Matthew Cox

Matthew Cox has been a defense reporter since 1998. He covers 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.

Email: matthew.cox@military.com

Latest Articles

Virginia National Guard soldiers salute during the National Anthem.

National Guard Plans to Ask Thousands of Troops to Remain in DC Until Mid-March

Guard officials said that approximately 7,000 troops would likely remain in D.C. through the end of January.

Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau.

Biden Calls National Guard Chief After Troops Briefly Ordered to Take Breaks in Garage

President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden each showed their support for the Guard in their own way.

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Steven Skoda, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Daniel Prial Chief Warrant Officer 4 Christian Koch were New York National Guard pilots who died when their UH-60 medevac helicopter crashed Jan. 20, 2021. (Army)

Army Identifies 3 New York National Guard Pilots Killed in Black Hawk Crash

They died when their aircraft went down while conducting night-vision goggle proficiency training.

National Guard troops reinforce the security zone on Capitol Hill.

Break Area for Thousands of Guard Troops Abruptly Moved from Capitol to Garage with Single Restroom

The move prompted an outcry from some troops.

U.S. Army National Guard soldiers with the South Carolina National Guard provide security to the 59th Presidential Inauguration.

Thousands of National Guard Troops to Begin Leaving DC This Weekend

Arrangements are being made for 15,000 of the 25,600 Guard soldiers and airmen in D.C. to return home over the next 10 days.

National Guard soldiers walk down the street near the U.S. Capitol Building.

The 26K Guard Troops in DC Did Not Face a Single Inauguration Security Threat: Top General

The scene at the U.S. Capitol, where Joe Biden took the oath of office, was a stark contrast to the riot on Jan. 6.

National Guard members President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony

National Guard in DC Briefed on 'Use of Force, Self Defense' in Lead-Up to Inauguration

Some Guard members have been sworn in as special police and authorized to be armed with M4 carbines.

U.S. National Guard soldiers stand in formation.

12 Guard Troops Sent Home from Inauguration Duty After FBI Flagged 'Questionable Behavior'

The announcement comes as the Guard presence in D.C. has swelled to 25,000 members, contributed by all 50 states.

Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy speaks at a COVID-19 briefing.

Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy to Leave Post on Inauguration Day

John Whitley, assistant secretary of the Army for financial management and comptroller, will serve as the acting secretary.

Army IDs 2 Fort Bliss Soldiers Killed in Separate Vehicle Accidents

Two 1st Armored Division soldiers died over the weekend in vehicle-related accidents outside of Fort Bliss, Texas.

Staff Sgt. John D. S. Bailey was found dead at his Fort Bliss residence Jan. 14, 2021

Army IDs 1st Armored Division Staff Sergeant Found Dead at Fort Bliss Home

The U.S. Army has identified a 1st Armored Division staff sergeant from Fort Bliss, Texas found dead at his home Thursday.

Pfc. Asia Graham died Dec. 31 after being found unresponsive in her barracks room at Fort Bliss, Texas. Pfc. Christian G. Alvarado, another Fort Bliss soldier, will face a general court-martial on charges that he raped Graham a year earlier. (Army)

Fort Bliss Soldier Charged with Raping Fellow Soldier a Year Before Her New Year's Eve Death

A 1st Armored Division soldier at Fort Bliss, Texas has been charged with sexually assaulting three women over the past year...

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jessica Ann Mitchell.

Army Offers $25,000 Cash Reward for Tips on Drill Sergeant's Murder

Staff Sgt. Jessica Ann Mitchell "was shot to death in her vehicle," according to a CID news release.

U.S. Soldiers with the New Jersey National Guard.

43 National Guard Troops in DC for Inauguration Test Positive for COVID-19

The spike in cases comes as the Pentagon has increased the Guard authorization for inauguration security in D.C. to 25,000.

Members of the National Guard patrol outside the Capitol Building.

Military Pledges Proper Housing for Troops in DC as National Guard Force Grows to 25,000

The DoD announced that it has increased the number of National Guard troops authorized for inauguration security to 25,000.

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Most Popular Military News

breaching the Capitol building during a riot

Why Military Veterans and Law Enforcement Joined the Capitol Insurrection

The deadly riot in the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 attracted a variety of far-right extremists who shared a devotion to Trump.

