Kellie Pickler Always Ready for a USO Tour

With three USO tours under her belt, Kellie Pickler is ready for more. In recent years, Pickler has performed for U.S. troops in Afghanistan, Germany, Iraq, Kosovo and England.

 

"I love being able to travel and take a little piece of home to them because so many of them are just really missing home and haven't been home for months -- and sometimes years -- at a time," Pickler told CMT. "It's good to be in a position where I can provide a little entertainment and break up the monotony and just take home to them."

 

Although she’s taking time out of her busy schedule, Pickler insists she is the one who benefits from her USO tours.

 

"I think it's such an incredible learning experience," she said. "I've had family that was in the service before. I have a lot of friends that are in Iraq and Afghanistan right now. That's probably one of the wildest things -- to go to Afghanistan and see someone I went to high school with or worked at Sonic with. I just feel like it's a respect thing for my country and for the people serving it. I can't imagine not doing it."

 

Pickler, known for her love of shoes, is a seasoned packer. Having spent time on military bases, she has learned what to pack and what not to pack.

 

"I think the more I do it, the more I simplify what I bring. Like any woman, I always tend to pack way too much. I remember the first time I went out there, I was taking stilettos and all my heels and all this fancy stuff. I got there and I did not take off my boots -- I did not wear heels. I wore my combat boots. I was ready for battle! You take things that are comfortable, that you can move around in, because you're jumping in and out of helicopters and these big trucks and tanks. It's dusty and dirty. There's just a lot of dirt. Comfort is the main thing," Pickler said.

 

One tradition Pickler isn’t sure she can continue? For each trip she’s taken in the past, Pickler has gotten a star tattoo.

 

"I don't know if I'll keep doing it because I might have the whole flag on my arm," she jokes. "That wouldn't be a bad thing, but I don't know that I would look very good with a sleeve. I just kind of play it by ear. My first three trips were very memorable, and even if I don't add a star, I'm not going to forget that I went."

 

Pickler is keeping busy this summer. She is opening for Rascal Flatts' Nothing Like This tour, working on her new album and planning her upcoming wedding to songwriter Kyle Jacobs.

 

Source: TheBoot.com