Many adult performers have interesting stories, but some have pasts that fans never expect. A number of gay adult stars once served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or other military branches, bringing discipline, resilience, and confidence from their time in uniform into their later careers.
Interestingly, the industry also includes performers with strong academic backgrounds, as discussed in our Gay Adult Performers with University Degrees article. Together, these paths show how life can take unexpected turns from barracks or classrooms to the spotlight.
How Military Service Shaped Their Lives
Military service teaches discipline, teamwork, and mental strength. These qualities often help people adapt to demanding careers later in life. For the performers listed here, time in uniform played a role in building confidence, focus, and resilience.
Armond Rizzo
Armond Rizzo served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS George H.W. Bush for about four years. After leaving the Navy, he explored other careers before entering adult entertainment. Over time, he became a well-known name and later spoke openly about fair treatment and pay within the industry.
Rich Merritt
Rich Merritt joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve at 18. He served for nearly 13 years, rising to the rank of sergeant. While still enlisted, he appeared in adult films. After military service, he changed direction and became a lawyer, writer, and LGBTQ advocate.
Brandon Lee
Brandon Lee joined the U.S. Navy in 1998 while still working in adult films. He served until 2003 and completed a tour in Iraq, where he worked as an aircraft maintenance specialist. His career is often noted for breaking barriers for Asian representation in gay adult entertainment.
Rod Barry
Rod Barry served briefly in the U.S. Marine Corps after leaving college. Although his time was short, the experience added discipline to his life. Later, he entered adult films and appeared in more than 150 titles. He was eventually inducted into the GayVN Hall of Fame.
Flex-Deon Blake
Flex-Deon Blake served 13 years in the U.S. Air Force and received an honorable discharge. After service, he studied music and worked in other fields before entering adult films. He later founded a ministry focused on spirituality and sexuality. Blake passed away in 2021.
Julian Andretti
Julian Andretti served six years in the U.S. Marine Corps (1988–1994) as a sergeant. He was also a Persian Gulf War veteran. After military service, he built a long career in adult entertainment, both on camera and behind the scenes as a director.
Ryan Idol
Ryan Idol joined the U.S. Navy, but his service ended after about 11 months. He received a dishonorable discharge following a court-martial. Despite this, he later became one of the most recognized gay adult performers of the 1990s and later moved into theater and Broadway. However, his life and career were controversial, including serious legal issues documented in public records. This article presents his inclusion for factual background only, without judgment.
David Alanson Bradberry
David Bradberry served three years in the U.S. Marine Corps as an Embassy Guard. He was stationed in several countries and served during the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” era. After leaving active duty, he appeared in adult content and later transitioned into mainstream acting and television.
Keni Styles
Keni Styles served seven years in the British Army. During that time, he worked as a physical training instructor and infantry commander, with deployments in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Iraq. After leaving the army, he entered adult entertainment and stayed in the industry for about 9 years (2006-2015), retiring from films in July 2015.
Marc McAulay
Marc McAulay served around five years in the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a gunner in the RAF Regiment. His role included weapons training and base protection. While performing in adult films, he remained an RAF reservist, with public support from the RAF as long as service standards were respected.
Logan McCree
Logan McCree (real name Philipp Tanzer) served in the German military. During his service, he worked as a medic. He later mentioned that his time in the military opened his eyes to social issues, especially when he saw his fellow soldiers struggle with personal problems.
John Holmes
John Holmes joined the U.S. Army at just 15 years old with his mother’s permission. He served for three years and was stationed in West Germany. Holmes worked in the Signal Corps, handling military communications. He received an honorable discharge after completing his service.
His early military discipline influenced his later work in adult cinema, connecting to the foundational figures and underground networks described in our 1960s Gay Adult Cinema: Industry Trailblazers article.
Life After Service
After leaving the military, each of these men chose a different path. Some stayed in entertainment, while others moved into law, activism, or acting. However, their service helped them handle pressure and stay disciplined in later careers.
Why These Stories Matter
These stories show that military service does not define only one future. People can serve their country and later succeed in very different fields. In addition, these performers challenge common stereotypes about both soldiers and adult entertainers.
FAQs
Did all of them serve honorably?
Most received honorable discharges. Ryan Idol was the exception, as his service ended with a dishonorable discharge.
Which military branches are included?
The list includes the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, British Army, and Royal Air Force.
Are all of them still active performers?
No. Some have retired or moved into other careers. Others remain active as of recent years.
What did military service give them?
Military life taught discipline, structure, and confidence, which helped many of them later in life.
Sources and References
- Wikipedia – Background and military service details for: Armond Rizzo, Rich Merritt, Brandon Lee, Rod Barry, Flex-Deon Blake, Julian Andretti, Ryan Idol, Logan McCree, John Holmes
- Edinburgh News – Military and career information for: Marc McAulay
- TMDb (The Movie Database) – Career and service details for: David Alanson Bradberry
- Wikipedia + IMDb – Combined verified information for: Keni Styles