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

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...

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...

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

Motivational Run on Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island

Marine Corps Considers Abandoning Parris Island Amid Rising Extreme Weather Threats

A string of recent reports has predicted that Parris Island will face increasingly frequent and ferocious hurricanes, floods...

Search for Supreme Court Leaker Falls to Former Army Colonel

People who know Curley described the former Army colonel and military lawyer as possessing the right temperament for a highly...

Fort Liberty? Bragg and 8 Other Bases Get New Proposed Names to Scrub Confederate Links

The proposed names must now go to Congress and be approved by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

USS Connecticut returns to its homeport in Bremerton, Washington.

'Accumulation of Errors and Omissions' Led to Connecticut Crash, Navy Concludes

The report paints the picture of a ship led by officers who failed to learn from their mistakes and did not hold the crew to...

U.S. Space Forces Service Dress prototypes.

Space Force Will Allow Neck Tattoos, Longer Mustaches and More Makeup Options for Guardians

The new policy eases mustache restrictions at the outer corners of the mouth and increases color options for nail and...

Gulf War U.S. Marine Helicopter Allied Troops Tanks.

Researchers Think They've Found the Cause of Gulf War Illness

A Texas researcher who has investigated Gulf War illnesses has found evidence that some service members have a weak form of a...

Latest Military Videos

US to Ship $100M in Military Aid to Ukraine

The U.S. has announced a shipment of $100 million in military equipment to Ukraine, separate from what will be...

George W. Bush Confuses Iraq with Ukraine in Gaffe

Former president George W. Bush accidentally said "Iraq" when referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin's "brutal and unjustified" decision...

Lincoln Memorial Centennial Honors Temple's Impact

May 30, 2022, marks 100 years since the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial. Special events and programs are being...

Army News

Here's How the Army Is Keeping Basic Trainees from Getting Injured as Often

A lot of recruits suffer injuries in basic training, some of which can be attributed to the sudden ratcheting up of physical...

Gen. Christopher Cavoli at reactivation ceremony, 56th Artillery Command.

New Commander for US Forces in Europe Sailing to Senate Confirmation Amid Ukraine War

If confirmed, Gen. Christopher Cavoli would succeed Gen. Tod Wolters, who has been at the helm of U.S. European Command since...

Tribute for Late VA Chief Max Cleland, Who Lost Limbs in War

Cleland was a U.S. Army captain in Vietnam when he lost his right arm and two legs while picking up a fallen grenade in 1968.

Navy News

Navy Leader Floats Idea of Selling Troubled Littoral Combat Ships to South America

The Freedom-class variant was found to have a major flaw with its combining gear, leading to the decision to decommission the...

An E/A-6B Prowler pours smoke from its exhaust.

New Navy Climate Plan Is Mostly Silent on Its Biggest Polluters: Ships and Planes

The plan focuses on increased vehicle fuel efficiency and setting up new energy systems such as microgrids to become less...

Remains of Seaman First Class Wilbur F. Newton returned to Missouri.

Remains of Navy Sailor Who Died at Pearl Harbor Returned Home after 81 Years

Seaman First Class Wilbur F. Newton died Dec. 7, 1941 in the attack on Pearl Harbor while stationed aboard the U.S.S...

Air Force News

T-38 Talon flies during The Great Texas Airshow

T-38 Crash That Killed Student Pilot in Texas Caused by Miscommunication, Leading to Change in Formation Landing Rules

An Air Force spokeswoman said that the service is changing its policy on formation landings as a result of the incident and...

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III meets with service members at Fort Carson.

Austin Tells Air Force Academy Grads to Be Honorable Following School's Cheating, Vaccine Scandals

During his speech in Colorado Springs, Austin said the country will expect a lot from the new airmen and Guardians.

Sheep pass through a fence line at Travis Air Force Base.

Bases Looking to Save a 'Sheep' Load of Money on Yardwork

Travis Air Force Base in California released around 1,000 sheep earlier this month to help stop non-native plants from...

Marine Corps News

There will never be another Chesty. (National Archives)

You Will Never Be Chesty Puller, But Now You Can Live in His House

Before you put in a bid, ask yourself if you are prepared for the entire United States Marine Corps to be your HOA.

Marine Corps Considers Abandoning Parris Island Amid Rising Extreme Weather Threats

A string of recent reports has predicted that Parris Island will face increasingly frequent and ferocious hurricanes, floods...

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms main gate. Marine Corps photo

Marine Corps' Twentynine Palms Base Lockdown Caused by Inadvertent Weapon Discharge

No injuries were reported in the incident at the vast Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center located at Twentynine Palms, 125...

Coast Guard News

Vice President Kamala Harris U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduation.

Vice President Tells Coast Guard Grads Rule of Law Is Under Attack

Vice President Kamala Harris in the commencement speech at the academy in New London, Connecticut, reflected on the state of...

A U.S. Coast Guard Academy cadet participating in the NSA's annual cyber exercise

First Cyber Systems Majors to Graduate from Coast Guard Academy

The academy said once officers graduate, it will seek accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and...

A dog lost overboard in Pamlico Sound in North Carolina was rescued by a U.S. Coast Guard crew

Pup Overboard! Coast Guard Rescues Dog from Pamlico Sound

The crew inspected the exhausted dog to ensure she was not injured, then Myla was reunited with her owners, the Coast Guard...