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

Wearable Health Monitors Could Lead to Mentally Tougher Troops, Experts Say

The U.S. Army is conducting several studies designed to use wearable devices.

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.

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Most Popular Military News

Maj. Gen. Kenneth Kamper at a ceremony at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Sources: Fort Sill Commander Suspended from Duty for Allegedly Breaking Hunting Rules on Base

Maj. Gen. Kenneth Kamper, an artillery officer, was suspended in the midst of an inspector general investigation into his...

Congressman Mike Bost during a visit at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

Making Sure Vets Get PACT Act Benefits Is New House Veterans Affairs Chairman's Top Priority

Rep. Mike Bost said he sees no signs that the VA is being overwhelmed, noting that the law also gave the department the...

Various guns are displayed at a store in Maine.

Lawmakers Want to Restore Gun Rights to Some Disabled Veterans

The House Veterans Affairs Committee chairman and 49 Republicans support a bill that would prevent some vets from being...

newspaper showcasing pictures of a suspected Chinese spy balloon

China Accuses US of Indiscriminate Use of Force Over Balloon

The U.S. shot down the balloon off the Carolina coast after it traversed sensitive military sites across North America.

Former US Navy Captain Sentenced in 'Fat Leonard' Scandal

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a banner in recognition of IPPS-A reaching live status in half of the ARNG's 54 states and territories

Hundreds More Soldiers Kicked off Tricare in Yet Another IT Blunder

Hundreds of soldiers in the Army might need to re-enroll in Tricare after yet another technical blunder caused them to be...

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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'

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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

A U.S. Army AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter flies over Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Pilots Involved in Apache Helicopter Crash in Alaska Released from Hospitals

A team from the Army Combat Readiness Center is expected to arrive this week to investigate the mishap, which took place at...

A worker works on the power lines in Annapolis, Md.

Veteran Who Started Neo-Nazi Group Arrested Again, This Time for Targeting a Power Station

Brandon Clint Russell, a former Guardsman, and Sarah Clendaniel are accused of conspiring to carry out attacks to further...

Navy News

Sailors recovering a high-altitude surveillance balloon.

Navy Releases First Photos of Chinese Balloon Recovery

The Navy is carrying out an extensive operation to gather all of the pieces of the massive Chinese spy balloon a U.S. fighter...

Mechanic removes the landing gear of an MV-22B Osprey.

Military Grounds Some Ospreys While a 'Complete Redesign' Is Underway on Troubled Clutch System

A defense official, speaking to reporters of anonymously, revealed that the military now suspects the "input quill assembly"...

Air Force News

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass and her husband Rahn Bass.

Air Force Leader's Spouse Opened Fire During Andrews Breach

The intruder who breached Joint Base Andrews, the home of Air Force One, reached the residence of one of the Air Force’s top...

Intruder Breaches Base of Air Force One, Shot Fired

An intruder has breached the home of Air Force One, one of the nation’s most sensitive military bases.

Space Force News

Space Force Still Assessing Damage Caused by Fuel Spill at Hawaiian Volcano

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

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Marine Corps News

Cpl. George J. Johnson, 101, was recognized as a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center in Fort Lauderdale.

One of the First Black Marines, 101, Honored for His Service

Cpl. George Johnson served as a military policeman during the World War II era and is one of the Montford Point Marines, the...