Military Order of the Cootie

The Military Order of the Cootie (MOC) is a subsidiary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW). The fraternal order's services include supporting the VFW National Home for Children and visiting veterans at hospitals. The Military Order of the Cootie was founded in 1920 and became a subsidiary of the VFW in 1923. As becoming a member of the 'Cooties' is the "honor degree" of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; VFW members must be invited to join, and group membership has been decreasing as a result.

The Military Order of the Cootie, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (originally known as the Military Order of the Cootie, U.S.A.) was established on September 17, 1920, in Washington, D.C., by Fred Madden and F. L. Gransbury. It was modeled after the Imperial Order of the Dragon, an auxiliary to the United Spanish American War Veterans. The name "cootie" is a reference to a bug or lice that plagued soldiers in World War I. Cooties were credited with keeping soldiers' heads down in the trenches. A meeting of cooties is called a "scratch", the local chapter a "Pup Tent", the state affiliate a "Grand", and national headquarters at Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, "The Supreme."

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