The Iron Order is a 1-percent motorcycle club with chapters across the United States and internationally
The Iron Order Motorcycle Club is an outlaw motorcycle club founded in 2010, primarily in the United States. It operates as a 1-percent club, a term that refers to motorcycle clubs that operate outside mainstream motorcycle culture and often outside the law. The club has grown to include chapters in multiple states and countries, with membership in the hundreds.
Unlike social riding clubs or Harley-Davidson owner groups, the Iron Order functions as a closed organization with formal membership ranks, patches, and territory claims. The club has been involved in high-profile incidents, legal disputes with other motorcycle clubs, and law enforcement scrutiny. Understanding what the Iron Order is and how it operates matters if you ride motorcycles, live near chapter territory, or are considering membership.
Key Takeaways
- The Iron Order is a 1-percent outlaw motorcycle club founded in 2010 with chapters across the United States and internationally.
- Membership involves formal ranks, mandatory patch wearing, and allegiance to club rules and leadership that supersede personal decisions.
- The club has been involved in armed conflicts with other motorcycle clubs, resulting in deaths, injuries, and federal investigations.
- Law enforcement agencies monitor the Iron Order as an organized crime concern in many jurisdictions.
- Joining requires sponsorship, a probationary period, and acceptance of legal and personal risks associated with 1-percent club membership.
How the Iron Order is structured and what membership means
The Iron Order operates with a formal hierarchy similar to other outlaw motorcycle clubs. Members wear a three-piece patch: a top rocker with the club name, a center patch with the club logo, and a bottom rocker with the state or territory. The club uses military-style ranks including President, Vice President, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Treasurer at the chapter level, with a national leadership structure above that.
Membership is not open to the public. Prospective members must be sponsored by a current member, go through a probationary period (often called "prospect" status), and be voted in by the chapter. The process can take months or longer. Once patched in, members are expected to attend mandatory meetings, participate in club activities, follow the club constitution, and prioritize club business over personal or family obligations.
The club operates under a code of conduct that includes loyalty to the club above all else, secrecy about club operations, and participation in club-directed activities. Members have reported that the club demands financial contributions, requires participation in criminal activity in some cases, and uses violence or threats against members who attempt to leave or violate club rules.
Documented conflicts with other motorcycle clubs and law enforcement
The Iron Order has been involved in multiple armed confrontations with other motorcycle clubs, particularly the Mongols Motorcycle Club and the Hells Angels. These conflicts have resulted in deaths, serious injuries, and federal investigations. In 2012, an Iron Order member was killed in Denver in a clash with Mongols members. In 2014, an Iron Order member was shot and killed in Reno, Nevada, in another confrontation with a rival club.
The club has also faced law enforcement action. Federal agents have investigated the Iron Order for organized crime activity, drug trafficking, and weapons violations. Multiple chapters have been targeted in raids, and individual members have been prosecuted for crimes ranging from assault to drug distribution. Some law enforcement agencies classify the Iron Order as a criminal organization or gang.
The club's relationship with law enforcement is complicated by the fact that some members are current or former police officers and military personnel. This has led to accusations that the club receives preferential treatment or protection from law enforcement in some jurisdictions, though these claims are disputed and not proven in most cases.
Why the Iron Order recruits and what the club claims about itself
The Iron Order recruits primarily from motorcycle enthusiasts, military veterans, and law enforcement personnel. The club markets itself as a brotherhood of riders united by a love of motorcycles and camaraderie. The official club narrative emphasizes riding, loyalty, and defending club members against rivals.
However, the club's actual operations and documented history show a pattern of territorial disputes, violence, and criminal activity that goes well beyond social riding. Former members have described the club as controlling, financially exploitative, and willing to use violence to enforce compliance. The gap between the club's public image and its documented behavior is significant.
Recruitment often targets people who feel isolated, are looking for community, or have experienced military or law enforcement training. The club exploits these desires for belonging by offering a structured organization with clear membership status and a sense of purpose, while concealing the legal and personal risks involved.
Legal risks and consequences of membership
Joining the Iron Order carries serious legal risks. Members can be prosecuted for crimes committed by other members if those crimes are shown to be club-directed or club-sanctioned. Federal prosecutors have used RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) statutes to charge motorcycle club members with conspiracy, even when individual members did not personally commit the underlying crimes.
Members have also faced charges for assault, weapons violations, drug trafficking, and murder. The club's involvement in territorial disputes and armed conflicts means that members are at risk of being injured or killed, and of being charged with assault or murder if they participate in or witness violence.
Additionally, membership can result in loss of employment, particularly for law enforcement and military personnel. Some police departments and military branches have policies prohibiting membership in outlaw motorcycle clubs or requiring officers to resign if they join.
How membership affects your personal life and relationships
Membership in the Iron Order demands time, money, and loyalty that often conflict with family, work, and personal goals. Members report mandatory meeting attendance, mandatory participation in club events, and financial obligations that can amount to hundreds of dollars per month. The club's code of conduct requires members to prioritize club business over personal relationships.
Relationships with non-members often suffer because the club restricts what members can discuss and with whom. Spouses and family members report feeling excluded, controlled, or threatened by the club's influence over members. Some members have reported being pressured to end relationships with people the club disapproves of.
Leaving the club is difficult and carries risks. Members who attempt to leave have reported being threatened, assaulted, or having their property damaged. The club's code of conduct treats leaving as a betrayal, and enforcement can be severe. Some former members have had to relocate or enter witness protection to escape retaliation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Iron Order a criminal organization?
Law enforcement agencies in multiple states classify the Iron Order as a criminal organization or gang. The club has been investigated for organized crime, drug trafficking, and weapons violations. However, not all members are criminals, and membership alone is not illegal. Individual members can be prosecuted for crimes they commit or participate in.
Can I join the Iron Order if I'm not a motorcycle enthusiast?
The club recruits primarily from people who ride motorcycles, though some members may ride less frequently than others. The stated purpose is motorcycle riding and brotherhood, so non-riders would be unlikely to be sponsored or accepted. The club also recruits from law enforcement and military backgrounds.
What happens if I want to leave the Iron Order?
Leaving the club is difficult and potentially dangerous. Members who attempt to leave have reported threats, assault, and property damage. The club treats leaving as a betrayal of loyalty. Some former members have had to relocate or work with law enforcement to escape retaliation. The ease or difficulty of leaving may vary by chapter.
Are there legal consequences for just being around Iron Order members?
straightforward being around Iron Order members is not illegal. However, if you participate in club-directed criminal activity or are present during a crime, you could face charges. Federal prosecutors can charge people with conspiracy or RICO violations if they knowingly participate in a pattern of criminal activity directed by the organization.
Do all Iron Order chapters operate the same way?
While the club has a national constitution and leadership structure, individual chapters may operate differently depending on local leadership, local law enforcement pressure, and regional rivalries. Some chapters may be more involved in criminal activity than others, and some may enforce club rules more strictly. The core structure and code of conduct are consistent across chapters.