From the United States Marine Corps to the United States Naval Academy and national television, Montel Williams says service remains the throughline of his life—now focused on restoring homes and hope for combat veterans across America.
Before he became a household name through The Montel Williams Show, Montel Williams wore the uniform. A veteran of both the Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy, Williams graduated from the United States Naval Academy after becoming the first Black Marine selected to attend the Naval Academy Preparatory School. He later earned a commission and served nearly 22 years in uniform.
In an exclusive interview with 'TELL IT LIKE IT IS' Defense News, Williams described his military experience as “the most important foundation” of his life.
“I’ve had three almost 20-year careers,” Williams said. “The Marine Corps and Navy first, then the Montel show, and now medical initiatives and veteran support. The military gave me the discipline and mission focus for everything that followed.”
Today, that mission focus is channeled into one of television’s longest-running veteran-support programs: Military Makeover.
