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

Commemorative pistol presented by Sig Sauer to retired Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Britt Slabinski to coincide with the launch of the documentary “For Service As Set Forth: The Story of CMC Britt Slabinski, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient.” (Courtesy of Sig Sauer)

Sig Sauer Honors Navy SEAL Hero With Epic Commemorative Pistol

The maker of the Army's new Modular Handgun System presented Britt Slabinski with a special-edition MK25 pistol.

Gearing Up for SHOT Show 2018

Military.com's crew will be among the 65K attendees expected at SHOT Show 2018, being held from Jan. 23 to Jan. 26.

Organizers Cancel SHOT Show as COVID-19 Cases Spike

The spread of COVID-19 presented too many challenges for the firearm industry trade association to hold the indoor event.

Army Paratrooper Charged in 2013 Kidnapping and Rape of Minor

A soldier in the 82nd Airborne was arrested for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl.

Colt's Halt to Civilian AR-15 Sales Could Prompt Other Gunmakers to Exit Market

Despite the decrease in demand, the AR-15 is still an extremely popular rifle.

Pentagon Report Predicts Rise of Machine-Enhanced Super Soldiers

Still unclear: whether society will accept human-machine fusion.

Trump Awards Medal of Honor to His Own Secret Service Agent

The most recent recipient of the Medal of Honor is fighting stage 4 lung cancer.

Army Doctors in El Paso Surged to Care for Victims of Mass Shooting

Army doctors who treated victims of the recent mass shooting in El Paso said the emergency room scene was like a war zone,

SecDef: Soleimani’s Killing Dealt Big Setback to Iranian Terrorism

Esper told members of the SASC that it was the right call to kill Iranian Quds Force leader Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani.

General Says He 'Meant No Disrespect' with Tweet About Kobe Bryant's Death

The tweet about Kobe Bryant angered many on Twitter, resulting in more than 100 responses

Capt. Ryan Lewis talks to Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Jones and @twitch.tv shout caster James “jchensor” Chen during the Army Entertainment Esports Street Fighter V tournament 11 August 2018, at the Alternate Escapes Café at Fort Gordon, Georgia. (U.S. Army 2nd Recruiting Brigade)

Thousands of Soldiers Sign Up to Game on Army Esports Team

Recruiting officials are screening more than 4,000 applications f who hope to be chosen to play video games for the Army.

Worldwide Equipment Identification Cards, released by Army Training and Doctrine Command, helps Soldiers recognize and remember potential adversary vehicles and weapons. (U.S. Army/Gary Sheftick)

The Army Is Using Playing Cards to Train Soldiers on Enemy Weapons

Each deck includes the nomenclature and performance stats of primary weapons systems soldiers may face in combat.

The U.S. Army debuted its Esports gaming trailer at the Salt Lake Gaming Con in Salt Lake City.

Army Denies Violating 1st Amendment in Esports Recruiting, Sponsoring Fake Giveaways

The Army has temporarily stopped its esports team from streaming on Twitch while it reviews its policies.

Inside the Army Esports trailer (Facebook photo)

Army Unbans Hundreds of Gamers as It Resumes Streaming on Twitch

The Army esports team will resume gaming on Twitch after taking a five-week pause.

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

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

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

Lithuanian engineers and U.S. soldiers work to recover a U.S. Army M88 Hercules

Army, US Allies Battling Swampy Terrain to Find 4 Soldiers Missing Since Tuesday in Lithuania

The troops, assigned to the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, out of Fort Stewart, Georgia, were last seen aboard an M88...

Military Troops, Armored Vehicles Deployed to Big Bend National Park

The U.S. military is deploying troops and armored vehicles to West Texas, including inside Big Bend National Park, as part of...

The USS Gerald R. Ford sails in formation

Roadrunner and Coyote: Navy Set to Deploy Land-Based Anti-Drone Systems at Sea

Ever since the Navy repelled its first wave of drone attacks from the Houthi rebels, there has been criticism over the fact...

Paul Lawrence, President Donald Trump's pick to be deputy secretary of Veterans Affairs

Senate Confirms Deputy VA Secretary as Department Preps for Mass Firings

The Department of Veterans Affairs has a new No. 2 official after the Senate voted along party lines Thursday to approve Paul...

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth arrives at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay

'Different Spanks for Different Ranks': Hegseth's Signal Scandal Would Put Regular Troops in the Brig

Despite what amounts to among the most startling security snafus in recent memory -- one that would almost certainly trigger...

