Did Charlie Kirk serve in the military? Here's what we know

Charlie Kirk's murder triggered discussions about his past, including whether the Turning Point USA founder ever served in the military.

Published on: Sep 14, 2025, 12:04:16 IST

By Sumanti Sen

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The murder of Conservative activist and popular influencer Charlie Kirk has sent shockwaves across the United States, and also triggered discussions about his past. The 31-year-old was allegedly shot dead by Tyler Robinson on September 10 during an appearance at a campus event in Utah. The shooting happened around 12:20 pm local time during a student Q&A at UVU in Orem, per a statement from Utah Valley University (UVU).

Among several aspects of Kirk’s life – who was known for making various controversial statements – that are being discussed is whether he ever served in the military.

Did Charlie Kirk serve in the military?

No, Kirk never served in the military. He said in a speech at the Liberty Forum of Silicon Valley in 2015 that he had applied for nomination to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, but his application was rejected. He later claimed that his place was given to “a far less-qualified candidate of a different gender and a different persuasion,” and that he was not rejected based on his academic performance, Independent reported. However, Kirk later said that he was being sarcastic when he made the remark about the “less-qualified candidate.”

Kirk later met Tea Party candidate Bill Montgomery, who is believed to have encouraged him to pursue political activism. They together went on to create Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a nonprofit that advocates for conservative politics at schools, colleges and universities.

In a recent post on X, Turning Point USA thanked Kirk’s supporters for their love during these dark times. “We are deeply moved by the outpouring of love and support for the Kirk family and for our organization during this incredibly difficult time,” the organization wrote. “We are especially grateful to those who have reached out asking how they can help.”

The post contained links that can be used to “support, donate, and get involved”.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sumanti Sen
Sumanti Sen covers everything that’s happening in the US, from politics to entertainment, but her expertise lies in covering crime news. She has comprehensively chronicled the Idaho student murders, the Laken Riley and Iryna Zarutska cases, and the killing of Charlie Kirk, among other incidents. Over the years, she has interviewed several victims/families of victims of crimes seeking justice. She digs up stories that might otherwise remain unheard, and does her bit to ensure that victims and survivors’ voices are heard. Sumanti’s many years of experience also include interviews with Hamas attack survivors and mental health experts, among others. Her coverage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and interviews with survivors of the tragedy, coupled with her other works including the Titan submersible coverage, earned her the Digi Journo of the Quarter award during her first year at Hindustan Times. Sumanti actively tracks missing person cases in the United States, and peruses Reddit and other social media platforms to bring to light cases that frequently elude public attention. She has extensively covered the disappearances of Nancy Guthrie, Thomas Medlin, Beau Mann, and Sudiksha Konanki, among others. When not at work, you will either find her with her novels, or with her beloved rescue pooches.Read More

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