Elvis Presley in the U.S. Army

Elvis Aron Presley joined the United States Army in Memphis, Tennessee, on March 24, 1958. He spent a few days at the Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, Reception Station before heading to Fort Dix, New Jersey. He officially finished his active duty on March 5, 1960, and his Army Reserve discharge came on March 23, 1964.

During his time in the military, Elvis was part of two different armor battalions. From March 28 to September 17, 1958, he was in Company A, 2nd Medium Tank Battalion, 37th Armor, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. He completed basic and advanced military training during this period.

After that, Elvis was sent to Germany from October 1, 1958, to March 2, 1960. He started in Company D of the 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 32nd Armor, and later joined the Headquarters Company at Friedberg.

While in Germany, Elvis Presley proudly wore the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 3rd Armored Division.

On Monday, March 24, 1958 at 6:35 AM, Elvis, accompanied by his parents and a group of family and friends, reported to the Memphis Draft Board. From there, he and twelve other recruits were bused to Kennedy Veterans Memorial Hospital. There, Elvis was assigned army serial number 53 310 761. After being processed and sworn in, Elvis said his good-byes and Private Presley was bused with the others from Memphis to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas for further processing. There, he received his famous G.I. haircut and coined the phrase 'Hair today, gone tomorrow', in a comment to the news media. He was assigned to the Second Armored Division's 'Hell On Wheels' unit (formerly led by General George Patton) and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.

 Elvis Presley as he passes through Fort Worth TX, January 11, 1958

Click the U.S. Army logo to start your tour about Elvis Presley in the U.S. Army.

 Elvis Presley In The U.S. Army : The Journey Begins

Elvis Presley : Kennedy Veterans Hospital : January 4, 1957

Elvis fan letter to President Eisenhower

Elvis Presley Graceland + Army Induction at the Draft Board office : March 24, 1958

Elvis Presley and Colonel Parker : Fort Chaffee : March 25, 1958

Elvis Presley : June 1, 1958 : Outside Graceland

Elvis Sails: Brooklyn Army Terminal September 22, 1958

Elvis Aaron Presley : In The U.S. Army 1958-1960

Elvis Presleys BMW 507 : December 21, 1958

Elvis Presleys Red BMW 507 : August 1959

Photos : Elvis Presley In The U.S. Army 1958-1959

Elvis Presley: Grafenwoehr November 28, 1958

Elvis celebrates the halfway mark of his army stint with an Over the Hump Party : March 27, 1959

Elvis Presley at Ray Barracks, Germany, October 2-3. 1958

Elvis Presley at Ritters Park Hotel in Bad Homburg, Germany, first weekend of October 1958

Photos : Elvis in the U.S. Army 1958-1960 : Elvis In Paris

Vera Tschechowa and Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley : December 25, 1959 : Christmas In Germany

Rare Photos - Elvis in the U.S. Army 1958-1960

Elvis in the U.S. Army : Photos In Colour

Original article : 3d Armored Division Co-Stars with Elvis

Elvis wanted to be just one of the GIs

Elvis, The Army & Colin Powell

The G.I. Blues of Elvis Presley : General Colin Powell on Elvis Presley the soldier and patriot

Sergeant Elvis Presley : Germany : Monday February 29, 1960

Elvis Presley March 1, 1960 : Sergeant Presley Preparing To Go Home

Priscilla Beaulieu : March 1, 1960

Priscilla Beaulieu : March 2, 1960

Elvis Presley and Priscilla Beaulieu during their final moments in Germany : March 2, 1960

Elvis Presley In Scotland : March 3, 1960 : Prestwick Airport in Scotland

Elvis Presley at Fort Dix : March 3, 1960

Sergeant Elvis Presley Back in the USA : March 3, 5, 6 and 7, 1960

Elvis Presley : Press Conference at Graceland : March 7, 1960

Extra pages not in the tour

If included above, marked with .

Priscilla Beaulieu : March 1, 1960

Priscilla Beaulieu : March 2, 1960

Photos : Elvis Presley in the U.S. Army 1958-1960

Discharge Order : Scout Platoon : 32nd Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Division : March 3, 1960

Elvis Presleys U.S. Army Dept. of Defense (DD) : 214 Form

Photo of Elvis Presleys Scout Platoon, Headquarters, 32nd Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Division

Rare pictures from the LIFE archives (43 photos)

Elvis Remembered in December 2012 issue of the 2nd Armored Division's 'Hell On Wheels' 'Bulletin'

A Basic Summary Of Elvis Presley's Army Career

Elvis Presley received his draft notice at age 23 in Memphis, TN, and was subsequently inducted on March 24, 1958, and processed at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. Total time on active Army duty: 2 years, 3/24/58 - 3/5/60.

In Germany Elvis Presley was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Division, Ray Barracks, Friedberg. Elvis served with the Division from October 1, 1958 to March 1, 1960.

Spent 6 months at Ft. Hood for basic & advanced training (under 2nd Armored Division) prior to Germany.

In the he December 2012 issue of the 2nd Armored Divisions 'Hell On Wheels' 'Bulletin' Elvis is remembered in photos and story by Harold Heikkinen who like Elvis, was also transferred to the 3rd Armored Division.

While at Ft. Hood, his mother, Gladys, dies unexpectedly on August 14, 1958.

MOS 133.60 at discharge (armor intelligence specialist, or 'scout').

Could drive, load, and shoot an M-48 Patton battle tank, but with 3rd Armored he served as jeep driver and recon. scout. Promoted to Sergeant E-5 at age 25 on 1/20/60 at Tank Range 42 at Grafenwoehr, Germany.

Was supervised at press and other events during his 17 months with the 3rd Armored by Capt. John Mawn of Division PIO. In August, 2002, Mawn (of Fort Smith, Arkansas) was quoted as saying, 'My job was to make sure that Presley didn't screw up at press and public appearances. And, you know what, he never did'.

Rented a house in Bad Nauheim, Germany, at 14 Goethestrasse while assigned to Friedberg. Granted off-post status, as his grandmother and father lived with him and were designated as dependents.

On September 13, 1959, met Priscilla Beaulieu, the teenage step-daughter of an Air Force captain stationed at Wiesbaden AFB. They met at Elvis' home in Bad Nauheim, where she had been invited to a party through a mutual friend. They would eventually marry on 5/1/67 and divorce in 1973.