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

The flag of the U.S. Space Command is unfurled at the White House

Trump Says Space Command Is Moving to Alabama, Reversing a Biden-Era Decision

While the move had been anticipated, it’s not clear why the expected announcement took so long to make. White House officials...

Pentagon to Begin Screening for 'Magic Mushroom' Use

The Defense Department announced that service members suspected of using the hallucinogenic fungi will now be tested, while...

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Trump Says US Military Destroyed Drug Boat from Venezuela: ‘A Lot of Drugs on That Boat’

Trump credited the military operation to the leadership of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, whom he praised for...

Estonian naval ships sail in the Baltic Sea

What to Know About Russia's GPS Jamming Operation in Europe

This year, Nordic and Baltic nations — including Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia — have repeatedly warned about...

USS Falcon crewmen suit up 2 Navy divers during the rescue operation following the sinking of the USS Squalus.

How the Men on a Navy Submarine Survived After Sinking 240 Feet in the Atlantic

Trapped 240 feet beneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean, Lt. Oliver Naquin could not ensure the crew of the USS Squalus...

Federal agents stage at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles.

The 150-Year-Old Law that Governs Military's Role in Local Law Enforcement

President Donald Trump’s recent actions have sparked debate over the Posse Comitatus Act, a law from 1878 that limits...

Latest Military Videos

Trump Says US Has Carried Out Strike Against a Drug-Carrying Vessel that Departed from Venezuela

President Donald Trump says the U.S. has carried out a strike in the southern Caribbean against a drug-carrying vessel...

Trump Announces Space Command Will Move from Colorado to Alabama

President Donald Trump has officially announced that Space Command's headquarters will be moving to Alabama. (Sept. 2) AP

Plane GPS Jamming Is Part of Russia's Hybrid Warfare Against Europe, Expert Says

Security expert told The Associated Press that plane GPS jamming is a common tool of Russia's hybrid warfare against...

Activists in Chicago Say Trump's Push for National Guard Will Have 'Devastating Consequences'

Activists and lawyers gathered in Chicago, saying President Donald Trump's push for more deployments in Democratic-led cities "will have...

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

Rain soaked memorials for those who died in a mass shooting sit along the roadside by Schemengees Bar & Grille

Survivors of Maine Mass Shooting and Victims' Relatives Sue US Government Alleging Negligence

Survivors of Maine’s deadliest mass shooting and relatives of victims are suing the federal government, alleging that the U.S...

Trump Says He Will Order Federal Intervention in Chicago and Baltimore Despite Local Opposition

Asked by reporters in the Oval Office about sending National Guard troops to Chicago, Trump said, "We’re going in," but added...

Navy News

Trump Says US Military Destroyed Drug Boat from Venezuela: ‘A Lot of Drugs on That Boat’

Trump credited the military operation to the leadership of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, whom he praised for...

DHS Secretary Noem Confirms More ICE Resources Are Heading to Chicago for Immigration Crackdown

Noem's comments come after the DHS requested limited logistical support from officials at the Naval Station Great Lakes to...

Air Force News

Micki Witthoeft, mother of Ashli Babbitt

Jan. 6 Rioter Fatally Shot by Police Approved for Military Funeral Honors by Air Force

Ashli Babbitt, who served as a senior airman, was among a group of rioters attempting to smash through barricaded doors...

B-52 bomber from in a flyover at the North Dakota State Fair

NTSB Says B-52 Bomber Nearly Hit 2 Different Planes in North Dakota Last Month

These close calls were just the latest incidents to raise questions about aviation safety in the wake of January’s midair...

Space Force News

President Donald Trump speaks about the relocation of U.S. Space Command headquarters

What Effects Could Losing Space Command Have on Colorado’s Growing Aerospace Economy?

The aerospace industry has long been a shining star for Colorado’s economy — and now state leaders are worried about the...

Trump Says Space Command Is Moving to Alabama, Reversing a Biden-Era Decision

While the move had been anticipated, it’s not clear why the expected announcement took so long to make. White House officials...

Marine Corps News

The sign at the entrance at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

Camp Pendleton Officer, Wife Sue Military Housing Company over Crash That Killed 8-Year-Old Son

A Marine Corps family whose 8-year-old son died last year after he was struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle on Camp...

Marine Veteran Charged with Threatening to Shoot Schoolchildren Now Out of Jail

Once held on $1 million bond for livestreaming threats to shoot elementary school children, a military veteran is now out of...

Coast Guard News