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

A $100 bill with a Social Security card and the Amerian flag.

Record Pay Increase Likely Coming for Disabled Veterans and Military Retirees in 2023

Disabled veterans and military retirees will likely see record pay increases in 2023 thanks to COLA changes.

Nearly 15,000 Pharmacies Leaving Tricare Next Month

Advocates say the move could leave patients in rural areas with few options to get prescriptions filled.

A paratrooper reenlists on a CH-47 Chinook helicopter.

The Army is Having No Issue Retaining Soldiers, Amid a Crisis Recruiting New Ones

The service has surpassed more than 100% of its retention goals every year since 2017, including new numbers for 2022,

Special Warfare Training Wing trainees perform flutter kicks.

Air Force's New $66M Special Warfare Training Center Will Have Mixed-Gender Facilities

The 76,000 square-foot facility will have two swimming pools as well as private showers and bathrooms that will accommodate...

Bashir Noorzai speaks during his release ceremony.

Biden Swap Freed Drug Trafficker on Special Ops Kill List

Before the White House's prisoner swap that traded him for kidnapped American contractor Mark Frerichs, Haji Bashir Noorzai...

How a Government Shutdown Impacts Military Pay, Benefits

These are the details from the military on what a government shutdown means for military pay and benefits.

Latest Military Videos

17 Dead in Russian School Shooting

A gunman opened fire in a school in central Russia on Monday, killing 17 people and wounding 24 others...

Space Station Flies Over Hurricane Ian

The International Space Station flew over Hurricane Ian on Monday. (Sep 26) AP, NASA

Hurricane Forces NASA Moon Rocket to Shelter

Hurricane Ian is prompting NASA to move its moon rocket off the launch pad and into shelter, adding weeks...

Oath Keepers Founder's Path to Jan. 6 Capitol Riot

Long before he built one of the far-right largest anti-government militia groups in U.S. history, whose members would eventually...

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

Public Couldn't Send Tips to Army Criminal Investigation's Website for Weeks Due to Technical Glitch

The problem was due to a certificate issue that took "much longer than expected" to fix, according to a division spokesperson...

Jackman Hall on the campus of Norwich University.

Student Who Sued Military over HIV Policy Settles Case

Eddie Diaz has settled his lawsuit and plans to pursue his dream of becoming an Army officer.

Navy News

New Navy flame-resistant, two-piece organizational clothing prototype.

New Uniforms Coming for Sailors As Navy Looks to Leave Flammable Clothing Issue Behind

The Navy has ditched its iconic and beloved coveralls for sailors aboard ships for a new, two-piece uniform that was finally...

amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) at Naval Base San Diego

Defense Witness Says She Saw Different Sailor Running from Scene of Suspected Bonhomme Richard Arson

In the days that followed the devastating blaze that destroyed the amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard, agents began...

Air Force News

Smoked Pot Recently? New Waiver Means You Might Still Be Able to Join the Air Force or Space Force

As the military faces its most difficult recruiting environment in decades, the services are workshopping options to allow...

Hurricane Ian passing over western Cuba.

Military Prepares as Hurricane Ian Bears Down on Florida

As Ian grows in strength, the U.S. military is readying for the storm and its aftermath.

Space Force News

Smoked Pot Recently? New Waiver Means You Might Still Be Able to Join the Air Force or Space Force

As the military faces its most difficult recruiting environment in decades, the services are workshopping options to allow...

Headquarters Space Operations Command (SpOC) was furnished with new signage at Building 1, at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.

Lawmakers Plea for Colorado Springs' Space Command Headquarters, As Air Force Decision Looms

The Department of the Air Force hasn't yet issued its final word on the location of U.S. Space Command headquarters.

Marine Corps News

'We Got Our Miracle': Freed Americans Back Home in Alabama

Smiling but looking tired, Alex Drueke and Andy Huynh were pulled into long emotional hugs by family members.

Andy Huynh, and Alex Drueke arrive in New York.

2 American Vets Released by Russian Separatists Arrive in NYC

Two U.S. military veterans who disappeared three months ago while fighting Russia with Ukrainian forces have arrived at New...

Coast Guard News