Blake Stilwell

Blake Stilwell is a former Air Force combat photographer with degrees in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations and Middle Eastern Affairs. Instead of using those, he (eventually) became a writer. His work has appeared on Business Insider, Military Times, We Are The Mighty, Fox News, ABC News, NBC Sports, HBO Boxing, and at the White House. Blake is based in Los Angeles but is often found elsewhere.

Email: [email protected]

Latest Articles

How Veterans Learn to Run Their Own Businesses with Scars and Stripes Coffee

Scars and Stripes' mission is to always give 20% of the sales back to the veteran salesforce.

American soldiers in Arkhangelsk, Russia during the winter of 1918. (Library of Congress)

The United States' Invasion of Russia Was a Yearlong Freezing Hell for the Troops

Around 5,000 American soldiers were part of an allied expedition to intervene in the ongoing Russian civil war against the...

(U.S. Air National Guard/Master Sgt. Matt Hecht)

A Longtime Trucker Is Helping Veterans Become the New Generation of Drivers

Trucking is one of the most in-demand career fields of the post-COVID era.

Cpl. Jared Jenkins and 1st. Sgt.Arthur Abiera, 101st Airborne Division, search a home during a routine presence patrol on the outskirts of Sadr City, Iraq. (U.S. Army/Staff Sgt.Russell Lee Klika)

The 7 Most Incredible Sieges In Military History

The Siege of Vicksburg, Battle of Vienna and Battle of Sadr City are among the most notable sieges in military history.

Elijah Riley lines up to defend Chance Warren during the 120th Army-Navy Game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Dec. 14, 2019. (U.S. Army/Sgt. James Harvey)

See Where the Army-Navy Game Is Headed the Next 5 Years

After their Dec. 10, 2022, meeting, the next four years will take the game around the Northeast.

A flight deck crewman leans against an A-6E Intruder aircraft aboard an aircraft carrier during Operation Desert Storm. (U.S. Navy/Photographer's Hand 2nd Class William Lipski)

A Sailor Survived Getting Sucked into a Jet Engine During Operation Desert Storm

While preparing an A-6E Intruder for takeoff at night, 21-year-old flight deck crewman John Bridges found himself pulled into...

The album cover for the 1942 song, "Rosie the Riveter."

5 Interesting Facts About World War II Icon 'Rosie the Riveter' and the Famous Poster

The "Rosie the Riveter" campaign from the Office of War Information was determined to get more women to work and free men to...

Private First Class Sterling G. Patterson, of Eagle Rock, California, has a real security job. He is shown standing guard on beer rations for Marines in Korea. (National Archives)

When the Army Stopped Serving Beer, American Beer Barons Bought a Round for Freedom

When the Korean War started, some of the old "dry" politicians and activists were still around, fighting against the evils of...

The Military Is the Reason Behind the ‘Amish Beard’

The Amish are likely the only bearded men you’ll see whose mustache areas are clean shaven — and the U.S. military is the...

Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Edward C. Byers Jr. delivers remarks during his Hall of Heroes induction ceremony Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at the Pentagon Auditorium. (U.S. Navy/Oscar Sosa)

Hear a Medal of Honor Recipient Describe Hand-to-Hand Combat with the Taliban

On Dec. 5, 2012, Dr. Dilip Joseph, an aid worker who was training health-care providers in villages around Kabul, was...

U.S. Army pomegranate training at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. (U.S. Army/Jamal Wilson)

10 Remarkable Origins of Everyday Military Gear, Places and Other Terms

The military uses a lot of unique terminology, some of which bleeds into the civilian world.

"Vikings" might have been onto something. (History Channel)

Why the Mullet Haircut Was Once the Greatest In Warrior Hairstyle

Once universally accepted as the most reviled haircut on Earth, the COVID-19 pandemic has resurrected the style.

Survivors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp after its liberation by Soviet forces in 1945.

The Allies Debated Bombing the Auschwitz Concentration Camp During World War II

There was one major problem with bombing the camp: The technology for precision bombing didn't exist.

Lt. Col. John Stapp riding the rocket sled Gee Whiz in 1949. (U.S. Air Force)

The Real-Life Murphy and How 'Murphy's Law' Came to Be

The basis of Murphy's Law is that no matter how idiot-proof something is, there will always be an idiot who rises to the...

Army C-rations with a P-38 (bottom left). Can openers were issued along with rations because the Army thought troops would throw them away when finished. (U.S. Army)

The Classic 'John Wayne' Was a Real US Military Hero for 40 Years

Odds are that when someone mentions John Wayne, they're either thinking about western movies or some old war film.

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Most Popular Military News

High school military recruits receive their oath of enlistment.

Army Drops Requirement for High School Diploma Amid Recruiting Crisis

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Veteran Affairs building near the White House in Washington.

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An Army officer was found negligent and sentenced to four months in prison for failing to follow safety procedures at a Fort...

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He Liked the Pro-America, Pro-Constitution Vibe. But He Liked the Rage, Too.

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Latest Military Videos

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Master Class: Find Defense Contractor Jobs

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Army Vet Elvis Presley Gets His Own 24/7 Streaming Channel

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He Liked the Pro-America, Pro-Constitution Vibe. But He Liked the Rage, Too.

Since the attack on the U.S. Capitol, where some 15% of the rioters had a military background, the military and veteran...

U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Devin M. Rumbaugh

US Army Private Admits Plotting Attack on Military Unit

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Navy News

Senior leaders from US Army Alaska travel on snowshoes.

Congress Eyes Extra Pay to Counter Wave of Suicides in Alaska and on Ships in the Yard

The latest NDAA would provide new $200 monthly stipends to sailors on ships undergoing nuclear refueling and $300 monthly...

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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...

Air Force News

Training at Idaho's Orchard Combat Training Center and Saylor Creek ranges.

Air Force ROTC Cadet Killed, 2 Others Injured in Humvee Training Accident

The accident happened around noon on June 24, 2022, at Saylor Creek Range, a part of the Mountain Home Range Complex, in...

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Military Photos of the Week: An LGBTQ Soldier Speaks Up, Marines Make Things Go Boom

Military.com's top photos of the week, June 19 - June 24.

Navy, Air Force and Marines Say Transfers over Discriminatory State Laws Possible, But No Sign of Requests Yet

The three services all say that they have policies and procedures in place to help service members transfer to new duty...

Marine Corps News

Expeditionary sea base USNS John L. Canley (ESB-6) at its christening ceremony

Navy Christens Huge Ship in San Diego that Bears the Name of Medal of Honor Recipient John Canley

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Navy, Air Force and Marines Say Transfers over Discriminatory State Laws Possible, But No Sign of Requests Yet

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A Ukrainian tank on the front line in Severodonetsk.

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Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter.

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The five women and two men were participating in a fishing tournament when their boat encountered a lightning storm.