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

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.

Col. Christopher Warner at Joint Base Lewis-McChord

Army Commander of JBLM Hospital Removed Over Undisclosed Allegations

Col. Christopher Warner has been suspended from the job since Oct. 5.

Extended Range Cannon Artillery System, or ERCA, being tested.

Army Eyes Autonomous Robotic Arm to Rapidly Resupply its Futuristic Long-Range Howitzer

Apptronik Inc.'s prototype robotic arm features a design that can lift more than current robotic arms while weighing less.

Fort Drum Commander Fired over Alleged Misconduct

A Fort Drum spokesman would not release details about the charges, but said they were "administrative in nature."

Army Identifies Reserve Soldier Found Dead in Kuwait

Staff Sgt. Christopher F. Pantos was found dead in his living quarters at Ali Al Salem Air Base, according to the Pentagon.

Army Platoon Leader Creates App to Help Grunts Earn the Expert Infantryman Badge

First Lt. Egor Krasnonosenkikh created the EIB Pro by teaching himself how to program through YouTube videos.

As the sun rises, a soldier hikes along a 12-mile road march course. (U.S. Army: Sgt. Scott Lamberson)

US Soldier Serving in Kuwait Found Dead

The soldier, who has not been identified, was found dead in his living quarters at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.

U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Luke Blum walks with ExoBoot technology.

Army Scientists Want to Teach Exoskeleton Gear How to Improve Soldier Performance

The study uses sensors to help researchers track and record the soldiers' physical state as they interact with exoskeletons.

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Most Popular Military News

Airmen await takeoff in a C-17 Globemaster III

DoD Making Masks Mandatory Again, Even for the Vaccinated, in Some Places

The DoD resumed requiring all people to wear masks indoors at facilities in places where the disease is spreading quickly.

Soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division, stand in formation

Cavalry Not Horsing Around with Mismanufactured Patches. Can you Spot the Error?

You probably need a jeweler's eye to notice what is wrong with the 1st Cavalry Division’s current patch.

Two A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft fly a flight training mission March 16, 2010, over Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The A-10C is the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close-air support of ground forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman)

Congress Rebuffs Air Force's Plan to Retire Older Aircraft, Putting A-10 Move on Hold

Lawmakers would block the retirement of the A-10s again if the recent Senate Armed Services Committee’s version of the bill...

Biden Orders Military to Move Toward Mandatory COVID Vaccine

Biden said making the vaccines mandatory is important because troops often serve in places where vaccination rates are low.

US Navy Loses Two More Sailors to COVID-19

The total number of COVID deaths in the military is at 26 as of July 21, according to the DoD.

Latest Military Videos

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Palestinians, Israeli Troops Clash after Funeral

Palestinian protesters and Israeli troops clashed following the funeral of a child believed killed by army fire the previous...

Army News

Staff Sgt. Micah E. Walker, of Peyton, Colo.

Army Says Drowning Wasn't the Cause of Green Beret's Death, Retracting Prior Claim

Staff Sgt. Micah Walker, 31, was taking part in dive training when he died at Naval Air Station Key West.

Vanessa Guillen gate unveiled at Fort Hood

Guillen Family Calls for Court-Martial of Soldier's Harasser as Military Considers Crime Reforms

A court-martial would generate publicly available documents showing whether a leader was punished and to what extent.

Cavalry Not Horsing Around with Mismanufactured Patches. Can you Spot the Error?

You probably need a jeweler's eye to notice what is wrong with the 1st Cavalry Division’s current patch.

Navy News

amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) at Naval Base San Diego

Sailor Charged with Arson in Bonhomme Richard Fire Claims Innocence, Lawyer Says

The accused sailor spoke with investigators after the fire and was confined to the Marine Corps Station Miramar brig for...

Smoke rises from the USS Bonhomme Richard in San Diego

Navy Charges Sailor with Setting Fire that Destroyed USS Bonhomme Richard

The sailor was a member of the crew at the time, Cmdr. Sean Robertson, a U.S. 3rd Fleet spokesperson, said.

US Navy Loses Two More Sailors to COVID-19

The total number of COVID deaths in the military is at 26 as of July 21, according to the DoD.

Air Force News

Aircrew egress systems specialists hoist an F-16 Fighting Falcon canopy

Lawmakers Move to Protect Pilots from Ejection Seat Problems

Lawmakers plan to require the Air Force and the Navy to notify them when the live-saving seats are in need of repair.

Congress Rebuffs Air Force's Plan to Retire Older Aircraft, Putting A-10 Move on Hold

Lawmakers would block the retirement of the A-10s again if the recent Senate Armed Services Committee’s version of the bill...

Former Airman Who Leaked Details of Drone Program Sentenced, Will Serve Prison Time

A former Air Force intelligence analyst has been sentenced to 45 months in prison for leaking classified information.

Marine Corps News

Hershel "Woody" Williams receives the Medal of Honor from President Harry S Truman at the White House in October 1945. (Hershel Williams Medal of Honor Foundation)

The Last Battle for Iwo Jima Legend Woody Williams, Only Surviving WWII Medal of Honor Recipient

At age 97, Woody Williams still has promises to Gold Star families to keep.

Families of Marines who died in amphibious assault vehicle accident.

Families of 9 Troops Killed in Amphibious Vehicle to Sue

BAE Systems declined to comment on the expected lawsuit and directed questions to the Marine Corps.

F-35B Lightning II lands at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

Lightning Strike Damages Two F-35B Stealth Fighters over Western Japan

Both aircraft, assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, landed safely after the strike and neither pilot was injured.

Coast Guard News

Commissioning of Coast Guard Cutters Myrtle Hazard, Oliver Henry and Fredrick Hatch

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The U.S. Coast Guard renamed its Guam outpost the Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam during a , triple commissioning...

That is one Semper Paratus game face. (U.S. Coast Guard)

5 Combat Victories the Coast Guard Scored Against America’s Enemies

To honor the Coast Guard's August 4th birthday: five stories to remind you the Coast Guard punches way above its weight.

The remaining military aviation unit at the Former McClellan AFB, Calif., is home to Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento which operates four HC-130 Hercules fixed-wing aircraft with 189 personnel assigned to the unit. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Sheriff: Florida Man Stole Car, Got into Coast Guard Plane

The suspect went into a Coast Guard C-130 aircraft and made it to the cockpit, where he was arrested.