this post was submitted on 08 Jun 2025
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[–] Beacon@fedia.io 131 points 3 weeks ago (13 children)

It was all a scam setup by his manager. He was never gonna wind up anywhere remotely near a battle

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_career_of_Elvis_Presley

[–] Empricorn@feddit.nl 55 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (4 children)

"Scam" is an exaggeration. Your own Wikipedia link shows he declined a cushy entertainment position in Special Services. Twice. He completed the training, which he hated, and broke down in tears on multiple phone calls, describing his homesickness. As the most popular entertainer in the world at the time, he was of course given special privileges, but he was still a soldier. Soldiers have many duties and not all of them engage in direct combat. "Never winding up anywhere remotely near a battle" would have happened with anyone that famous (for political and strategic reasons), and certainly did for other rich, well-connected people...

[–] nelly_man@lemmy.world 6 points 3 weeks ago

You can read more about the scam they were referring to from Colonel Parker's Wikipedia article.

Presley had been showing signs of rebellion against Parker, and Parker believed that a stint in the Army would cure him of this. Parker was looking ahead when he persuaded Presley to become a soldier. Presley had wanted to join Special Services, allowing him the opportunity to perform while at the same time getting a more leisurely ride than other soldiers. Parker, on the other hand, was fully aware that any particular treatment given to Presley would instantly be used against him in the media and by those who disliked his style of music. If Presley could show the world that he was treated the same as any other young man, Parker told him, then more people would accept him and his music. Parker was also afraid that any attempt to block Presley from being drafted would result in a more detailed look into Parker's own service record. He also realized that it would be an excellent opportunity to promote Presley by having the media witness his induction day, including the army haircut that would see the shearing of Presley's iconic hairstyle.

While Presley served in West Germany, Parker appeared to be in complete control, but he was worried about the outside influences that Presley might encounter there. Parker had declined to travel to Europe to visit Presley, denying that he spoke any language other than English. He sent Presley's friends to keep him company, arranged for business associates to watch over him while working in Europe, and maintained regular contact with him. He was reportedly afraid that Presley would realize that other managers were prepared to sign contracts that did not require as much as 25% of his earnings.

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