Willie Nelson enrolled in the US Air Force after he left high school in 1950. He was medically discharged due to back problems after nine months.
Kris Kristopherson once self-identified himself as an “army brat,” as his father was a U.S. Army Air corps officer. Kristofferson became an army helicopter pilot in 1960. In 2011, he was granted the Veteran of the Year award at the American Veteran Awards.
Johnny Cash spent four years in the US Air Force in the 1950’s. He was stationed in West Germany for most of that time and he eavesdropped on Soviet communication as a radio intercept officer. During this time, he learned to translate Russian Morse code.
Elvis Presley entered the United States Army in Memphis on March 24, 1958. He left active duty at Fort Dix, NJ, on March 5, 1960, and received his discharge from the Army Reserve on March 23, 1964.
George Jones was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in the 1950’s, during the Korean War. He was stationed in California and never saw combat.
George Strait enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1971 where he served for four years and honed his musical craft playing in the bands Rambling Country and Santee.
Conway Twitty was offered a contract to play for the Philadelphia Phillies, but was drafted into the Army during the Korean War instead. After his service, he pursued a musical career.
Roger Miller stole a guitar and turned himself into authorities the next day. Rather than put him in jail they offered to let him join the Army. Although he was only 17, he chose to go into the service. He was shipped to Korea/ During his time in service he played fiddle in the Circle A Wranglers, a well known service outfit previously started by PFC Faron Young.
Gene Autry was a Technical Sergeant in the Army Air Force during World War II. During his years of service, he was awarded the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Jerry Reed served two years in the United States Army. He left in 1961 to move to Nashville to continue his songwriting career, which had continued to gather steam while he was enlisted, thanks to Brenda Lee’s 1960 cover of his “That’s All You Got to Do“.
Ferlin Huskey: During World War II, Husky served in the United States Merchant Marine for five years, entertaining troops on transport ships. His Crum character evolved from stories he told at the time about a Missouri neighbor named Simon Crump. His website states that his ship participated in the D-Day invasion of Cherbourg.
Hank Thompson served in the US Navy from 1943 to 1946.
