What are your thoughts on Free Masons in the military?

As a Master Mason, I can certainly say that meeting my fellow Marines on the square and dealing with daily tasks on the level has only served to enhance my leadership position. Having said that, if a fellow Marine, who happens to be a Mason as well, is being an asshat, he'll get treated like one, regardless of affiliation. Professionalism is paramount.

Are they doing their JOB? Are they doing what's right? Are they being fair and impartial? See where I'm going with this? Masons have been around for hundreds of years. Heck George Washington was a Mason. Did that make people judge him? Maybe, but not to a degree that they would not follow him. As with any group of people in the Army, what does it matter as long as they are doing what is right, legally and morally, and are not conducting themselves in a way that is contrary to good order and discipline in the organization? As long as they are taking care of Soldiers, I could care less if they are a Mason or not.

So long as it doesn't foster a "good 'ol boy" environment I don't see a problem. In the past though, I've seen a 1SG show blatant favoritism towards other free masons within his company.

As a proud long time member of the fraternity and it's bodies I can say that I have seen both good and bad from brothers in the Army. Depending on where you go you can see it disgraced like I saw in Korea. People wearing light in the clubs and acting likes asses brings bad views of us. People who allow the fraternal bonds to cross the Army threshold. I have heard the stories of the SSG who is the master of a lodge and the 1SG who is one of the lower officers. I have seen and heard the affiliation used to get positive evaluations, pencil whipped PT tests and weapons quals to aid in speedy promotions. These are the things that put a bad taste in peoples mouths about us.
Regardless of the lodge ( Blue or PHA) there are good and bad but it is the lodges duty to clean their ranks. The problem I have seen is far too often recruitment is conducted merely to gain members and that is not allowed. These member drives do not always draw the quality we need. We have to think of the good of the order.
Even when I was an Army Recruiter I can honestly say I did not put in everyone I met that wanted to join. After brief conversation I determined that a few of them did not belong in my Army.
I love my fraternity and my brothers and as long as you are living, working, and abiding by the tenets of our order I will respect you and treat you as a brother.

Without being disrespectful, it seems to me we are discussing apples &amp; oranges. One has little to do with the other in most respects. I see free masons as a personal thing that relies on what the person is made of inside and the only effect that would have on a military career is how that individual carries themselves &amp; the decisions they make throughout their life. I personally do not see it as a bad thing but leave it to each person to make their own decision.<br>

I think the Masons are fine, it's those little offshoots of the main organization that are the problem. Every unit that I've been to where the Masons were considered an issue, it was never actually a main or large lodge, it was always one of those Prince Hall Lodges. I think if you get rid of those, the word "Mason" wouldn't be painted in such a negative light...

Having been a 3rd degree Mason for 27 years, I could go on all day about just some of the great things the Masonic Organizations have done world wide... not just in the military. As with any fraternal order, you are going to have certain people that sway power in what may seem an unfair direction. Still, don't judge until you've walked in their shoes.

I have personally seen the Prince Hall Freemasons do incredible, risky and selfless acts for Soldiers from junior enlisted to officer and NCO.

Yes they do have the "good 'ol boy" paradigm and I'm sure it has its negatives. They're hardly perfect saints...more like Robin Hoods :)

As long as it does not take away from the good order and dicipline in the unit it is a non-issue. As stated in previous post, the bad apples are the ones who make any organization look bad.

Great post SFC Brummett. The "good Ol Boy" system has been around in the army for decades. But those that have a problem with Masons are probably good with that. Fact of the matter is as long as we are in the foxhole(showing my age) on one accord to protect and defend what we signed up for(regardless of whom, what, religion, sexual preference, or affiliation) then I'm ok with it....every organization, group or crew..has their... as SgtMaj Michael Lillie called them ..asshats..
But as alwyas ..How good and how pleasant...