There isn’t a genre of music that is more patriotic than country music, and with good reason. Many of the past and present hitmakers also served in the military prior to their careers in music.

In honor of Veterans Day, we are celebrating seven artists who also proudly served in the Armed Forces.

1. George Strait

George Strait enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1971, the same year he married his wife, Norma, serving as an infantryman. Strait served for four years, and became a corporal, before leaving in 1975. Ironically, it was while Strait was in the military, serving in Hawaii, that his love of country music began. Strait became the lead singer of the band Rambling Country while serving our country.

“The last year I was in the Army is when I started singing country music,” Strait recalls. “And the General, the Post Command and 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.”

2. Craig Morgan

Craig Morgan served in active duty in the U.S. Army for nine-and-a-half years, and remained in the reserves another six-and-a-half. Morgan served in Desert Storm and also as an assault instructor in South Korea, before deciding to focus on music. In 2023, Morgan reenlisted, this time as a warrant officer.

“I’m excited to once again serve my country and be all I can be in hopes of encouraging others to be a part of something greater than ourselves,” Morgan said at the time. “I love being an artist but I consider it a true privilege and honor to work with what I believe are the greatest of Americans, my fellow soldiers. God Bless America. Go Army.”

3. Jamey Johnson

Jamey Johnson went to college for two years, before he decided to join the U.S. Marines instead. Johnson served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, which is where he — like Strait — developed his love of music. Johnson served for eight years, becoming corporal, before he returned to civilian life.

4. Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash worked as a Morse Code Intercept Operator in the Air Force, serving most of his time in Germany. Cash was actually born J.R. Cash, but when he was not allowed to use initials for his first name to enlist, he changed it to John, thus becoming Johnny Cash. Because of his job, Cash is reportedly the first American to hear of the death of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in 1953.

5. Kris Kristofferson

Kris Kristofferson came from a long line of men in his family who served in the military, which is why he also joined, although he had already attended Oxford University on a Rhodes Scholarship at the time. Kristofferson became a helicopter pilot, ultimately becoming captain. While serving, Kristofferson formed a band. When he was given an assignment to teach English at West Point, Kristofferson realized he really wanted to pursue music full-time, declining the assignment.

6. Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson might have never been a country music legend if not for health problems. Nelson enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1950, where he intended to stay a while. Unfortunately for him at the time, his back problems prohibited him from serving, and he was medically discharged after only nine months of service.

7. George Jones

George Jones joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1951, and was stationed in California. Although the Korean War was already taking place at the time, Jones was never called overseas, and remained in California for the entire three years of his service.