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

Gen. Henry ‘Hap’ Arnold, shown in the late 1940s. (Sanaa Lasher/Air Force Scientific Advisory Board photo)

From Aviation to Aid Society, Air Force's Only 5-Star General Changed Service Forever

Because of Arnold's charitable nature, thousands of undergraduate college students receive assistance today through a grant...

Marine Corps wheelchair basketball player Carlos Cruz-Tejeda shoots against Team Canada at the Department of Defense Warrior Games near Orlando, Florida, Aug. 23, 2022.

How the Warrior Games Create a Special Bond for Military Athletes with Disabilities

Camaraderie unites the 300 athletes representing the Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force and Special Operations Command...

Warrior Games athlete Gabe George, a retired Navy hospital corpsman, demonstrates how he competes in archery despite having his right arm amputated.

After 2-Year Pandemic Break, Warrior Games Athletes Get Another Shot at Competition

Hosted by the Army's Training and Doctrine Command, the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games are scheduled for Aug. 19-28...

Joseph Beyrle, who served multiple stints as a German POW during World War II, fought for the U.S. and Russian armies. (Facebook photo)

How This POW Became the Only Soldier to Fight for the US and Russia During WWII

While with the Red Army, Beyrle was involved in several firefights with Germans and helped blow open a safe at one of the POW...

Gangster Monk Eastman served in the 27th Infantry Division of the New York National Guard, which helped the Allies crack the Hindenburg Line, the last line of German defense on the Western Front during World War I.

How the 'First Real New York Gangster' Turned Guardsman Helped End World War I

Born Edward Osterman, Edward "Monk" Eastman led a collection of criminals that, at one point, numbered nearly 1,200.

Pvt. Henry Johnson, shown circa 1919, was nicknamed 'Black Death' after surviving 21 wounds, killing 4 Germans and injuring 10-20 others during an encounter in the Argonne Forest in France during World War I.

How the Story of This Medal of Honor Recipient Wounded 21 Times Was Almost Lost to History

Henry Johnson's discharge papers contained no mention of his heroic actions or injuries, depriving him of any awards or...

Army Brig. Gen. George Owen Squier, also a notable inventor and aviation enthusiast, is shown in his military uniform.

Before He Founded Muzak, This General Brought Innovation to the Army

Looking to improve the military's long-range communications, George Owen Squier tested his theories on whatever resources...

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. is shown as a lieutenant, junior grade, in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

This Famous Actor's Secret WWII Program Became a Precursor to the Navy SEALs

While Douglas Fairbanks Jr. appeared in about 100 movies, his role in creating the Beach Jumpers was likely the most...

A court-martial of 64 members of the All-Black 24th Infantry Regiment is held on Nov. 1, 1917, at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, stemming from the Houston Race Riot more than two months earlier. (National Archives and Records Administration photo)

How a Race Riot Involving an Army Unit Led to the Largest Murder Trial in US History

The Houston Race Riot of 1917 involved an all-Black battalion from the 24th Infantry Regiment and resulted in the execution...

Missionary Ridge in Tennessee was a key Civil War battle.

How Douglas MacArthur's Father Helped Deliver 'the Death Knell of the Confederacy'

Douglas MacArthur's father, Arthur, earned a Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Missionary Ridge during the...

Teddy Roosevelt Jr. and his family head to the Philippines.

This President’s Son Overcame Age, Health Issues on D-Day to Earn the Medal of Honor

Teddy Roosevelt Jr., the son of the nation's 26th president, served as a brigadier general leading the 4th Infantry Division...

Rear Adm. Roy Davenport earned five Navy Crosses during his military career.

How the 'Praying Skipper' Became the Only Sailor to Earn 5 Navy Crosses

Roy Davenport earned five Navy Crosses as the lieutenant commander of two submarines, the USS Haddock and USS Trepang.

A World Series Hero Misstated WWII Record. Was It Stolen Valor?

Gene Bearden, who helped the Cleveland Indians win the 1948 World Series, claimed he was injured as the USS Helena sank...

Leaders of the Air Force JROTC program at Space Coast Junior/Senior High School are shown outside its classroom.

What Converting from the Air Force to Space Force Means for One JROTC Unit

Space Coast Junior/Senior High in Florida is one of 10 Air Force JROTC units nationally to convert to the Space Force during...

Officer Training School trainees run during an Air Force physical fitness test.

5 Areas That Can Help You Become a More Efficient Runner

The Air Force Efficient Running Project is an online resource developed by Mark Cucuzzella, a former lieutenant colonel in...

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

Tugboats move the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt.

Three More Sailors Die by Suicide While Their Carriers Are Stuck in Shipyards

The suicide aboard the George Washington comes a month after the Navy released its first report on the last three suicides...

