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

A Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle (CUSV) equipped with a box-style launcher holding two Hellfire Missiles and a .50 caliber machine gun to make a mine-hunting mission package. Textron Systems displayed the proof-of-concept, surface-warfare mission package Modern Day Marine 2019. (Matthew Cox/Military.com)

Textron Shows Off Mine-Hunting Drone Boat Armed with Hellfire Missiles

Textron Systems is working with the Navy to turn a mine-sweeping unmanned surface vessel into a mine-hunting craft.

The Air Force is adopting the Army's Operational Camouflage Pattern for its new combat uniform and began incrementally phasing it in Oct. 1. The Air Force will differentiate itself by using a "spice brown color" for velcro patches, name tape and insignia. Air Force photo

Exchange to Airmen: Don't Buy New OCP Uniforms from Unauthorized Dealers

Air Force Personnel looking to buy their OCP uniforms should only purchase them at Army & Air Force Exchange Service stores.

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.

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

Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade use hot towels to warm their faces during a shaving clinic

New Army Shaving Policy Will Allow Soldiers with Skin Condition that Affects Mostly Black Men to Be Kicked Out

The Army is preparing to roll out a new policy that could lead to soldiers diagnosed with a chronic skin condition that...

U.S. Army soldier stands beside a Stryker along the Rio Grande River

Largest Military Border Zone Yet to Be Created in Texas as Part of Air Force Base

The new military zone is located in Cameron and Hidalgo Counties in Texas and will be transferred from land overseen by the...

Army’s Executive Innovation Corps commissioning ceremony

Tech Executives Commissioned as Senior Army Officers Won't Recuse Themselves from DoD Business Dealings

The new formation is set to recruit tech executives to work on major Army challenges, but the service has not articulated...

President Donald Trump speaks at the end of the NATO summit

Trump Said He OK'd Iran's Plan to Strike Al Udeid. His Top Military Adviser Said Troops There Fended Off Missiles.

The Iranians "were very nice. They gave us warning," Trump told reporters. "They said, 'We're going to shoot 'em. Is one o...

Fort Bragg Officer and Ex-Wife Accused of Murdering Adopted Children Now Behind Bars

Warrant Officer Anthony Rivera, 36, of Fayetteville, and his former wife Danielle Kennedy, 36, of Arizona, were charged May...

President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth

Trump Suggests Bringing Back Secretary of War. Why Did the Title Get Dropped?

Trump brought up the idea of a name change while introducing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at a June 25 press conference...

Latest Military Videos

Israel Government Spokesman Says Obstacle to End Gaza Offensive 'Lies with Hamas'

Israeli government spokesman David Mencer said on Monday that the obstacle to ending the war in Gaza "lies with...

China's Aircraft Carriers Wrap Up Far Seas Training

China's Liaoning and Shandong aircraft carrier formations have completed a far-sea combat training mission recently, state broadcaster CCTV reported...

Extremist Jewish Settlers Attack Israeli Army Base, AP Explains

Dozens of Israeli settlers rampaged around a military base in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, setting fires, vandalizing military vehicles...

Denmark Expands Military Draft to Women for First Time

Denmark is seeking to increase the number of young people in the military by extending compulsory enlistment to women...

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

(Airman 1st Class Timothy Kim/U.S. Air Force photo)

How Tabletop War Games Build Strategy and Community

Where modern games such as “Risk” reduce the complicated mechanics from those early games to make them easier to play...

LA Army Veteran with Purple Heart Self-Deports to South Korea Under Threat of Deportation

An Army veteran who was awarded a Purple Heart self-deported to South Korea as he was threatened with being detained and...

Navy News

Marine 2nd Lieutenant Colin DuPont instructs incoming plebes on how to salute.

Annapolis Families Provide Midshipmen with a 'Home Away from Home'

Roughly 1,200 incoming midshipmen arrived in Annapolis for the kickoff of the U.S. Naval Academy’s Class of 2029 Plebe Summer...

The John Lewis-class replenishment oiler USNS Harvey Milk

Hegseth Announces New Name for Ship that Had Honored Gay Rights Icon Harvey Milk

Hegseth said that he would be renaming the USNS Harvey Milk in honor of Chief Watertender Oscar V. Peterson. Peterson...

Air Force News

Constraints on Trump's War Powers Rejected by Senate After Iran Strikes

The failure of the resolution adds to a post-Global War on Terrorism trend of Congress ceding its constitutional power to...

Largest Military Border Zone Yet to Be Created in Texas as Part of Air Force Base

The new military zone is located in Cameron and Hidalgo Counties in Texas and will be transferred from land overseen by the...

Space Force News

Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force John F. Bentivegna at a screening of "Elio"

Space Force May Have its Biggest Media Moment Yet with Disney-Pixar's 'Elio'

The Army has "Saving Private Ryan," the Navy has "Top Gun," the Marine Corps has "Full Metal Jacket" and, now, an animated...

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David A. Flosi

Air Force Leader Says Troops Must Be Ready to 'Kill People and Blow Sh-- Up'

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David Flosi, the service's top enlisted leader, didn't mince his words in an internal...

Marine Corps News

A Marine stands guard outside the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles.

California Hopes Law from Bloody Era of US History Can Rein in Trump's Use of Troops

The text of the Posse Comitatus Act itself is slight, its relevant section barely more than 60 words.

Marine Corps recruiter speaks with a prospective Marine

Victim's Family Frantic After Not Being Notified of Ex-Marine Recruiter's Early Release from Brig

Pvt. Christopher Champagne was released from a military prison in California on Monday after serving less than nine months of...

Coast Guard News

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Tampa returns to its homeport

Coast Guard Temporarily Relieves Commanding Officer of Cutter Tampa

Cmdr. Walter Krolman, who has led the medium endurance cutter Tampa for two years, was relieved for "loss of confidence,"...

Hawaii Coast Guard Crew Wraps Up Enforcement Mission in Cook Islands

The Lane, a 270-foot Medium Class Endurance Cutter arrived in Hawaii in late 2023 to serve as the U.S. Coast Guard’s first...