The 76th Independent Battalion--Part 18 by RiverIsMyGoddess

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

The 76th Independent Battalion--Part 18

POSTED BY: RIVERISMYGODDESS
UPDATED: Sunday, July 15, 2007 16:59
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Monday, June 4, 2007 2:40 AM

I am just reposting the initial post from Part 17, as I don't think that the info has changed.

Last thread:
http://fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=2&t=28607

We are now up to 37 people marching at DragonCon!

http://76thbattalion.homestead.com/index.html

Our dedicated messageboard:
http://76thbattalion.proboards59.com/index.cgi

We represent a newly-formed unit of Independent soliders at the outbreak of the hostilities (prior to Du Khang and Serenity Valley).
First and foremost, remember that this is a fan-based organization, and our first rule is "Show up. March. Have Fun!"

Our inaugural march will be taking place at DragonCon in Atlanta in September of 2007. Until that date, we ask all recruits to refrain from wearing the uniform in public.

We do have a few rules and regulations that must be met in order to be considered as a member, including uniform requirements and weapons requirements. These will be outlined below. Please be sure to read over all the information and confirm that you can meet all of these requirements before applying for membership. We are not trying to keep people out, but we do want to present a united, uniform Battalion of Independent soldiers, and one of the best ways to do this is to look the same.

There are two basic types of uniforms we will be using: Type A and Type B.

Type A will use Mal as a model:

This "uniform" consists of the following:
•Pants with brown stripes up the sides of the legs – please see below for approved merchants.
•An undershirt – black or brown, long-sleeved. Button-ups are acceptable but preferably without a high collar.
•The red vest that the CO has designed. You may either purchase from him or ask for a pattern and fabric swatch.
•The "smock" that is worn underneath the red vest. You may either purchase from him or ask for a pattern and fabric swatch.
•Mail sleeves – please see below for approved choices.
•Helmet – needed for parade, but other head coverings approved for non-marching appearances (see below).
•Boots – please see below for approved styles and merchants.
•Scarf – Red for enlisted, blue for officers.
•Dark brown belt – 2” is recommended.

General notes on the uniforms:
•While in all the battle scenes we have seen on screen the uniforms have seen some wear and tear, our unit will not appear that way. DO NOT distress your parade uniform. This pristine uniform is the first uniform we request you have so that you will be able to represent us properly. If you wish to have a ‘battle worn’ look, we ask that you please reserve this for personal appearances and have this as your secondary uniform.

•Sidearms are left up to the individual (pistol and knife--please have them approved by Command before wearing). You DO NOT have to wear a pistol or knife if you do not want to. Note that all knives will need to be peace-bonded for the duration of any appearance you make in uniform.

•Bags and pouches can help complete your outfit. These are also left up to personal choice, but some options are presented below.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PANTS

These three pants will be the acceptable models. If you have another pair you would like to use, please contact the CO for approval.

http://www.wwmerc.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=CM83&type=store&catego
ry=3930

http://www.blockaderunner.com/Catalog/catpg14.htm

http://jas-townsend.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_4&products_id=461

Any of the above pants will work. It will be necessary to add a dark brown stripe down the sides. An acceptable material for this is grosgrain

VEST

Please contact the CO to purchase or order a pattern, instructions and swatch.

OVERCOAT

Please contact the CO to purchase or order a pattern, instructions and swatch.
The estimated purchase price will be around $110.00.

SMOCK/UNDERTUNIC

Please contact the CO to purchase or order a pattern, instructions and swatch.
The estimated purchase price will be around $75.00.

General Overcoat and Smock/Undertunic information:
•Independent Army Patches can be found here: http://www.outtotheblack.com and they will be worn with the triangle pointing up, blue star pointing down.

Any patch with a black star will not be acceptable.

76th Independent Battalion Patch

•Independent Army patch goes on your right shoulder, 76th Battalion patch goes on your left shoulder.

RANK INSIGNIA

On the Type A uniform, the rank insignia is to be worn on the collar.

The rank insignia on the Type B uniform will be centered above the patches on both shoulders:

We will be wearing the US Army ranks, but upside down.

These are the rank equivalents:

E-2 = PVT
E-3 = PFC
CPL = Corporal
E-5 = SGT
E-7 = SFC
1SG = First Sergeant
1LT = Lieutenant

Officers:
http://www.1800nametape.com/army-off.htm#DESERT
Enlisted:
http://www.1800nametape.com/army-enl.htm#DESERT

General Rank Insignia information:
• If you are unsure of your rank check the main website or email the CO or XO.
• You'll notice that several ranks have been dropped. It was decided that redundant ranks would be eliminated. Certain ranks that are missing may be reconstituted should the need arise.

