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 are what are needed for the basic Airborne Normandy impression. These are the items you will need to do the basic 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

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

The Group does have some loaner gear (helmets, web belts, canteens, etc.) so items can be borrowed for events with prior notification. The most important items to purchase to start off is your Uniform, Boots, and Weapon. No one is really expected to purchase everything at one time, 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 are a great source for obtaining equipment as well just make sure the item will be suitable for use before purchase. If you are doing a medical impression please see section 8 Specialty Impressions.

This next grouping are items for public display's 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 Normany impression and the member is now eligible for promotion and is elgiable to vote at group functions.

Equipment Grouping 2 : Living History

Shirt, enlistedmen'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, enlistedmen'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
GI Duffle Bag

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 & Bastonge

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.

Sleeping Bag, any type from 1942-1945
2 Shelter Halves (Dog Tent), with 10 wood pegs, 2 poles (3 pieces), 2 guide ropes
OD Wool Blanket

** We normally have a big tent at most of the larger events so new members to the unit can usually find shelter for their first few events.

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, 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 caliberMachine Gun, BAR Gun
Radio Operations: M1 Garand, M1A1 Carbine
Scout: M1903 Springfield Rifle

Note: The .45 pistol is not on any list as this was carried by all impression types if they could be acquired. All weapons must be tapped and or have blank adaptors attached. Carbines must have the M1A1 folding stock, flatbolt, and flip site. 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 caught legal action can and will be taken as 95% of our events are held at public parks and military installations.

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 the persons own initiative.

Equipment Grouping 7: Everything Else

(a) Period Items

This is a brief listing 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

(b) Field Items

If you have never been camping or on a road trip before here is a recommended list of modern things to have at Tactical events.

Water
Sun Screen
3 Pairs of Socks
Food
2 T-shirts
3 Pairs of underwear (if used)
Towel
Blank ammo (and lot's of it!)
As many clips as your web system can hold
Gun Oil/Greese
Ear Plugs
3 Large Ziplock Bags
Tooth Brush/Paste
Change of Civilian Clothes
Spending money for traveling funds (food, gas, event fee)
Current Drivers License or State Identification Card.
List of any allergies to medication or other pertinent medical info.
- Company Clerk will collect this information

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

Promotion in the Company is based on performance at events, completion of Basic Equipment and Living History Requirements, and group participation. Field performance will be evaluated by the groups ranking members, you will be evaluated on use of period equipment, tactics in field, Living History Public Impression, and attitude. A good attitude will go a long way, as long as your doing your best and show it you will do fine, after that everything else is taken under consideration. Each unit member must at least 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.

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 display and let them know you can be of assistance for any questions they might have. This is a captive audience.. they are most likely there because they want to be and are interested in what we are doing. Be knowledgeable about all your equipment and its function. Read over some of the history section on this page and get familiar to some of the larger campaigns the Paratroopers fought in. Please refrain from using profanity 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 in the armed forces and or have had family members and friends who have been in. Be respectful to that fact when in the uniform.

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. Some events they want full 1940's protocol and battle operations tactics in effect (i.e. maintain rank structure, field maneuvers, authenticity) 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. Bigger and more established events may ban all modern conveniences once on the site (food, tentage, ect.). 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. More often than not events are lax on most these protocols. So if you can run, shoot, and hang out you will be fine.

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 I am sure we will pick up new tricks as we improve. 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: