Montel Williams is a name many recognize from his successful career as a television host and media personality on The Montel Williams Show from 1991-2008. However, his journey to fame began long before the bright lights of the studio. One of the most formative periods of his life was his time at the U.S. Naval Academy, where he developed the discipline, leadership, and resilience that would propel him to future success. In this blog, we’ll explore his story.
Military Dreams
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Montel Williams grew up with a strong sense of determination and a keen interest in serving his country. His father, Herman Williams Jr., was a firefighter who became Baltimore’s first African-American fire chief, and the values of hard work and dedication were instilled in Montel from an early age. Excelling in school, sports, and music, Montel was the president of his junior and senior high school classes at Andover High School, and was attracted to the structure and challenge offered by a military career.
Joining the Forces
In 1974, after graduating from high school, Williams enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and received an appointment to the Naval Academy in 1976. Williams graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1980 with a degree in engineering and a minor in international security affairs. After commissioning, he completed Naval Cryptologic Officer training. Williams served as a cryptologic officer with the National Security Agency where he was involved in the U.S. invasion of Grenada in 1983. On several occasions he worked to secure the release of U.S. citizens, typically military personnel, who had been captured in foreign lands and returning them to U.S. soil. Williams continued serving in the Navy for 17 years on active duty and 5 years in the Naval Reserves, retiring as a lieutenant commander in 1996.
Always a Marine
Throughout the years, he has always remembered the military and its work by highlighting it in his shows. On The Montel Williams Show, Williams would reunite deployed sailors with their families during the annual holiday-themed shows, and in 2006, he flew with a production crew to the U.S. Central Command 5th Fleet’s area, touring Iraqi oil platforms and spending time with the sailors manning the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. His show also regularly showcased nonprofits that gave to service members, and he would continually remind viewers of the importance of supporting and honoring the military forces.
Williams was on the small screen in several other shows, including military-focused programs like JAG and a TV series he produced and starred in called Matt Waters in 1996, where he portrayed an ex-Navy SEAL who became an inner-city high school teacher. He was even on the large screen in The Peacekeeper in 1997, when he played fictional character Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Northrop, a nuclear missile silo commander. Throughout his life on the screen, he has championed our military. He now hosts Military Makeover: Operation Career on Lifetime.
Awards and Achievements
For his service, Williams was presented with the Navy's Superior Public Service Award by Navy Captain Kenneth J. Braithwaite II, director of Joint Public Affairs Support Element Reserve — on the last episode of The Montel Williams Show. Williams has also earned two Meritorious Service Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, two Navy Expeditionary Medals, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and two Humanitarian Service Medals. He also received a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host in 1996.
A Thank You to Our Notable USNA Graduates
Today, Williams is widely recognized for his contributions to television and media, and we are eternally grateful to him for his service and his continued support of the Armed Forces. We honor and celebrate all graduates from the U.S. Naval Academy. Both during and after their time here, they have shaped the world in incredible ways and worked towards the greater good with dedication and determination. We invite you to come experience the paths where they once walked and feel the history in the making, as the current United States Naval Academy midshipmen train to become the future leaders of our Navy and our country. It all starts here.
When you visit the Yard and take a USNA tour, dine on the Yard, or make a purchase from the USNA Gift Shop or Navyonline.com, you’re supporting the Brigade of Midshipmen with funding for extracurriculars like cultural arts, music, theater, club sports, and more. Visit today and be a part of history!
