How do you motivate others or improve the hobby?

[James Masson]

Re: The biggest roadblock to authenticity...

"Authentic vs accurate: T'ain't a one of us authentic. Can't be done. Accurate is another matter, and even there, we fail, unless we want to dodge real bullets, get real wounds, dysentery, lice, excrete into a slit trench, be away from your family for months/years at a time, etc. And you surely will have to march on foot to get to the reenactment of your choice; no driving. We can become reasonably accurate, but that's about as good as it gets. Haven't met a man yet that can't improve there, either."

I don't want to start an argument or turn the post off it's original heading but I have a problem with that statement. First, authentic, I totally agree with what was said, no one can be authentic. As far as accurate or correct goes, I do believe that you can be accurate. I don't think you have to dodge bullets or get lice to be accurate or correct; I would consider those things to go under "authentic". As for marching to events. Or we could ride boats and trains. Guys from Texas didn't walk all the way to Virginia. I agree that everyone has room for improvement, even the best progressive has room for improvement and I don't think there is anyone on this board that would argue that point.

[TeamsterPhil]

Re: The $1500 Federal Soldier

You're exactly right, Paul. I compiled this using the prices for new gear from reputable vendors that have a good track record (at least with me & my buddies). There are lots of dollar shaving measures that can be taken - used gear, "do it yourself" things like shirts & drawers - that can bring the total down quite a bit. And the loaner box has helped several new recruits in our mess totally avoid the "You mean I have to replace this with something better?" syndrome. I wish they'd all follow that advice.

Phil Campbell

[markj]

Re: The $1500 Federal Soldier

Hi,

As for me, I don't call gear "used"...I call it "aged and mellowed...." :wink_smil

Yours, &c., &c.,

Mark Jaeger

[58 lorenz]

Re: The $1500 Federal Soldier

I have been buying all my stuff since last fall,and I have easily spent this much,and probably much more, because I got much more expensive accouterments,and an original bayonet,among other things. And lately, I have decided I want "extras", like a Semancik Forage cap(to go with the Sekala one I have), a Daley overcoat, and several different models of canteen.Might be nice to have another blanket,too... and maybe another pair of brogans.... jeeez, it's an obsession.

Doug Price

[coffee boiler]

Re: The $1500 Federal Soldier

You could also include the great coat and dress uniform as optional items. And then there are all the miscellaneous items such as cleaning kits, pocket knife, sleeping cap, vest, hatchet, shovel, casey's, eye glasses, poke bags, extra shirts and shocks, musket wrench, musket sling, worm, housewife, wallet, extra blanket, etc., etc. But the most important rule to remember when buying all this, is never tell your wife how much your really spent on this hobby. :wink_smil

[JohnTaylorCW]

Re: The $1500 Federal Soldier

Remembering back 2 years to when I started out, I'd have to say that a very basic musket cleaning kit (patches, worm, oil vial and musket wrench) should be included amongst the basics. Found that I had acquired most everything else, but forgotten that! Um - Maybe $20?

John Taylor

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Avoiding Burnout

:martini_s I think that being on the Left Coast really has alot to do with Burnout. The reenacting community out here is small, and the progressive authentic element is tiny (and alot of that is Hardcools). The way events are set up with in an Alphabet soup of clubs and ALL of them do Eastern Theater 1863, and the events are all done on postage stamp county parks that look nothing like points east.

Needless to say the events are not exactly EFUBU, so I have taken to doing CA volunteer living history at various locations in the state with a small group of pards. And like Aaron said go back east once or twice a year to a really good NPS style event.

Oh yea and drinking alot helps as well :martini_s :martini_s :martini_s :martini_s :martini_s :martini_s :martini_s :martini_s :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum:

[Johan Steele]

Re: The $1500 Federal Soldier

Hey now, the deal w/ the wife is the easy part. I got a Sharps, she got a baby. I got into CW re-enacting again... she got a house. Ok maybe that isn't quite the best way to go about it.

For what it's worth our unit has asked for donations to help outfit recruits, ideally young HS & College students. It's helped defray the heart attacks of parents somewhat.

And by us buying the gear and passing it onto the newbies we avoid someone naively getting suited out by the first fly by night sutler they meet.

[PrettyBoyDonovan]

Re: The $1500 Federal Soldier

This is a great post and it's really helped me out, but the total price may shock some people. Life as a high school/ college student is hard and getting a full kit may seem overwhelming.

Now I don't want to get ripped or anything but maybe you could add that there are other 'less expensive' items out there, and of course that you can add to your kit piece by piece.

One more thing: For those of us on a budget, would you more expierenced progresives agree to the idea of buying higher-end mainstream gear, and upgrading it as finances become more abundent?

[dusty27]

Re: The $1500 Federal Soldier

One more thing: For those of us on a budget, would you more expierenced progresives agree to the idea of buying higher-end mainstream gear, and upgrading it as finances become more abundent?

Andrew, I recently did a similar list comparing mainstream sutlers and our unit's approved sutler list and found that if you are vigilant on the "used" gear posts here on the A/C, you can get "correct" gear for nearly the same price as new mainstream equipment.

One other thing that many new people need to understand is that you don't need to buy every thing at the same time. Take your time, look around, ask your pards and borrow loaner gear. You should be able to get by until you can by your own gear.

[37NC]

Re: The $1500 Federal Soldier

don't forget to include gas to and from events, the price of powder,the cost of some of the events, I was a college student on a tight budget and for got about these costs. Gas is expensive now and driving to Va NC from PA can cost alot.



Sgt. Daniel Curran
37th NC Co A

[TeamsterPhil]

Re: The $1500 Federal Soldier

One other thing that many new people need to understand is that you don't need to buy every thing at the same time. Take your time, look around, ask your pards and borrow loaner gear. You should be able to get by until you can by your own gear.

Dusty,

You're exactly right. A couple of years ago, my mess got in 3 recruits at the same time. We were able to keep ALL THREE from having to buy any "less than quality" gear by judicious use of loaner gear.

Phil Campbell

[Silas]

The $1480 Federal Soldier

Gas is expensive now and driving to Va NC from PA can cost alot.

I'll say. Takes many tanks for me to drive the three thousand miles from Seattle.

Forget the cleaning kit. I don't seem to recall reading about kits in the ordinance manual. Some hot water, some olive oil, your ramrod, and some fabric tied to one end of a string with the other tied to a stick is all you need to clean that musket. Don't forget to use some ash from the fire to keep that barrel bright.

[Possum Skinner]

Re: The $1500 Federal Soldier

Another thing to take into consideration with a new recruit is an explanation of basic economics. You can pay $80 for XYZ's shoddy sutler row quality widget, but it's resale value is way low. You might be lucky to get $20 for that widget if you decide to quit or get something new. A good piece of gear will maintain a higher resale. Pay $150 for a well made widget, and it may bring $100 to $125 when you get ready to let it go.

Also, there is a lot of start-up cost, and some maintenance, but try getting a good set of golf clubs, 4-wheeler, hunting rifle and gear, fishing boat and tackle, or any other popular hobby equipment and see how much it runs. The hobby isn't as expensive as a lot of other hobbies out there.

[TeamsterPhil]

Re: Avoiding Burnout

One thing I have done to avoid terminal burnout is to start doing some events as a teamster and a few as a civilian. Unless you're in prime military age, civilian is an option that more of us should use.

And by the way - I hope you guys are joking about drinking heavily to relieve burnout. There are too many men that I see at events that could use some DIScouragement in regards to their drinking habits.

Phil Campbell
Friends of Bill W. Mess