I Co/3rd BN/506th PIR/101st ABN (HRS) Membership Requirements

Group Requirements

The following equipment, uniforms, and weapons are required to participate with the group at events. The first group of items is what you will need for the basic Airborne �Normandy� impression.

Equipment Grouping 1 : Basic Impression

Jacket, Parachutist's, M1942, modified w/ 101st patch
Trousers, Parachutist's, M1942, modified*
Undershirt, tank top or crew neck, OD , tan, or white
Boots, parachute jumper's
Helmet, M1 or M1C, parachutist's liner w/ leather chin cup
Belt, cartridge or pistol, M1923 or earlier model, arranged with proper pouches for weapon carried
Suspenders, combat, M1936
Musset bag, M1936
Entrenching tool, M1910 shortened T-Handle, M1943 folding, or M1910 pick mattock
Pouch, carlisle bandage, M1942
Canteen, cup and cover, M1942
First Aid Packet, parachutist's
Knife sheath, M6 1943
Bayonet, M1942
Trench Knife, M3

All web gear must be khaki or light OD colored for the 42 uniform, dark OD is permitted for the 43 impression.

*Note: It is our experience that the rear seam on most M1942 trousers is too weak to withstand the rigors of wear. We therefore strongly recommend that you reinforce this seam, from the rear waistband to the bottom of the trouser fly, and across to the leg ties, with your own needle and thread before wearing in public.

The Group does have some loaner gear (helmets, web belts, canteens, etc.) so some items can be borrowed for events with prior notification. The most important items to purchase to start off is your uniform (with 101^st Airborne Division insignia and garrison cap with parachute patch), pistol or cartridge belt with canteen and cover, Carlyle pouch, helmet, and jump boots. We strongly encourage new members to invest in a weapon before attending an event. However, if you have no firearms experience or prefer to not carry a weapon, you may participate in a capacity other than �rifleman�. Medics, chaplains, and clerks served under fire, and deserve recognition for their actions. If you are doing a Medical impression, please see section 8 Specialty Impressions. No one is really expected to purchase everything at one time; you can add pieces of gear as you go along. All we ask is every time you attend an event you show up with something new until you own everything in the required item listing. Most items can be found from the vendors list on the Links page and/or purchased at the bigger events from fellow reenactors. Auction sites and flea markets are great sources for obtaining equipment as well; just do your research on the equipment to make sure the item will be suitable for use before you purchase.

This next grouping of items is for public displays and living history events. Vintage items in good condition can be used for this category since most of these items will not be carried in tactical situations. This will create a full �Normandy� impression and the member is now eligible for promotion and is eligible to vote at group functions.

Equipment Grouping 2 : Living History

Shirt, enlisted men's, wool, M1938
Garrison Cap, Dark Wool with parachute patch
Gloves, Tan or brown leather
Ascot, (piece of camo parachute)
Suspender Pads, Wool (for M36 suspenders)
Belt, enlisted men's, Tan or OD
Helmet Net, wide or standard
Dog Tags, notched, slim chain
Wrist Compass
Cricket, Brass signal device
Rope Coil
Basic Field Manual FM 21-100
M2 Paratrooper Knife
D-Day Rubberized Assault Gas Mask Bag
Mess Kit, with GI knife, fork, and spoon
GI Duffle Bag
White 550 parachute cord

The Next grouping is for the late war M1943 impression. The group does this impression at living history events and in the field at events with colder weather and a late war time period. Listed here are winter items as well as this is mainly a cold weather impression.

Equipment Grouping 3 : Late War Impression Market Garden & Bastogne

Jacket, M1943 (48 Star flag sewn on or flag brassard)
Trousers, M1943, modified for parachute troops
America Flag brassard (if 48 star flag is not sewn on)
Sweater, wool knit, 5 button or red cross variants
Jeep Cap, OD knit
Scarf, OD
Overcoat, enlisted men's, wool
Boots, combat, M1943 (double buckle)
Knife sheath, M8A

Equipment Grouping 4 : Camping

90% of all events we attend are outside. Here is the basic list of items you will need for period camping. Additional items to enhance the camping experience are listed farther down.

