Jimi Hendrix – U.S. Army

Jimi Hendrix had trouble with the law in his younger years, and he was given the choice of either going to prison or enlisting. Hendrix chose to enlist, and in 1961 he commenced his basic training with the U.S. Army at Fort Ord.

Stationed at the Fort Campbell post in Kentucky, Hendrix served with the 101st Airborne Division. Hendrix teamed up with Billy Cox, a fellow serviceman, and they started performing during the weekends at base clubs. Hendrix was honorably discharged from military duty in 1962, and it was mostly driven by his inability to abide by the strict army rules.