The Patriarch Militants (PM) and the Ladies Auxiliary Patriarchs Militant (LAPM) are the highest branch in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. As of January 1, 2018 membership is open to men and women who attained the Scarlet Degree (Third Degree) and are members in good standing with their Odd Fellow lodges. (Previously only members who obtained the Royal Purple Degree in the Encampment or the Ladies Auxiliary Encampment were eligible.)
The Patriarchs Militant was first organized by members of the Encampment who were military men and civil war veterans and was officially adopted as a separate branch of the fraternity in 1885. Later, the Rebekahs also formed the Ladies Auxiliary Patriarchs Militant for women.
