About MODD
WHAT WE DO
We promote good fellowship
amongst the regular members of the different Marine Corps League Detachments.
The Order provides amusement and entertainment at all gatherings of the League,
when and where advisable. It assists in the accomplishment of all programs and
objectives of the League, preserves and strengthens the principles and ideals
of the League, and maintains true allegiance to the United States of America
and its Constitution and Laws. It fosters and extends American institutions of
freedom and defends America against all enemies whatsoever. The Order is also
very active in raising funds for different charities.
WHO BELONGS TO IT
The Military Order of the Devil
Dogs is made up of only regular members of the Marine Corps League. The
Order accepts only the worthiest of regular league members.
HOW TO JOIN
You must be a paid-up regular
member in good standing in the Marine Corps League (for at least one
year). The applicant must be active in his or her Detachment in the League and
must request membership in the Order. He or she must be recommended by his or
her Detachment Commandant and be sponsored by two Devil Dogs or Pedigreed Devil
Dogs. The applicant is then interviewed by the members of the Pound at a Pound
Growl. (A meeting is called a Growl). If
accepted, the applicant must undergo an initiation and swearing-in ceremony.
Then he or she becomes a Pup in the Order.
Organization Levels
The Pound is on a local
level and is usually made up of members of different Marine Corps League
Detachments. On the state level there is a Pack, and on the national
level there is the Kennel.
Degrees in the Order
There are three different
degrees in the Order:
- Pup: The lowest
degree. The Pup wears a black collar.
- Devil Dog: The next
highest degree. The Devil Dog wears a red
collar.
- Pedigreed Devil Dog: The highest
degree. The Pedigreed Devil Dog wears a gold
collar.
The ribbon is worn around the neck and a Dog Tag is attached to it.
The Head of the Pound is called
the "Pound Keeper". The head of the Pack is called the "Pack
Leader". The head of the Kennel is also head of all Devil Dogs and is
called "Honorable Chief Devil Dog".
The Order’s many charitable
donations not only help people, but also builds good public relations for the
Order, the League, and the United States Marine Corps.
WHAT IS A DEVIL DOG?
Devil Dog is a term given to the
Marines commanded by General J. "Black Jack"
Pershing at the Battle of Belleau Wood (6 June 1918) by engaging the Germans in
hand-to-hand combat. The battle was so intense that some of the marines had
lost their weapons and resorted to biting the Germans. As a result of the
tenacity of the Marines, the German adversaries called the marines "Teufelhunde" which literally means "Dogs of the
Devil" This term is now known as "Devil Dogs"
The Military Order of the Devil
Dog (MODD) was organized in 1939, in Boston, MA. The charter, as a
subsidiary organization of the Marine Corps League, occurred on 19 March 1940.
The MODD is organized in nearly every state where the Marine Corps League has a
presence.
The MODD is the Fun and Honor Society of the Marine Corps League, comprised of only regular members of the
League who have been recommended for membership by
two members of the MODD. Each member undergoes a series of initiations.
First as a Pup, in
their Pound (the local organization),
then as a Devil
Dog in their Pack (the State organization),
and finally
as a Pedigreed Devil Dog at the Supreme Growl held in conjunction
with the National Convention of the League.
Each degree must be held for one
full year before candidacy for the next degree may be considered.
Advancement is not automatic
after one year; it must be earned……
it is a privilege, NOT a right.
The MODD promotes good
fellowship amongst the members of the different Marine Corps League
Detachments. It provides amusement and entertainment at all gatherings of the League,
when and where advisable, preserves and strengthens the principles and ideals
of the League, and maintains true allegiance to the United States of America
and its Constitution and laws.
IT IS AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO BE A DEVIL DOG.
WE ARE THE HONOR AND FUN SOCIETY OF THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE.
WE ARE ONLY INTERESTED IN QUALITY MEMBERSHIP, NOT IN QUANTITY
MEMBERSHIP.