Sleeping Bag, any type from 1942-1945. Most WW2 sleeping bags have a wool interior for warmth, but some were available with feather-down insulation and are acceptable. A wind-resistant OD poplin cover was sometimes used on the bags for additional protection. The poly-fill sleeping bags that were introduced during the Vietnam War are acceptable; provided that you keep it zipped during display and conceal the outside appearance with the OD poplin cover.
** 2 Shelter Halves (Dog Tent), with T-buttons, 10 wood pegs, 2 hinged poles (3 pieces per pole), 2 guide ropes
OD Wool Blanket, if a sleeping bag is not used

** We normally have a big tent at most of the larger events to house our display. New members to the unit can usually find shelter for their first few events in this tent, but space is limited and can go quickly. Therefore, it is generally a good idea to invest in a small tent of your own to increase your self-sufficiency (�We Stand Alone; Together�). Because your tent will be part of the historical display, you should use the early-model pup tent with one open end; khaki in color, with hinged wooden poles and wooden tent pegs. This model is available, complete, from a vendor on our Links page. However, a Type II tent with closed ends that uses T-buttons, interlocking poles, and wood pegs is acceptable, but is the exception as it was introduced late in WW2 and saw a majority of its service during the Korean War. We prohibit the use of the modern Army canvas pup tents that snap together and use metal stakes, as this model was introduced in the Vietnam War and is not period-correct for WW2.

Equipment Grouping 5 : Rifles

M1 Garand Rifle with leather sling (OD sling ok with 43 uniform) *
M1 Carbine (in folding paratrooper stock)
M1903 Springfield Rifle
M1 Thompson
M3 Grease Gun

Note: Choosing your rifle will depend on what type of impression you are doing. Currently the unit has the following Airborne impressions to choose from: Rifleman, Demo Team, Bazooka Team, Heavy Weapons, Radio Operations, Chaplain, Medic, and Scout.

Required Rifles for Impression:

Rifleman: M1 Garand
Demo Team: M1 Garand, M1A1 Carbine, M1 Thompson, M3 Grease Gun
Bazooka Team: M1 Garand, M1A1 Carbine, M1 Thompson, M3 Grease Gun
Heavy Weapons: M1919 .30 caliber Machine Gun, BAR Gun
Radio Operations: M1 Garand, M1A1 Carbine
Scout: M1903 Springfield Rifle

Note: The .45 caliber M1911 pistol is not on any list as this was carried by all personnel types if they could be acquired. All weapons must be tapped and or have blank adaptors attached. Carbines should have the M1A1 folding stock, flat bolt, push-button safety, and flip site*, and must have an internal Blank Firing Adapter. All semi-auto blank fire only Class 3 replicas must have the correct barrel length. All Class 3 rifles must have paperwork. At no time, at any event, is any live ammo permitted or allowed. If you are caught, legal action can (and will) be taken as 95% of our events are held at public parks and military installations. The last thing we want, as a military reenactment group, is to be on the wrong side of the government.

*We recognize the historical and collectible value of vintage M1 carbines. If you prefer to keep your carbine in its current or restored form, that is fine. However, any weapon used for public battles or tactical events must be fitted with a BFA.

Equipment Grouping 6 : Dress Uniform

WWII events are really starting to come into their own and with this a lot of events are starting to have period parties afterward. For this we need to look our best and that means getting a dress uniform. Once again this is not required for the group but many of us already have these.

Ike Jacket
Brown dress pants
101st Patch (left shoulder)
Allied Airborne Patch (right shoulder)
Kaki Neck Tie
Garrison Belt
506 oval
Jump wings
506 crest ID's (correct lightning bolt going to the right)
Brass ovals with the crossed rifles and U.S. symbols

Now here is the sticky wicket: some events frown on the wearing of any accolades not actually earned in combat and others want you to be correctly attired for your impression. Most of these parties are slated in the VE time period. Check the Gear section for a picture of a decked out late war dress impression.

Specialty fields may require extra equipment. Listed below is a brief list of other items carried by airborne troops. Nothing on the list is required for being a group member and anything purchased is on your own initiative.

