Clint Eastwood’s military service spanned from 1951 to 1953, coinciding with the Korean War. He initially served in an artillery unit in California and later took on the role of a swimming instructor at Fort Ord, situated on Monterey Bay.

During his service, he also worked as a lifeguard and operated boats for two years at Fort Ord’s beach club, earning him the nickname “Samson.”

Elvis Presley’s military service took place from 1958 to 1960. He was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, and Bad Nauheim, Germany, and achieved the rank of sergeant.

Throughout his military tenure, he received several accolades, including a Good Conduct Medal and a Marksman-Observer Badge with Rifle Bar.

Elvis’ time in the service also served as inspiration for many of his later songs.

Morgan Freeman’s military service extended from 1955 to 1959, during which he served in the United States Air Force. He held the position of Automatic Tracking Radar Repairman and achieved the rank of Airman 1st Class.

Throughout his service, he was stationed at various bases, including Misawa Air Base in Japan.

Chuck Norris, a celebrated actor and martial artist, served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was stationed at Osan Air Base in South Korea during his military tenure.

While stationed there, Chuck Norris excelled in Tang Soo Do, a Korean martial art, which led to him receiving numerous awards and recognition for his proficiency as a fighter pilot.

Pat Sajak, famous for hosting the enduring game show “Wheel of Fortune,” served as a disc jockey in Vietnam through the U.S. Army’s Armed Forces Radio Service from 1968 to 1970.

Following his military service, he returned to college and subsequently worked at different radio stations before eventually securing his significant opportunity in television.

Jimi Hendrix, the legendary musician, was indeed a United States Army veteran. He served in the 101st Airborne Division from 1961 to 1962, but his military service was cut short to just one year due to an ankle injury sustained during a parachute jump.

While in the military, he worked as a paratrooper and supplemented his income by playing the guitar on the base.

Marvin Gaye was conscripted into the United States Air Force in 1956. While in the military, he served as a basic airman and held the position of an aerial gunner on KC-97 Stratofreighter aircraft.

Additionally, Marvin participated in musical activities as part of a band called The Passionettes while stationed at Lackland Air Force Base near San Antonio, Texas.

Hugh Hefner, widely recognized for founding Playboy magazine, served in the U.S. Army during World War II. His role primarily involved typist duties, and he held the rank of sergeant while working at an army newspaper in Illinois and Missouri.

Following his military service, he achieved immense fame and prominence, ultimately transforming Playboy magazine into a globally recognized brand.

Bill Cosby served in the United States Navy from 1956 to 1960. His role in the Navy was as a Hospital Corpsman Third Class with a specialization in physical therapy. He was stationed at the Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland, where he provided care to soldiers who were returning home after World War II.

Additionally, Cosby participated in an Armed Forces Entertainment tour, during which he performed stand-up comedy shows on ships throughout the Mediterranean Sea.

Johnny Carson served in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1945. He was stationed on the USS Pennsylvania and held the rating of radio man 3rd class.

During his military service, Carson worked as an announcer for programs broadcast on the Pacific Ocean-based Armed Forces Radio Service, including those aired on KGMB in Hawaii.

Following his discharge in 1945, Johnny Carson went on to pursue his education and obtained a degree in journalism from the University of Nebrask

Before achieving iconic status, Mr. T had a military career. He served in the U.S. Army Military Police Corps from 1975 to 1976, stationed at Fort McClellan in Alabama.

During his military service, he received an “outstanding” rating on his performance evaluation and attained an Expert Badge for Rifle Marksmanship during Basic Training.

Mel Brooks, the renowned comedy director and writer, served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He enlisted at a young age and was part of the 1104th Engineer Combat Battalion, taking part in significant battles like the Battle of the Bulge.

His military experiences influenced his later comedy career, and after the war, he used GI Bill benefits to study acting and comedy, ultimately becoming a highly successful figure in the world of comedy, writing, directing, and acting.

John Coltrane enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1945 during World War II. He served as a member of the Navy band known as the Melody Masters, where he played the alto saxophone and clarinet.

His military service provided him with the opportunity to perform and refine his musical talents, contributing to his growth as a musician.

