For decades, country music positioned itself as the unofficial soundtrack of the American military. From Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” to Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” at every base ceremony, the genre tied itself to patriotism and uniformed service.

The connection was so strong that country stars frequently headlined USO tours or appeared at military appreciation nights. However, as time has gone on, the monopoly that country music once held over the troops has faded — and that may be one of the healthier cultural shifts the military has seen in recent years.

Country music has not vanished from the ranks. It still plays in barracks rooms and fills jukeboxes in bars just outside posts. According to Billboard, country artists like Morgan Wallen remain one of

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