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

COVID-19 pandemic prompts cancellation of 2021 Warrior Games

Pandemic Prompts Cancellation of DoD's Warrior Games for 2nd Year in Row

First held in 2010, the Warrior Games are an adaptive sports competition for wounded, injured and ill service members.

Everything You Need to Know About the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps

The Naval Sea Cadet Corps was established in 1962 and looks "to build leaders of character" through military instruction and...

'Keep It Gucci:' The Precise Art of Being an Air Force In-Flight Refueler

In-flight refuelers, also known as boom operators, can pump more than tens of thousands of pounds of gas at a time.

Capt. Julia Flores is member of Army JAG Corps.

What It Takes to Become a Member of the Military JAG Corps

The Judge Advocate General's Corps handles matters of military justice and military law, and acceptance requires a four-year...

Army cadet performs task at Cadet Field Training

'I Cannot Believe I Just Did That': What Goes on at West Point Cadet Summer Training

Summer is not a restful period at West Point. Every class there is involved in some exercises during Cadet Summer Training.

Virginia representative congratulates student on West Point nomination

How to Apply for a Service Academy Nomination from Congress

You want to attend a service academy, but you need a letter from a member of Congress. Here’s how to apply for a service...

Army future soldier March2Success online test prep platform

March2Success Helps Army Recruits Get Their Best ASVAB Scores

Since it was began in the 1990s, March2Success has been a beneficial tool for the military, the U.S. Army Recruiting...

U.S. Army New York City Recruiting Battalion recruiter shakes hands with new recruit

Recruiters Share Personal Stories to Show Applicants How the Military Can Benefit Them

When recruiters open up to potential enlistees, they humanize themselves, put an applicant at ease and increase the chance...

Admissions liaison officer promotes Air Force Academy

Admissions Liaison Officers Play an Important Role in the Service Academy Pipeline

Admissions liaison officers act as a mentor, sounding board and guiding light rolled into one, and every service academy...

'Did I Make the Right Decision?' How to Take the Guesswork out of Army Basic Training

The goal of basic training is to transform a recruit into a soldier. It's as much about constructing the proper mindset as it...

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Most Popular Military News

Soldiers Have 3 Months to Get COVID Vaccine or Face Discharge, with Few Waiver Options

The military's largest branch issued its mandate after the other services announced similar timelines.

Veteran Affairs building near the White House in Washington.

VA Employee Tweets Out Details of a Surgery No Vet Would Want Public

The administrative officer at the Washington VA Medical Center has lost her access to patient records.

'I Had to Get Rid of Her': Hawaii-Based Soldier Admits Beating Wife to Death with Baseball Bat

The plea agreement reached between the soldier and the prosecution calls for a prison term of 50 to 65 years.

All GI Bill Users Soon Will Be Required to Contact the VA Each Month to Receive Payment

If you don't verify your attendance, you don't get any money.

Recruits repeat the oath of enlistment at Parris Island

Marine Recruit Dies at Parris Island -- the Second Death in 3 Months

The recruit had been with the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment.

Latest Military Videos

Trump's Top General 'Secretly Warned China of War'

U.S. General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is said to have secretly called his Chinese...

Taliban Thanks International Community for Aid Pledges

According to the UN, four million Afghans are facing “a food emergency”.

Taiwan's Annual Military Drills Reach Peak

Taiwanese fighter jets landed on a makeshift runway on a highway strip on Wednesday overseen by President Tsai Ing-wen...

Army News

New barracks opened at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii.

Hawaii-Based Soldier Gets 62 Years in Prison for Bludgeoning Wife to Death

A Hawaii-based soldier was sentenced to 62 years in prison on Tuesday for bludgeoning and then stabbing his sleeping wife to...

U.S. Army Spc. Eyza Carrasco administers a COVID-19 vaccination

What Happens to Soldiers Who Refuse the COVID Vaccine?

Soldiers have limited options to refuse the COVID-19 vaccine, and may have a hard time claiming an exemption.

Soldiers Have 3 Months to Get COVID Vaccine or Face Discharge, with Few Waiver Options

The military's largest branch issued its mandate after the other services announced similar timelines.

Navy News

A U.S. Navy SEAL special forces operator during a joint U.S.-Cyprus military drill at Limassol port.

US Navy SEALs, Cyprus Special Forces Hold Anti-Terror Drill

The U.S. decided for the first time last year to provide military education and training funding to Cyprus.

an MQ-9 Sea Guardian drone flies over the USS Coronado

US Navy Launches Mideast Drone Task Force amid Iran Tensions

The Navy promised the coming months would see the drones stretch their capabilities across the Middle East.

An MH-60S Sea Hawk prepares to land on USS Carl Vinson

Navy Helicopter Rotor Struck Carrier Deck, Causing Crash That Killed Five

The new details not only shed light on what may have triggered the incident, but may also help to explain how five other...

Air Force News

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass answers questions

Air Force Leaders: Time to 'Wake Up' About Racial Disparities in Service

In a town hall, it was clear that convincing some service members and leaders that there is a problem remains a challenge.

Storage Company Must Pay Airman $60,000 After Selling His Property While He Was Deployed

The Justice Department said the auction was a violation of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, a broad set of legal...

B-2 Rolled Off Runway at Whiteman in Emergency Landing

A spokesman said the bomber was damaged on the runway, but nobody was injured and no fire broke out.

Marine Corps News

Eli Stone, left, and Rylee McCollum, at Christmas

Baby Girl Born to Widow of Marine Killed in Kabul Bombing

Levi Rylee Rose McCollum was born early Monday at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California, according to a...

hearse carrying the body of Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto Sanchez

Marine's Body Returned to Indiana Hometown with Procession

A military procession marked the beginning of memorial services for Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto Sanchez.

Marine Recruit Dies at Parris Island -- the Second Death in 3 Months

The recruit had been with the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment.

Coast Guard News

A satellite image shows an oil slick south of Port Fourchon, La.

Coast Guard Cleanup Boats on Scene of Large Gulf Oil Spill Following Ida

Response teams are monitoring reports and satellite imagery to determine the scope of the discharge.

Ventura County Fire Department firefighters respond to fire aboard Conception dive boat

Coast Guard Sued by Families of the 34 Victims in Conception Dive Boat Fire

The lawsuit argues that the Coast Guard is liable for the deaths because it "failed to perform adequate inspections."

Black slick floating in the Gulf of Mexico near a rig

Coast Guard Investigating Reports of Oil Spills After Ida

The Coast Guard says it is investigating reports of possible oil spills resulting from Hurricane Ida after the publication of...