Coltrane’s time in the Navy allowed him to gain valuable experience and exposure to different musical styles, which would later influence his groundbreaking work in jazz.

After his military service, he went on to become one of the most celebrated and innovative jazz musicians of the 20th century, known for his contributions to the development of modal jazz and avant-garde jazz.

Bob Barker, the iconic television game show host famous for hosting “The Price is Right,” had a significant military background. He served in the United States Navy during World War II, from 1942 to 1945.

During his military service, Barker held the roles of a fighter-director talker and gunner’s mate on board the USS Missouri.

After completing his service, Bob Barker returned home with a commendable record and received several decorations, including the American Campaign Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.

His time in the Navy, like many other veterans, played a pivotal role in shaping his life and career, ultimately leading him to become a beloved figure in the world of television.

Johnny Cash, the legendary country music artist, served in the United States Air Force before embarking on his music career. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1950 during the Korean War.

Cash was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas for his basic training and then assigned to the 12th Radio Squadron Mobile Unit in West Germany.

While in the military, Cash worked as a Morse code interceptor and specialized in Russian code. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant before receiving an honorable discharge in 1954.

His experiences in the Air Force influenced some of his later songs, including “Folsom Prison Blues.”

Johnny Cash’s military service was an important chapter in his life before he became one of the most iconic figures in country music history.

Shaggy, the Jamaican-American singer known for his reggae and dancehall music, indeed had a military career before his music career took off.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years, during which he held the position of a Field Artillery Cannon Crewmember and attained the rank of Lance Corporal.

His military service included participation in Operation Desert Storm, a significant conflict during the Gulf War.

Shaggy’s contributions and service were recognized with an award from NATO, highlighting his dedication and achievements during his time in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Tom Selleck, famous for his iconic role in the 1980s television series “Magnum, P.I.,” had a lesser-known military background. He served during the Vietnam War by enlisting in the United States National Guard, where he achieved the rank of Corporal.

After six years of dedicated service, Tom Selleck received an honorable discharge from the National Guard, a facet of his life that many might not be aware of, given his more prominent status as an actor in the entertainment industry.

Ice-T enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1979, and he served for four years. During his time in the Army, he served as a squad leader in the 25th Infantry Division, stationed in Hawaii.

His role primarily involved overseeing soldiers and maintaining discipline within his unit.

After his honorable discharge from the military, Ice-T returned to civilian life and eventually embarked on a career in hip-hop and rap music. He became a pioneering figure in gangsta rap and achieved commercial success as a musician.

Sammy Davis Jr. was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943, during World War II, when he was just 18 years old. He served in an integrated unit, which was still relatively uncommon at that time, given the racial segregation prevalent in the U.S. military.

Davis initially faced discrimination and racial prejudice while in the service, but his exceptional talent and determination led to opportunities to perform for his fellow troops.

After his military service, Sammy Davis Jr. went on to achieve great success in the world of entertainment, becoming a renowned singer, dancer, actor, and comedian

Steve McQueen enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1947, but his service was not without its challenges. McQueen had a troubled youth and had a history of discipline problems, which continued during his time in the Marines.

However, he eventually found his footing and improved his behavior.

During his service, McQueen was promoted to Private First Class and served as a tank driver in a unit tasked with training Marine tank crews. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California and later at Fort Ord in California.

After being honorably discharged in 1950, McQueen’s experiences in the Marines, including his newfound discipline and determination, would prove valuable as he pursued a successful career in Hollywood, becoming one of the most iconic actors of his generation.

Richard Pryor’s served in the U.S. Army for approximately two years, enlisting in 1958. However, his time in the Army was tumultuous, as he faced disciplinary issues and struggled with adapting to the rigid military environment.

Pryor spent a significant portion of his military service in military prison due to various incidents and infractions.

His experiences in the Army, both positive and negative, later influenced his comedy and served as material for his stand-up routines, shedding light on the racial tensions and personal struggles he encountered during that period.

After his discharge from the military, Richard Pryor went on to become one of the most influential and groundbreaking comedians in the history of stand-up comedy, known for his candid and insightful humor that tackled social issues and personal experiences.

