Two reporters for Military.com have been recognized on a list of the Top 10 veterans in journalism, an annual honor by the Military Veterans in Journalism association that highlights the great work of those who have served and now work for media organizations.
Military.com reporters Konstantin Toropin and Steve Benyon both made the Military Veterans in Journalism association's list, alongside journalists from The New York Times, Washington Post and various other outlets.
"We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners of this year's Top Ten Veterans in Journalism contest," MVJ Executive Director Zack Baddorf said in the news release. "Their remarkable achievements and dedication to journalism are a testament to their unwavering commitment to informing the American public through quality journalism. We are honored to have them as part of the MVJ community."
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Military.com was the only news outlet to have two reporters make it onto the Top 10 list.
Konstantin Toropin has been a reporter covering the Navy and Marine Corps for Military.com since 2021. He is a Navy veteran who served for five years as a signals intelligence analyst in the surface fleet. Before joining Military.com, he previously reported on breaking news for CNN.
Toropin's winning piece was written alongside Military.com reporter Drew F. Lawrence, an Army veteran and himself a 2022 MVJ honoree. The story detailed how two American veterans traveled to Ukraine and ultimately ended up as prisoners of Russian-armed militants.
"I am honored to be included on a list that features such amazing and talented journalists," Toropin said. "I am grateful to my editors who have not only allowed me to work on articles like the one that won me this recognition but offered their guidance, insight and wisdom along the way."
Steve Beynon has been covering the Army and National Guard with Military.com since 2021. He is an Afghanistan war veteran with 15 years of service as a cavalry scout.
Beynon's previous reporting includes Capitol Hill and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and he's worked for publications such as Politico, Military Times, Stars and Stripes, and the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Beynon's winning story, which he wrote with Military.com's Air and Space Force reporter Thomas Novelly, was a deep dive into how a church allegedly scammed millions in Veterans Affairs funds from service members.
"I'm honored to be listed among such a blockbuster roster of reporters," Beynon said. "These are the heavyweight rock stars of our business, all of whom served our country honorably at a time of war and are now holding those in power accountable. They do so with their unique perspective from their time in service and with the utmost professionalism and razor-sharp skill."
Military.com Managing Editor Zachary Fryer-Biggs praised Toropin and Beynon's work and said their coverage was vital to service members and veterans' understanding of the news.
"Konstantin and Steve are superb reporters .This recognition is just a reminder of the excellent journalism they do day in and day out, the at-times-unglamorous work of being a watchdog for the military community while doggedly pursuing necessary stories," Fryer-Biggs said. "I'm proud to get to call them colleagues."
-- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly.
