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.

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Most Popular Military News

Rep. Michael Lawler, R-N.Y., left, confronts House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.

Federal Government Shutdown Grinds into a Second Week as Tempers Flare at the Capitol

As the federal government shutdown enters a second week, there’s no discernible endgame in sight.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) questions U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi as she testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Trump Targets Blumenthal, Calling for Investigation into Senator's Vietnam Service Claims

President Donald Trump is targeting U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal again after Connecticut’s senior U.S. senator grilled U.S...

Pvt. Paul Douglas, age 50, performs a rifle inspection with his drill instructor aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot S.C., 1942. Douglas, at age 50 was the oldest recruit in the history of Parris Island, and went on to become a purple heart recipient and Chicago senator (DVIDS).

At 50, He Survived Marine Boot Camp — Then Fought at Peleliu and Okinawa

When 50-year-old Paul Douglas showed up at Marine Corps boot camp in 1942, the white-haired economics professor looked more...

Pack and transport platoon of the Russian army. Southern Military District. Ministry of Defense of Russia (Wikimedia Commons).

Ukrainian Drones Attack Russian Cavalry Troops in Rare 21st-Century Encounter

A short video circulating online this month appears to show a Russian mounted patrol being struck by a Ukrainian drone near...

When The Government Can Afford Everything Except The Essentials

Every shutdown forces the government to decide what counts as “essential.” Air traffic controllers and TSA agents fall into...

Troops Will Miss Paychecks Next Week Without Action on the Government Shutdown

The federal government shutdown is raising anxiety levels among service members and their families, because those in uniform...

Latest Military Videos

Christmas Celebrations Slowly Return to Bethlehem During Ceasefire in Gaza

Christmas celebrations slowly return to Bethlehem during ceasefire in Gaza.

Trump Announces Plans for New Navy 'Battleship' as Part of a 'Golden Fleet'

Trump announces plans for new Navy 'battleship' as part of a 'Golden Fleet'.

Ukraine Is Leveraging Its Powerful – And Cheap – New Drone Killers

Shahed hunters: Ukraine is leveraging its powerful – and cheap – new drone killers.

Ukrainian Artist's Battlefield Collection Captures a Moment of Unity

Surrounded by War: Ukrainian artist's battlefield collection captures a moment of unity.

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

Jim Whaley, an Army veteran, serves as CEO of Mission Roll Call. (Photo from Mission Roll Call)

Seasonal Depression: Mission Roll Call Helps Veterans Overcome Holiday Anxiety

Many veterans struggle during the holidays. Mission Roll Call, a veteran led organization, provides resources for both...

Military themed entry to 1918 Tournament of Roses (Photo from the "Tournament of Roses Number," Pasadena Star-News, January 1, 1918, Public Domain)

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Navy News

Rob Reiner’s career spans more than five decades as a defining force in American film and television, from his early acting days to directing and producing some of the most enduring movies in modern Hollywood (CBS).

Rob Reiner’s Cultural Impact: The Movies and Quotes That Shaped America

Rob Reiner’s tragic death has left an unmistakable void in Hollywood. Across five decades, his work—from All in the Family to...

This image from video posted on Attorney General Pam Bondi's X account, and partially redacted by the source, shows an oil tanker being seized by U.S. forces off the coast of Venezuela, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (U.S. Attorney General's Office/X via AP)

Third Oil Tanker in U.S. Crosshairs as Venezuela Pressure Builds

U.S. forces are tightening pressure on President Nicolás Maduro, disrupting sanctioned oil shipments at sea.

Air Force News

A U.S. airman preparing an A-10 Thunderbolt II for flight.

Jordan Says its Air Force Joined US Strikes on Islamic State in Syria

The Jordanian statement said the operation aimed “to prevent extremist groups from exploiting these areas as launching pads...

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth salute

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A U.S. official described it as “a large-scale” strike that hit 70 targets in areas across central Syria that had IS...

Space Force News

A painting of a Defense Support Program satellite from the Air Force Art collection. DSP provides a variety of national security capabilities. Its flagship mission of launch detection was made famous during the Cold War. (U.S. Air Force image)

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The growing congestion of Earth orbit has raised risks to satellites, space stations, and long-term space sustainability. The...

Ceremony transferring service members to United States Space Force.

Space Force Ranks: A Complete Guide to Enlisted and Officer Ranks

Explore U.S. Space Force ranks from specialist to general. Learn about the rank structure, pay grades, insignia, and...

Marine Corps News