Jimi Hendrix
Jimi did not enter the military because he wanted to; after getting busted for stealing a car, he was given a choice – the US Army or prison. He enlisted and got assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. Jimi expressed his feelings about serving in the army in a letter to his dad, “There’s nothing but physical training and harassment here for two weeks, then when you go to jump school, that’s when you get hell. They work you to DEATH, fussing and fighting.” His struggles were many, but thankfully he didn’t serve long. He was honorably discharged after one year due to an ankle injury sustained during a jump.
George Carlin
George Carlin was a member of the U.S. Air Force but apparently had a rough time in the military. He was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana as a radar technician. He was court martialed three times and received a general discharge, but his work as a disc jockey while on active duty was the jump start for his entertainment career.
Bob Ross
For those of you who know Bob Ross, then you’ve probably seen, heard, or even tried to place a few of those simple trees in your own artwork. Maybe you’ve found yourself deep in trances by his soothing soft voice. You may have even heard him mention stays in Alaska. Do you know why? One thing for sure, I bet many of you never pegged Bob Ross to have served in the military, nonetheless climb the ranks of the Air Force to achieve Master Sergeant, where yes he screamed, yelled, and drilled in some of the most demanding ways. No longer wanting to be that “guy,” Ross found himself starting his world renowned show, shortly after leaving the service.