Matthew Cox
Matthew Cox has been a defense reporter since 1998. Prior to working for three years in media relations at Thales, he worked for Military.com from 2011 to 2021, covering Army and Marine Corps readiness and modernizations with a focus on weapons development and procurement. Before that he worked for more than 12 years at Army Times. He focused on modernization, training, and readiness as well as covering light infantry units in combat in both Afghanistan from 2002 to 2008. 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.
Recent stories by Matthew Cox
Air Force Issues New Mustache, Sideburn Standards
The Air Force recently tightened its standards on mustaches and sideburns to comply with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s strict new guidance on facial hair.
‘Here’s the Story’: How an Airman Lied to Cover Up M18 Shooting
Airman 1st Class Marcus White-Allen concocted a story to cover up that he fired his M18 9mm pistol into Airman Braden Lovan’s chest, killing him on July 20, two Airmen from F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., testified during separate courts martial proceedings on Oct. ...
Airman and Guardian Families with Furloughed Spouses Feel Shutdown Strain
Active-duty Airmen and Guardians haven’t missed any paychecks yet as a result of the ongoing government shutdown. But with tens of thousands of military spouses working as civilians for the federal government, many families still face financial strain and stress.
Some Guard Troops Won’t Get Paid Until Shutdown Ends
The National Guard Bureau says most units are postponing drills during the shutdown, but some states are sticking to their training schedule, resulting in a patchwork of different policies and some confusion in the ranks.
Shutdown Relief: Where Airmen and Guardians Can Turn for Help
With no end to the government shutdown in sight, Airmen, Guardians, and defense civilians face increasing uncertainty about whether or not they will be paid—and how to make ends meet if they are not.
Airman Charged in M18 Shooting Death Found Dead
The Airman arrested in connection with the M18 pistol discharge that killed a fellow member of Air Force security forces on July 20 in Wyoming was found dead earlier this month, an Air Force spokesperson confirmed.
How New Religious Accommodation Rules for Beards Could Impact Airmen’s Careers
Airmen, Guardians, and other service members that wear beards for religious reasons will be deemed nondeployable as part of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s sweeping crackdown on shaving waivers—a move that would essentially end their careers and one that several former Air Force officials say may ...
Air Force to Inspect All Dorms for ‘Clean, Comfortable, Safe’ Living Conditions
The Air Force has ordered officials across the service to inspect every Airman’s dorm room as part of the Pentagon’s new effort to improve barracks conditions for all service members.
Alaska Air Guard Evacuates Hundreds of Typhoon Victims
In the wake of an intense storm, Alaska Air National Guard Airmen evacuated more than 500 residents by C-17s as heavy storm surges flooded villages in the region.
Air Force May Test New Counter-Drone Weapons Next Year: Industry Reps
This year’s Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting buzzed with talk of countering the rapidly evolving drone threat facing the entire U.S. military, including the Air Force. Leaders and defense industry officials discussed the need for new approaches to procurement and employment of ...
Pentagon’s New Counter-Drone Task Force to Arm Future ACE Airmen
The Pentagon’s new counter-drone task force will play a direct role in arming Airmen with new weapons to defend Air Force agile combat employment, or ACE, air bases in austere locations against enemy drone attacks, the director of Joint Interagency Task Force 401 said Oct. ...
Hegseth Wants Basic to Go Old School. What Policies Must Change First?
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's recent direction that the military services return to a more old-school approach to basic training—with instructors "tossing bunks" and "putting their hands on recruits”—will likely require the Air Force to rewrite policies for military training instructors it has modified over time ...
Air Force Unveils New Maternity Uniform Items
Starting later this year, Air Force will offer pregnant service members a new maternity wrap dress to replace the service’s maternity jumper first fielded in 1993. The maternity wrap dress and a new maternity coat were created in an effort to modernize the service’s existing ...
Vietnam War Ace Seeks Medal of Honor for Comrade Lost in War
Retired Col. Charles B. “Chuck” DeBellevue, an Air Force combat ace from the Vietnam War, has joined a new fight to see America’s highest decoration for valor awarded to Maj. Bob Lodge—whose ingenuity has been credited for helping to turn...
NCOs Getting More Freedom to Pursue First Sergeant, Training Instructor Jobs
Air Force sergeants will soon have a more direct path to become training instructors, recruiters, and first sergeants in an effort to give Airmen more control over their careers, the service announced Sept. 30.
