A close study of the Druze diaspora communities who have settled in Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Jordan, reveals ways in which very different concepts of identity have developed amongst one group. Different national, ethnic, political and religious based identities have emerged in various Druze communities depending on the communities’ local history and their relationship with the state. The Druze of the Middle East were conveniently classified differently in each state according to the interest of the ruling power. Today, they are classified as a political and religious minority in Lebanon, and a religious minority in Syria, while they are classified as a non-Arab, non-Muslim ethnic minority in Israel. The Druze in Lebanon, not only identify themselves as Arab, but they often emphasize their historic links to Lebanese history as well as being instrumental in the creation of a modern day Lebanon. In Syria, the official state policy is that the Druze are Arabs and Muslims. Eric Hobsbawm argues that recently created nations in the Middle East, must be invented. In most instances, these new nations, and the nationalism that goes along with them, have been constructed through what Hobsbawm refers to as "invented traditions." This paper will build on Hobsbawm's concept of "invented traditions," as well as add one additional, but essential, nation building tool (especially in the Middle East) which is the tradition of military service. These traditions are used by states to create a sense of shared identity, among their different minority groups.