Stephen Ruiz

Stephen Ruiz is an associate editor and content writer for Military.com. He previously worked for more than 30 years as a copy editor, writer and online producer for various newspapers, including the Orlando Sentinel. His writing also has appeared in Reserve & National Guard, Military Families and Military Influencer magazines. In his spare time, Stephen enjoys running, playing with his dog, Holly, and rooting on his hometown New Orleans Saints.

Latest Articles

Gen. Henry ‘Hap’ Arnold, shown in the late 1940s. (Sanaa Lasher/Air Force Scientific Advisory Board photo)

From Aviation to Aid Society, Air Force's Only 5-Star General Changed Service Forever

Because of Arnold's charitable nature, thousands of undergraduate college students receive assistance today through a grant...

Marine Corps wheelchair basketball player Carlos Cruz-Tejeda shoots against Team Canada at the Department of Defense Warrior Games near Orlando, Florida, Aug. 23, 2022.

How the Warrior Games Create a Special Bond for Military Athletes with Disabilities

Camaraderie unites the 300 athletes representing the Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force and Special Operations Command...

Warrior Games athlete Gabe George, a retired Navy hospital corpsman, demonstrates how he competes in archery despite having his right arm amputated.

After 2-Year Pandemic Break, Warrior Games Athletes Get Another Shot at Competition

Hosted by the Army's Training and Doctrine Command, the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games are scheduled for Aug. 19-28...

Joseph Beyrle, who served multiple stints as a German POW during World War II, fought for the U.S. and Russian armies. (Facebook photo)

How This POW Became the Only Soldier to Fight for the US and Russia During WWII

While with the Red Army, Beyrle was involved in several firefights with Germans and helped blow open a safe at one of the POW...

Gangster Monk Eastman served in the 27th Infantry Division of the New York National Guard, which helped the Allies crack the Hindenburg Line, the last line of German defense on the Western Front during World War I.

How the 'First Real New York Gangster' Turned Guardsman Helped End World War I

Born Edward Osterman, Edward "Monk" Eastman led a collection of criminals that, at one point, numbered nearly 1,200.

Pvt. Henry Johnson, shown circa 1919, was nicknamed 'Black Death' after surviving 21 wounds, killing 4 Germans and injuring 10-20 others during an encounter in the Argonne Forest in France during World War I.

How the Story of This Medal of Honor Recipient Wounded 21 Times Was Almost Lost to History

Henry Johnson's discharge papers contained no mention of his heroic actions or injuries, depriving him of any awards or...

Army Brig. Gen. George Owen Squier, also a notable inventor and aviation enthusiast, is shown in his military uniform.

Before He Founded Muzak, This General Brought Innovation to the Army

Looking to improve the military's long-range communications, George Owen Squier tested his theories on whatever resources...

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. is shown as a lieutenant, junior grade, in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

This Famous Actor's Secret WWII Program Became a Precursor to the Navy SEALs

While Douglas Fairbanks Jr. appeared in about 100 movies, his role in creating the Beach Jumpers was likely the most...

A court-martial of 64 members of the All-Black 24th Infantry Regiment is held on Nov. 1, 1917, at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, stemming from the Houston Race Riot more than two months earlier. (National Archives and Records Administration photo)

How a Race Riot Involving an Army Unit Led to the Largest Murder Trial in US History

The Houston Race Riot of 1917 involved an all-Black battalion from the 24th Infantry Regiment and resulted in the execution...

Missionary Ridge in Tennessee was a key Civil War battle.

How Douglas MacArthur's Father Helped Deliver 'the Death Knell of the Confederacy'

Douglas MacArthur's father, Arthur, earned a Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Missionary Ridge during the...

Teddy Roosevelt Jr. and his family head to the Philippines.

This President’s Son Overcame Age, Health Issues on D-Day to Earn the Medal of Honor

Teddy Roosevelt Jr., the son of the nation's 26th president, served as a brigadier general leading the 4th Infantry Division...

Rear Adm. Roy Davenport earned five Navy Crosses during his military career.

How the 'Praying Skipper' Became the Only Sailor to Earn 5 Navy Crosses

Roy Davenport earned five Navy Crosses as the lieutenant commander of two submarines, the USS Haddock and USS Trepang.

A World Series Hero Misstated WWII Record. Was It Stolen Valor?

Gene Bearden, who helped the Cleveland Indians win the 1948 World Series, claimed he was injured as the USS Helena sank...

Leaders of the Air Force JROTC program at Space Coast Junior/Senior High School are shown outside its classroom.

What Converting from the Air Force to Space Force Means for One JROTC Unit

Space Coast Junior/Senior High in Florida is one of 10 Air Force JROTC units nationally to convert to the Space Force during...

Officer Training School trainees run during an Air Force physical fitness test.

5 Areas That Can Help You Become a More Efficient Runner

The Air Force Efficient Running Project is an online resource developed by Mark Cucuzzella, a former lieutenant colonel in...

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Most Popular Military News

A General Warned of an Impending War with China. Airmen Under His Command Say it Was 'Inappropriate'

Mike Minihan, a four-star general who has led Air Mobility Command since 2021, has been known for his loud, proud and high...

