Randy Orton has reached the pinnacle of pro wrestling throughout the years. The Viper became one of the youngest world champions in WWE history due to his sheer talent and charisma. However, Orton garnered a reputation for his unruly nature and problematic antics backstage. This sowed confusion in the WWE brass who did not take kindly to the third generation star’s pranks and conduct. Over the years, the WWE icon has mellowed down and become one of the most decorated champions in wrestling folklore. However, did you know that the 14-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion’s earlier troubles reared its ugly head in his formative years?

Orton decided to join the Marines after graduating from high school, but he eventually resigned due to various factors. Randy Orton’s first few weeks were going well. Yet, he soon realized that he couldn’t fulfill the commitment and requirements of the military. The WWE star then resorted to insubordination as he was absent on multiple occasions. Moreover, he did so without the permission of his seniors. After that, when he got caught, he did not present a justification to his superiors. Because of this, his standing in the Corps suffered greatly. After a repeat of the same incident, he was given a penalty that required him to spend 38 days in Marine jail at the brig at Camp Pendleton.

Following this event, Randy Orton decided to leave the Marine Corps and pursue a career in professional wrestling. The report released on this incident stated, “Orton was in the Marines in the late ’90s and “received a bad conduct discharge in 1999 after going AWOL on two separate occasions and disobeying an order from a commanding officer. Orton ended up being court-martialed and served 38 days in a military prison.”

Furthermore, when the WWE star was chosen to play the main role in Marine 3 in 2012, an uproar ensued and he was taken out of the movie. Even his unit members were unhappy with him. One of the members of his unit Cpl Mike Vinn stated on the matter at the time, “ I am disgusted that his face and the word Marine are being used next to each other — real or fake — because of the fact that he quit us, the country, and the Marine Corps. [Randy] in the role of a Marine is a disgrace to those that have worn and are wearing that uniform”

Nevertheless, the former WWE champion had to tread an arduous path to make the transition to pro wrestling despite his experience in the Marines.

Randy Orton formerly had a tattoo of a US Marine

The former WWE Champion has always been a big lover of tattoos, as seen by the number of ones he adorns. Orton also had a tattoo on his left arm referencing, the Marine Corps during his time in service. Nevertheless, the WWE star opted to remove the tattoo referencing his marine past after receiving a discharge for bad conduct.

Randy Orton said about the incident, “I had a tattoo on my left arm that read ‘USMC’ for United States Marine Corps. When I got my bad conduct discharge and got sent home I got rid of the tattoo by getting it covered up,” he said. “It was covered up once in San Diego while I was still in the Marines and they did an awful job so I had to go to another guy — the guy who eventually did work on my shoulder — and have him fix it for me.”

Nevertheless, you can still see a glimmer of the previous tattoo he used to have regarding the Marine. What are your opinions on Randy Orton’s background with the US Army? Tell us in the comments.