Elvin Tate entered into the United States Army in 1982 and served until 1992.  He is a Desert Shield / Desert Storm veteran, where he served as a squad leader.  He joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1996 and became a Life Member in 2006.  He served as the post Chaplain at his home post, the Marion / West Memphis Post 5225.  He has also served as District 4 Commander in 2013 and again from 2020-2021.  He now serves the Department of Arkansas as the Arkansas Department Judge Advocate for 2021-2022.