As Veterans Day approaches, country legend George Strait is reflecting on his early musical roots during his time in the U.S. Army. The King of Country Music, who served in the 1970s, shared memories of his military days and how they helped launch his storied career.
“I joined the Army and spent three years in service,” Strait recounted. “After basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, I moved on to Fort Ben Harrison, Indiana, for AIT before being stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii.” Strait described spending two and a half years in Hawaii, with his final year in the Army marking a pivotal turn toward music. “The post command general started bands with military personnel, and I became the singer in the country band,” he said. “I sang country music for the Army.”
Strait recently released Cowboys And Dreamers, his 31st studio album, debuting the single “MIA Down in MIA” just before his 72nd birthday in May. The album, which dropped on September 6, 2024, holds special significance for Strait. He dedicated it to his late manager Erv Woolsey, longtime fiddle player Gene Elders, and road manager Tom Foote—all of whom passed away earlier this year.
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