Tugboats move the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt.

Three More Sailors Die by Suicide While Their Carriers Are Stuck in Shipyards

The suicide aboard the George Washington comes a month after the Navy released its first report on the last three suicides...

'A Total Shock': Parents Mourn Sudden Death of Their Air Force Academy Son

Candyce and Dustin Brown last spoke to their son Hunter by phone on Sunday, Jan. 8, discussing the class schedule for his...

Army Unveils New Parental Leave Policy After Long Debate on Denials

The policy grants 12 weeks of leave for new mothers and fathers, including adoptive and foster parents on active duty or full...

U.S. Marines place flowers on gravesites of fallen service members during a Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony at Hampton National Cemetery in Hampton, Virginia, May 28, 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo/Monica Roybal)

VA Wants Vets to Use Their Benefits When Choosing a Final Resting Place

Officials say that benefits offered by the National Cemetery Administration are the most underutilized of veterans' perks.

Gombi, a military working dog, was retired and adopted at Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany.

Base Retires Working Dog After a Half-Decade Sniffing Out Threats, Including 7 Million Pounds of Narcotics

Gombi received two awards for her service at her retirement and adoption ceremony.

Latest Military Videos

Master Class: Finding the Federal Job 2.0

The federal government is the largest single employer of veterans—they want your subject matter expertise, transferrable skills, and security...

US Weighs in on Government Shake-up in Kyiv

The State Department is weighing in on developments in Kyiv as several senior Ukrainian officials, including front-line governors, lost...

French Soldiers Hold Combat Exercise in Romania

Around 600 French soldiers deployed as part of a NATO battle group in Romania held a combat exercise on...

Biden Says Supporting Ukraine a 'Worldwide Commitment'

President Joe Biden thanked western allies providing military support to Kyiv as he announced on Wednesday that the United...

Investigations and Features

They Said the Rise in Military Suicide Is a Mystery. Traumatic Brain Injury May Be an Answer.

Veterans who have had a head injury are at higher risk for suicide, but these deaths can be prevented, experts say.

Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol

What Happened to Members of the Military Accused of Storming the Capitol on January 6?

At least five service members allegedly were part of the deadly pro-Trump mob that assaulted the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

Army News

Spc. Salem Ezz, speaks about his idea about a mold awareness tool.

How an Infantryman Coder Is Combating Mold in the Barracks with Tech

Spc. Salem Ezz built a series of sensors from scratch that can track humidity in barracks and report conditions for mold in...

Michael Sanchez, rear center, stands in custody in Las Vegas Justice Court

Judge Hikes Bail for Army Vet Accused of Threat to Synagogue

Michael Sanchez, 37, blurted out a complaint about “false information being presented on both sides about my issues.”

Navy News

Former US Navy Captain Sentenced in 'Fat Leonard' Scandal

Prosecutors said Haas, 54, of Kailua, Hawaii, was among dozens of Navy officials who were bribed to help obtain defense...

Cmdr. Janet Days receives a meritorious service medal.

Naval Station Norfolk Welcomes 1st Black Female Commanding Officer

Capt. Janet Days will become the 51st commanding officer of Naval Station Norfolk, making her the first Black female to hold...

Air Force News

A high altitude balloon floats over Billings, Mont.

China: Balloon Over US Skies Is for Research, Wind Pushed It

The Pentagon decided not to shoot down the balloon, which was potentially flying over sensitive sites, because of concerns of...

Simulated Electronic Launch-Minuteman test.

Pentagon: Chinese Spy Balloon Spotted over Western US

One of the places the balloon was spotted was Montana, which is home to one of the nation’s three nuclear missile silo fields...

Space Force News

Hundreds of Gallons of Diesel Spilled at Space Force Observatory Atop Hawaiian Volcano

A diesel fuel pump for a backup generator at the Maui Space Surveillance Complex failed to shut off during the night of Jan...

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado poses with U.S. Air Force airmen.

Democrat Threatens to Hold Up Pentagon Nominees over Space Command HQ Decision

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet voted against confirming Brendan Owens as assistant secretary of defense for energy and...

Marine Corps News

Feds Drop Lobbying Probe of Retired General, Lawyer Says

The Justice Department has dropped its probe of Gen. John Allen for his role in an alleged illegal foreign lobbying campaign...

A U.S. Marine maneuvers to an objective at Hawthorne Army Depot.

After a Marine's Death, This Veteran Nonprofit Made Sure His Kids Could Stay in School

Folds of Honor provides scholarships to the families of fallen or disabled service members.

Coast Guard News

Rear Adm. William Kelly, Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy.

Retiring Coast Guard Academy Superintendent to Take Presidency at Virginia University

Rear Adm. William G. Kelly Kelly will retire from his 36-year career with the Coast Guard and take the helm at Christopher...

Tug boats have the Spirit of Norfolk in tow under Coast Guard supervision

Spirit of Norfolk Hearings: Combustible Material in Engine Room Fueled Fire Aboard Cruise Ship, ATF Agent Testifies

The Spirit of Norfolk caught fire during a cruise down the Elizabeth River on June 7, 2022, while 108 people were on board...