Posted on Apr 2, 2014
What are your thoughts on Free Masons in the military?
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Posted 12 y ago
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Remember, One of your founding fathers and first General, General Washington was a proud brother in the Free Masonary. If a brother uses his status in the order to gain favorable measures, then he has learned nothing. If the brother is never known to be Mason and just happens to show a sign and you never knew, that is a good brother. I have seen allot of fake military cover organizations and with that you have to take the good with the bad. A true Brother will help all that are wanting education, directions, and help.
SFC Bridges
702 Jack Wilson
Brooklyn New York
SFC Bridges
702 Jack Wilson
Brooklyn New York
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I am both a Mason and an Odd fellow. I can't think of any other organization that does as much for the person or unit that belongs to it. The good works they do help everyone.
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Same as I feel about every other subgroup, club, affiliation, etc. that exists within the boundaries of the military and society. If they are upholding the standards and doing their jobs then power to them. When they start crossing the lines then its time for eyes on. When I was up at Drum there were some officers that all belonged to a fraternity that became quickly "de-militarized" College frat brothers, no big deal - until these "fraternity boys" started involving drunk enlisted subordinates in porn videos and, oops, one got loose to the CofC.
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Cpl Brett Wagner
I'm dumb on what are and what they do. I hear all the weird stories about naked spankings during candle lit ceremonies and such but I thought they were just another group like the Shriners. So what gives what's the concern?
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Since I have no knowledge on what a mason is and it seems like there are A LOT of masons on this thread, let me ask, what is a mason and what do you guys do? Can I join to be a mason? Is being a mason like being a veteran? (the perks, the cameraderie, etc. etc.) I just have no idea what is it you folks are doing/saying/performing/whatever when you say you are a "Mason". Just curious that's all.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Honestly, you can do personal research and find out most of the information you are looking for. Find a FM, express interest, and they will tell you how to petition into our fraternity. Good luck.
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CW3 (Join to see)
SPC Myers, go to your favorite search engine, type in 'Grand Lodge of California', and pick your first link.
Start there, and you'll be fine. Good luck.
Start there, and you'll be fine. Good luck.
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CW2 (Join to see)
SPC Myers,
The above links are not to blow you off in anyway but to help you understand. We could tell you about so much that is done across the world (not just the United States) by Freemason's but that would be one side of the story. Use the search engine first, you might be surprised what you find and then go to one of the links of any of our Grand Lodge's like CW2 Walker used. There you will get a better understanding. It is important that you read what is said about Freemasonry... Good & Bad then find one and let him know if you really want to join.
The above links are not to blow you off in anyway but to help you understand. We could tell you about so much that is done across the world (not just the United States) by Freemason's but that would be one side of the story. Use the search engine first, you might be surprised what you find and then go to one of the links of any of our Grand Lodge's like CW2 Walker used. There you will get a better understanding. It is important that you read what is said about Freemasonry... Good & Bad then find one and let him know if you really want to join.
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I think membership in a social fraternity should have no bearing on your status in the military. It has to be consensual, however. We don't mess with you if you don't bring it into the workplace. Masonic influence should not be tolerated in the military. I have always been curious about the Masons, and I would be interested in checking into it. I was always too shy to ask a Mason about it when I could identify someone as a mason. Maybe I will pursue it when I get out of the Army and am able to stabilize in one location. It seems like a good organization that helps a lot of people in the community. Plus, when the New World Order comes around, it would be nice to be on the winning side! LOL Just kidding Masons.
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SFC Stephen Carden
You guys have to find it hilarious whenever the newest conspiracy theory involving the Masonic Order comes out. I do. I find it difficult to believe that Masons, Shriners, or any of the rest could be plotting world domination, in league with the devil, or in control of the world economy. Can you imagine a bunch of Shriners riding their tiny cars or motorcycles as the vanguard of an invasion force?
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MSG(P) (Join to see)
Like Mr Walker said, having a sense of humor will take you a long way. And don't get me started on all the conspiracy theories that I'VE heard. Geez. My favorite one is "They let each other sleep with their wives." Wow. Just.....wow.
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CW3 (Join to see)
I have several smart-ass remarks in response to that last one, SFC Johnson....but in the interests of propriety I'll refrain. I am so 12 sometimes.
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SPC Larry Spiller
SFC Stephen Carden - If you want to help take over the world with us, welcome aboard. We are not doing too well schedule wise. We are 300 years behind schedule right here in the US, and further behind in the rest of the world. Maybe after our Thanksgiving Banquet or next summer's fish fry, we'll get back on track. Must be we've had too much mission creep along the way. I'm getting restless. 3 decades of membership and we have not taken over anything yet. Probably because we are civic minded but not a political organization. Glad we are like that.
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No problem at all with them (of course i am a Mason) the Military Lodges were very prominent and important in our early years through mid 1900's!
