Kris Kristofferson: Honoring a Veteran's Life and Career

The country music world is mourning the loss of legendary singer-songwriter Kristoffer Kristofferson, who passed away on September 28, 2024, at the age of 88. His impact on the genre remains one of the largest, writing hits for a variety of high-profile artists, including Johnny Cash and Janis Joplin. As a part of the supergroup The Highwaymen, Kristofferson solidified himself as an outlaw country icon. Yet, the entertainer had strong military roots and is even an Army Veteran. Here’s a look back at Kris Kristofferson’s military career, upbringing, and the way it inspired his music and acting.

Kris Kristofferson's U.S. Army Service Details

Kris Kristofferson's military career began in 1960, after earning a master’s from Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. Returning to California, Kristofferson married his high school sweetheart and embarked on a military career in the Army. He trained as a helicopter pilot at Fort Rucker, completed Ranger School, and soon served with the 8th Infantry Division in West Germany. Being a Soldier was no surprise to Kristofferson or his family, who has many members that have defended our nation. In fact, raised as a military brat, it was a shock to his family when he would ultimately give up a life of service to become a musician and a highly influential entertainer.

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A Military Upbringing

Though he never attended West Point, Kris Kristofferson’s upbringing was rife with military experience, as service runs deep within his family. Moving around due to his father PCSing was a normal part of Kristofferson’s life growing up. A noted athlete and dedicated scholar, he would earn the opportunity for a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University, the first place he learned to record music. However, before he was a Highwayman, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Maj. Gen. Lars Kristofferson, who served as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Kris also answered the call. Furthermore, his brother Kraigher was also an aviator, though he would serve in Vietnam in the Navy. Kris Kristofferson’s military career was destined to happen. It was during his time as a Soldier that he discovered his voice and his calling in music.

Kris Kristofferson’s Military Service

Kris Kristofferson in the Army was like many other things in the Veteran's life---he excelled. Earning his Army Ranger tab, Kristofferson would earn the rank of Captain, and trained as a helicopter pilot at Fort Rucker. After serving with the 8th Infantry Division in Germany, he even volunteered for the Vietnam War; however, the military decided his talents were best utilized as a teacher at West Point. While the opportunity to teach English literature was not ideal, it was also the military's rigid structure that would contribute to Kristofferson's decision to exit the Army and take his passion for music to the next level. Although he stayed longer than the initial three-year term he agreed to, Kristofferson would have enough and received an honorable discharge before moving to Nashville to play music.

Impact of Kris Kristofferson's Army Career on Music