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

'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...

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

Chinese air force and navy planes at an unspecified location in China.

China Sending Fighter Jets to Thailand for Joint Exercises

The training comes as the U.S. holds combat drills in Indonesia with Indonesia, Australia, Japan and Singapore.

Recruits from Division 253 place Navy ball caps on their heads during a capping ceremony after ending training for Battle Stations 21 on board USS Trayer (BST 21) at Recruit Training Command.

The Navy's Offering Up to $115,000 to Join or Come Back

The Navy is offering potential recruits a new, eye-watering figure in exchange for joining its ranks: $115,000 in possible...

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. John E. Hyten speaks to service members virtually during the Strategic Leader Series event at the Pentagon.

Sexual Assault Case Against Former Joint Chiefs Vice Chair Gets Green Light from Appeals Court

A federal appeals court has ruled that a civil sexual assault case filed by former Army Col. Kathryn Spletstoser against...

News conference after Senate passed bill to help vets exposed to toxic substances.

Veterans Can Start Filing New Claims Now for 23 Illnesses Covered Under New Law

The bill expands health care and disability compensation for veterans affected by burn pits and other toxic exposures.

Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt, commanding officer of USS Abraham Lincoln, speaks

First Woman to Command Aircraft Carrier Recounts Milestone Deployment

As the USS Abraham Lincoln sailed into San Diego with two destroyers in tow and some 6,000 sailors and Marines aboard, it...

A 3D rendering of the emblem of the Combined Force Space Component Command

Could Access to Abortion Services Change Where the Military Stations Troops?

The overturning of Roe v. Wade has some concerned about troops' quality of life in states where abortion is no longer...

Latest Military Videos

Biden Ratifies US Support for Finland, Sweden in NATO

President Joe Biden formally welcomed Finland and Sweden joining the NATO alliance Tuesday as he signed the instruments of...

'Sniper: Rogue Mission' clip - Alley Action

In the latest sequel in the long-running "Sniper" movie series, Brandon Collins (played by Chad Michael Collins) encounters future...

12 Yo Girl and Ballet Instructor Buried in Donetsk

Mourners in the breakaway Donetsk People's Republic bid farewell to a 12-year-old promising ballet talent, her grandmother, and an...

Master Class: Fistful of Dollars: Financial Literacy for the Transitioning Veteran

Did you know transition finances can be gamed with a little knowledge and foresight?

Investigations and Features

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.

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...

Army News

Supporters of the family of slain Army Spc. Vanessa Guillen

Guillen Family Seeks $35 Million in Wrongful Death Claim Against Army

"Our goal is to let all the survivors know you not only have a voice, but you have a right to be made whole," the lawyer...

Spc. Kaylie Harris (left) and Sgt. Anthony Muhlstadt (right) both bought the guns used in their suicides at base exchange stores. (Photos courtesy of Carey Harris-Stickford and Tanya Mort)

These Troops Bought Guns on Base. Then They Used the Firearms to Take Their Own Lives.

Most service member suicides are tied to a personal firearm, according to the Pentagon's latest annual suicide report. And...

Navy News

The Navy's Offering Up to $115,000 to Join or Come Back

The Navy is offering potential recruits a new, eye-watering figure in exchange for joining its ranks: $115,000 in possible...

An FBI seal is seen on a wall before the arrival of Director Christopher Wray at a news conference, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022, in Omaha, Neb.

Gunman Who Targeted FBI Office Was a Navy, National Guard Veteran with History of Violent Social Media Posts

The gunman who tried to breach the FBI's Cincinnati office and engaged officers in a standoff that lasted hours before his...

Air Force News

F-35A Lightning II "dedication pass" maneuver.

Air Force's F-35s Flying Again After Ejection Seat Worries Grounded Fleet

Earlier this year, Martin-Baker, a U.K. manufacturer, identified a problem with explosive components used to launch the...

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress pilot conducts a pre-flight inspection at RAF Fairford, England.

Air Force Museum Schedules B-52 Flyover, Traveling Veteran Tribute

Space Force News

Wideband Satellite Communications Operations Center at Fort Meade.

Space Force Takes Over All Military Satellite Communications

The Army has also transferred roughly $78 million of its budget to the Space Force for 2022 to help expand the service's...

Could Access to Abortion Services Change Where the Military Stations Troops?

The overturning of Roe v. Wade has some concerned about troops' quality of life in states where abortion is no longer...

Marine Corps News

Rioters try to enter the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Justice Department Wants Jail Time for Marine Who Touted Revolution at Capitol on Jan. 6

Darrell Youngers served in the Marines from 2008 to 2012, deploying once to Afghanistan, according to court filings.

U.S. Marines inspect a MV-22B Osprey at Norwegian Air Force Base Bodo

Pilot Error Blamed for Marine Osprey Crash in Norway

Investigators weren't able to determine which of the two pilots had control at the time of the crash and said there are...

Coast Guard News

Coast Guard rescue crews safely transfer people from a grounded vessel to U.S. Coast Guard ships.

Coast Guard: 2 Dead, 5 Missing After Migrant Boat Capsizes

The Coast Guard described the boat as a “rustic vessel” that was making an illegal voyage with 15 migrant passengers.

The bow of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star as it breaks ice in Antarctica.

Why the Military Has an Office Dedicated to Tracking the World’s Biggest Blocks of Ice

The National Ice Center is the only entity that monitors ice movement and formation across the globe.