I would love to see them grow again
I would love to see them grow again
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Since I'm not a Mason, I really don't have any knowlege of the subject. My dad was one - made it up to some high degree that was kept secret from his own family. When he was buried, family members were told by several (read: dozens) Masons dressed up in their formal garb that family could not attend any of the burial because it was "Mason only" - which really pissed me off - so I kicked the entire kit and kaboodle of that organization off the premises since I was the one paying for the funeral/burial. Can't say I have a bad taste in my mouth over Masons - don't know enough to comment.<div><br></div><div>However, as a civilian contractor, I can say for a fact, based on personal experience, that when I was in Iraq during the 2nd Iraq War that Kellogg, Brown and Root (KBR) was using the Mason Ring as the "clincher" for decisions of hiring Senior Managers. I was told by a very senior president within KBR that if you didn't have the ring (Mason's) you were not even considered for senior positions. I won't say that such decisions were poor decisions, but I will say that many of the initial cadre of senior managers hired by KBR folks hired in the '04/05 timeframe were eventually weeded out as the incompetent fools they were.</div><div><br></div><div>Here's my bottom line: Mason ring, Academy ring - same, same....there are way too many idiots that use that ring to gain access, jobs, positions, authority, etc, that are simply not up to the task. Anyone, and I repeat, ANYONE who relys on that ring to the determent of fair play and honest merit is not worthy.</div>
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1SG (Join to see)
Sounds to me like you YOURSELF have had bad engagements with Freemasons. They are not all the same.
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PO1 (Join to see)
SFC Brummett
You are probably correct. Can't say I'm at all impressed with a goodly number of the Masons I've had "engagements" with. As for FreeMasons not all the same - again, you're probably correct. However, I'm not simply deciding I don't like Masons and painting them with a broad brush based on just one or two "engagements" with only one or two Masons. I would guess, because I have no interest in counting, that I have met over 500 to 800 Mason's - identified by rings and recognizing some rituals. Of those I've interacted with - most of them did not impress me. Of those I've had personal dealings with - for instance - the group that decided they were going to attempt to kick my entire family off the grave site without notice - I definitely have a bone to pick with that entire Lodge to this day.
Otherwise, I'm certain they are a fine organization.
You are probably correct. Can't say I'm at all impressed with a goodly number of the Masons I've had "engagements" with. As for FreeMasons not all the same - again, you're probably correct. However, I'm not simply deciding I don't like Masons and painting them with a broad brush based on just one or two "engagements" with only one or two Masons. I would guess, because I have no interest in counting, that I have met over 500 to 800 Mason's - identified by rings and recognizing some rituals. Of those I've interacted with - most of them did not impress me. Of those I've had personal dealings with - for instance - the group that decided they were going to attempt to kick my entire family off the grave site without notice - I definitely have a bone to pick with that entire Lodge to this day.
Otherwise, I'm certain they are a fine organization.
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I served with six (6) people who where Free Masons, they did their jobs and didn't act any different than any other sailor nor did they try and recruit anyone to the Masons on Navy time.
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CW3 (Join to see)
Chief Mahoney,
The reason you didn't see Masons recruiting is because we don't recruit. You have to ask to be initiated into the Order.
The reason you didn't see Masons recruiting is because we don't recruit. You have to ask to be initiated into the Order.
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CW3 (Join to see)
Lots of people don't. Unfortunately, we've missed the opportunity to initiate some good men who would have made good Masons....
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A lot of Great Americans were Free Masons, Some of my Friends are Free Masons. As long as it doesn't interfere with their duties. Go For It.
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No issues as long as it is kept professional. One thing that does bother me... It is supposed to be a "secret" order. But, everybody knows who they are when signs are displayed that should not be displayed.<br>
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SFC (Join to see)
I went through my 3d degree in 1997<br>it ok to show a few symbols, but, what I have seen pushes the limits<br>
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LTC Herman Cohen
I was raised to the 3rd degree in Connecticut in 1999, and moved to DC after reaching the rank of Senior Warden. (never affiliated in DC because by then my ability to memorize the somewhat different rituals here was not up to speed anymore) We formed a traveling Military Degree Team in CT for servicemembers who wanted to be raised with some military tradition included - we even had a BG sitting in the East. But I never felt any pressure to do any favors in the military for Brothers, and stll feel any use of the connection would be inappropriate. That said, adhering to the principles of Freemasonry makes you a better man - and if you are in the service, a better soldier.
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CW3 (Join to see)
SFC Brummett and LTC Cohen, if you'd like to get together, please PM me for my personal contact information. We live in relatively the same area.
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MSG(P) (Join to see)
It is NOT a secret order. I don't know why everyone thinks that. You can research and find almost anything you wanna know and a Mason would more than likely confirm it. There's only a few things we cannot divulge unless you are a fellow Mason. It's the same as any other fraternity or organization, for that matter. There's certain things that only members can know.
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