Reconnaissance training for Special Forces soldiers

Before a Secret Raid on an ISIS Leader's Mountain Cave Complex, US Forces Ran the Mission at a Special Recreation of the Target Area

It's a similar technique to the one used before the 2011 raid that brought down Osama bin Laden.

'A Total Shock': Parents Mourn Sudden Death of Their Air Force Academy Son

Candyce and Dustin Brown last spoke to their son Hunter by phone on Sunday, Jan. 8, discussing the class schedule for his...

Polish soldiers standing around waiting for an event to start.

Polish Armed Forces See Record Interest Since Ukraine War

Warsaw introduced one-day military training courses nationwide for those who are interested.

A volunteer tax preparer does a return for a U.S. Army soldier.

Military Families Worried About Tax Bills After W-2s Show No Income Tax Withheld

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service is denying a widespread issue of erroneous withholdings.

Ukrainian soldiers prepare a U.S.-supplied M777 howitzer to fire at Russian positions.

How to Fix a Howitzer: US Offers Help Line to Ukraine Troops

Fixing a howitzer has been a frequent request from Ukrainian troops on the front lines.

Latest Military Videos

Master Class: Finding the Federal Job 2.0

The federal government is the largest single employer of veterans—they want your subject matter expertise, transferrable skills, and security...

US Weighs in on Government Shake-up in Kyiv

The State Department is weighing in on developments in Kyiv as several senior Ukrainian officials, including front-line governors, lost...

French Soldiers Hold Combat Exercise in Romania

Around 600 French soldiers deployed as part of a NATO battle group in Romania held a combat exercise on...

Biden Says Supporting Ukraine a 'Worldwide Commitment'

President Joe Biden thanked western allies providing military support to Kyiv as he announced on Wednesday that the United...

Investigations and Features

They Said the Rise in Military Suicide Is a Mystery. Traumatic Brain Injury May Be an Answer.

Veterans who have had a head injury are at higher risk for suicide, but these deaths can be prevented, experts say.

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.

Army News

New Defense Health Director Pledges to Focus on Patients as 'Human Beings'

Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland's experiences while serving as deputy Army surgeon general and as a family physician will influence...

First lady Jill Biden speaks during an event to present her 2021 inaugural ensembles to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History

Jill Biden to Visit Military Families at Fort Drum

Biden will be joined by Deputy Defense Secretary Dr. Kathleen Hicks at Fort Drum. According to the White House, the meeting...

Navy News

Three More Sailors Die by Suicide While Their Carriers Are Stuck in Shipyards

The suicide aboard the George Washington comes a month after the Navy released its first report on the last three suicides...

Tempest Droneworx founder Ty Audronis works on building a new multicopter drone. The drone is just one piece of a revolutionary new data aggregation technology. (Courtesy of Ty Audronis)

A Navy Veteran Built New Technology to Aid Wildfire Prevention and Disaster Relief

Harbinger is software that combines a 1950s idea with the latest in sensors and communications technology.

Air Force News

"Stand Against Sexual Assault” campaign.

Air Force Wants to Hire More Special Agents to Investigate Domestic Violence

A 2021 survey that found that 66% of women and 48% of men in the Air Force reported experiencing some form of interpersonal...

Airmen inspect the cable connections of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Nuclear Strike Chief Seeks Cancer Review of Launch Officers

It was not immediately clear if that assessment would be limited to Malmstrom Air Force Base.

Space Force News

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado poses with U.S. Air Force airmen.

Democrat Threatens to Hold Up Pentagon Nominees over Space Command HQ Decision

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet voted against confirming Brendan Owens as assistant secretary of defense for energy and...

inert Minuteman III missile is seen in a training launch tube at Minot Air Force Base, N.D.

Military Probing Whether Cancers Linked to Nuclear Silo Work

Nine military officers who had worked decades ago at a nuclear missile base in Montana have been diagnosed with blood cancer.

Marine Corps News

Mother plays with her daughter during the USO Special Delivery Baby Shower.

Marines Roll Out Expanded Parental Leave Policy

The Corps' version of the policy does not substantially differ from the other military branches as it allows Marines to take...

Gombi, a military working dog, was retired and adopted at Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany.

Base Retires Working Dog After a Half-Decade Sniffing Out Threats, Including 7 Million Pounds of Narcotics

Gombi received two awards for her service at her retirement and adoption ceremony.

Coast Guard News

Coast Guard Cutters Kimball (WMSL 756) and Midgett (WMSL 757) transit past Diamond Head on Oahu

Coast Guard to Resume Fight Against Illegal Fishing in Pacific

It is estimated that 1 in every 5 fish caught around the world is caught illegally.

The Spirit of Norfolk is in tow and meeting the Coast Guard Station Portsmouth 45-foot response boat crew

Spirit of Norfolk Hearings Begin: Cruise Ship Had Technical Issues in Weeks Before June Blaze, Investigators Say

The hearing, led by Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board officials, revealed new details about issues the...