Should you wear your uniform hat indoors when serving as a presiding officer at a Masonic Lodge?

2019-03-30T10:07:30-04:00

In a Masonic Lodge, the Worshipful Master is the presiding officer and wears a hat (no one else does). Some of us are also military (hence my asking the question here) and sometimes circumstances require us to attend Lodge in uniform. If you're the presiding officer, what say you about using the headgear that goes with your uniform as the hat you wear indoors?

UPDATE: The question is NOT "should I wear my uniform". If there's no time between the end of the duty day to change before I have to get in traffic so I can get there, I'll be wearing my uniform, period. That's not even a part of the question. There was one time I was on Annual Training orders (yes, I'm a Reservist), so I was in uniform during the duty day, and I got special permission to come in ASU rather than ACU so I could go directly to Lodge (I wasn't the Worshipful Master of my mother Lodge then, but I am now, and am projecting being on duty at Fort Meade MD on the date of my mother Lodge's next Communication - and we meet in DC)

The question is solely about wearing the uniform hat indoors with the uniform. That's it.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 30 at 2019 11:51 AM

2019-03-30T11:51:54-04:00

The greater quaetion is, should you be wearing a military uniform I am environment like that? Thank you for your service.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2019 12:04 PM

2019-03-30T12:04:30-04:00

Chief, our lodge is near a military installation and started out as a military lodge on post. However, I have never seen anyone in uniform in my 6yrs of membership nor have I seen any pictures of brothers in uniform at lodge. The uniform should not be worn in the lodge setting because it could prevent an unwelcome conflict between military brothers...my two cents.

Response by SPC James Neidig made Mar 30 at 2019 12:12 PM

2019-03-30T12:12:48-04:00

Wear your uniform a lot of military personnel throughout history have been Masons George Washington was a Mason and the tradition continues.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Mar 30 at 2019 3:36 PM

2019-03-30T15:36:35-04:00

What does your service regulation states?

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Mar 30 at 2019 4:23 PM

2019-03-30T16:23:09-04:00

The lodge and your military uniform both have their rules and you should abide by them separately. If you are not in a situation where you wear your headgear inside in a military uniform, then you should not wear it with the lodge. If you are having this conflict, then the answer really should be clear to you about whether to find a way to change or not go in uniform. Only adding this because obviously you have a conflict and that should speak volumes to you when you can be in a US government uniform and when you should not. Have you ever gone home in the middle of the duty day and just hung out there for a few hours despite it feeling wrong? Or maybe skipped PT because you could come up with an acceptable BS excuse but it felt wrong? Usually if there is a conflict, generally you are in the wrong.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Mar 30 at 2019 6:15 PM

2019-03-30T18:15:56-04:00

You fall back on military regulations. You are in the military uniform and as such you do not wear headgear indoors. It is inappropriate.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 30 at 2019 8:32 PM

2019-03-30T20:32:36-04:00

I am a member of a Lodge on a military base (JAL350 - John A Lejuene, Quantico)
Although I have never seen it, I can definitely see how this could happen.
My suggestion would be to be "figuratively armed" meeting the requirements of being covered indoors. For the USMC, that would wearing a sword, pistol rig, or duty belt.

Response by TSgt David Holman made Mar 30 at 2019 11:12 PM

2019-03-30T23:12:36-04:00

To answer your asked question, no, it is not ok to wear your cover indoors when in uniform unless specifically stated in the regulation. To that extent, you should also check to make sure that even wearing your uniform to an event such as this is within regulations. I know it may be different for the Army, but in the Air Force, you would be looked down upon for wearing your uniform to a lodge meeting because of the perception that it could give. All it takes is one civilian outside of the know to see you entering a lodge in uniform to sway them to think that the service is endorsing that entity. That could give them reason to believe that they are being slighted by the military not directly supporting their entity.

All that aside, if you "have" to wear your uniform for a lodge meeting, then, no, you should not wear your cover inside. Reference your AR and press on.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Apr 2 at 2019 8:44 AM

2019-04-02T08:44:56-04:00

So the real question is, "Should I violate Army Uniform standards by wearing a hat indoors because Masons?" I think that is a FUCK NO. Also, you should probably ask yourself if it is acceptable to speak for the U.S. Army and portray the U.S. Government as supporting a private, quite discriminatory lodge. Cause it's not. Take your uniform off and follow the rules.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Apr 2 at 2019 8:48 AM

2019-04-02T08:48:20-04:00

I really think you need to do your annual ethics training again. This time pay attention.

Response by SSG Dale London made Apr 24 at 2019 3:30 PM

2019-04-24T15:30:23-04:00

If it is custom in your lodge for the RWM to wear ahat while presiding, my advice would be that the he not wear his uniform while presiding over the lodge. An officer should only wear his cover indoors when serving as a military pay officer and wearing a sidearm. Wearing your cover indoors for what is, essentially, a non-military social event is a no-no.

Response by PO2 Richard C. made Aug 2 at 2019 11:18 PM

2019-08-02T23:18:35-04:00

If you are the Worshipful Master and your Lodge uses Tiles, then you should be able to wear your uniform cover while presiding unless your Lodge or Grand Lodge is specific to what constitutes a proper Tile. The installation ceremony for the WM in NH says "By ancient custom and usage the Tile (tall silk hat) has ever been regarded as a symbol of dignity and high office. And though it is your right to cover or remain covered during the meetings of your Lodge as you may see fit,....." The Grand Lodge of NH does not limit the Tile to a top hat as long as what is worn does not mock the dignity of the office.
I would suggest you contact your Grand Lodge, explain your rationale, if necessary, and get their interpretation. I cannot imagine anyone would think that a military uniform cover while in uniform does not fit the concept of "dignity." (GLNH - PDDGM, PGLec, PGHist)