ELVIS PRESLEY’S MILITARY SERVICE AND DISSERVICE GO HAND IN HAND


By bblouin
elvis presley military

It’s undeniable that Elvis Presley was one of the biggest stars of all time. His magnitude could be seen across the world, and frankly, his impact continues to be seen today. The King of Rock and Roll continues to draw heads through biopics, anniversary releases, merchandising, and much more. We’ve seen plenty of celebrities who have served in the American Armed Forces, but none quite like the King. For Elvis Presley, military service was an important part of his life. Read next:Famous Veterans: You’ll Never Believe These Celebrities Actually Served

Elvis Presley Military History

Did Elvis Presley serve in the military? Yes, Elvis Presley's military career happened, as he was drafted into the U.S. Army on December 20, 1957. While enjoying the holidays in preparation for Christmas at the now-infamous Graceland, Uncle Sam called upon the biggest star in the world for service. The timing could not have been worse. This wasn’t just Elvis Presley in military garbs going to defend America. This was at the peak of the King’s success and toward the involvement of the United States in Vietnam. Cold War madness hadn’t reached its apex, but there were trends beginning to develop. It’s a bit odd for younger Americans to truly understand, but the man producing radio hits, movies that everyone wanted to see, and entertainment specials was now being brought into military life. Today’s equivalent would be like seeing news that a Taylor Swift, Drake, or Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson-esque celebrity was being summoned to prepare for conflicts in Europe, Asia, or the Arctic. Despite all of this and the insistence of tens of thousands of fans who wrote in to get Elvis out of service, he went through with it. Though he managed to defer service in order to finish his work on the film King Creole, Presley would go off and become a Soldier. On March 24, 1958, Elvis the Pelvis was sworn into the Army and would go on to complete basic training, mainly at Fort Hood. Sadly, his mother, Gladys Presley, passed away in August 1958, which granted him emergency leave. But soon after, he was back defending America. This would begin an 18-month period of Elvis serving in Company D, 32nd Tank Battalion, 3rd Armor Division while stationed in Friedberg, Germany. At night, he was known to host parties at his off-base residence and play music with friends. It’s also worth noting that while there was talk of having Elvis serve as entertainment to lift morale, he wanted no part of it. He wanted to serve as a Soldier just as any other, instead. "I was in a funny position. Actually, that's the only way it could be. People were expecting me to mess up, to goof up in one way or another. They thought I couldn't take it and so forth, and I was determined to go to any limits to prove otherwise, not only to the people who were wondering but to myself,” said Elvis. This would be part of the mounting reasons that Elvis Presley’s service in the U.S. Army helped his popularity skyrocket. This was an incredible feat for a man who was already on top of the entertainment world.

Service Gave His Career a New Audience

To understand Elvis Presley’s military career and separate what was happening in the public eye would be a disservice to the events that occurred. Before serving, the King continued to build a younger audience, whereas some of his antics were not well received by a more conservative, older audience. But Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, understood the importance of keeping Elvis fresh in the minds of his American audience. Singles were released before Elvis left for Europe, which kept him relevant and kept the money train going strong. This would include the evolution of sound. The rebellious, edgy rock-n-roll sounds that would make Elvis a household name also made him a pariah to some. These tracks would give way to more ballad-centric tunes that resonated with older listeners. But alas, you take the good with the bad. Ultimately, it’s regarded that his time as a Soldier would also begin what would become his demise. The use of drugs and addiction would claim the King’s life at only the age of 42.

How Long Was Elvis Presley in the Military?

Elvis Presley served in the military for two years after being drafted in 1958 and was honorably discharged in 1960. His time was brief, and Elvis Presley’s military rank would peak as an Army Sergeant (E-5). He was the man that elevated rock-n-roll like no other and created the rockabilly movement that still exists, in a much more niche way, today. But while “Jailhouse Rock” or “Blue Suede Shoes” may be classics, it’s not the only thing we should remember from his life. Military service is admirable, but the potential fallout should never be overlooked. We’ve come a long way since the time of Elvis Presley’s military days, but it’s still a humbling reminder that we all have a responsibility to help those reentering civilian life through support and resources for mental and physical health. Suggested read:Before He Was a Star, Young Tony Bennett Was a Hero


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