Today we’d like to introduce you to Robbie McMillan.
Hi Robbie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Ten years ago I joined the United States Army as a vocalist. I attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Benning, GA and Advanced Individual Training at Camp Little Creek, VA. My first duty station was Fort Sill, Oklahoma. I was there almost three years and that’s where I learned how to front a band. We played everything from “Ain’t No Sunshine” to “Fire”. Lots of country music too. I loved Lawton, OK, the surrounding city, and all of the amazing, mysterious places in Oklahoma.
I got the chance to go to Fort Campbell, KY after that. I was there from 2019-2022. I got to perform and meet with some of Nashville’s greatest stars: Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, John Rich, and Electra Mustaine, and David Leonard. I also got to perform with Brett Michaels and play the Nashville Predators military appreciation week. It was truly a memorable time in my music career. While in Nashville I played a number of amazing private shows and developed my relationship with Brett Manning and Singi NG Success studios. I had the opportunity to become a vocal coach and study under Brett. It was an amazing opportunity.
In 2022 I left Kentucky/Tennessee and moved to Fort Bragg, NC where I fronted the 82nd Airborne Division Band and Chorus. I arrived in August and in December of the same year (2022) was featured on The Today Show in NBC. I was performing with the All American Chorus, the 82nd Airborne Division’s choral group. I got to help train the chorus during my time at the 82nd.
I never really played music outside of churches before I joined the Army. In 2015 I saw the band Needtobreathe in Durham, NC. My wife said to me, “Don’t you want to do this for the rest of your life?” And I said, “Yes!”
So I found a way to do that in the Army. It was a life changing concert and decision.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a rough road at times to get here, mostly because of recent health issues that made me leave the Army. My last day is August 27, 2026. In April of 2025 I woke up one morning and felt off. After a morning of severe pain, I went to the Emergency Room at Womack Army Hospital and was diagnosed with diverticulitis. Doctors kept me alive for about five days and had to do emergency surgery to give me a colostomy bag. I woke up from surgery in disbelief that this is where my life had taken me. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with in my life. The surgeon had to cut me down the middle of my stomach and it was very difficult to sing for about four months. But I didn’t let that stop me from singing and playing guitar. I sang every day in the hospital and continued to practice when I was at home for 30 days of convalescence leave. In October of 2025 I had a second surgery to reverse the damage done to me in April. I was back to performing this time much sooner and performed at the Holiday Show at the 82nd Airborne Division Head Quarters in December. I then tragedy struck again in April ofn2026 when I had a surgery to correct a hernia and the surgeon nicked a blood vessel inside of me and had to cut me back open again.
Three midline incisions from my pelvis to my chest in 12 months. But thank God I was able to sing again and performed in May, June, and July for thousands of people in Fayetteville and Fort Bragg. For the 4th of July and the 250th birthday of America I opened for Hoobastank, Nico Moon, and the Fray. Then we performed for 18,000 people the following weekend in Fayetteville, NC. It was my last performance with the Army and a memory I will treasure.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As an Army Bandsman I am a Soldier first and then a musician. It is the most rewarding job I could have ever had. I got to serve my Country through music. A lot of people don’t even know that the Army has a band, every branch of service does. The US Military is the largest employer of musicians in the world. Unfortunately we are losing bands in every branch. Congress does not remember that the first three jobs George Washington created in the Army were the Infantry, the Chaplain Corps, and Army Bands. The reason was for battle field communication.
What sets me apart from other musicians in the Army is I don’t have a degree in music. We have Soldiers that have doctorates in their discipline. I have a business degree.
What matters most to you?
My family is the most important thing to me. Providing for them, showing them that they can count on me when things get tough, and showing them what it means to never quit and never give up.
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