15 Surprising Celebrities Who Served In The Military

U.S veterans are justifiably given certain privileges post service, and their service also comes with a certain amount of respect. Due for release in theaters this week, the movie Thank You For Your Service deals with some of the issues veterans deal with when they come home from military service.

Back in the day, a lot of movie and music stars served in various military, although sometimes their service was more for show than them actually being sent to war or a dangerous situation. Some of them carried their military experience into their acting roles, as was the case with Chuck Norris, Mr. T, and Kirk Douglas.

Others quietly slipped out of their respective uniforms and got into acting, singing, and writing books.

No matter what, every year the U.S. honors veterans on Nov. 11 as a national holiday that includes parades, other events and even some businesses providing special discounts and free meals.

Research shows that some unusual Hollywood stars and music celebrities did their time in military service before launching successful careers on the big and small screens and on the charts. Some had good service records while others had a rocky stint wearing a Navy, Army, Marine or Air Force uniform.

There were very few women, and very few men even that have come out of the military and had a successful career in the limelight in the last 25 years. In fact, since military service became voluntary in the U.S. in 1973, enrollment has been on a steady decline, down to only 1 percent of the eligible population signing up for military service in the U.S.

With that in mind, some of these voluntary entries may be surprising.

15 Adam Driver Still Involved With Military

He played a villain in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but came into his own as Adam Sackler on HBO's Girls. However, what a lot of people might not know is that after 9-11, Adam Driver enlisted into the U.S. Marines. According to Military.com, Driver trained hard and looked forward to being deployed. But he suffered an injury to his sternum, and despite working hard to heal, he was never actually deployed and was eventually medically discharged. After his two year stint in the Marines, Driver ended up at Julliard, where he studied drama and then began acting on off-Broadway productions. Driver has never forgotten his military experience and remains dedicated to his former comrades. When he's not acting, he's working with the non-profit Arts in the Armed Forces, which brings stage plays to service members.

14 'Hot Shot' Shaggy A Gulf War Veteran

Reggae superstar Shaggy, aka Orville Richard Burrell, was born in Jamaica, but joined the U.S. Marines after moving to New York City to live with his mother. After two years, he found himself in the Gulf War, where he served as a field artillery cannon crewman. The experience was reportedly hard on him, so he was determined to make his dream of being in the music industry a reality. By 1993, he released the album Pure Pleasure, with the single “Oh Carolina” becoming one of the biggest hits in U.K. history. Next he released "Hot Shot", which charted No. 1 on Billboard. In an interview with Hot 97 New York in 2013, Shaggy says his military experience prepared him for the music industry. “This is the hardest job in the world,” he told radio listeners. Also known as Mr. Bombastic, the reggae artist has won a Grammy. He also remains loyal to the Corp, often performing for the troops with the USO.

13 Pat Sajak's Wheel Of Fortune Led Him To Vietnam

Pat Sajak hosts one of the longest running game shows on television with the Wheel of Fortune. But before he became host of “America's Game,” the well-dressed leader of word puzzles served in Vietnam. He didn't actually see combat, although he was stationed in Saigon. He was a DJ on the Armed Forces Radio Network between 1968 and 1970. His biggest claim to fame while in service was when he accidentally cut off President Richard Nixon's Christmas speech in 1969. Sajak says he felt guilty about his “cushy job” and not having to face enemy fire, especially when he would meet guys who came in from the field and would thank him for providing a bit of entertainment in the midst of war. Before Sajak landed his Wheel of Fortune gig, he was a weatherman in Los Angeles.

12 Rob Riggle Advanced To Lieutenant Colonel

Ron Riggle dang near made being in the military a career. The former Daily Show reporter served in Liberia, Kosovo and Afghanistan, and his bravery was duly noted. The actor, who appeared in The Hangover, 21 Jump Street, and The Other Guys, received about 20 medals and commendations for heroism in combat. Riggle made it to lieutenant colonel and still served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves as a public affairs office until he officially retired from military duty in 2013. He spent more than 20 years in military service. He also has a degree in film and theater from the University of Kansas. Riggle told Marines Mag that he chose the U.S. Marines because it presented the biggest challenge. “I wanted to see if I had what it took to become a Marine,” he said.

