1776Reporting
Craig Morgan isn’t just a country music artist—he’s also a soldier in the U.S. Army Reserve. The “How You Make A Man” singer has taken on dual roles, balancing his music career with military service, proving that patriotism and passion can go hand in hand.
Morgan, who previously spent 17 years in the Army and Army Reserve as a staff sergeant and fire support specialist, made headlines last summer when he reenlisted. But this wasn’t just any oath-taking ceremony—he was sworn in on the iconic stage of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. His return to the military was driven by two key reasons:
“Recruiting was worse than it had ever been in the history of our nation. It was terrible, and I felt like I could bring something to the table to help with that. Secondly, I served 17 years and I never got a letter that said, ‘Thank you for your service.’ I wanted that retirement letter so bad. So this was an opportunity for me to do that.”
A Surge in Army Recruitment Numbers
The timing of Morgan’s reenlistment coincided with an upward trend in Army recruitment. After years of declining numbers, the U.S. Army has seen a major resurgence, reporting its best enlistment figures in over a decade. According to the White House, December marked a 12-year high in recruitment, and the momentum carried into January, reaching numbers not seen in over 15 years.
The Trump administration was quick to celebrate the success, attributing the rise to a renewed sense of national pride:
“WE’RE SO BACK. The U.S. Army has achieved its highest recruiting numbers in 15 years, following a 12-year high in December. Under President Trump’s America First leadership, Americans are answering the call to serve.”
WE'RE SO BACK 🇺🇸
The @USArmy has achieved its highest recruiting numbers in 15 years, following a 12-year high in December.
Under President Trump’s America First leadership, Americans are answering the call to serve. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/R4eqKoXkJS
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 5, 2025
Morgan on the Nation’s Renewed Patriotism
During an appearance on Fox & Friends, Morgan was asked if he was surprised by the surge in recruitment. His response? Not at all. He believes young Americans are feeling a stronger connection to their country and are more willing to serve:
“Doesn’t surprise me at all. I’ve got to be honest. I’ve spent a lot of time out there talking to our young Americans and trying to encourage them. As you all just said, there’s a sense of renewed pride in our nation, and that trickles down to our young men and women and their families.”
When asked if he was prouder to serve now than ever before, Morgan emphasized that his commitment has never been about any single president:
“Never. I used to tell people, and I still do, ‘I never joined the army for a president. You join the army to serve your country.’ Any service member will tell you that. But it is nice to know that you have a President of the United States that truly cares about the men and women who are serving. Our Secretary of Defense truly cares about those men and women. These are people who have our interest first and foremost.”
Welcoming country music singer Craig Morgan back into the @USArmyReserve as he resumes his already 17yrs of @USArmy service.@cmorganmusic pic.twitter.com/o3KXrsFFCb
— Chief of Army Reserve & Commanding General (@ChiefUSAR) July 30, 2023
Balancing Music and Military Service
Morgan’s commitment to his country doesn’t mean he’s stepping away from music. In fact, he recently released a new project, American Soundtrack EP, which blends themes of faith, family, and patriotism. Produced alongside Phil O’Donnell, the six-song collection embodies the spirit of the everyday American. Morgan believes this project will resonate with listeners:
“I believe most people in this nation can relate to something in each song on this project. I absolutely love songwriting. God has given me a gift that allows me to impact other people’s lives. That is a blessing and I’ve learned not to take it for granted.”
Tracklist:
- American Soundtrack (Craig Morgan, Phil O’Donnell, Dan Couch)
- Roots (Craig Morgan, Phil O’Donnell, Rob Pennington)
- God’s Problems (Phil O’Donnell, Wade Kirby, Carlo Colasacco, Styles Haury)
- Country Education (Craig Morgan, Phil O’Donnell, Wade Kirby)
- Blue Collar Prayer (Craig Morgan, Phil O’Donnell, Matt Willis)
- Who I’m From (Craig Morgan, Phil O’Donnell, Chris Wallin, Ira Dean)
On Tour with Blake Shelton
Morgan’s musical journey continues as he joins Blake Shelton on the Friends & Heroes 2025 Tour, bringing his patriotic anthems to fans across the country.
Tour Dates:
- February 27 – Lexington, KY / Rupp Arena
- February 28 – Knoxville, TN / Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
- March 1 – Greensboro, NC / Greensboro Coliseum
- March 6 – Newark, NJ / Prudential Center
- March 7 – Boston, MA / TD Garden
- March 8 – Albany, NY / MVP Arena
- March 13 – Greenville, SC / Bon Secours Wellness Arena
- March 14 – North Charleston, SC / North Charleston Coliseum
- March 15 – Atlanta, GA / State Farm Arena
- March 20 – Baltimore, MD / CFG Bank Arena
- March 21 – Uncasville, CT / Mohegan Sun Arena
- March 22 – State College, PA / Bryce Jordan Center
Living the American Dream
Craig Morgan isn’t just singing about American values—he’s living them. Whether he’s on stage or in uniform, he embodies service, dedication, and patriotism. His journey proves that you don’t have to choose between passion and duty—you can embrace both.
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