealt Big Setback to Iranian Terrorism

Esper told members of the SASC that it was the right call to kill Iranian Quds Force leader Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani.

General Says He 'Meant No Disrespect' with Tweet About Kobe Bryant's Death

The tweet about Kobe Bryant angered many on Twitter, resulting in more than 100 responses

Capt. Ryan Lewis talks to Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Jones and @twitch.tv shout caster James “jchensor” Chen during the Army Entertainment Esports Street Fighter V tournament 11 August 2018, at the Alternate Escapes Café at Fort Gordon, Georgia. (U.S. Army 2nd Recruiting Brigade)

Thousands of Soldiers Sign Up to Game on Army Esports Team

Recruiting officials are screening more than 4,000 applications f who hope to be chosen to play video games for the Army.

Worldwide Equipment Identification Cards, released by Army Training and Doctrine Command, helps Soldiers recognize and remember potential adversary vehicles and weapons. (U.S. Army/Gary Sheftick)

The Army Is Using Playing Cards to Train Soldiers on Enemy Weapons

Each deck includes the nomenclature and performance stats of primary weapons systems soldiers may face in combat.

The U.S. Army debuted its Esports gaming trailer at the Salt Lake Gaming Con in Salt Lake City.

Army Denies Violating 1st Amendment in Esports Recruiting, Sponsoring Fake Giveaways

The Army has temporarily stopped its esports team from streaming on Twitch while it reviews its policies.

Inside the Army Esports trailer (Facebook photo)

Army Unbans Hundreds of Gamers as It Resumes Streaming on Twitch

The Army esports team will resume gaming on Twitch after taking a five-week pause.

Wearable Health Monitors Could Lead to Mentally Tougher Troops, Experts Say

The U.S. Army is conducting several studies designed to use wearable devices.

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

President Donald Trump signs a Congressional joint resolution

Trump Orders VA to Build Homeless Veterans Center on West LA Campus

The future of a 388-acre campus in Los Angeles that was donated more than a century ago to house disabled veterans has been...

Coal Shed Brewery on Mare Island in Vallejo, Calif.

Navy Subs, Nuclear Secrets and Beer: The Riveting History of Bay Area’s Mare Island

Mare Island supported the Navy during both world wars and helped spy efforts during the Cold War by using nuclear submarines...

Protesters denounce a bill that would strip transgender rights in Iowa

Fort Carson Soldier One of 1,000 Leaving After Transgender Ban Temporarily Upheld

Fort Carson Sgt. Mason Benavides is leaving an Army that no longer wants him.

President Donald Trump speaks during an event

Trump Wants to Attack Drug Cartels. How Can Mexico Respond if He Does?

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum may soon face her most challenging test -- and her response could define bilateral...

An adult male eastern massasauga rattlesnake was captured by volunteers at Camp Grayling on May 6, 2025. The snake was brought to a small field lab at the military base to be measured, tagged with a microchip, and checked for health problems. (Sheri McWhirter/MLive.com)

Rattlesnake Wranglers Help Conserve Michigan’s Only Venomous Snake at Military Base

Each spring, dozens of conservation researchers and volunteers descend on the Michigan Army National Guard base in northern...

A target pops up at the Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) on the Big Island of Hawaii

Army Hits Snag in Effort to Keep Hawaii Training Range Land

The ruling is an embarrassing setback for the Army after years of working on the document and submitting several drafts since...

Latest Military Videos

Master Class: Interview Genius: Strategies for Veterans to Excel When Everything Is an Interview

This engaging course is specifically designed for veterans like you, giving you all the tips and tricks to turn...

Russia Marks 80 Years Since Defeat of Nazi Germany With Massive Parade - AP Explains

Russia marked the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II with a massive military...

Village in Pakistani-Controlled Kashmir Assesses Damage After Shelling From India

Indian and Pakistani soldiers exchanged heavy volleys of shells and gunfire across their frontier in Kashmir overnight, killing at...

Pakistan Says It Shot Down 12 Indian Drones and One Attacked Military Target

Pakistan's air defense system shot down a dozen Indian drones overnight, as one attacked a military target near the...

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

Army Hits Snag in Effort to Keep Hawaii Training Range Land

The ruling is an embarrassing setback for the Army after years of working on the document and submitting several drafts since...

Rattlesnake Wranglers Help Conserve Michigan’s Only Venomous Snake at Military Base

Each spring, dozens of conservation researchers and volunteers descend on the Michigan Army National Guard base in northern...

Navy News

Navy Subs, Nuclear Secrets and Beer: The Riveting History of Bay Area’s Mare Island

Mare Island supported the Navy during both world wars and helped spy efforts during the Cold War by using nuclear submarines...

Hegseth Orders End to Race Consideration in Admissions at Military Service Academies

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered all military service academies to no longer consider race, ethnicity or sex for...

Air Force News

Child tests her brushing techniques on a stuffed animal

Dozens of Air Force Families Disenrolled from Day Care at New Mexico Base as Staffing Woes Grow

Dozens of families at a New Mexico Air Force base have been suddenly and unexpectedly warned their children will be...

Dr. Troy E. Meink appears before the Senate Armed Services Committee

Meink Confirmed as Air Force Secretary in Senate Vote

The Senate voted 74-25 to confirm Troy Meink, who has been principal deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office...

Space Force News

Meink Confirmed as Air Force Secretary in Senate Vote

The Senate voted 74-25 to confirm Troy Meink, who has been principal deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office...

Space Command Could Bring 4,700 Jobs to North Alabama, Congressman Says

U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, R- Monrovia, remains confident that the decision to bring U.S. Space Command to Huntsville will be...

Marine Corps News

The Gundam 22 dedicated cenotaph memorial in Japan

Osprey Safety Investigation Stalls in Congress, Angering Gold Star Families

Congress' probe into the safety of the military's V-22 Osprey last summer following multiple deadly crashes has been stalled...

Marines march pass a platoon of new recruits at MCRD San Diego

A Woman Drove into a San Diego Military Facility by Mistake. She Now Faces Deportation.

A spokesperson for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot said that if a person without proper authorization attempts to enter a...

Coast Guard News

An uncompleted U.S. Coast Guard Cutter sits in a hangar bay at Bollinger Shipyard in Lockport, Louisiana

Louisiana Shipbuilders Bollinger, Edison Chouest Join to Bid on $22B Coast Guard Cutter Program

Two of Louisiana's largest shipbuilders, Bollinger Shipyards and Edison Chouest Offshore, have joined forces to compete for a...

A 30th Sex Assault Claim Filed Against Coast Guard Academy

A 30th sexual assault complaint was filed against the U.S. Coast Guard, a law firm representing former Coast Guard Academy...