11 Gal Godot: A True Wonder Woman

Beautiful model and actress Gal Godot, who played Wonder Woman in this year's blockbuster, is actually a weapons expert. The former Miss Israel served in the Israel Defense Forces for two years, a stint she says prepared her for Hollywood. This woman is simply amazing on several fronts, and she is also a mother to a little girl. She performs her own stunts too. Military service is mandatory for men and women in Israel. Godot was a combat trainer but as an Israeli soldier, she learned many different aspects of military service, including how to handle a weapon. That training, she told Heavy.com, helped her land a recurring role in the Fast & Furious franchise. Godot is one of many gorgeous femme fatales who participated in the Israeli military. Maxim magazine actually did a photo shoot in 2007 highlighting women in the Israeli Defense Forces.

10 Elvis Presley Served Without Special Treatment

In the late '50s, famed singer Elvis Presley decided to take a break and joined the U.S. Army. He actually had been drafted and was heavily recruited by the Air Force and the Navy, but he chose to go into the Army. His platoon leader William J. Taylor told reporters that Elvis refused special treatment. He made sergeant before he was honorably discharged after two years. Taylor said that Elvis carried his weight and actually earned the respect of the soldiers around him. “He used his head and did his job well. He was one of us. He cared about us. And he got back the respect and friendship he gave everyone else. In several instances I saw sparks of leadership in Elvis that made me think he could have induced men to follow him into combat… ” While serving his country, Elvis was still recording, using furloughs to go to Memphis and record.

9 Ice-T Joined Infantry To Support Daughter

Tracy Marrow, later known as rapper and actor Ice-T, lost both his parents at a young age. Although he abstained from cigarettes, alcohol as a teen in South Los Angeles, he did affiliate himself with the Crips. But he was also an avid reader and that led to him writing rhymes. Then when his girlfriend gave birth to a baby girl, Ice-T felt he had to support them both, and so he enlisted into the Army. During his stint in the service, he bought music equipment and began working toward a career as a rapper. After four years in the Army, he moved to Hollywood and eventually got his first record deal with Sire Records. Ironically, his biggest hit was the controversial “Cop Killer.” Years after its release, he launched his acting career as Detective Tutuola on the long-running NBC show Law & Order: SVU, which is into its 19th season.

8 Drew Carey: Six-Year Marine Corps Veteran

Drew Carey, host of The Price Is Right and star of The Drew Carey Show, now in syndication, was once in the U.S. Marine Corp Reserves. In fact, Carey did a six-year stint with the Corp and says his trademark crew cut and horn-rimmed glasses come from his time in service. The 59-year-old also attended Kent State, but it was during his tenure in the Corp that he started doing stand up comedy. As he established himself in entertainment, he developed a U.S. version of the British improve comedy show Whose Line Is Is Anyway? Carey used to star in the show and brought on rising star Wayne Brady. Brady, along with Carey's former co-star Ryan Stiles, co-executive produce the show, now on the CW. Ironically, Carey hosts The Price Is Right, now on CBS, while Brady hosts Let's Make A Deal. Carey, who often does USO shows for the military, says he would still be in the military if he hadn't gotten his break in comedy.

7 'You're Beautiful' Songwriter/Singer James Blunt Experienced Ugly Side of Humanity

James Blunt was once a reconnaissance officer in the British Army and the first NATO soldier to head to Kosovo on a peacekeeping mission. He recorded much of his experience on a hand held camera, except for parts he says were too violent to record. “In my mind there was just no justification for it… it was just murder on a mass scale… it was desperately sad.” Blunt said of his military experience. After he was done with his military commitment, he began performing at bars and festivals. Believe it or not, he was discovered by the late Carrie Fisher, who allowed him to record in her home because he didn't have enough money to go into a studio. “You're Beautiful” went to No. 1 in 10 countries and his album sold 20 million copies. Blunt was recently a judge for X-Factor in Australia.