An American soldier and six South Korean civilians have been accused of stealing three Humvees from an unnamed U.S. base in South Korea and trying to sell them. (COURTESY OF SEOUL METROPOLITAN POLICE AGENCY)

FBI Searches for Armored Military Vehicle in California

The Humvee was stolen from a National Guard Armory in a Los Angeles suburb.

A customer shops at NEX Pensacola, Florida.

DoD Cancels Plans to Let Thousands of Civilian Employees Shop at Exchange

The proposal to expand military exchange shopping privileges had been expected to be finalized in late 2020.

Soldiers hold folded American flags that will be presented to family members. (Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)

After Years of Fighting, the Military Has Started Phasing Out 'Widow’s Tax'

Many survivors will see at least $400 more in their Feb. 1 annuity payments.

An airman stands in formation during a SERE Specialist Apprentice Course graduation ceremony.

After Training Changes, Air Force SERE School Sees Near-Historic Low Attrition

Typically, about half of each class washes out during the final apprentice course because of its demanding nature.

Latest Military Videos

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Watch How NATO Gets Tanks Across Rivers

Here's how NATO gets its tanks across bridges.

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Army News

Minn. Guard's Highest Ranking Woman Tapped for US Army Cyber Center

The Cyber Center of Excellence is the U.S. Army's force modernization project for cyberspace operations.

National Guard Plans to Ask Thousands of Troops to Remain in DC Until Mid-March

Guard officials said that approximately 7,000 troops would likely remain in D.C. through the end of January.

Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III at his Senate Armed Forces Committee confirmation hearing.

It's Official: Lloyd Austin Is the First Black Defense Secretary

Austin tweeted immediately following his confirmation that he's proud to be the first African American to hold the position.

Navy News

How the Army and Navy Won the First Battle of Desert Storm

The invasion began 30 years ago.

Commanding Officer of Navy Reserve Center Fired After Investigation

Capt. Scott Moss, who led the NOSC in Knoxville, was relieved of command by Capt. Dale Maxey.

Two F-35B Lightning II aircraft from the F-35 Integrated Test Force (ITF) successfully landed onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth on 1 November 2018 marking the beginning of the second phase of Development Testing (DT-2) of first-of-class flying trials (U.S. Navy/Liz Wolter)

US, UK Sign Agreement to Merge Forces for Historic Joint Carrier Deployment

Marine F-35B Joint Strike Fighter aircraft and the Navy destroyer The Sullivans will deploy as part of the strike group.

Air Force News

Biden Has 'Not Spent a Moment' Considering Air Force One's Paint Job, Press Sec Says

In 2018, Trump sat down with CBS Evening News' anchor Jeff Glor to unveil his redesign ideas, including the new paint scheme.

An E-11A sits on the runway at Kandahar Airfield.

Engine Failure, Aircrew Error Led to Fatal E-11A Crash in Afghanistan, Air Force Says

The report released by Air Combat Command concluded that the broken blade caused the left engine to shut down automatically.

Mark Fox poses in a Hornet aboard the USS Saratoga.

30 Years On, Veterans Recall the Desert Storm Air War

Months of preparation preceded a month-and-a-half-long air war that left 33 American pilots and their crew members dead.

Marine Corps News

The metal bars of a jail cell in a U.S. Marine Corps brig.

Parole Denied for Former Marine Wife Convicted in Husband's 1984 Ambush Murder

The decision marks the second time she has been denied parole.

supporters of President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the U.S. Capitol

3 Militia Members, Including Marine Vet, Charged with Plotting Capitol Breach

The Oath Keepers group often recruits current and former military, police or other first responders.

An Army soldier plays taps in the Cypress Hills National Cemetery.

Dorothy Schmidt Cole, Oldest Living Marine, Dies at 107

Cole enlisted as one of the earliest female Marine reservists following the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Coast Guard News

USS Shiloh moored pierside in Yokosuka, Japan

Family Separation Allowance Now Covers COVID-19 Restriction of Movement Orders on Ships

The new rule mainly affects Navy, Marine and Coast Guard members

The unicorn float enjoys swim call with its shipmates from the USCGC Kimball in August 2020. (U.S. Coast Guard/Coast Guard Kimball)

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The Coast Guard Museum opened its archives to Instagram, showing off some of it most interesting artifacts.

Is the US Losing the Fight for Arctic Dominance?

Things are heating up in the Arctic -- literally and figuratively. As ice melts and new sea lanes open, the region is the...