Home » The Secret Of The Ring - A Military Secret Society

It was 1985 and I was working at the Office of the Adjutant General for the State Military Department in Sacramento, California, when I found myself suddenly thrust into the midst of a tumultuous divorce. Constituents at this time were proposing opportunities for me to relocate and after having received two opportunities to work in Washington, D.C., and several opportunities to work anywhere in the great State of California, I finally decided that a change of environment might do me some good. But, where would I go?

One day, I heard of a position that had become available in San Diego, California. Visions of scenic sandy shores, palm trees gently swaying, and blond bathing beauties danced through my head. Perhaps, I thought, San Diego would provide me with a chance to really forget about my lost love and start a new life. Subsequently, I approached the executive officer in charge of the department to ascertain what the possibilities would be for me to obtain this highly coveted assignment.

Initially, the conversation was a bit awkward, with Colonel Stevens seeming only mildly interested in my proposal. However, as the conversation continued, I found myself gazing again and again at an interesting diamond studded ring that the Colonel was wearing.

"That is a very interesting ring you have, Colonel Stevens." I said. "It reminds me of one my grandfather used to wear."

Suddenly, Colonel Stevens seemed much more interested in our conversation as his eyes lit up and he said, "Oh? Did your grandfather wear a ring like this?"

I indicated that from my recollection my grandfather had, indeed, worn a ring very similar to the ring in question and Colonel Stevens soon agreed that perhaps my assignment to San Diego would be beneficial to the both of us. He went on to inform me that my new supervisor in San Diego would also be wearing such a ring and that he could reveal the secret of the ring to me once I was officially relocated.

San Diego is a beautiful city by the sea and although the palm trees were not quite as plentiful as I had anticipated, the scenic sandy beaches and blond bathing beauties were even greater than anything I had imagined. My new supervisor took immediate interest in me and assured me that in due time he would reveal all of the secrets of the ring to me.

One day my supervisor approached me and informed me that "they" would be holding a meeting in the evening and that I was to attend. After work, an associate picked me up in a government sedan and drove me into the heart of National City. It was night time, but even the darkness could not hide the fact that this section of the city had fallen into disrepair.

We pulled up to an old two story building, the bottom floor of which was a bar, and I was brought upstairs and told to wait. After waiting for approximately two hours, an associate came up to me and told me to undress. I thought this was quite odd, but he assured me that this was part of their initiation rites and he blindfolded me and asked me to wait again.

I sat, blindfolded and naked for another hour, during which course of time I heard the voice of a woman who approached me. She mumbled something to another individual about me and walked away.

Then a familiar voice whispered in my ear and said, "You must do everything I say."

He then took me by my arm and escorted me to a closed door and instructed me to knock. I knocked and a voice from behind the door said, "Who goes there?"

The familiar voice muttered something, the door was opened and I was immediately stopped by a sharp point to my chest. I was informed that it was the Sword of Laban, and that I was to ever conceal and never reveal the secret of this order and that if I ever told another living soul the things that transpired in that room, that it would be better for me if I had my tongue cut out and that I would be bound and cast into the deepest sea.

I was then led into a room that was filled with chanting and the ever present familiar voice as he guided me about. I was struck, mocked and questioned, yet told by the familiar voice not to answer anything except what he would tell me to say. How long this initiation lasted I do not know, but at the time it seemed to take hours. Finally, the blindfold was removed and as my eyes adjusted to the light I was surprised to discover many familiar faces of coworkers standing all about the room. Soon the meeting ended and I went home to contemplate the strangeness of the evening.

Over the next month I learned, much to my dismay, that many of the soldiers in this department were members of this secret society and, oddly enough, those who were not members found it difficult to receive promotions. As a matter of fact, the secret society had adherents throughout the military all across the United States, as far as Washington, D.C.. In reality, the secret society was a militant religious cult with its own philosophies on God, man, and the future of America. I found it increasingly difficult to accept their philosophies, and, realizing that they were an integral part of this branch of the government, I saw no chance for continued advancement unless I was somehow associated with them. It was, however, deeply against my personal convictions to continue participation with these fanatics.

I soon began to receive pressure from this group as I avoided their meetings and activities. They were wrong to mix religion with government work. They were wrong for asserting their covert power over the innocent individuals who were unaware of their order. They were wrong in using government vehicles and equipment for their own purposes. They were wrong in assuming that I had or ever would accept their religious and political doctrines.

I went AWOL, absent without official leave, and returned to Sacramento where I hid out for two weeks while I sorted things out. AWOL is a serious infraction of military regulations, punishable by arrest and court marshal. For two weeks I lived in fear that I was going to be arrested and thrown into jail for my hideous crime. Finally, I talked with a neighbor, a good Christian man and told him my story. He was empathetic and acted as a mediator for me when I contacted the Office of the Adjutant General and the Inspector General. I told my story and was offered a new assignment to any location in California of my choice if I would keep quiet. I declined their offer and opted to quietly and peacefully resign from the government. I was given an honorable discharge and went off to start me life over again.

My quest for a new life ultimately led me to Redding, California. There, nestled among the pristine Cascade and Klammath Mountains I found a sense of peace and security. I often went hungry, and had even been homeless on different occasions, but I was free. I no longer had to look over my shoulder to make sure that "they" weren't watching my every move. I no longer needed to wonder if they were determining my future for me. I was free. Free to pursue a future of my own choice. Free to further my education. Free to believe in a religious system of my own choice. Free to follow any political idea I choose.

As the years have passed, I have often looked back and wondered why I did what I did. Yet, every time I reassure myself that no one, in the government or in society at large, has the right to impose their personal religious and political beliefs upon another individual as a condition of employment or to secure advancement in their vocation.