6 J.D. Salinger Excelled At Army Intelligence Work

As author of “Catcher in the Rye,” J.D. Salinger was able to capture the youth of a young man in a way that is apropos even today. The book is a staple to this day in schools across the country. But before he put his pen to paper as an author, Salinger worked in Army intelligence in World War II. Because he spoke German and French in addition to English, he was put to work interviewing prisoners and others captured crossing enemy lines. Salinger befriended three other soldiers in the intelligence unit and they dubbed themselves the Four Musketeers. According to lore, Salinger was writing “Catcher in the Rye” while he was in service to the Army. The book went on to sell about 65 million copies around the world, and to this day, it still sells about 20,000 copies a year, according to estimates from the New York Times.

5 Jimi Hendrix Had A Choice: He Chose The Army

James Marshall Hendrix, aka Jimi Hendrix, got in trouble with the law as a teenager growing up in Seattle. He had a choice: go to jail for two years or join the military. Hendrix chose the Army and was sent to Fort Campbell, Kentucky as part of the 101st Airborne Division. Hendrix continued to play guitar while in service, which didn't sit well with his fellow soldiers because he would play at night while off duty and it kept the others awake. According to Military.com. Hendrix also had trouble focusing on his duties, so when he suffered an ankle injury during a parachute jump, the opportunity came up for him to be honorably discharged. He went on to become one of the greatest guitar players in the world, a reputation he holds today. But after three albums, substance abuse reportedly got the best of him and he died, allegedly after an overdose of sleeping pills.

4 Rocker Maynard James Keenan Credits Military Experience With His Success

Maynard James Keenan is the lead singer of rock band Tool, but he wasn't always spitting lyrics and rocking crowds around the world. Now with an estimated wealth of $45 million, he once was a military man. In fact, the rocker credits his years in the Army with his years of success in music as well as in his latest venture: winemaking. Believe it or not, Keenan told Rolling Stone once that after he saw the movie Stripes with Bill Murray, he decided to join the Army. He says that being in the military taught him to embrace the warrior mindset inside himself and use it to compete against himself, and when he's doing that, he accomplishes goals. In addition to his career as a musician and new venture as a winemaker, the 53-year-old became an author last year with his book, “A Perfect Union of Contrary Things.”

3 Rapper Mystikal Served In Desert Storm, Also Served Time

Right out of high school in New Orleans, Michael Tyler, later known as rapper Mystikal enlisted in the U.S. Army and actually was active during Desert Storm. It's unclear whether his discharge was honorable, but once he made his way back to New Orleans, he concentrated on his rap career. By 1994, he hooked up with Big Boy Records and then ended up at No Limit, Master P's label. There he had his biggest hit: “Danger,” which went to No. 1 on the R&B charts. In 2004, Mystikal and some of his crew were arrested for physical assault. He was given a six-year sentence and he had to register as an offender in the state of Louisiana. The rapper was out on parole for just a few days before he was ordered back to jail for 81 days for violating the terms of his parole. The troubled rapper, who once paired with Mariah Carey on one of her hits, was just in the news again last month, when he turned himself in when a warrant was issued for his arrest, again for a physical assault case.

2 Kurt Vonnegut Was Once A POW

Kurt Vonnegut was considered one of the greatest American authors. Although he wrote several timeless novels, “Slaughterhouse Five” was probably his biggest claim to fame. The book was actually based on his experiences as a POW during World War II. Vonnegut served in the U.S. Army from 1943 until 1945. After graduating from Cornell University, he enlisted and after training, he was sent to Europe as an infantry battalion scout. Vonnegut actually fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was taken prisoner on Nov. 14, 1944. When the Allies began bombing the city he was being held in, he actually ended up helping clear bodies out of the rubble. In addition to “Slaughterhouse Five,” he also wrote popular novel “Breakfast of Champions.” Vonnegut was 84 in 2007 when he passed.

1 Golden Girl Bea Arthur Was A Marine! 

It is important to remember the women who served the U.S., one was a Golden Girl who served as a U.S. Marine! The late Bea Arthur (Maude, Golden Girls) was once a truck driver in the Marine Corps. Arthus was one of the first members of the Marines' Women's Reserve. She enlisted at the age of 21 in early 1943 under her original name, Bernice Frankel. Arthur was stationed at Marine Corps and Navy air stations in Virginia and North Carolina and was promoted from corporal to sergeant to staff sergeant. She was honorably discharged in September 1945. It's amazing to see women serve their country, even if so few of them were allowed or did during this time! She will always be remembered.