Defense uses 3D modeling.

The defense department is testing technology that allows the first soldiers to enter a city to map it with 3d technology and send that 3d map, buildings, streets and all, back to headquarters.

Imagine if the first soldiers to enter an enemy city could map it street by street, recording every window and doorway of the urban battlefield in an accurate 3D model that could instantly be relayed to their comrades at base - and updated in near-real time. Thanks to funding from the U.S. military and cooperation from the Virginia engineering firm SET Associates (Science, Engineering, Technology), engineers at the University of California, Berkeley have found a way to do just that.

Imagine, instant mapping of terrain.

GITA

There are many technical and professional organizations that service the GIS and Photogrametry industry. The most notable being ASPRS and URISA. I just encountered another today in GITA. No, that's not Bhagavad-Gita (which is the divine word of Krishna). That's Geospatial Information and Technology Association.
I have always wondered if there is any difference in belonging to any of these organizations, but I think the difference here is that this is a general GIS related professional organization, whereas URISA is more Urban and government oriented and ASPRS is more for photogrametrists. Although both those other organizations have been around longer and are chock full of GIS people.
GITA is positioning itself to offer contacts and resources for the GIS professional. The membership is pretty simple, just $95.
ASPRS is $105 and URISA is $150.
Members will, apparently, have access to an e-list of other members and get helpful tips on how to do stuff. As a tech working with ESRI products I don't think that will help me much more than the esri-lists.

Guess I should be thankful there are just three to pick from.