quote:

Originally posted by logantm2:
I've wanted to join the freemasons for many years but continue to wait until I retire from the military before joining in order to avoid any potential appearance of favoritism based on myself and a subordinate or colleague being part of the same fraternal organization. Is this a valid concern?

quote:

Originally posted by TerryTCT:

quote:

Originally posted by logantm2:
I've wanted to join the freemasons for many years but continue to wait until I retire from the military before joining in order to avoid any potential appearance of favoritism based on myself and a subordinate or colleague being part of the same fraternal organization. Is this a valid concern?

This issue is nothing to be concerned about. The Masons that I know are truly professional and they would not violate any laws, rules, or regulations to show favoritism to another brother Mason. I had a lodge brother applied for a job where I work and he expected me to pull strings for him to get him hired. I told him that I will not allow myself to compromise my integrity, but he was welcome to use me as a reference. He quit speaking to me for a couple of months, but once he found work somewhere else, he started talking to me again. That reminds me of a story. I once broke down on the interstate and needed assistance, so, I had both my church phone roster and lodge phone roster in my car. I called the first name of a church member I knew and asked him if he could help and he asked if I had AAA car service and to call them and hung up. I then called the first lodge brother on my list and he quickly said, "where are you brother, I am in the middle of dinner, but I will come to your rescue immediately." True story. As a Mason, we are charged to help, aid and assist one another without question. This does not mean we owe another brother Mason a job, promotion, or special favors, just the common courtesy of brotherly love and friendship. This is what separates us from everyone else. Now, is there isolated instances of favoritism, very possibly. If a long lost college friend applied for a job with your company, would it be hard to not let personal favoritism creep into the decising making process? If you were a law enforcement officer and get stopped by another police officer, do you think he or she will write you up unless it is a DUI or something of equal seriousness? Think about it cops call cops brother for a reason. Two members of the same college fraternity do not call themselves brother for no reason either. Now, we Masons call each other brother for the same, or similar reason because we are a fraternal brotherhood. Does that answer the question?

Fraternally,
/s/
Terry, PM
Freemason
Hot Topics Moderator

quote:

Originally posted by logantm2:
I've wanted to join the freemasons for many years but continue to wait until I retire from the military before joining in order to avoid any potential appearance of favoritism based on myself and a subordinate or colleague being part of the same fraternal organization. Is this a valid concern?

quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:
I have been a Mason for a quarter of a century (including my recent suspension). Masonry has never helped nor hurt my career. I work in telecommunications engineering and computer systems management. There are not many Freemasons in these professions. I visited ITT Corporate headquarters, and I found only one Mason. I worked at Lockheed-Martin, and never found more than a handful of brothers.

I have spent the last three years, on military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. On Al Asad, where there were over 3,000 troops, we never had more than 5 masons show for any of our meetings.

I have heard rumors, that official Army photographs, must show the hands concealed, so that a lodge ring cannot be seen in the photo. I have no confirmation of this policy.

quote:

Originally posted by 15822161:
USMC SGT MAJ RET
I was a Master Mason prior to joining the USMC in 1966. I never used my Fraternal connection to seek advancement nor did I ever let another use his. I was loyal to my Masonic teachings just as I was loyal to my God, Corps and Country.
I have not lended the helping hand more to a Brother Mason than to a non-Mason. As a Mason you help out when and where help is needed.
Semper Fi/Square and Compass