Are military members being Freemasons a dying breed?

Tell them again Sir. Well said.

I agree sir. I remember the old timers talking and it was held to such high regard. Businesses would close when fellow employees were coming up. I wish we could bring it back to what it was.

I was raised in Korea and saw a lot of brothers there. when I put in for Fort Drum I demited there. I ets'd in 2008 so after that I couldn't tell you but I made a lotta brothers through freemasonry in the military. There are Square and Compass's all over the houses and buildings in the Triangle of Death in Iraq :)

And Rgoer!.. I have found, in order to become informed, you must first seek out knowledge and understanding.  Society has become so spoon fed, that they would rather listen to the assumptions of others, rather than enlighten themselves.

Had a bad taste in my mouth about Masonry, until I heard your response. Good man!<br>

I agree with you. Our society wants the answers without bothering with the questions. People are quick to condescend the craft without looking at the history and benefits we have inspired. Most people looked shocked when I tell them the prerequisites to become a shriner. You make a good point that if you are a Mason then carry yourself accordingly. Would you walk around in a bar downtown in your dress uniform trying to fight people or indulge in other despicable acts? It is a lack of mentorship that results in these activities.

SGT Menzie, the same can be said about fraternity/sorority groups. I have seen some awful Masons, but Ive seen awful Kappas, Deltas, Omegas, etc. Every organization has an impact, even this one. Vets would rather hire vets first because we go through similar situations. Masons are no different. If you "know someone who knows someone", then count yourself as fortunate, not privileged.

<p>SGT Menzie - YOU have personally witnessed people use this to get ahead?&nbsp; Or maybe, you percieved their affiliations getting them ahead?&nbsp;&nbsp;I am confused...Often, when one does not have first hand information, stories get construed.&nbsp; You know this as an NCO.&nbsp; As far as other letting them use the fraternal ties to "get ahead", re-read my comment if you come to me with that mess.&nbsp; I can only hold myself accountable on how I represent my organization.&nbsp; Now, if I witness it...I will hold those like me accountable and do my part to give them good, wholesome advice and I will leave them to make their own choices...but I will not standby and allow them to misrepresent my fraternity, or its values, to simply get ahead.&nbsp; Often is said...From the outside looking in, you can't explain it to me.&nbsp; From the inside looking out, I can't explain to you.&nbsp; As far as becoming a Mason, that is a choice only you can make.&nbsp; Seek counsel and advice from those you hold in high regard.&nbsp; Ask them the hard questions, but do not be upset when you get the answer, as it may not be the one you want.&nbsp; </p>

I am an active mason and currently serving as well.

I am an active Mason, a Reservist, and a state Police Officer. My take on the "special favors" deal is this, because it's happened all to often; when someone asks me "are you going to do that? We are brothers!" I respond, " A real Mason would never ask a Brother to jeopardize his career and livelihood for something so trivial as a ticket, special favor, etc, it's about respecting the person you are dealing with".
That being said, I treat all Brothers as such, and deal with them squarely, no matter the situation.

Sam, If you do right by most they will also help you Mason or not, Brother!!!

I am an active brother as well and currently progressing through York rite while on active duty we have roughly ten people from our base at the lodge

Eric have fun in York Right. In Hoc. The only house I have not gone to is shrine.

Sounds a lot like Joining a traditional Motorcycle club. or did i miss read something?

Again respectfully sir I did say it was not about race but history. That needs to be changed. I personally have been told that I could not visit this lodge because of my skin tone. I have brothers that are part of that lodge but it's not there fault it's the older brethren that makes history stand.

The struggles we have within the fraternity are just a reflection of the societies we come from.  The fact that we are actively trying to overcome our differences instead of just accepting them as permanent, and are slowly succeeding, is proof that the fraternity attracts good men and through this civil discourse makes them better.  As long as we remain true to the rules of civility to each other, we'll overcome our differences and be able to help our society do the same.  What better freemasons to lead the fraternity and our society toward unity than Soldiers?  There are a lot more military freemasons than many people realize.  Many of us don't seek recognition as freemasons but many of us do and that's okay.  It's a personal choice.  The higher I've gone in rank over the years, the higher percentage of freemasons I find among my peers.  I don't believe it's because of some system of favors between masons.  I believe it's because of the fraternity's penchant for attracting the kind of men who are charitable toward others while proving through their actions that they constantly strive to improve themselves.  There are many great military leaders, past and present who aren't freemasons.  I believe good Soldiers naturally coexist with the fraternity of freemasons because of a shared philosophy of lifelong learning and caring for others no matter what the mason's religion, sexual preference, race, nation, or political affiliation are.

Very well said MSG Mason, I agree with you on that. I love this fraternity and only hope for it to grow in the good and move away from this lime light of negativity. But that takes good men like yourself and I and the ones to come after us to make it happen.

If they ask 3 times they'll get the right answer.

Well put Sistar

You are 100% correct. The problems I saw overseas was based on young, new Masons that didn't know how to act. Let them do some of that crap here and someone will pull that light.

True, but it is coming back. We now do background checks as we have been bitten in the past.
Well said SFC

Yes and No. Just because a man wears a ring or has an emblem on his car doesnt mean he is looking for promotion, or a favor. He may be a good man that others look up to and then they see that emblem on his car or hand and think good things about Masons. We need the positive influence and no more of the negative because in some cases your are correct. There are men out there that try to abuse it and use it for the wrong reasons. However, not all Masons who flaunt it are looking for a handout or favor.

It is worth noting that the same issue exists for every organization, and the individual impact often has to do with the member's motivation for participating. For every Soldier promoted to Sergeant who views it as a privilege to lead and wholly accepts the responsibility of their stripes, I have met one who believes it means they no longer have to be tasked for low-level details and they can now use the authority of rank to accomplish what interpersonal skills did not previously. For every Mason I have known who joined to be surrounded by industrious, selfless, and motivated people to build a better community and world, I have met one who wanted to obtain special treatment and favor.

It would be a misrepresentation to say these issues are limited to secret orders and fraternal houses, when any first-year Sociology student can tell you that they are a recurrent facet of our entire species across every system in the world.

Very true. The clouded conspiracy of ignorance has plagued the fraternity. Some people are convinced of truths they have never even witnessed. I believe it is important to inform people that it is okay to disagree with Masonry, but don't condescend what you don't know.&nbsp;

Well u look on the back of the dollar bill and see that for a fact, but it still don't answer if people get special favors and that is hard to prove and don't come to light. like if a mason brother slept with another mason brother wife what is suppose to happen to him. most people say the brotherhood has nothing to do with that, but yet if you know this man is your brother, why would u do it to him? just like in the military if he short on a few points give the a stronger pt card and weapons card? if caught military will punish but its hard to prove!

There is nothing masonic about the dollar bill. Look up the history of our current dollar bill and who voted on it. A brother who sleeps with the wife of another brother is expelled. Simple, right?

Wearing a ring or putting emblems on your car don't make you a Mason, I can buy all that stuff on the internet. Living by the tenets of the order and squaring yourself does. Despite my affiliations I have one emblem on my car but I have seen people with every emblem which tells me that they pay a lot of dues but nothing about them.
I am surprised to see so many brothers from Ft. Campbell that I have never met. I am a PM of Ft. Campbell 946 and welcome all travelers as usual. FT Campbell 946 is a military lodge, used to be on Ft. Campbell many years ago but now it's in Oak Grove. Most of our members are current soldiers or prior.