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

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.

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.

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

Cavalry Soldiers at Fort Carson Can't See Doctors in the Early Morning Under New Rules

An armor officer at Fort Carson, Colorado, this week issued a new set of policies to his formation effectively banning...

U.S. Marine recruits stand in line to do pullups

A Marine Recruiter's 'Grooming' of a Teenage Recruit Led to an Investigation. The Family Says He's Still Terrorizing Them.

Thirty-six-year-old Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Champagne is now under investigation by military authorities after self...

Recruits make phone calls home at U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command

Cell Phones at Boot Camp: Navy Will Let Some Recruits Use Their Devices

Beyond the announcement, the service offered few details about the policy change that promises to be a major shift in...

Under Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Erik Raven, administers the Oath of Enlistment

Most Would Encourage Military Service But Confidence in Armed Forces Remains Low, Survey Finds

This year's survey found that 51% of respondents said they would encourage friends and family who were considering joining...

debris believed to be from a U.S. military Osprey aircraft is seen off the coast of Yakushima Island

Rescue Efforts Underway for 8 Crew Members Aboard Air Force Osprey That Crashed in Japan

Search-and-rescue operations are underway for the crew of an Air Force Osprey that crashed off the coast of a Japanese island...

Senior Airman Sean Ryan Stevenson poses in front of an airplane

'Broken and Alone': Father Pens Scathing Letter to Top Brass After Losing Airman Son to Suicide

A grieving father who lost his son -- an airman at Cannon Air Force Base -- to suicide this month has written an open letter...

Latest Military Videos

Gaza Truce Extended and More Hostages to Be Released, AP Explains

The Associated Press' Correspondent in Jerusalem Sam Mednick explains the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, which was due to...

US Navy Removes Fuel From Plane in Hawaii Bay

The U.S. Navy said Monday that it has removed nearly all of the fuel from a large plane that...

White House Hails Extension of Truce Between Israel and Hamas

The White House on Monday hailed the extension of the Israel-Hamas truce for another two days, which will result...

Buildings in City in Northern Gaza Strip Bear Horrific Scars of Intensity of Israel's Offensive

Almost every building in Beit Hanoun has been left destroyed by the intensity of the latest war between Israel...

Investigations and Features

What the Pentagon Has, Hasn't and Could Do to Stop Veterans and Troops from Joining Extremist Groups

The military and its transition programs have largely failed to provide what experts say is necessary to steer troops and...

Poisoned Water: How a Navy Ship Dumped Fuel and Sickened Its Own Crew

A years-long investigation reveals that the Boxer unintentionally compromised its own water supply in 2016.

Army News

No More Late Night Alcohol Sales: Army and Air Force Exchange Stores to Ban the Practice Next Month

The change on Army and Air Force bases is meant to support the Pentagon's suicide prevention initiative, which said that...

U.S. Army Spc. Spencer Gasaway builds a custom hub cap specialty tool at Marne Innovation Center on Fort Stewart

A Problem-Solving Shop Fosters 'Culture of Innovation' at Fort Stewart

The Marne Innovation Center, a problem-solving hub located on this sprawling U.S. Army installation, is empowering 3rd...

Navy News

Contractors place inflatable bags under a U.S. Navy P-8A in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

US Navy Says it Will Cost $1.5M to Salvage Jet Plane That Crashed on Hawaii Coral Reef

Navy spokesman Mohammad Issa said $200,000 has already been spent on the operation.

USS Carney is an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer.

Ships Face Houthi-Claimed Attack in Red Sea as Officials Say a US Warship Also Fires in Self-Defense

The USS Carney wasn't damaged in the attack and no injuries were reported on board.

Air Force News

A Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force minesweeper searches in the waters.

Search for Military Personnel Continues After Osprey Crash Off Coast of Southern Japan

The U.S. military said it was continuing to look for the rest of the crew.

No More Late Night Alcohol Sales: Army and Air Force Exchange Stores to Ban the Practice Next Month

The change on Army and Air Force bases is meant to support the Pentagon's suicide prevention initiative, which said that...

Space Force News

Space Force Reports 2 Suicides This Year, Marking the First in the Service's Short History

Until this year, the relatively tiny and new Space Force had been an outlier among the other services as they have struggled...

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., speaks to reporters in the Capitol building on Sept. 21, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

Tommy Tuberville Is Just the Face of a 'Broken' Confirmation Process, Critics Say

Anger over Sen. Tommy Tuberville's blockade of high-ranking military promotions may have hit a boiling point as a handful of...

Marine Corps News

Alec Baldwin speaks at the Ripple of Hope Award Gala at New York Hilton Midtown

Family of Marine Killed in Afghanistan Fails to Win Lawsuit Against Alec Baldwin

A lawsuit against Alec Baldwin filed by relatives of a U.S. Marine killed in Afghanistan has been resolved in the actor's...