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

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.

Army Platoon Leader Creates App to Help Grunts Earn the Expert Infantryman Badge

First Lt. Egor Krasnonosenkikh created the EIB Pro by teaching himself how to program through YouTube videos.

As the sun rises, a soldier hikes along a 12-mile road march course. (U.S. Army: Sgt. Scott Lamberson)

US Soldier Serving in Kuwait Found Dead

The soldier, who has not been identified, was found dead in his living quarters at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.

U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Luke Blum walks with ExoBoot technology.

Army Scientists Want to Teach Exoskeleton Gear How to Improve Soldier Performance

The study uses sensors to help researchers track and record the soldiers' physical state as they interact with exoskeletons.

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

A Navy helicopter crashed into a forest in Virginia

Navy Helicopter Slams into Woods During Emergency Landing in Virginia

Photos show the aircraft tangled in the woods with its rotor blades twisted and broken and its nose smashed.

5 More States Make Military Retirement Tax Free

With 26 states now not taxing military retirement income, this may just help you decide where to retire.

Peter Antioho greets his son Mark to the world

Young and Dying: Veterans Are Getting Brain Cancer and Struggling to Get Benefits

A joint investigation by Military.com and Public Health Watch found that glioblastoma, while rare, has struck hundreds of...

U.S. Representative Joe Courtney at Naval Submarine Base New London

Navy Blasted as Ineffective on Capitol Hill as Budget Crisis Looms

A pair of House lawmakers say they are fed up with the Navy's inability to advocate for itself and its priorities on Capitol...

A Louisiana National Guardsman administers a COVID-19 vaccine

House Votes to Expand GI Bill Eligibility for National Guard, Reserves

The discrepancy in GI Bill eligibility has become particularly pressing for the National Guard in the last couple years.

Texas National Guard securing the border

Texas Denying Most Guard Troops at Border Chance to Help Families Suffering Hardships at Home

A review of 150 hardship requests from Texas Guard troops deployed on Gov. Greg Abbott's border mission found that the...

Latest Military Videos

Virgin Orbit Poised for Small Satellite Launch

The next launch window for Virgin Orbit's small satellite deployment begins Jan. 12, 2022, and preparations for the upcoming...

State Dept.: De-escalation Key in Ukraine Talks

State Department officials say the United States has made it clear that genuine progress" in security talks with Russia...

No Progress Seen After Russia-US Talks Over Ukraine

The United States and Russia locked horns over Ukraine and other security issues Monday, January 11, 2022, with no...

Army News

The casket of Lawrence Brooks, who had been the oldest living World War II veteran, is carried at a memorial service.

Oldest WWII Veteran Remembered in Museum Service

Music and thoughtful tributes filled a portion of the National WWII Museum where family and friends gathered to remember...

World War II veteran Lawrence Brooks holds a photo of him taken in 1943

Oldest WWII Veteran to Be Remembered at Museum Service

Family and friends of a New Orleans man who was the oldest World War II veteran when he died earlier in January will gather...

Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers

Oath Keeper Militia Members Including 5 Veterans Indicted on Sedition Charges for Jan. 6 Riot

According to court documents, the group of Oath Keepers began planning to stop Biden from becoming president before a victor...

Navy News

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89)

A Close Encounter with a Chinese Aircraft Carrier Has Become a Badge of Honor for a US Navy Destroyer Crew

The operation was a testament to the "boldness" and skill of U.S. sailors, Vice Adm. Roy Kitchener said.

USS Lyndon B. Johnson leaves tugboats behind as its head out to the Atlantic Ocean

Last of New Class of Navy Warships Departs Shipyard

The ship previously left for sea trials in late August. That was the first time it made it to the Atlantic Ocean.

Navy Helicopter Slams into Woods During Emergency Landing in Virginia

Photos show the aircraft tangled in the woods with its rotor blades twisted and broken and its nose smashed.

Air Force News

Soldiers participate in a mass reenlistment on an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Range at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.

35 Incredible Photos from a Chaotic Year for the US Military

From the nation’s capital to Afghanistan, service members were asked to defend America, Americans and American ideals around...

F-16XL: Why America Didn’t Get the Best F-16

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a great aircraft. The Air Force almost had an even better version.

Airman looks into a mirror with pronouns written across the glass

Air Force Gives Permission for Use of Gender Pronouns in Email Signatures

The new guidance "promotes greater respect for and recognition of an individual's identity."

Marine Corps News

COVID-19 vaccine administered at Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune

Marine Corps Grants Two Religious Exemptions for COVID-19 Vaccine, First for Any Service

The Corps says that, to date, it has received 3,350 requests for religious exemption to the mandate.

The U.S. flag is seen lowered to half-staff at Park Semper Fi in San Clemente, Calif.

Marine Officer Blames Bad Information for Sinking Tragedy

Lt. Col. Michael J. Regner gave his account to a three-officer panel at a Board of Inquiry.

Afghan womens' soccer team at Fort Pickett

Quantico Rings Up $188 Million Bill for Afghan Refugees Housed in Tents

The cost of the housing effort reported this week by the DoD inspector general is a snapshot of Operation Allies Welcome.

Coast Guard News

Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 helicopter crew arrive at a cruise ship.

Pilot, Passenger Presumed Dead in Louisiana Helicopter Crash

The Coast Guard coordinated the dispatch of an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and a special-purpose shallow water boat to...

U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) transits the Taiwan Strait

On the Frontline Against China, the US Coast Guard Is Taking on Missions the US Navy Can't Do

Competition with China has drawn more Pentagon resources to the Pacific, but the most visible U.S. military presence there...

An overloaded 60-foot Haitian sailing vessel Anguilla Cay, Bahamas

Coast Guard Rescues 176 Haitians from Sailboat Off Florida

The crew of the Cutter Paul Clark provided personal flotation devices to those onboard the boat.