MC Hammer, whose real name is Stanley Kirk Burrell, indeed had a military background. He was an active member of the United States Navy Reserve, where he served as an Aviation Storekeeper 3rd Class.

He enlisted in 1979 and remained in the Navy Reserve until 1983, when he was honorably discharged.

During his time in the Navy Reserve, MC Hammer was involved in Search and Rescue missions in collaboration with the Seabees, highlighting his contributions to military service before he achieved fame as a renowned rapper and entertainer.

Ernest Hemingway volunteered to serve as an ambulance driver in the Italian Front in 1918 when he was just 18 years old. He was assigned to the 69th Infantry Regiment, which was part of the Italian army, and he worked near the Piave River in Italy.

Hemingway’s duties included transporting wounded soldiers from the front lines to field hospitals. His time in the war exposed him to the harsh realities of combat, the trauma of war, and the human toll it takes.

These experiences had a profound impact on his writing style, characterized by its concise and powerful prose, which later became a hallmark of his literary work.

After being seriously wounded by mortar fire in 1918, Hemingway was awarded the Italian Silver Medal of Bravery for his valor.

Paul Newman’s service in the U.S. Navy during World War II involved him as a radioman and rear gunner in torpedo bombers. He trained at the V-12 Navy College Training Program, which was designed to provide officer candidates with a strong educational foundation before they were commissioned.

Newman was stationed in the Pacific theater and served as part of a torpedo bomber squadron, specifically the USS Bunker Hill (CV-17).

During his service, he flew as a rear gunner in Avenger torpedo bombers, which were used for various missions, including anti-submarine patrols and bombing runs.

After the war, Paul Newman pursued his education at Kenyon College and later went on to become one of Hollywood’s most beloved and acclaimed actors, known for his talent both on and off the screen, as well as his philanthropic efforts, particularly with his Newman’s Own brand.

Nate Dogg’s service in the U.S. Marine Corps played a significant role in his life. He enlisted in the Marines and served for three years. During his military tenure, he acquired valuable discipline and life experiences that would later influence his career in the music industry.

After his discharge from the Marines, Nate Dogg became a prominent figure in West Coast hip-hop and rap music. He gained recognition for his smooth and distinctive vocal style, often contributing memorable hooks and choruses to numerous songs and collaborations with other artists.

His military background likely contributed to his work ethic and professionalism within the music industry, helping him achieve success as a rapper and singer.

Vincent Pastore, best known for his role as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on the television series “The Sopranos,” indeed had a background in the United States Navy before pursuing his acting career.

He enlisted as a sailor in the Navy, serving his country before later attending Pace University for three years. This diverse background and life experience likely contributed to his versatility as an actor in the entertainment industry.

James Earl Jones, the acclaimed actor renowned for his roles in “Field of Dreams” and as the voice of Darth Vader in the “Star Wars” franchise, served in the military during the Korean War.

His military service is an important part of his early life and contributed to his personal and professional growth before he became one of the most recognizable and celebrated actors in the world.

Mickey Rooney’s service in the U.S. Army during World War II began in 1944. He was initially assigned to the Special Services Unit, where he entertained the troops both in the United States and abroad.

His performances during the war included live shows, radio broadcasts, and film appearances.

Rooney’s dedication to entertaining the troops earned him a Bronze Star for his contributions to boosting the morale of the troops.

His ability to connect with and uplift fellow servicemen was a testament to his talent and charisma, which would continue to shine in his post-war acting career.

After his military service, Mickey Rooney went on to have a long and illustrious career in Hollywood, becoming one of the most recognizable and beloved actors in the industry.

James Stewart, known for his iconic roles in films like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” initially faced rejection from the U.S. Army due to being underweight when he was first drafted.

Determined to serve his country during World War II, he worked diligently to meet the weight requirement and subsequently enlisted in the Army Air Corps.

His commitment to service extended to his military career, where he eventually became a decorated war hero and rose to the rank of Brigadier General in the U.S. Air Force Reserve after the war.

His dedication both on and off the screen left a lasting legacy in Hollywood and the military.