Bob ross military drill sergeant
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Famous Veteran: Bob Ross
Bob Ross was probably the nicest person who ever lived, and it showed through in his work. Most of America knows him as the host of the long-running show, "The Joy of Painting," but a select few know him better as an Air Force military training instructor -- a drill sergeant, for you non-Air Force types.
Raised in Orlando, Florida, Robert Norman Ross was always a gentle person. As a kid, he nursed injured animals back to health, even going so far as to raise a baby alligator in the family bathtub. He never graduated from high school and went to work with his dad as a carpenter. Viewers may not have noticed part of his left index finger is missing on the show as a result of that work.
Related: Create a personalized transition plan for yourself and find transition guides and checklists, at the Military.com Transition Center
He enlisted in the Air Force in 1961 at age 18 and spent 20 years in the service, rising to the rank of master sergeant. He was even a first sergeant at the base clinic at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. That's where he saw sno
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The Untold Story of Bob Ross's Military Career: How It Shaped His Artistic Philosophy
This article delves into the lesser-known aspects of Bob Ross's life, exploring how his time in the United States Air Force shaped the gentle, encouraging persona we all came to love.
Early Life and Enlistment
Bob Ross was born on October 29, 1942, in Daytona Beach, Florida. His early years were marked by a love for animals and a penchant for creativity. However, his path took a significant turn when he enlisted in the United States Air Force at the age of 18.
Ross's decision to join the military was driven by a desire for stability and the opportunity to see the world.
The Military Experience
During his 20-year tenure in the Air Force, Ross rose to the rank of Master Sergeant. He was stationed in various locations, including Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. It was here, amidst the stark and rugged beauty of the Alaskan wilderness, that Ross first began to seriously explore painting.
The landscapes around him provided endless inspiration, and he started to develop the style that would lat
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You Can Now Own Air Force Vet Bob Ross' First Original Work from 'The Joy of Painting'
Between 1983 and 1994, almost everyone knew that the one place to go for free, top-tier painting lessons was PBS' "The Joy of Painting." Hosted by beloved Air Force veteran Bob Ross, the show was more than just tips and tricks: Ross completed an entire landscape painting during each half-hour show.
That means after 403 episodes, there are at least 403 Bob Ross originals out there (more on that in a second). But some lucky art lover, pop-culture fan or ironic hipster is about to pick up the very first painting from the show -- just as long as they have the $9.85 million to pay for it.
The very first painting completed on-air in 1983 was called "A Walk in the Woods," and was put on auction that year as a fundraising effort for the PBS station in Falls Church, Virginia. A volunteer at the station purchased the first Bob Ross original and kept it until 2023, when it was acquired by Modern Artifact, a gallery based in Minneapolis.
Ross spent 20 years in the Air Force, but fell
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