This Nirvana Guitarist Became An Elite Soldier In the Ultimate Career Change

Photo Credit: US Army / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
Photo Credit: US Army / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Jason Everman, with his long curly hair and multiple piercings, gives off the classic appearance of a rockstar, a status he deservedly achieved. In his younger years, he showed off his musical abilities by playing guitar and bass for famous bands like Nirvana and Soundgarden, as well as other lesser-known groups. Although he had a notable career in the music industry, he took a major turn in his professional path by joining the US Army. There, he excelled as both a Ranger and Green Beret.

Jason Everman’s early life

Portrait of Jason Everman and Louis Svitek
Mind Funk guitarists Jason Everman and Louis Svitek, 1993. (Photo Credit: Karjean Levine/ Getty Images)

Born in Alaska on October 16, 1967, Jason Everman was only a toddler when his parents divorced. Following this, he relocated to Washington alongside his mother, who later remarried a former US Navy serviceman.

His introduction to music took an unconventional path, as he was encouraged to play guitar as part of therapy for blowing up a toilet with a firecracker. However, his interest in playing the guitar blossomed from this experience and lasted, leading him to join multiple bands during his high school years. Everman’s early adulthood was characterized by a back-and-forth between Washington and Alaska for work, including summers spent working on his biological father’s fishing boat. It was during this time that he crossed paths with Chad Channing, who would later become the drummer for Nirvana.

A turbulent music career

Portrait of Soundgarden
Soundgarden, 1989. (Photo Credit: Krasner / Trebitz / Redferns / Getty Images)

In February 1989, Jason Everman got his big break when he was brought on as the second guitarist for Nirvana. He was credited with playing on the band’s debut album, Bleach, even though he never did. Kurt Cobain later said this was their way of thanking him for paying the $606.17 fee to record it.

Everman went on tour with the band following the album’s release. When it ended, however, he was fired due to his “moodiness.” This didn’t stop him from continuing with music, as he joined Soundgarden later that same year as the band’s temporary bassist. He can be heard playing on their cover of The Beatles‘ “Come Together,” and in their Louder Than Live home video.

Everman stayed with Soundgarden for a while, but was, again, fired. He then briefly went on to play guitar for Mind Funk.

Jason Everman enlists in the US Army

Jason Everman standing atop a snowy ridge while holding a weapon
Jason Everman serving with the US Army Special Forces in Afghanistan, 2013. (Photo Credit: US Army / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

Jason Everman had a change of heart about his career in 1994 after discovering the Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini, a Renaissance author who said well-rounded men were simultaneously philosophers, artists and warriors. Around this time, he spoke to an acquaintance who’d served as a US Navy SEAL, who put the idea of enlisting in the military in his head.

The musician subsequently joined the US Army, and attended basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia without mentioning to anyone that he’ had a brief stint as a rock musician. However, that didn’t stop people from finding out.

He recalled the day, which happened to be just after Kurt Cobain’s death. In the middle of some routine hazing, one of the drill sergeants stopped right in front of him and said, “The lead singer for Nirvana killed himself yesterday.” In a different interview with The New York Timeshe said that, around the same time, another drill sergeant saw a photo of him alongside Nirvana and could tell it was him.

Becoming a US Army Ranger and Green Beret

Portrait of Soundgarden
Soundgarden, 1990. (Photo Credit: Paul Natkin / Getty Images)

After completing training, Jason Everman was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington. As the United States wasn’t at war at the time, he didn’t have many missions, apart from various training exercises. By 1998, he’d completed his four, rather uneventful, years of service.

Everman left the Army to travel through the Himalayan Mountains, where he joined a Buddhist monastery. Training to be a monk didn’t stick for long, however, as he was soon offered a position as a Green Beret. After completing the Qualification Course, he was assigned to “A Team,” 3rd Special Forces Group, with whom he finally got to see action. He was sent to Afghanistan and Iraq, earning an impressive reputation.

Everman later said serving in the Middle East was “probably the most profound experience of my life. […] It takes an event as extreme as war that simultaneously brings out both the worst and the best in people.”

Jason Everman is honorably discharged

Portrait of Jason Everman and Louis Svitek
Mind Funk guitarists Jason Everman and Louis Svitek, 1993. (Photo Credit: Karjean Levine / Getty Images)

In 2006, Jason Everman received an honorable discharge from the US Army and swiftly transitioned to the next chapter of his life. He pursued self-improvement in a Cellinian style by enrolling in Columbia University’s School of General Studies, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal provided him with a glowing letter of recommendation.

After his undergraduate studies, he pursued a Master’s degree from Norwich University.

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Everman remained closely connected to music. Following his retirement from the Army, he formed a band with fellow veteran Brad Thomas, named Silence & Light. All the band members have served in the US military, and their music highlights the stories of veterans and first responders. A large portion of their profits goes to charities that support similar causes.

Rosemary Giles

Rosemary Giles is a history content writer with Hive Media. She received both her bachelor of arts degree in history, and her master of arts degree in history from Western University. Her research focused on military, environmental, and Canadian history with a specific focus on the Second World War. As a student, she worked in a variety of research positions, including as an archivist. She also worked as a teaching assistant in the History Department.

Since completing her degrees, she has decided to take a step back from academia to focus her career on writing and sharing history in a more accessible way. With a passion for historical learning and historical education, her writing interests include social history, and war history, especially researching obscure facts about the Second World War. In her spare time, Rosemary enjoys spending time with her partner, her cats, and her horse, or sitting down to read a good book.

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