Equipment Grouping 7: Everything Else

(a) Period Items

This is a brief listing of most common gear that would�ve been carried in WW2, as other wise I might as well list out the entire QM catalog. Check with the Unit command to find out what items you will need if doing a specialty field.

Flashlight
Binoculars w/ Case
Bandolier, Garand
Map Case
Hawkins Mine
Grenades, MK-11A1, M18
Brassard, 48 star flag (for 43 uniform)
Luminous helmet disk
Brassard, gas
Machete
Goggles
Axe
Burlap strips for helmet, brown & green
Griswald Bag
Carbine Scabbard
Gas Mask, M2 Training
Gas Mask, M4-10-6 Lightweight
D-day Assault Gas Mask Bag
Walkie Talkie, BC-611
Mae West life preserver
T5 Parachute
Reserve parachute
Zippo lighter, 1941 style

(b) Field Items

If you have never been camping or on an overnight road trip before, here is a recommended list of modern things to have at Tactical events for your comfort and safety. These are not mandatory items, but are suggestions for what to pack for multi-day camping events. Except for the larger items, most of these will fit in your Musette bag, in your uniform pockets, or on your person in some capacity.

Water
Sun Screen
3 Pairs of Socks
2 T-shirts (plain white or US Paratrooper imprinted)
3 Pairs of underwear (if used)
Eyeglasses in wire frame (if used)
Ray-Ban aviator-style sunglasses
Food
�GI� or similar dual fuel stove; Sterno canned heat also acceptable
Therm-A-Rest self-inflating sleeping mat; preferably green in color
Wood folding stool (available at most Wal-Mart stores) painted OD green
Wood folding chair
Wood folding military table
Wood cot with OD canvas support
Military footlocker
Towel, green in color
Blank ammo (and lots of it!) stored in clear Ziploc bag for safety inspection
As many clips as your web system can hold
Gun Oil/Grease
Ear Plugs
3 Large Ziplock Bags
Tooth Brush/Paste (can be stored in your mess kit)
Change of Civilian Clothes
Boot polishing kit
Spending money for traveling funds (food, gas, event fee)
Cell phone
Current Drivers License or State Identification Card.
List of any allergies to medication or other pertinent medical info.
- Company Clerk will collect this information

Note: We recommend the use of an OD canvas ground cloth of some sort (either half a shelter or 8 feet of canvas fabric), as a floor for your tent. We permit the use of the Therm-A-Rest self-inflating mat, but this should be concealed in a bag, box, or your vehicle during public display. If you elect to bring a cooler, it should either be kept in your vehicle or concealed inside a wooden crate. Remember, our campsite is our display and we will be judged by how historically accurate it is.

For safety reasons, we recommend that you keep your cell phone on you, but with the ringer turned off and the phone hidden in either a canvas pouch, in your Musette bag, or in a jacket pocket. Phones that come with a case should be kept out of sight. Nothing ruins the 40�s feel of an event more than an exposed cell phone.

Equipment Grouping 8: Specialty Impressions

Our group offers a number of different and unique impressions you can do in the unit. Currently in the unit there are the following sections: Demolitions, Medic, Quartermaster, Heavy Weapons, Bazooka Team, Radio Operations, and Military Police. Listed here are the equipment requirements for each impression.

Demo Team:

Helmet, M1 or M1C, parachutist's liner w/leather chin cup and correct helmet markings
Satchel Charge Bag
GP Bag
Hawkins Mine
Rigger made or extra D-Day Assault Gas Mask Bag

Medic:

Helmet, M1 or M1C, parachutist's liner w/leather chin cup and correct helmet markings
2 Medic Satchel Bags
Extra Medic Bag
Medic Y-yoke harness
Belt, Cartridge or Pistol, M1923 or earlier model
Canteens, cup and cover, M1942 x2
Entrenching tool, M1910 shortened T-Handle, M1943 folding, or M1910 pick mattock

Heavy Weapons:

Packboard and 3 trays, 30 cal. ammo cans x4
GP Bag

Military Police:

Helmet, M1 or M1C, parachutist's liner w/leather chin cup and correct Airborne MP markings
MP Blue armband

Note: Make sure you have talked to the unit before choosing a specialty field. Some requirements are not listed.

