Odd Fellow Lodges

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows has three levels of “Lodge”: the Lodge, the Encampment, and the Patriarchs Militant.

The Lodge is assigned to new initiates. The initials of the Odd Fellows lodge are “FLT” which stands for Friendship, Love and Truth as the basic guides to live by as an Odd Fellow. Once a member has made their way through all the degrees and has had the 3rd degree (truth) bestowed upon them, they are entitled to hold an office or position in their lodge, and are also eligible to go on further in Odd Fellowship through the higher degree branches such as the Encampment and the Patriarchs Militant (aka the Canton)

Subordinate Lodge Degrees

0 Initiatory
1 Friendship
2 Brotherly/Sisterly Love
3 Truth

The IOOF is considered U.S. I.R.S. 501(c)(8) Mutual Benefit Society.

Encampment

The Encampment is open to third degree members in good standing. This branch is based on the principles of Faith, Hope and Charity. One must go through the Encampment first before seeking entrance into the Patriarchs Militant, which is a uniformed appendant body to the IOOF. Once one has accomplished the Royal Purple degree of the Encampment, one is eligible to hold an officer position in the Encampment and is also eligible for the Patriarchs Militant.

Encampment Degrees

1 Patriarchal
2 Golden Rule
3 Royal Purple

Patriarchs Militant

Formed in 1885, the Patriarchs Militant (PM) is Odd Fellowship’s uniformed branch. It is purely semi-military in its character, organized for chivalric display and is admirably fulfilling its mission through the annual ‘Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers’ ceremony held in Washington DC, Canada and other public ceremonies conducted in several countries such as Cuba.

There is only one degree, the Chevalier degree. Upon completion of this degree, one is entitled to hold office in the Canton. Sometimes the Patriarchs Militant is referred to as “the Canton”, due to the Canton being the name used in lieu of “Lodge”. The seal of the PM is a gold and jeweled crown, within which is a shepherds crook crossed with a sword and the triple links of Odd Fellowship connecting the two at the bottom. One must retain their membership and remain in good standing within both the Odd Fellows and Encampment while a member of the PM.