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

Andras Toma of Hungary is believed to be the longest-held POW from World War II.

This World War II POW Endured More Than 50 Years in Captivity

When Anna Gabulya saw a television report of a POW’s return to Hungary a half-century after he served during World War II...

Retired 4-Star Navy Admiral Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for Bribery Plot

Retired Adm. Robert P. Burke, once the second-highest uniformed officer in the Navy, was commanding its forces in Europe and...

Pentagon Says Troops Can Only Be Exempt from Shaving Their Facial Hair for a Year

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered that troops who need an exemption from shaving their facial hair for longer than a...

Vietnam War veteran John L. Smith is shown at Essex County College.

Black Vietnam Veteran’s Story Reveals War’s Harsh Realities 50 Years Later

It was May 1970, deep in the jungles of Vietnam, and 19-year-old infantryman John Smith stepped to the edge of a hill to...

A U.S. military video released by the Department of Defense shows a precision strike destroying a high-speed narcotics vessel in international waters on Sept. 2, 2025.

Trump Says US Forces Sank Third Suspected Drug Boat off Venezuela

President Donald Trump did not say how many people were killed in the third strike.

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams

Navy Culinary Specialist Charged in Death of Fellow Sailor in Norfolk

Jeremiah Copeland has been held since the discovery of Seaman Angelina Resendiz’s body in June.

Latest Military Videos

Trump Says Putin 'Has Let Me Down' over War in Ukraine

During a press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the second day of his state visit to...

Gunman Kills 2 at Israeli-Run Crossing Between West Bank and Jordan

Officials said a gunman killed two people at an Israeli-run border crossing between the occupied West Bank and Jordan...

Trump Says He and UK's Starmer 'Have a Disagreement' over the Recognition of a Palestinian State

President Donald Trump said Thursday he disagrees with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the recognition of a Palestinian...

Further Blasts Seen in Gaza from Israel

Explosions and bright flashes were seen over the Gaza Strip early on Thursday. (Sept. 18) AP

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

Members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers went for a paddle during the 60th River Rat Race on Millers River in Athol, Massachusetts

Lawmakers Question Resiliency of US Army Corps of Engineers After Cuts

Both U.S. senators and all nine U.S. representatives from Massachusetts signed a letter that asked the U.S. Army Corps to...

In this photo provided by the Thurston County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement personnel respond to a Wednesday evening, Sept. 17, 2025, helicopter crash near Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state.

4 Service Members Were Aboard US Army Helicopter that Crashed in Washington State

The helicopter was on a routine training mission when it crashed at about 9 p.m. Wednesday, an Army official said in a...

Navy News

The Naval Station Great Lakes entrance along Buckley Road

Ex-Sailor Sentenced to 12 Years in Terror Plot Targeting Naval Station Great Lakes

Xuanyu Harry Pang, 39, a naturalized U.S. citizen from China, was charged in a sealed criminal complaint in 2022 and pleaded...

The MK-22 precision sniper rifle sights view a target on the range at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.

8 Legendary US Military Snipers

The most notable snipers in U.S. military history aren’t just legends – they include real soldiers, sailors and Marines who...

Air Force News

Sarande Jackson speaks in front of the Massachusetts State House on Sept. 18, 2025, about her fiancée, Kyle Culotta, who was arrested and jailed on gun charges.

Gun Advocates Petition Massachusetts' Highest Court to Free Veteran Facing Gun Possession Charges

Air Force veteran Kyle Culotta was arrested June 24 after police found three handguns, five rifles and a “fully stocked...

Senate Democrat Tries to Formally Condemn Funeral Honors for Ashli Babbitt

Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., went to the Senate floor to request what’s known as “unanimous consent” to pass a resolution...

Space Force News

Col. Edward Segura, director of manpower, personnel and services, Air Force Reserve Command, speaks

Space Force Opens Applications for Air Force Reservists to Sign Up for Part-Time Service

Applications have opened for certain Air Force reservists to join the Space Force under its new one-of-a-kind, part-time...

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle discusses the decision to relocate U.S. Space Command headquarters to Redstone Arsenal

US Space Command Can Be Running in Huntsville Before Trump Leaves Office, Official Says

U.S. Space Command headquarters can be fully operational before President Donald Trump leaves office, a Redstone Arsenal...

Marine Corps News

8 Legendary US Military Snipers

The most notable snipers in U.S. military history aren’t just legends – they include real soldiers, sailors and Marines who...

Marines want to close the airspace over this public, recreational off-road land for 60 days out of the year on September 11, 2025 in Johnson Valley, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Pentagon Plan Pits US Marines Against California Off-Roaders and Civilian Pilots

The U.S. Marine Corps tried once to occupy this remote stretch of California desert beloved by off-roaders — but officials...

Coast Guard News

A fueling crew from Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) fuels an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Barbers Point on the flight deck of the Midgett off Oahu.

Coast Guard Awards $69M Contract for New Hangars

The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded a nearly $69 million contract to design and build new hangars and “associated facilities” at...

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, delivers keynote remarks at the 36th annual international Military Law and Operations strategic engagement to leaders from more than 30 nations during a 4-day discussion in Honolulu.

Military Conference in Hawaii Tackles International Law

At U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s annual International Military Law and Operations Conference, the military’s top officer in the...