Kimmitt also served in World War II and the Korean War as a United States Army lieutenant colonel.

Kimmitt commanded a unit in the 8th Infantry Division in Germany from 1962 to 1964 before retiring from the Army as a colonel.

Upon leaving the Senate, Kimmitt then worked on the APACHE (Attack Helicopter) program.

Three sons went into the military, all Field Artillery, including Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt, who served as Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, Major Joseph (Jay) Kimmitt, and Major General Robert Kimmitt, who served as Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, both under President George W. Bush.

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