Transcript School of the New Knight

School of the New Knight
Being a Knight of the Order of the Temple, and what Commandery is all about
Sir Knight John E. Helcl, II
Grand Standard Bearer, Grand Commandery of Minnesota, 2014-2015
Past Commander, Cyrene Commandery #9, 2012-2014
(Revised March2015)
Course Topics
✠Structure from Constituent Commanderies to the Grand Encampment
✠Expectations of a Commandery, Officers, Knights; and the Ralph Kirk Award
✠Uniforms, Regalia, and Procurement
✠Question and answer session
Uniforms
Standing tall, looking good

Quartermastering smartly, efficiently, and correctly
Uniform types
Traditional/Class A
Cap and Mantle
(Canadian Version)
Cap and Mantle in the U.S.
(P.S.: Don’t be the guy that wears his jewels on his mantle!)
More common uniforms
Summer Uniform
Class A Combination Cap Variant
Other uniforms used
Prelate robes
Frock coat
Just for illustration
QUICK!
What are
the ranks of
these four
Knights????
1800’s Templary
Quick and Dirty Rule #2
Uniforms:


Uniform standards (not counting
hats) can be established by each
Grand Commandery, who are
allowed to draft their own
regulations
Constituent Commanderies can
elect any uniform variant that is
provided by their state Grand
Commandery’s regulations, but
it has to be consistent for all the
Knights of that Commandery
Hats/Covers:

The Grand Encampment
establishes the regulations for
headgear

According to current G.E. regs:
 Currently, only the white
battalion cap and the whitefeathered chapeau are allowed
with Class-A uniforms
 Only the battalion cap can be
used with the Summer
uniforms
 The pillbox cap is only allowed
for use with the Mantle
At Triennial
Not all States Dress the
Same : East Coast Easter
Not all States Dress the
Same : The Okies
Who makes the call?
Each
Commandery
decides as a
group which
uniform will be
utilized by that
Commandery.
Seen here are
the U.S. Cap &
Mantle, Grand
Officer’s, Class
A, and Class A
with battalion
cap variant
uniforms.
Uniform Regulations

Constituent Commandery
Recorders should contact the
Grand Recorder, RESK Harland
Thomeson for copies of the Grand
Commandery uniform standards
found in the GCKTMN
Constitution (or ask your District
Commander to email you a copy)

Quick Rules

Right side of uniform is for
Grand Encampment ONLY

Non-Commandery-related
items PROHIBITED

U.S. Naval Uniforms o.k.
Uniform procurement
Where to get the goods:

Dean & Associates

Nayelsis Masonic Supplies

Lauterer Masonic Supply

True to my Faith Masonic and Templar Supply

Red Tower Masonic Regalia

Roulet Company

Simpsons Jewelers

Knight Templar Universal/The Universal Chapeau Online

The Salute Uniform Store

Los Angeles Fraternal Supply Company

Glendale Parade Store

Kalamazoo Regalia (pricey)

Milford Commandery

1800nametapes

The MAAC Masonic & fraternal supply (F&AM/PHA)

New London Regalia

Hiram Hunter Masonic Supply

Lynch Kelly Knights of Columbus supply

Lighthouse Fraternal Supply

Fratline fraternal supply

JP Luther Company
And eBay!
What can be found on
eBay?
Search smart and often

Looking for a uniform coat?
 Search for:
 U.S. Navy/Naval uniform
 Coast Guard uniform
 Merchant Marine Uniform
 “Dress Blues” (nonUSMC/Army/Air Force)
 Canadian/UK Naval
uniforms
 And occasionally an
actual Commandery
uniform can be found

Vary search terms & spelling

Look for incorrectly categorized
items

Eye military surplus providers

Other fraternal organizations
Save cash, use variants!
Minor tweaks found in the uniform regs can save your Knights a bundle!

Chapeau

Class A

Frock Belts


Straps or Barrel Chains

Saucer/Battalion Cap or KC
Chapeau

Cap and Mantle

Leather Belts

Official templar swords

Leather straps or throgs
Inexpensive generics
Headgear
Chapeau
KC Chapeau
Simpler can be cheaper.
Class A
(With Combination Cap)
Cap and Mantle
Belts
Frock Belt
Leather/Piper’s Belt*
(*beware width)
Swords
Ames & Co. Sword
Generic (eBay)
Be advised: Quality can be iffy…
HELP A BROTHER OUT!!!!!
When all else fails…
Don’t’ be afraid to ask (or beg) your fellow Knights or
Commanderies for their surplus or assistance.
Q & A and Miscellany
Open floor for discussion