A Guitar in Uniform
Before Jimi Hendrix became a music icon, he was given a stark choice: prison or the military. In 1961, at age 18, Hendrix had been twice caught riding in stolen cars. Facing legal consequences, he chose to enlist in the U.S. Army on May 31, 1961. After completing basic training at Fort Ord, California, he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Arriving in November, he described the experience in a letter to his father as “nothing but physical training and harassment.” He requested his red Silvertone Danelectro guitar, which had “Betty Jean” painted on it, sent from Seattle. The guitar soon became a constant companion—and a source of tension with his peers.
Music in the Ranks
Hendrix’s fixation on music drew negative attention. Fellow soldiers sometimes hid his guitar, forcing him to plead for its return. In November 1961, a pivotal moment came when fellow serviceman Billy Cox heard Hendrix playing at an army club. Cox, struck by Hendrix’s unique blend of blues and classical influence, borrowed a bass guitar, and the two began to jam.
Within weeks, they formed an informal group called the Casuals, performing at base clubs on weekends. Despite his increasing involvement in music, Hendrix still fulfilled his duties enough to earn the Screaming Eagles patch after completing paratrooper training in January 1962.
A Soldier in Conflict
While Hendrix earned recognition for parachute duty, his overall performance in the Army began to decline. By February 1962, his superiors noted frequent issues: sleeping on duty, missed bed checks, and poor marksmanship.
On May 24, his platoon sergeant filed a report declaring Hendrix had no interest in Army life and recommended his discharge. The report stated bluntly that Hendrix “will never come up to the standards required of a soldier.”
Discharge and Departure
On June 29, 1962, Hendrix received a general discharge under honorable conditions. He later claimed in interviews that he had broken his ankle during his 26th parachute jump and had been discharged for medical reasons. However, official Army records do not confirm any injury.
His brief military career ended not with ceremony but with quiet separation. Still, during that time, he met Billy Cox, who would later become his longtime bassist—a connection that outlasted his service and shaped the music that followed.
Before he became a music legend, Jimi Hendrix was given a choice—prison or the Army.
At 18, arrested for riding in stolen cars, he enlisted in 1961.
What followed was a year of discipline, frustration, hidden guitars, and a chance encounter that changed his life…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/zkG2eL2PYx
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) June 10, 2025