Famous People Who Served In The Military
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Skye P. Marshall
Known for her roles on NCIS and Grey's Anatomy, before becoming an actress Skye P. Marshall served in the U.S. Air Force. Skye always new she wanted to do something to inspire others, and joining the Air Force allowed her to do just that and be able to afford to get a bachelors degree at the same time. Since her military service, she dreamed of taking on a military role on-screen and finally got her wish with 2018's Indivisible.
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Tom Selleck
This Magnum P.I. investigator has done five years of service for his country! When he was drafted in 1967 during the Vietnam War, Tom Selleck joined the California Army National Guard's 160th Infantry Regiment.
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Jimi Hendrix
While Jimi Hendrix's career was cut short way too early, in just 27 years of life, Jimi accomplished quite a lot! Enlisting in the U.S. Army when he was just 19, Jimi would train as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division before going on to become regarded by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of "the greatest instrumentalists in the history of rock music".
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Ice-T
While Ice-T was interested in rapping at an early age, his passion for hip hop would materialize while serving in the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division. Joining the Army to provide for his new born daughter, Ice-T's military service ended up being quite eventful, ending with a trial involving a group of soldiers charged for stealing a rug.
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Drew Carey
This Cleveland born comedian served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve before going on to host his own comedy shows. Drew Carey served as a field radio operator in the 25th Marine Regiment for six years before pursuing a career in stand-up.
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Elvis Presley
Even the "King of Rock and Roll" couldn't escape the 1958 Vietnam war draft. At the time of his draft, Elvis Presley was at the height of his career as an entertainer, but took his draft with grace, even looking forward to the stint as he didn't want to appear to be treated any differently than everyone else.
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Hugh Hefner
While the late Hugh Hefner might not be remembered as someone who liked to abide by the rules, the Playboy voluntarily joined the Army as an infantry clerk after graduating high school in 1944. Hefner's military service was remembered for his sharpshooting and the cartoons he would publish in the Army newspaper.
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Bea Arthur
This late Golden Girl is truly an inspiration! Serving during World War II, Bea Arthur became one of the first women to join the United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve in 1943. At first given a role as a typist, Arthur requested to be transferred to the Motor Transport School, where she would serve her second year as a truck driver.
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Morgan Freeman
While Morgan Freeman always dreamed of becoming an actor, after graduating high school he would turn down a drama scholarship from Jackson State University to enlist in the U.S. Air Force. Morgan would serve for four years as a Automatic Tracking Repairman, earning his rank of Airman 1st Class.
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Johnny Cash
"The Man in Black" would also start his career by first serving in the U.S. Air Force. Born as J.R. Cash, the Air Force required a first name to enlist, so Johnny would change his name to John R. Cash and later change it to Johnny Cash after starting his singing career.
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