Advancement of Rank

As a unit, we prefer to keep rank low, to better represent the actual rank that would be seen in a rifle company. You should not expect to achieve any rank beyond NCO. If you have prior military, ROTC, and/or reenacting experience, we will acknowledge your skills and abilities, but do not expect your rank in the other organizations to transfer automatically. Promotion in the Company is based on your performance at events with our group, completion of Basic Equipment and Living History Requirements, and group participation. Field performance will be evaluated by the group�s ranking members, and you will be evaluated on use of period equipment, tactics in the field, Living History Public Impression, and attitude. A good attitude will go a long way, as long as you�re doing your best and show it you will do fine. After that, everything else is taken under consideration. Each unit member must, at a minimum, attend 4 events a year to be eligible for advancement. Unit members may decline promotion if not desired. Some of us like being low man on the totem pole without much responsibility. Members are also expected to pay unit dues of $20.00 a year ($1.67 a month). This money goes to web page expense, promotional material, and the group ammo/ration funds. Annual dues are required one month from date joined, so newer members do not pay on past months before activation on current calendar year. Dues are typically collected in cash, at the next event you attend.

Living History Impression

First and foremost we are historians. It is important to display the proper image of a WWII paratrooper. Greet all patrons looking at our display and let them know you can be of assistance for any questions they might have. Try to keep your answers straight-forward and easy to understand. Most people are likely there because they want to be and are interested in what we are doing. Others may just be mildly curious and you may have to �break the ice� by offering to let them hold a helmet or wear an equipment belt. Do not force them to hold a weapon if they appear to be afraid of firearms, or if they appear to be under 18 without adult supervision, or appear to be physically unable to safely handle the weapon. Be knowledgeable about all your equipment and its function. Read over some of the history sections on this site and get familiar to some of the larger campaigns the paratroopers fought in. You may be asked to give a public presentation at some events.

Please refrain from using profanity, talking on your cell phone, making off-color remarks, and/or consuming alcohol while at public displays. Always remember we are in the public eye and want to make a good impression. Many of these people have served, or are currently serving, or knows somebody who has or is, in the armed forces. Be respectful to that possibility when in the uniform. Your bad behavior will be a reflection of our unit as a whole, as well as the unit we portray, and you may be asked to leave the event.

Tactical Impression

This is the hardest part of the impression to master in WWII Reenacting. Most events will have there own list of Do's and Don'ts and what the basic feel of the engagement will be. All events will have a safety check, so keep your ammo in clear Ziploc bags for inspection. The use of Ziploc bags may be the only modern concession. For some events, full 1940's protocol and battle operations tactics will be in effect (i.e. maintain rank structure, field maneuvers, authentic signals and strategy, etc.). The WWII issued FM-21-100 Soldier's Handbook is the absolute best item to use to absorb most of this information. The group normally goes over the important ones at Living History events we attend, to brush up and practice our fighting structure and skills. Bigger and more established events may ban all modern conveniences once on the site (use canned food instead of MREs, use canvas tents instead of nylon tentage, use gas lanterns instead of battery-powered Krypton lamps, etc.). Prior notice is always given in the event rules on this type of scenario. Reproduction ration makers can be found in the Supplier Link Section. Even though these events are limited to participation by fellow reenactors, this makes it that much more important that we maintain authenticity. The knowledgeable audience is the toughest one to impress. But, if you can run, shoot, and hang out you will be fine.

Other Impressions

Several members of our group have an impression other than Airborne. We firmly believe that exploring other aspects of WW2 history helps keep Airborne reenacting fresh and interesting. It is not unusual for our members to portray impressions of other Allied nations, Axis forces, or even other time periods. We only ask that you portray the other impressions with maximum historical accuracy, and that you utilize your Airborne impression at �maximum push� events, and at other events where Airborne is appropriate.

Basic Field Operations Information

Listed here are some basic tools to help learn some of the field maneuvers and other GI information that would be useful. We will update/revise this list as time goes by. Don�t worry if you don�t remember them all at once. You will pick up new tricks as you go along, and gradually improve your combat readiness. Again the Soldier's Handbook covers much of this.

Familiarize yourself with these standard WWII hand singnals as we will be using them in public demonstrations and tacticals: