Joel Searls

Joel Searls is a journalist, writer and creative who serves as a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve. His writing has appeared in Military.com, We Are The Mighty, Leatherneck Magazine and The War Horse. Joel has completed the Writers Guild Foundation’s Veterans Writing Project, is a produced playwright, a commissioned screenwriter and an entertainment consultant. His most recent feature film-producing project is “Running with the Devil,” written/directed by retired Navy SEAL Jason Cabell. His most recent TV series producing credit is with “Top Combat Pilot,” hosted by Dennis Quaid.

Latest Articles

Utkarsh Ambudkar, Sonequa Martin-Green (middle) and ‘My Dead Friend Zoe’ director/co-writer Kyle Hausmann-Stokes prepare for a scene in which the 2 actors play a shooter arcade game.

How ‘My Dead Friend Zoe’ Reflects its Director’s Real-Life Military Experiences

"My Dead Friend Zoe" -- now available on several streaming services -- is inspired by the experiences of director and co...

Sonequa Martin-Green, left, and Natalie Morales in 'My Dead Friend Zoe.'

'My Dead Friend Zoe' Delivers an Eye-Opening Message for Military Veterans

In "My Dead Friend Zoe," a female Afghanistan veteran -- engaged in a mysterious relationship with a wise-cracking (and dead)...

Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland on set (A24)

4 Questions for 'Warfare' Filmmakers Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza

24's "Warfare" has a relatively simple mission: to drop audiences into the chaos of a Navy SEAL mission gone wrong, told in...

'Warfare' is a visceral story of modern combat and brotherhood.

'Warfare' Is One of the Best War Movies of the Post-9/11 Era

"Warfare" is a must-see that brings full combat immersion, miles of depth and natural believability, making for one of the...

TV producer Chas. Floyd Johnson is on the set of 'JAG' with U.S. Marine Corps Cobra gunship helicopters in the background.

The Circle Makes Its Rounds: ‘NCIS’ Producer Chas. Floyd Johnson on Military Service and Hollywood Success

Chas. Floyd Johnson is the executive producer for the long-running CBS TV series “NCIS” and won an Emmy for his work on “The...

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

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth receives a coin

Hegseth Works Hard to Portray Himself as a Man of the Troops. They Might Not Be Buying It.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host and National Guardsman, has attempted to reframe the role of the...

Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora, Colo.

After Recent Years of Reform, Vets Fear Trump Cuts to VA Will Undo Lifeline Health Care, Research

Amid a downsizing campaign that’s poised to overhaul, streamline and — in some cases — eradicate bedrock federal agencies...

Veterans salute during a Veterans Day event.

Don't Dishonor Veterans with Broken Promises and Empty Gestures

It's time to get back in step with the veteran community -- not with fanfare, but with follow-through.

Nightclub where an immigration raid occurred in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Fort Carson Soldier Charged with Cocaine Distribution, Possession After DEA Nightclub Raid

Staff Sgt. Juan Gabriel Orona-Rodriguez is charged with one count each of distribution and possession with intent to...

President Donald Trump speaks during an event

White House Says Trump’s Proposal to Rename Veterans Day Has Been Scrapped

The White House has backed off President Donald Trump’s stunning social media proposal to change the name of Veterans Day to...

Maj. Zachary Sessa, an F-35C Lightning II pilot

Marine Aviator Describes Historic F-35 Combat Sortie in Mission Against Yemen's Houthis

After Maj. Zachary Sessa launched his F-35C Lightning II's payload at Houthi weapons storage facilities in Yemen last year...

Latest Military Videos

AP Explains Israeli Troops in Self-Declared Security Zones in Gaza

Israel’s defense minister said Wednesday that troops will remain in so-called security zones in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and...

Russian Strike on Kherson Kills One Person and Injures 3 Others

At least one person was killed and three others injured following a Russian strike on the Ukrainian city of...

Fort Benning Takes Back its Old Name, but to Honor a Different Soldier

The Army is restoring the name Fort Benning to its storied training post in Georgia, only this time to...

Former Pentagon Spokesperson Speaks Out About Leaked War Plans

President Donald Trump is downplaying the texting of attack plans to a group chat that included a journalist as...

Investigations and Features

In One of the Marines' Most Iconic Jobs, a Stunning Pattern of Suicide

Marine Corps drill instructors are a national symbol of discipline. But for some, their imposing persona belies a dark...

Army Capt. Jeremy Kuykendall and his wife Kate, cradle their daughter

Unsupervised: Military Child Care Centers Slow to Report Abuse with Little Oversight

A Military.com investigation into military day care centers revealed that service branch rules generally prioritize...

Army News

A live fire demonstration of the Army’s M10 Booker

Army's M10 Booker Gets Nixed Leaving Question Mark for Future Infantry's Firepower

The Army is canning the short-lived M10 Booker, an armored fighting vehicle, amid concerns over its deployability and...

Investigation into Gaza Pier Mission Finds Funding Cuts, Poor Planning Hindered the Operation

A stream of issues, breakdowns, injured service members and delays led to concerns about the Army's ability to build the...

Navy News

Investigation into Gaza Pier Mission Finds Funding Cuts, Poor Planning Hindered the Operation

A stream of issues, breakdowns, injured service members and delays led to concerns about the Army's ability to build the...

Most of the military's four-star officers occupy top leadership positions

Military's 4-Star Officers to Be Reduced by 20% or More Under New Order by Hegseth

In a memo released Monday, Hegseth argued that senior leaders should be "unencumbered by unnecessary bureaucratic layers that...

Air Force News

'We Shouldn't Be Burying Our Kids': Mom of Airman Files New Civil Lawsuit Over Fatal Police Shooting

The mother of a 23-year-old airman shot and killed in his apartment by a Florida sheriff's deputy last year has filed a...

U.S. Secretary of Defense Hegseth shakes hands with President Trump

Trump's Plan to 'Save' Michigan Base with New Fighter Jet Squadron Not a Done Deal

The lack of environmental analysis, funding and other roll-out details stems from the unusual situation of Trump making the...

Space Force News

Capt. Matthew Lohmeier instructs a trainee

Senators Voice 'Deep Concerns' About Trump's Pick for Air Force Under Secretary

Democratic senators voiced serious concerns about a former Former Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier's political social media posts...

Launch of hypersonic missile from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Secretive 'Dark Eagle' Hypersonic Missile Launches from Cape Canaveral

The action on the Space Coast comes a day after the Army officially dubbed the defense system with its new moniker.

Marine Corps News