Military Order
of the Cootie

The Military Order of the Cootie is an organization within an organization. Much like the Rangers, Airborne, or Special Forces are all part of the Army, the Cooties are a part of the VFW. It is a distinction reserved for "active" members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars — those who have succeeded as an officer on any level, or who have demonstrated ability as a leader of a major Post committee or function.

These Comrades-in-arms have a special place reserved for them in the MOC — a place of recognition for efforts made by those who want to make a difference in the world around them. This earned us the title of "The Honor Degree of the Veterans of Foreign Wars" — a title we hold as precious and take seriously.

The prime directive of the Military Order of the Cootie is to Have Fun. It is the Preamble of our Supreme By-Laws. It is the glue that holds us together and makes us special. Our hat, our uniform, even our name is designed to bring a smile to those who come in contact with us.

You probably already know some Cooties — nearly every officer on every level of the VFW is also a member of this elite society.

If you are a current VFW member and would like to learn more about the Military Order of the Cootie, we want to hear from you. If you are not yet a VFW member, we can help you take that first step.