Country music has a long history of patriotic songs that pay tribute to the members and veterans of the United States military, honoring the work and sacrifices made by those who have and do serve, as well as honoring the sacrifices made by soldiers’ families.
Toby Keith was known for songs such as the stirring and vulnerable “American Soldier,” while Billy Ray Cyrus issued the powerful tribute “Some Gave All.” Other country songs that honor soldiers while often offering up honest portrayals at the challenges that come with military life include Tim McGraw’s “If You’re Reading This,” Johnny Cash’s “Ragged Old Flag,” Trace Adkins’ “Arlington,” Randy Travis’s “America Will Always Stand,” and Justin Moore’s “The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home.”
Additionally, several country artists have long supported the USO, with Country Music Hall of Fame member Gene Autry being among the first country artists to support the USO. Many other artists through the years have supported the USO, including Barbara Mandrell, Charley Pride, Chely Wright, Kellie Pickler, Adkins, Keith and The War and Treaty.
While many country music artists have released songs honoring the military, some country artists have proudly worn a U.S. military uniform themselves before launching their music careers, from late artists including Autry, George Jones, and Johnny Cash to modern-day country artists including Craig Morgan and The War and Treaty’s Michael Trotter Jr. Often, artists with military service have brought that discipline and patriotism into their own songwriting.
Below, Billboard looks at 10 country artists who have served in the United States miltary.
One half of the Grammy-nominated duo The War and Treaty with his wife, Tonya, Trotter enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2003, and served in Iraq, where he played a piano among the rubble in one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces. He left the army in 2011 and has been very open about suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder from his military time. The pair’s name pays tribute to his combat service and the peace time he has found with Tonya. — MELINDA NEWMAN
Bryan served eight years in the U.S. Navy before receiving an honorable discharge to pursue music after he had already been posting songs on Twitter and YouTube. Less than a year later, he debuted on the BIillboard 200 album chart with American Heartbreak, his Warner Records debut. — M.N.
When he was 18, Johnson joined the U.S. Marine Corps reserve, planning to use the G.I. Bill to go to college. He served for eight years as a mortarman, rising to the rank of corporal. His military experience has found its way into his music, most recently with “21 Guns” on his 2024 album, Midnight Gasoline — a song about being at the graveside of someone who dies in the line of duty, in memory of several of his fellow Marines who perished in battle. — M.N.
Before he was King George, George Strait was known at Corporal Strait when he was in the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1975. Stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, he joined the Army’s country music band, Rambling Country, as lead singer, kicking off his country music career. — M.N.
After graduating from college, Kristofferson joined the Army in 1960, attending Ranger School and then became a helicopter pilot. While stationed in Germany, he formed his own band. He left the Army in 1965 after turning down an offer to teach at West Point. He received the veteran of the year award from the American Veteran Awards in 2011. — M.N.
Twitty, born Harold Lloyd Jenkins, was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1954 and served in the Korean War. Like a number of other artists, he used his time in the military to play in a band. While based in Japan, Twitty formed the Fuji Mountain Boys (later changed to The Cimarrons), who went on to win an all-Army talent competition and play in Army clubs throughout Japan. — M.N.
In addition to releasing songs such as “That’s What I Love About Sunday” and “Redneck Yacht Club,” Morgan previously served 17 years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve, with the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions. In 2023, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve again, and balances his civilian career as a musician with his role in the Army Reserve. Morgan is a recipient of the Army’s outstanding civilian service medal and the USO merit medal, and is a member of the U.S. Field Artillery Hall of Fame. — JESSICA NICHOLSON
This Country Music Hall of Famer also served in the U.S. Air Force. Cash enlisted in 1950. After completing training at Air Force bases in Texas and Mississippi, he served in Germany for four years, working as a Morse code operator. — J.N.
Texas native Jones joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1951 and was stationed in San Jose, California. He then returned to Texas and began recording for the Starday label, earning his breakthrough hit “Why Baby Why” in 1955. — J.N.
After graduating high school, Country Music Hall of Famer Willie Nelson had a brief stint in the U.S. Air Force, enlisting in 1951. He completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. According to a conversation with Interview Magazine in 2015, Nelson also noted he also spent time at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, and at a base in Biloxi, Mississippi. He was medically discharged after nine months in the service. Nelson just released his 78th solo studio album, Working Man: Willie Sings Merle, a tribute to Merle Haggard. — J.N.
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