Adam Driver is more than an actor: A look at his military service

In The Force Awakens, Kylo Ren speaks to Darth Vader's mask. "I will finish what you started," Ren says in the film. In a way, that applies to actors as well. Like James Earl Jones before him, Adam Driver served his country admirably.

After the September 11th terrorist attacks, Driver chose to enlist in the United Marine Corps. He served for two years before an injury to his sternum forced him to be medically discharged. His final rank while in the service was Lance Corporal. Since Driver began to garner worldwide acclaim for his acting, he has continued to work and support military causes.

He founded the organization Arts in the Armed Forces, a cause that was to bring art programs to military members and their families. The organization was active from 2006 to 2023. While active and following the release of The Rise of Skywalker, fans donated over $90,000 dollars to the organization. A touched Driver reached out and thanked the fandom.

In a 2015 interview with WHYY's Fresh Air, Driver drew parallels between acting and his time in the Marines. Every film or play has a director, just as every military unit has a leader, said the two time Oscar nominee.

Driver had followed in the footsteps of the voice of Darth Vader, the late James Earl Jones. Jones became an officer during the end of the Korean War. He was stationed in Colorado to help train troops for the cold weather months in the Korean theater.

The man who composed themes for both Driver and Jones was also in the military. Composer John Williams served in the US Air Force from 1951 to 1955, worked as a composer, and created arrangements for the US Air Force Band, something discussed in the new documentary Music by John Williams.

Driver chose to do a Ted Talk in 2015 after he broke out in The Force Awakens. In the Ted Talk, he talked about his service, which can be similar to the Star Wars franchise. “In the military, everything had meaning,” said Driver. “Everything you did was either steeped in tradition or had a practical purpose.

Everything within the franchise also has a deep tradition and purpose. On this Veteran's Day, we salute Adam Drive and all the service members who have served this country.