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

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...

COVID-19 pandemic prompts cancellation of 2021 Warrior Games

Pandemic Prompts Cancellation of DoD's Warrior Games for 2nd Year in Row

First held in 2010, the Warrior Games are an adaptive sports competition for wounded, injured and ill service members.

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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