Elvis, An Honorable Soldier | The story of G.I. Presley is well-known among the Elvis community. Here are a few reasons why Elvis stood out as an model soldier, setting a fine example of what soldiering is all about.

"Victory or Death" was the motto of the 3rd Army, 32nd Armor, Spearhead Division, disbanded in 1992.

Elvis undertook basic training at Fort Hood, Texas, named for his gggrand Uncle, General John Bell Hood. Elvis was given no special treatment and requested to be allowed to be "one of the boys." However, the press was there at every turn, photographing Elvis in uniform, during maneuvers, during R & R--he could not even avoid the media while serving in the armed forces.

Elvis was bothered by the fact that because of the constant press coverage his comrades would have to train harder since their training would be filmed. Elvis, himself, had to work harder. Though not serving in wartime, the mission of Elvis' unit was to guard the German border against Russian invasion. The Berlin Wall had not yet gone up.

Had he not been an entertainer, Elvis would have made a career in the United States military.

Elvis was an expert marksman in the combat arm of this armored division.He was a model soldier, an inspiration to many comrades because he was one amongst them, peeling potatoes on KP, marching for miles with an 80 lb pack strapped to his back, and pulling guard duty. For a time he became a jeep driver for his sargeant. There was no special treatment for Private Presley who exited the service as Sargeant Presley.