In the middle decades of the 20th century, a number of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities left their careers behind to serve in the U.S. military, among them Elvis Presley. After being drafted in late 1957, Presley chose not to pursue arrangements that would have granted him special treatment, instead serving as an ordinary enlisted soldier despite his international celebrity status.
Nevertheless, his time in the Army was not identical to that of most servicemen. Because of his extraordinary fame, certain aspects of military life unfolded differently for Presley than they did for fellow soldiers who were able to serve away from public attention.
Elvis Presley is drafted into the US Army
Elvis Presley’s entry into the United States Army in late 1957, shortly before Christmas, came as a surprise to many within the music industry. At the time, he was already one of the world’s most popular entertainers, and there was widespread concern that an extended absence for military service could slow the momentum of his rapidly expanding career.
Presley was offered the possibility of serving through Special Services, the Army branch responsible for entertainment and morale programs, which would have allowed him to avoid many of the routine responsibilities faced by other soldiers. Instead, following advice from his manager, he chose to enlist as a regular serviceman and perform the same basic duties expected of any other recruit.
On March 24, 1958, Elvis Presley began active military service at Fort Hood, Texas, where he was assigned to the 2nd Armored Division, the unit known by the nickname “Hell on Wheels.” His arrival attracted enormous public interest, drawing crowds of reporters and fans eager to see the internationally famous performer.
After completing his initial training, Presley traveled to Europe aboard the USS General George M. Randall. He was later posted to Friedberg, West Germany, where he served as a member of the 3rd Armored Division for the remainder of his overseas assignment.
Elvis Presley’s military service
Although Elvis Presley publicly praised his military service and often said he particularly liked the tank training, his private views were more mixed. He was reportedly homesick, disliked many aspects of Army training, and worried about the future of his career after completing his time in the service.
While Presley insisted on serving as a regular enlisted man, he was still granted several unofficial perks that most other soldiers did not receive. Despite those advantages, he became known for his generosity, providing fellow members of his unit with televisions and extra fatigues, and donating his military wages to charitable organizations.
His time in the Army was not entirely positive, however. During training, Elvis was exposed to illicit substances and came to rely on them because he believed they boosted his energy and helped him lose weight.
Making America’s enemies uncomfortable
Elvis Presley’s presence in West Germany made America’s enemies uncomfortable, particularly the Soviet Union and East Germany. This created some serious tension between the US and the USSR, as the latter suspected the former was using Presley to lure defectors over the border.
East German Defense Minister Willi Stoph said Elvis and his music were a “means of seduction to make the youth ripe for atomic war.” Communist Party leader Walter Ulbricht added that it was “not enough to reject the capitalist decadence with words, to … speak out against the ecstatic ‘singing’ of someone like Presley. We have to offer something better.”
To counter rock and roll’s racy dancing, Communists created the Lipsi, a government-approved dance that was slightly more fun than standing on Legos. It was aimed toward young people and meant to win back rock and roll fans… Unsurprisingly, the dance not only never caught on, but was openly mocked.
Elvis Presley returns to the United States
Elvis Presley was discharged from the Army in March 1960 in what was a highly publicized event. Many were still bewildered by his decision to serve as a regular soldier, and he was asked why during the press conference. He responded:
“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.”
On March 5, 1960, Presley was honorably discharged from active duty. Although he was terrified that his career had been killed by the military, his popularity had only risen while he was serving; his manager had secured plenty of material to drip-feed to the public while he was away.
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Presley’s popularity also took an unexpected turn during his service. Before he’d left, he was an extremely controversial figure – loved by teenagers and feared by parents. Becoming a symbol of rebellion, older generations believed Presley was a threat to the moral well-being of adolescents and was corrupting the nation.
However, when he returned, he’d gained considerable respect among older generations for his service. While many were still fiercely against Presley and his pelvic antics, his military career had actually given him a boost in fame.