--- title: "Listen to the playlists of American special operators: Wil Willis" date: "2020-02-05" modified: "2020-10-22" authors: - name: "Shannon Corbeil" job_title: "Contributor, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/scorbeil/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/this-is-why-wil-willis-was-proud-to-serve/" categories: - "Entertainment" - "Music" tags: - "Entertainment" - "Veterans" --- # Listen to the playlists of American special operators: Wil Willis ![Wil Willis]() *Wil Willis then and now. (Courtesy photos)* [U.S. Army Ranger]() veteran and [former Air Force Pararescueman]() [Wil Willis]() is literally an American badass, so it makes sense Kid Rock’s epic song made his Battle Mix playlist. “Music became sort of this way of marking your time through the military,” Willis said. **Also Read: [6 things to know about the Sentinels guarding Arlington’s Tomb of the Unknowns]()** He’s not the only vet to talk about the impact music had on his time in the service. Like others, Willis has specific memories tied to the music he listened to while wearing the uniform, whether he connected with the lyrics or sang the songs to keep the cadence on unit runs. “When you’re in the Ranger battalion, you’re the tip of the spear,” Willis said. “‘Break glass in case of war. Unleash hell’—‘War Pigs’ is what that’s all about.’’ Willis said he fought for family and love and adventure; for him, that was the whole point of service.Check out what else is on [his Battle Mix on Spotify](). ### Don’t Miss the Best of We Are The Mighty ##### **• [The shortest soldier in American history was a Green Beret who fought in Vietnam]()** ##### **• [Some US troops reportedly saw Bigfoot in Vietnam]()** ##### **• [This Army pilot went from flying Black Hawks to setting a spaceflight record]()** ## Author Shannon Corbeil has worked for We Are The Mighty as a digital video producer, writer, and host, as well as a staff writer covering military history, trivia, and valor. Shannon is a fierce veteran advocate, covering the achievements of members of the military community and volunteering in multiple veteran non-profit organizations, including Pin-Ups for Vets and Warriors for Peace Theatre. Her undergraduate degree is in Humanities and Philosophy and her Masters is in Strategic Intelligence. A screenwriter and actor recently seen on SEAL TEAM and THE ROOKIE, Shannon writes about exciting projects in the entertainment industry. She is an alum of the Writers Guild Foundation Veterans Writing Project, a Finalist in the Disney TV Writing Fellowship, an inaugural fellow for the STARZ/VME #TakeTheLead Program, and has performed at the Geffen Playhouse and Kennedy Center as a writer, dancer, singer, and actor. As a U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer, Shannon supported the 25th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base, South Korea, and conducted Cyber Threat Analysis at the National Security Agency. Her work has been seen in Business Insider, Task & Purpose, Military.com, and various other publications. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()