PLEASE READ. This message contains important information regarding the future of our Society.
The Society has been structured in its current Outpost manner since we first organized as a cohesive association. That was 1919. At that time, it was envisioned that the Outposts would mirror what the Soldiers in 3rd ID experienced during their service in WWI. Outposts were established on the line of battle to meet the tactical needs of the mission, terrain, enemy, etc… When the Society was founded it was a simple and recognizable structure for those who were assigned to Outposts and one that served to decentralize and organize command and control.
This structure worked for a very long period of time. It was also one that set the Third ID Society apart from other associations. Over the years, Outposts met on a frequent basis and also conducted activities the members found desirable. Many adopted names from heroes in our division such as Audie Murphy, Footsie Britt, and Floyd Lindstrom.
Today our reality is very different. COVID really hurt the OP's when it came to members attending meetings and participating in activities. Plus, the aging population of many members precluded their ability to attend. Younger members also are not as willing to attend meetings on a regular basis. Further, many OP's have large areas to cover and, when holding meetings, some members have to drive hours to get there. It’s literally a bridge too far.
Over the last five years I have noticed a disturbing trend. Less members are willing to serve as leaders in Outpost,, meetings have become infrequent with fewer and fewer members attending, and many of the OP’s have become defunct in all but on paper. Since being president, I have had to shut down too many Outposts due to inactivity and low membership levels.
It is time to make a drastic decision in order to rejuvenate our Society and mold it into something that will garner more membership participation, develop cohesiveness, streamline management, and offer more attractive reasons for members to “fall in” to our formation. For the last two years, the Executive Committee has been discussing a major restructuring of our Society. Many scenarios have been discussed. Below are a few:
1. Eliminate the Outposts and restructure the membership to fall into one of the following categories:
a. WWII Veterans
b. Korea War Veterans
c. Cold War Veterans
d. Vietnam/Grenada/Panama & Peacetime Veterans
e. Desert Shield/Storm Veterans
f. OIF & OEF Veterans
g. Associate Member OP (These would be Non-Veterans)
2. Eliminate the Outposts altogether and just have national manage the membership with an annual reunion for everyone.
3. Reorganize to a regional system whereby each region would be managed and run by the Region Vice-Presidents and Committeeman.
4. Structure the Society to match the current division's structure. Members would be assigned to:
1. DIV HQ Chapter
2. 1 ABCT Chapter
3. 2 ABCT Chapter
etc.......... We would work with division and the BDE's to assign the current Commander & CSM as the Honorary Chapter President and Vice President.
During our recent reunion in November of 2025, members present offered many ideas and advice on the above courses of action. All present agreed that a restructuring is necessary. It is time for a change.
The Executive Committee met at our annual reunion meeting and made the following decision:
We will eliminate the Outpost system and restructure the Society to a Regional system with the three regional Vice-Presidents serving as President of each region and to include a corresponding honorary regional President and Vice-President from each Brigade Commander and CSM in the division. OP International 5845 and OP16 Southern Italy would remain unchanged. Any Outpost wishing to remain unchanged can apply to the EXCOM for exemption from this change.
We imagine the new regional structure to look something like this:
Eastern Region
The Marne Association Region
Honorary President/VP - 1ABCT CO and CSM
7th Infantry
Central Region
The Audie Murphy Region
Honorary President/VP - 2ABCT CO and CSM
15th Infantry
Western Region
The Dogface Soldier Region
Honorary President/VP - 3CAB CO and CSM
30th Infantry
Satellite Chapters
OP 5845 International
OP16 Southern Italy-Floyd K. Lindstrom
Each region would be led by the current region Vice-President and would also have a Secretary and Treasurer along with an Honorary President and VP from the current Brigade Command Teams. We believe it important to include the Brigade Commanders and Brigade Command Sergeants Major (CSM) as honorary leaders of the regional chapters in order to further couple our Society with the Division. It will also assist in our recruiting efforts and cultivate “buy in” from those leaders to support our Society. They will become critical members of the team. This idea still needs to be submitted to the division for their input and support.
So, how do we move forward? In the coming months you will begin to see correspondence asking for your input. Please let us know your thoughts. This is YOUR Society and your advice is paramount. In order to make this a permanent change throughout the Society, we will need a vote from the membership to change our Constitution and Bylaws. Currently the C&BL’s stipulate our Outpost system and therefore the bylaws will need to be changed to allow for the new structure to be implemented. We will do this by publishing a ballot in our magazine and you will be able to cut it out (or copy it on your printer), make your vote, and then mail it in for tabulation. Once the votes are counted, the decision to move forward with this restructuring will either be implemented or terminated.
We believe that this restructuring will enhance participation, streamline communication with our members, harvest support, and lead to possible regional reunions and activities that more members will enjoy.
We need your support. At any time, please contact any member of the EXCOM and offer your perspective. It is important. Thank you for your membership, and I look forward to seeing this change become a reality. Rock of the Marne!
Rock of the Marne!
Toby Knight