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

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.

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...

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Most Popular Military News

U.S. Army Forces Command’s Command Sgt. Maj. Michael A. Grinston applies camouflage face paint at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Michael Grinston's Quiet War to Help Make the Army More Lethal, Wokeness Hysterics Be Damned

Barracks and quality-of-life issues for soldiers are a top concern for Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston, the Army...

News conference after Senate passed bill to help vets exposed to toxic substances.

Veterans Can Start Filing New Claims Now for 23 Illnesses Covered Under New Law

The bill expands health care and disability compensation for veterans affected by burn pits and other toxic exposures.

A registered pharmacist holds a bottle of monkeypox vaccine at a Pop-Up monkeypox vaccination site in California.

Number of Monkeypox Cases in the Military Climbs Tenfold in Less than 4 Weeks

The Defense Department has had 40 members diagnosed with monkeypox, including 26 active-duty personnel.

Airmen participate in group physical training at Eglin Air Force Base

Did an Airman Offer a Bribe to Pass Fitness Test? Ramstein Officials Investigating

Bribery is punishable under Article 124 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Fort Bragg paratroopers conduct an Airborne Operation over Sicily Drop Zone on a sunny North Carolina morning.

More than 1,000 Fort Bragg Soldiers Displaced After Surprise Decision to Evacuate Old, Moldy Barracks

A dozen 1970s-era barracks are set to be demolished at the Smoke Bomb Hill area, impacting a wide roster of units, including...

U.S. service members receive the COVID-19 vaccine aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

Military Faces National Guard Refusals and Legal Blockade over Disobeying COVID-19 Vaccine Order

While many Guardsmen have outright refused to get vaccinated, some service members have put off getting inoculated while...

Latest Military Videos

Master Class: Fistful of Dollars: Financial Literacy for the Transitioning Veteran

Did you know transition finances can be gamed with a little knowledge and foresight?

View of Taiwan Strait After Chinese Military Exercises

China has conducted "precision missile strikes" off Taiwan's coasts as part of military exercises after a visit by U.S...

SpaceX Launches South Korean Spacecraft to Moon

South Korea is on its way to the moon. SpaceX launched the Asian nation's first lunar explorer on Thursday...

Pelosi in Tokyo: China Will Not Isolate Taiwan

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday that China will not isolate Taiwan by preventing U.S. officials from traveling...

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.

House of Prayer Church in Hinesville, Georgia.

How a Church Allegedly Scammed Millions in VA Money from Vets

The FBI raided five church facilities -- all right outside major military installations -- in June.

Army News

Pro Publica sexual assault investigation

Twice Accused of Sexual Assault, He Was Let Go by Army Commanders. He Attacked Again.

Christian Alvarado began to type as he sat alone in an interrogation room at Fort Bliss, a sprawling Army post in El Paso...

The sun rises at the Vanessa Guillén gate before the arrival of a congressional delegation at Fort Hood, Texas.

Army Veteran Who Stole Millions Worth of Equipment from Fort Hood Gets Jail Time

Last week, an Army veteran was sentenced to 18 months in jail and ordered to pay almost $1.3 million in restitution for the...

Navy News

Machinist’s Mate (Nuclear) 2nd Class Joseph Morrissey, assigned to Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, fills jugs at a water distribution center servicing Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam residents.

Navy: No PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' Detected in Red Hill Water

The foam suppression system at the bulk fuel storage system had never been activated, preventing contamination from dangerous...

The bow of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star as it breaks ice in Antarctica.

Why the Military Has an Office Dedicated to Tracking the World’s Biggest Blocks of Ice

The National Ice Center is the only entity that monitors ice movement and formation across the globe.

Air Force News

Sexual assault response advocates wave to drivers during the “Stand Against Sexual Assault” drive-by campaign at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.

Air Force Launches Program to Help Sexual Assault, Harassment Survivors at 7 Bases

The Air Force is launching a new pilot program that will put resources for survivors of domestic abuse, stalking, cyber...

Test facility craftsman Jack Culpepper adjusts a model of the F-15 Eagle before it undergoes aerodynamic testing in the mid-1970s in the 4-foot transonic wind tunnel at Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee, headquarters of Arnold Engineering Development Complex. The Air Force recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of the F-15’s deployment. Models of the aircraft, engines and other F-15 components have frequently been tested by AEDC over the past 50 years. (U.S. Air Force)

5 Amazing Stories About the F-15 in Action to Celebrate Its 50th Birthday

In the late 1960s, the Air Force was looking for a new air superiority fighter. The result was the F-15 Eagle.

Space Force News

Members of Space Launch Delta 30 pace one another during the monthly Delta Dash on Nov. 5, 2021, at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.

Space Force's Wearable Fitness Tech Plan May Have Punitive Consequences After All

Fears that the Space Force's new fitness program will lead to micromanagement and punishment for not working out enough, as...

Replacement for Space Force Chief Gen. John Raymond Named by President Biden

As part of the nomination, Biden is pushing for SaItzman to be promoted to four-star general.

Marine Corps News

Marine General Takes Over Africa Command, Sees Challenges

Marine Gen. Michael Langley took over as the top U.S. commander for Africa Tuesday, heading U.S. military operations on a...

Lance Cpl. Dylan Merola honored at Disneyland

Camp Pendleton Marine Killed in Kabul Honored with Posthumous Medal at Disneyland

Space Mountain was Lance Cpl. Dylan Merola’s favorite ride. Disneyland was his happy place.

Coast Guard News

Coast Guard rescue crews safely transfer people from a grounded vessel to U.S. Coast Guard ships.

Coast Guard: 2 Dead, 5 Missing After Migrant Boat Capsizes

The Coast Guard described the boat as a “rustic vessel” that was making an illegal voyage with 15 migrant passengers.