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

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.

Everything You Need to Know About the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps

The Naval Sea Cadet Corps was established in 1962 and looks "to build leaders of character" through military instruction and...

'Keep It Gucci:' The Precise Art of Being an Air Force In-Flight Refueler

In-flight refuelers, also known as boom operators, can pump more than tens of thousands of pounds of gas at a time.

Capt. Julia Flores is member of Army JAG Corps.

What It Takes to Become a Member of the Military JAG Corps

The Judge Advocate General's Corps handles matters of military justice and military law, and acceptance requires a four-year...

Army cadet performs task at Cadet Field Training

'I Cannot Believe I Just Did That': What Goes on at West Point Cadet Summer Training

Summer is not a restful period at West Point. Every class there is involved in some exercises during Cadet Summer Training.

Virginia representative congratulates student on West Point nomination

How to Apply for a Service Academy Nomination from Congress

You want to attend a service academy, but you need a letter from a member of Congress. Here’s how to apply for a service...

Army future soldier March2Success online test prep platform

March2Success Helps Army Recruits Get Their Best ASVAB Scores

Since it was began in the 1990s, March2Success has been a beneficial tool for the military, the U.S. Army Recruiting...

U.S. Army New York City Recruiting Battalion recruiter shakes hands with new recruit

Recruiters Share Personal Stories to Show Applicants How the Military Can Benefit Them

When recruiters open up to potential enlistees, they humanize themselves, put an applicant at ease and increase the chance...

Admissions liaison officer promotes Air Force Academy

Admissions Liaison Officers Play an Important Role in the Service Academy Pipeline

Admissions liaison officers act as a mentor, sounding board and guiding light rolled into one, and every service academy...

'Did I Make the Right Decision?' How to Take the Guesswork out of Army Basic Training

The goal of basic training is to transform a recruit into a soldier. It's as much about constructing the proper mindset as it...

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Most Popular Military News

Storage Company Must Pay Airman $60,000 After Selling His Property While He Was Deployed

The Justice Department said the auction was a violation of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, a broad set of legal...

Sailors deploy the Sibitzky Remotely Operated Vehicle.

Navy Doing Deep Sea-Search for Sailors' Remains, Helicopter

The Dominator was used in 2020 to recover the remains of seven Marines and one sailor after their AAV sunk.

Fort Worth police officers walk in the neighborhood where a military jet crashed.

Both Pilots Injured, One Critically, After Military Training Aircraft Crashes in Texas

One pilot was flown to a hospital in Dallas in critical condition.

Boeing to Build Navy Aircraft at MidAmerica, Invest $200M

Construction on the MidAmerica facility is scheduled to be completed in early 2024.

U.S. Army Spc. Eyza Carrasco administers a COVID-19 vaccination

What Happens to Soldiers Who Refuse the COVID Vaccine?

Soldiers have limited options to refuse the COVID-19 vaccine, and may have a hard time claiming an exemption.

Latest Military Videos

3rd Marine Division's 79th Anniversary

3rd Marine Division celebrates its 79th anniversary on Sept. 16, 2021. It continues to build on its legacy today...

Coast Guard Rescues Crew of 3, Dog After Fishing Vessel Sinks

An Air Facility Newport crew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter rescued three people and a dog after the commercial...

Army Sling Load Operations

Soldiers from 25th Infantry Division demonstrate their Sling Load Operations skills during the Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference at Schofield...

Army News

The U.S. Capitol is seen behind the razor fence

Pentagon OKs National Guard Troops for Pro-Trump Rally

The soldiers will form a physical security task force and be stationed at the D.C. Armory, less than two miles east of the...

A mural of slain Army Spc. Vanessa Guillen

Army Begins Civilian Overhaul of Investigative Division After Fort Hood

A review of Guillén's murder and the subsequent investigation released in December found deep systemic problems with Fort...

New barracks opened at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii.

Hawaii-Based Soldier Gets 62 Years in Prison for Bludgeoning Wife to Death

A Hawaii-based soldier was sentenced to 62 years in prison on Tuesday for bludgeoning and then stabbing his sleeping wife to...

Navy News

U.S. sailors parade the colors during a ceremony at Ponte Dirillo, Sicily.

Navy Releases Names of 2 Naval Air Station Sigonella Sailors Killed in Sicily Crash

The crash happened when the car in which the women were traveling crashed into a concrete support pole.

Navy Doing Deep Sea-Search for Sailors' Remains, Helicopter

The Dominator was used in 2020 to recover the remains of seven Marines and one sailor after their AAV sunk.

Boeing to Build Navy Aircraft at MidAmerica, Invest $200M

Construction on the MidAmerica facility is scheduled to be completed in early 2024.

Air Force News

The Sierra Nevada MC-145B Wily Coyote, which is similar to the Air Force’s C-145 Combat Coyote pictured here, is one of five candidates for the Armed Overwatch program. (Senior Airman Blake Wiles/U.S. Air Force)

Air Force Special Operations Commander Expects New, Lighter Plane to Fight Terrorists Next Year

The command wants to field a series of about 75 flexible, fixed-wing aircraft that could fly in remote locations.

Amal Ahmadi holds a picture of his slain brother Zemerai Ahmadi

Senior Air Force Officer to Weigh Accountability for Kabul Strike That Killed Civilians, Children

The decision on who will conduct the review will be made by Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, per an order from Defense...

Afghan passengers board a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III

After Traumatic Kabul Airlift, Air Force Sets Sights on Healing Airmen

The 17-day airlift, which was the largest noncombatant evacuation operation in the U.S. military's history, pushed airmen and...

Marine Corps News

Fallen Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee's family at Bayside Church's Adventure Campus in Roseville, Calif.

Mourners in California Honor 3 Marines Killed in Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Nikoui sent videos to his family hours before he died, showing himself interacting with children in Afghanistan.

Eli Stone, left, and Rylee McCollum, at Christmas

Baby Girl Born to Widow of Marine Killed in Kabul Bombing

Levi Rylee Rose McCollum was born early Monday at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California, according to a...

hearse carrying the body of Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto Sanchez

Marine's Body Returned to Indiana Hometown with Procession

A military procession marked the beginning of memorial services for Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto Sanchez.

Coast Guard News

A satellite image shows an oil slick south of Port Fourchon, La.

Coast Guard Cleanup Boats on Scene of Large Gulf Oil Spill Following Ida

Response teams are monitoring reports and satellite imagery to determine the scope of the discharge.

Ventura County Fire Department firefighters respond to fire aboard Conception dive boat

Coast Guard Sued by Families of the 34 Victims in Conception Dive Boat Fire

The lawsuit argues that the Coast Guard is liable for the deaths because it "failed to perform adequate inspections."

Black slick floating in the Gulf of Mexico near a rig

Coast Guard Investigating Reports of Oil Spills After Ida

The Coast Guard says it is investigating reports of possible oil spills resulting from Hurricane Ida after the publication of...