Billionaire, philanthropist and Marine Corps veteran Bob Parsons' new book is in stores now.

'I'd Have Never Done It Without the Marine Corps': Life and Business Lessons from GoDaddy Founder Bob Parsons

Most people wouldn't need to fight a war before starting a business, let alone one of the most iconic dot-com brands ever...

Latest Military Videos

Former Pentagon Spokesperson Speaks Out About Leaked War Plans

President Donald Trump is downplaying the texting of attack plans to a group chat that included a journalist as...

Trump Defends Waltz After Signal Leak, Slams Journalist Involved as a ‘Sleazebag'

President Donald Trump is defending his national security adviser, Michael Waltz, and top administration officials are downplaying a security...

Senate Democrats Clash With Trump’s Intelligence Officials Over War Plans Group Chat

Senate Democrats are calling for further investigations and possible resignations following news that top national security officials texted military...

Journalist Says He Was Added in Group Chat in Secure App Among Trump Officials Regarding War Plans

Top national security officials for President Donald Trump, including his defense secretary, texted war plans for upcoming military strikes...

Investigations and Features

In One of the Marines' Most Iconic Jobs, a Stunning Pattern of Suicide

Marine Corps drill instructors are a national symbol of discipline. But for some, their imposing persona belies a dark...

Army Capt. Jeremy Kuykendall and his wife Kate, cradle their daughter

Unsupervised: Military Child Care Centers Slow to Report Abuse with Little Oversight

A Military.com investigation into military day care centers revealed that service branch rules generally prioritize...

Army News

Military Troops, Armored Vehicles Deployed to Big Bend National Park

The U.S. military is deploying troops and armored vehicles to West Texas, including inside Big Bend National Park, as part of...

(Senior Airman Lauren Silverthorne/U.S. Air Force photo)

Changes Are Coming to Army Ranger Fitness Tests. Here’s How to Prepare for Them

The evolution of testing and training has affected the Ranger School and Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, with a new...

Navy News

An entrance to the U.S. Naval Academy campus

US Naval Academy Ends Affirmative Action in Admissions

The change in policy was made in February by Vice Adm. Yvette Davids, the academy's superintendent, in response to an...

The USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123) Arleigh Burke-class Flight IIA guided missile destroyer arrives in San Diego.

This Navy Destroyer's New Battle Flag Pays Tribute to the Service's First Female Nurses

Flying during Women's History Month, the flag is a particularly poignant choice for the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile...

Air Force News

Signal Scandal Overshadows Confirmation Hearing for Air Force Secretary, Other Top Pentagon Nominees

Four nominees, including President Donald Trump's pick to be Air Force secretary, appeared before the Senate Armed Services...

Hearing Set for Trump's Pick to Be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs

Senators are almost certain to question Caine on the unusual circumstances of his nomination, whether he is committed to...

Space Force News

Vice President JD Vance arrives at Pituffik Space Base in Greenland

Vance and Wife Tour US Military Base in Greenland After Diplomatic Spat over Uninvited Visit

The revised trip to the Danish territory comes as relations between the U.S. and the Nordic country have soured after...

Signal Scandal Overshadows Confirmation Hearing for Air Force Secretary, Other Top Pentagon Nominees

Four nominees, including President Donald Trump's pick to be Air Force secretary, appeared before the Senate Armed Services...

Marine Corps News

U.S. Marine Corps martial arts instructor trainer

Marine Corps Updates Child Care Program with Guidelines on Abuse Reporting, Staffing, Disabilities

The Marine Corps' Child and Youth Program is intended to provide "high-quality and affordable" child care to support families...

Former Navy Detective Sentenced for Choking Sailor Faces New Child Exploitation Charge

Federal agents arrested Jonathan Christopher LaRoche on Wednesday in La Mesa, California, on a charge of attempted production...

Coast Guard News

The National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas, opens to the public on March 25, 2025. (National Medal of Honor Museum)

5 Powerful Artifacts in the New National Medal of Honor Museum

The new National Medal of Honor Museum is set to officially open to the public on March 25, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.

Marines with Marine Forces Special Operations Command push a zodiac into the water during the Gung Ho portion of Raider Week at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The Age Ranges for Joining US Military Special Operations Programs

You have many options that may or may not require an age waiver. It's time to get to work on that dream job.