Seattle Seahawks fans are famous everywhere in the NFL for their emotion, loyalty and sheer noise level.  Of all sports fans, football fans are probably the most raucous; of all pro football fans, Seahawks fans definitely set the standard for passion. And of Seahawks fans, the military booster club's members may be the finest.

Most NFL teams "acknowledge" booster clubs briefly on their websites.  The Seahawks have partnered with theirs, hanging a retired 12th Man jersey in the rafters and firing the crowd up before each home game with celebrity cheerleading.  The Seahawks officially endorse, support and promote its fan clubs, including a dedicated military booster club.

In 2004, the Seahawks named Master Sgt. Traci Williams its Booster of the Year after she gained approval to found the military chapter of the club.  Williams was deployed to Kosovo, could not find any Seahawks games on Armed Forces Network (AFN) and secured approval.  The club is exclusively for active-duty military, Reservists and veterans and currently boasts more than 650 members.

For Servicemembers deployed abroad, the Military SeaHawkers club offers a taste of home. Through e-mails, the militaryseahawkers.com website, Facebook and Twitter, boosters stay in touch and have a good time following the team.  The Nov. 2 blog, for example, has a powerful article about Seahawk Richard Sherman, the brash cornerback who flatly informed Tom Brady of the Patriots' loss both before and after their game.  Jim Rome pronounced Sherman the "next great trash talker" in the NFL, and the site's forum sets up brisk discussion of this and other Hawks topics.

The booster club offers a good selection of activities and perks as well.  Civilian all-inclusive SeaHawkers club meetings, typically at restaurants, give a chance to get together and talk Seahawks football.  Annual events include the Draft Day party, a picnic with Seahawks players, a banquet with a "sneak peek" of the NFL Films Year in Review, and discounts at the pro shop with free gifts at times included.  For boosters who are stationed locally, there is special access to Tailgate Zones, the ability to watch games together at local restaurants, and the chance to share rides on game day.

"Are you in the military and LOVE the Seahawks?" writes Williams on the club's site. "Are your feathers ruffled because you can't go to the games, or are you stationed somewhere that only sub-par football, or worse yet, NO football is shown on TV?? Are you tired of listening to your comrades brag about their ate-up team, and you have no info to throw back at them about our great Seahawks? Then the Military Sea Hawkers is for you!"

To join, fill out a brief membership form online at militaryseahawkers.com.  In gratitude for service to America, membership dues have been waived for Servicemembers.  Williams remains the point of contact for the club and can be reached at  traci.williams@us.army.mil.