Country Artists Who Have Served: Kris Kristofferson

Captain Kris Kristofferson's service in the U.S. Army was cut short to write songs and sweep floors in Nashville. The legendary country singer, actor and friend to just about everyone is a man who flourishes at almost anything he sets his mind to. He was a Rhodes Scholar, an Army Captain, helicopter pilot and eventually (after meeting Johnny Cash) one of the most requested songwriters in Music City.

According to Military.com, Kristofferson -- who holds a Master'd degree from Oxford University -- turned down a professorship at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to uphold his Nashville dreams. Who knows, if he'd stuck with the military maybe we could have had President Kristofferson by now.