General Military Council

The General Military Council (GMC) is the governing body of Department Councils and Special Aides throughout North America. Its counterpart, the European General Military Council oversees Department Councils and Special Aides throughout Europe.

The GMC was established through legislation that was voted upon during the September 1885 session of The Sovereign Grand Lodge, I.O.O.F.

Under the direction of Lieutenant General and the first General Commanding, John C. Underwood of Kentucky, the Patriarchs Militant Army was established.

During the interim (or in between annual sessions), the Executive Committee oversees the affairs of the GMC.

On December 31, 2021, The International Association of Ladies Auxiliaries Patriarchs Militant (IALAPM) was merged into the GMC. Their historical records are being archived and will be part of the GMC’s history.

The 2022-2023 Executive Committee consists of:

Officer & Office
General Earl Wys
General Commanding
Lieutenant General Howard Malin
Deputy General Commanding
Major General Geoffrey Lasswell
Executive Officer
Major General Robert Henderson
Adjutant General
Major General (R) Patrick Cress
Quartermaster General
General Michael L. Bowers
Immediate General Commanding-Retired

The 2022-2023 Executive Commitee consists of:

General Howard Malin

General Commanding

Lieutenant General Geoffrey "Jeff" Lasswell

Deputy General Commanding

Major General Marion F. Owens, Jr.

Executive Officer

Major General Robert "Bob" Henderson

Adjutant General

Major General Patrick Cress

Quartermaster General

General Earl Wys

Immediate General Commanding-Retired