Country Stars Who Served in the Military—Their Stories Are Inspiring!
With Memorial Day around the corner, now is the time to celebrate the brave men and women who gave their lives for our freedom, and while you’re kicking back this weekend at a barbecue surrounded by family and friends listening to that country music playlist, it’s their sacrifice that’s allowed us to enjoy the lives we do.
The country music genre is full of songs that celebrate the military and our country, and you might not have realized that some of your favorite artists even served. Here, read all about these famous country stars who served in the military.
George Strait
The “Amarillo by Morning” singer is more than just a beloved musician. In the 70s, George Strait actually served in the United States Army. “I spent three years in the service. I had basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, then went up for AIT in Fort Ben Harrison, Indiana. And then my final duty station was at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. I spent two and a half years in Hawaii, two years in the Army, and then I stayed there six months after I got out,” the singer shared per Backstage Country. “The last year I was in the Army is when I started singing country music and the general, the post command in general started bands out of military personnel and I got the job as the singer in the country band. And so that’s what I did. I sang country music for the Army.”
Willie Nelson
Country icon Willie Nelson, though known for his laid-back approach to life, actually served in the military as well. Nelson served in the Air Force for a little under a year before being medically discharged as a result of his back issues, per Military.com.
Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash famously left his mark on the military when he served in the United States Air Force during The Cold War. According to the U.S. Department of War, the “I Walk the Line” singer was the first American to discover the news of Joseph Stalin’s death through an intercepted message (allegedly).
Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson was another country star with a history in the military, having served as a U.S. Army Ranger. Having come from a military family, his decision to step away from the Army caused friction in their dynamic.
George Jones
George Jones served in the Marines before his country music career took off.
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This story was originally published May 23, 2026 at 11:00 AM.