Inside Bancroft Hall, Navy sophomore defensive lineman Jackson Perkins picked up his roommate's guitar.

What began as curiosity quickly became an obsession — one that has taken the U.S. Marine Captain around the country and will eventually lead him to Nashville after completing his active-duty service. But before the rising country music star ever considered performing, it was his Navy teammates who gave him the confidence to pursue his passion.

"Myself, Ford Higgins and Paul Carothers would go and put a little melody together and go play in the talent show," Perkins said.

The Navy football talent show, that is.

Each week, Perkins continued to learn new songs. He would play in his dorm room and then in the hallway after his roommates went to sleep.

On the football field, his play improved as well. The Barrington, Illinois, native started the final 20 games of his career, recording 54 tackles during that span. He registered the lone sack of his career in Navy's 20-17 victory over Kansas State in the 2019 Liberty Bowl.

After commissioning into the Marine Corps in 2021, Perkins put football in the rearview mirror and decided it was time to take his music ambitions beyond the Yard. On Monday nights, the 6-foot-6 senior would carry his guitar into Stan and Joe's Saloon for open mic night. A handful of Navy football teammates were almost always there — cheering, recording videos and offering feedback afterward.

"[My teammates] were there for me and brutally honest, too," Perkins said. "It is so important to have buddies who will shoot you straight, but also support you."

The drive to pursue music more fully followed him from Twentynine Palms, Calif., to Japan and South Korea. In 2025, he got his opportunity after being assigned to the Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C. He began playing gigs throughout Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia, reconnecting with former teammates and building a new fan base.

One of those teammates is his current roommate, Tobe Okafor, whom Perkins shared the defensive line with for all four years at Navy. One of Perkins' biggest supporters, Okafor would always show up whenever Perkins performed live. However, that changed once Perkins began selling out shows.

"Once I started gaining traction in D.C. and hundreds of people started coming, he said, 'Yeah, you're good,'" Perkins said. "It showed me he wasn't super into the music but wanted to be supportive as a friend."

As Perkins' popularity grew, so did the opportunities.

Last July, he took the stage with Riley Green to perform "In Color" at the Windy City Smokeout during Marine Week Chicago. In November, he performed Hank Williams Jr.'s "Family Tradition" with Ernest at the very Marine Barracks he called home.

The Marine Corps and music are not competing identities, Perkins said. Rather, they complement each other. The discipline, humility and leadership he developed at the Naval Academy continue to shape the way he writes songs and approaches his career.

With his passion and determination, Perkins hopes to inspire other Midshipmen who want to pursue their passions while continuing to serve their country.

"I think it's so cool because as a Midshipman, we do have a prescriptive path," Perkins said. "You know you will serve five years as a young officer and even things you do in your military career, you know how you will get there."

A country music career is far less predictable, especially while pursuing both paths simultaneously. It can be a lonely journey, Perkins said. Writing music has forced him to be vulnerable, but the feedback he has received has been overwhelmingly positive.

"The Academy teaches us that it's not about us," Perkins said. "Pursuing a music career and putting myself out there on social media was scary, especially because many military influencers are often viewed negatively, but everyone has been so positive toward me."

On May 28, Perkins released his first single, "Miles to Go." It has already accumulated nearly 70,000 plays on Spotify. Perkins plans to release his next song, "Middle of the Pack," later this month and will perform at the Naval Academy for the first time in August.

Next summer, Perkins plans to move to Nashville to fully pursue his country music career. He has built a team of musicians and supporters he enjoys working with and is looking to expand as he continues to make his mark in the industry.

The guitar that once sat in his roommate's dorm room has become much more than a curiosity. It has become the bridge between two dreams — serving his country and sharing his music.

"I'm so thankful for everyone who's helped me out along the way," Perkins said. "It's cool where it's kind of come to."