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

Members of the media wait outside of the Bernie Beck Gate, an entrance to Fort Hood.

Army Prepares to Release Final Investigations into Potential Leadership Failures at Fort Hood

In December, the Army relieved or suspended 14 leaders at Fort Hood as a result of an independent review.

Fort Hood's Vanessa Guillen Tragedy Leads to Army-Wide Overhaul of Sexual Assault, Harassment Prevention

The Army's People First Task Force unveiled actions underway to transform the service's sexual harassment and assault...

Two divers set charges to blow notional mines in Kuwait.

Army Wants Deadlier Land Mines that Attack Enemy Tanks from Above

The Army's search for a deadlier anti-tank mine system is part of a larger effort by the service to prepare for a future war.

Viral video that allegedly shows a confrontation in Summit, South Carolina.

Fort Jackson Suspends Drill Instructor Involved in Alleged Assault of Black Man

The Richland County Sheriff's Department charged Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Pentland with third-degree assault, then transferred...

Sikorsky has been flying and testing X2 Technology for more than a decade.

Sikorsky's S-97 Raider Recon Helicopter Performs First Flight Demos for Army Leaders

Sikorsky's S-97 is competing against Bell Textron Inc.'s 360 Invictus single-rotor prototype helicopter for the Army's FARA...

Wisconsin National Guard soldiers fly a UH-60 Black Hawk

Soldiers Involved in Flying Helicopter Low Over DC Protesters Have Been Disciplined, Army Says

The Army has implemented new procedures and protocols for the use of Guard forces and aviation assets in civil disturbance...

Army Investigates Video Allegedly Showing a White NCO Assaulting a Black Man

The viral video shows a large White male following a smaller Black male in a residential neighborhood, telling him to leave...

More Soldiers Are Headed to Europe to Boost Long-Range Missile Capabilities

The additional soldiers, who are scheduled to be in place by this fall, will form a Theater Fires Command and a new Army...

Marines interact with other attendees during the Gamerjibe virtual career fair

How the Pandemic Changed Military Recruiting Forever

It's been just over a year since the Army ordered its recruiting stations to close temporarily and shifted to an all-virtual...

The Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville gives a speech

Army Chief Defends Long-Range Missile Effort After Air Force General's Public Attack

Gen. Timothy Ray, head of Air Force Global Strike Command, took a very public jab at the Army's top modernization priority.

Christine Wormuth delivers remarks during a ceremony.

For the First Time, a Woman Has Been Nominated to Lead the Army

The Biden administration plans to nominate Christine Wormuth, a former top Defense Department official, as the first female...

Army cavalry scout field testing of the enhanced night vision goggles-binoculars at Fort Polk

Army Wants Tens of Thousands of New Night Vision Devices for Drivers, Support Soldiers

The service awarded a $22 billion contract to Microsoft to produce IVAS for about 120,000 soldiers in close-combat units.

U.S. Army Rangers fire the Counter Defilade Target Engagement System.

Army's Precision Grenadier Program Is About to Face Its First Real Test

Army Futures Command will soon decide whether weapons officials will get another shot at equipping infantry squads with a...

Army 1st Cavalry Division Brigade Commander Fired for Allegedly Bullying His Subordinates

Acting 1st Cavalry Division commander Brig. Gen. Brett Sylvia relieved Col. Michael Schoenfeldt of his command Thursday.

Deadlier, More Destructive Sniper Bullets Are High on Army's Wish List

The Army just picked a new, multi-caliber sniper rifle. Now, it wants a new class of ammunition to make snipers deadlier and...

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Most Popular Military News

Army soldiers take aim at their targets during a weapons qualification event at Fort McClellan.

McClellan Still Swarms with Soldiers, Thanks to National Guard

Since 2001, the Alabama Army National Guard site has played a significant role in preparing soldiers for Afghanistan.

police officer speaks with Caron Nazario during a traffic stop

FBI Joins Investigation of Traffic Stop Involving Black Army Officer

State police asked that anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or had cellphone video of it, to contact them.

F/A-18E Super Hornet Naval Air Station Oceana

Photos on UFO Websites Were Shot by Navy Personnel, Pentagon Says

DOD spokeswoman Susan Gough would not comment on what the images show.

Comedian, writer and veterans advocate Jon Stewart speaks at a press conference

Lawmakers Rush to Introduce Relief Bills as Military Toxic Exposures Come to Light

Advocates and some lawmakers stress that the stars are aligned to pass significant legislation.

police officer uses a spray agent on Caron Nazario

'I'm Very Proud of Him:' Sergeant Major of the Army Reacts to Black Lieutenant's Traffic Stop

"He represented himself and our Army well through his calm, professional response to the situation -- I'm very proud of him."

Latest Military Videos

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Army News

Fort Bragg Paratrooper Killed in Training Accident

An Army paratrooper died Monday at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, while conducting airborne training operations, officials say.

Adm. Phil Davidson salutes Maj. Gen. Suzanne Vares-Lum at Vares-Lum's retirement ceremony.

Hawaii Army 'Trailblazer' Retires

She was the first woman to perform the duties of acting Indo-Pacific deputy commander and acting chief of staff.

United States Military Academy graduating cadets.

51 West Point Cadets Caught Cheating Must Repeat a Year

The cadets were accused of cheating on an online freshman calculus exam while students were studying remotely because of the...

Navy News

Marine V-22 Osprey Makes First Landing on Navy Hospital Ship

The hospital ship Mercy welcomed the tiltrotor aircraft that will serve as the Navy's next carrier delivery platform onto its...

Valiant Air Command's TBM Avenger made an emergency landing in the ocean

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Naval Academy freshmen, or plebes, climb the Herndon Monument

Naval Academy Class of 2024 to Have Herndon Climb Livestreamed

The day before Commissioning Week starts, midshipmen will rush an obelisk, hoping to capture the cover on top of it.

Air Force News

Air Force One Subcontractor Countersues Boeing Over Delays

In a seven-page lawsuit, GDC Technics LLC seeks more than $20 million in damages from Boeing.

Air Force Colonel Allowed to Retire Amid Reports of 'Frat-Boy Atmosphere' in Unit

The extensive investigation detailed allegations of sexual harassment and discriminatory behavior.

B-52 that crashed in Palomares, Spain, after a mid-air collision with a KC 135 aerial tanker

Bill Would Give US Vets of 1966 Spain Bomb Accident Benefits

The midair collision resulted in the release of four U.S. hydrogen bombs.

Marine Corps News

Study of Marine Recruits Reveals Imperfect Immunity Effects of Having COVID-19

A study of more than 3,000 Marine recruits indicates that having a case of COVID-19 doesn't necessarily keep young people...

Lost for Decades, a Marine World War II Hero Finally Comes Home

The word came in the morning as Grace Cruz and her children gathered at the family home on Christmas Eve, 1943. Her oldest...

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Robert F. Castellvi Camp Pendleton

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Coast Guard News

Woman potentially first vice commandant in Coast Guard history

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If confirmed, Vice Adm. Linda Fagan will be the first female officer to reach the rank of four-star in the service's 230-year...

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Coast Guard Cutter Glenn Harris pull a person from the water

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The hope is that the 12 missing people have found air pockets to survive inside the Seacor Power.