Many of us recognize our favorite entertainers for their iconic roles, killer beats, or screen-jarring charisma, but did you know that some of these very celebrities once donned uniforms and served in the armed forces? We celebrate these 15 Black celebrities who are also veterans and thank them for their service. Check out a gallery of 15 Black celebrities you may not know were veterans.

Behind the glitz of red carpet glamour and chart-topping hits lies a lesser-told chapter of service, duty, and discipline. These stories often go unnoticed despite their significance, so it’s our duty to celebrate the people who fought for our country.

For Black veterans, military service has provided structure, purpose and a path into careers many never expected. As Military.com explains, many struggled to balance the transition from soldier to star, but the wartime mindset of resilience and adversity became the foundational grit of their success. The armed forces taught lessons in leadership, teamwork and sacrifice. Entertainers carry all of these qualities into their creative work and public lives.