MAIL SLEEVES
You may find the instructions here:
http://upstagereview.org/CostumesArticles/Chainmail.pdf

If you plan on constructing your own chainmaille, the pattern is a 6-in-1 pattern and should be sleeves only.
ArtCat will also be offering these for sale.
If purchased from the CO, the Smock/Undertunic will be constructed with attachments that your chainmaille can be fastened to. If you prefer to construct a harness, please keep it simple and smooth so that it does not wrinkle the back of your Smock/Undertunic.

HELMET/HEAD COVERING

Russian helmet:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/LEG140-1717-1818.html
US M1 helmet:

These can be found in various surplus stores as well as online. Steel pots are acceptable, NOT kevlar helmets.

Soft head covering links:
http://www.sparklingearth.com/products.asp?category=100005
Skull Cap-Red--Item#203 S:203-1032: (for the Enlisted personnel)
Desert Skull Cap-Navy--Item#202:202-1034 (for the officers, commissioned and non-commissioned)
Desert Skull Cap-Black Air Flow--Item#202:202-2007 (for the Snipers and Demos)

General Helmet/Headcovering information
•A Helmet is required to march in formation.
•Approved flydanas/skullcaps may be worn under your helmet.
•During a convention a helmet is not required unless you are participating in a parade. Otherwise no head covering, beret or an approved flydana may be worn.

BOOTS

Mid-calf or knee high boots in shades of mid to dark brown.

Approved links:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=277974
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/411,72195_Double-H-Gore-Tex-Lacer-B
oots-Waterproof-For-Men.html
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=306854
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=315859&pn=5
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=277975
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=286747
http://www.wwmerc.com/cgi-bin/Category.cgi?category=7100&type=store
http://www.blockaderunner.com/Catalog/catpg14a.html

General note on boots:
•Avoid pointed toe boots or overly styled boots. The simpler the style the more uniform you will look compared to the other members.
•Wear your boots sometime before you march in them. It is HIGHLY recommended you do this to wear in the boots and reduce your chance of blisters and chafing.
•Wear your boots with a pair of wool socks. Your local Army/Navy surplus or camping supply should carry them. Cotton or cotton blend socks are not recommended.

SCARF
It has also been decided to use blue scarves for the officers and red for the enlisted. As far as the type of cloth, try for something lightweight, possibly a crepe material. Try to match as closely as possible the colors in the 76th patch for the blue and the vests for the red.

BELTS
We do ask that you try to find a brown belt to wear with your uniform. A 2” belt is recommended for standard holster measurements.

The holsters for your sidearms (if you choose to carry one) do NOT have to match the belt, but it is preferable that they do.

Look around. A brown belt isn't hard to come by, and holsters are relatively easy to find.

MAIN WEAPON

The main weapon of the 76th, as in the series, will be the H&K G36 and it's variants.

EXTRA UNIFORM PIECES

BAGS/PACKS

Links for bags:
http://www.majorsurplusnsurvival.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD
&Store_Code=MSS&Product_Code=088167&Category_Co de=23
http://www.armysurplusworld.com/product.asp?ProductID=1131
http://www.armysurplusworld.com/product.asp?ProductID=1133
http://www.armysurplusworld.com/product.asp?ProductID=7075

General information about patches on bags/packs:
•Please refrain from using the actual 76th patch on uniform pieces other than the coat and smock.
•If you wish to add an Independent Army patch to another piece, please choose only one other piece of your uniform.
•Please try to keep all bags and packs in either leather or a khaki or ‘stonewashed’ color to keep with uniformity.

DOG TAGS

Dogtags can be picked up just about anywhere, and are completely optional, but if you choose to get some, here is the suggested format they should be in.

Line 1: Last name (Can be your real name or a character name you've created)
Line 2: First name, MI (Again, real name or character name.)
Line 3: DOB (Subtract your age from 2511, the Year serenity Valley took place, and either put your month day or make one up)
Line 4: Service Number (Using the 'verse Social Control Number format)
Line 5: Homeworld. There are many to choose from and many places to reference them. (ETW is not a choice)

Example:

LAZARUS,
MIKHAIL D.
DOB 06/22/2486
621,200,1,1984
TITAN

FINISHED UNIFORM

Type A:

Type B:
(Helmet has not yet been painted the correct colors, and the mail sleeves are absent from the uniform)

______________________________________
Chief Medical Officer of the 76th Independent Battalion.

More Information: http://76thbattalion.homestead.com/index.html

~jimi

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Monday, June 4, 2007 3:27 AM