Newbie

[CorporalSnyder]

Hello Everyone!
So as I;m sure you can tell...I'm new to this. Just got home from Raleigh Supercon today and met some 501st members there. Did some research and realized I would love to take part in the 501st volunteer/charity work. I've been looking around this forum as well as the 501st actual website for tips, but I'm still completely lost on where/when/how to start.

[Captain jack]

Welcome Madison. The first step is to narrow down what costume you are interested in. From there we can point you to the right direction.

[CorporalSnyder]

Thanks! I'm really excited to be able to start being a part of this. I've been through the CRL and found the Novatrooper Medic to be a fairly interesting concept. I start at CPCC this fall, taking their Paramedic program so I felt this particular Trooper to fit not only my future career, but also the design itself.

[bobafett4ever]

Madison,

Well that is cool that your interested in the Novatrooper Medic. That's a nice looking costume and not sure we have any around the Raleigh area.
A lot of the TKs can help to tell you were to get the basics, and that looks like it may be based off of regular TK armor (TK is what we call the basic white armor Stormtroopers), but I'm not a TK so can't say for sure.

However, that specific costume is a part of the http://www.501stspecopsdet.net/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; detachment. You'll definitely want to sign up on their boards and they can for sure direct you to where to begin and how to best get that going. All the different costumes the 501st does are broken up into Detachments.

As I was new (and still am, lol) as of a few months ago, it took me a moment to realize how it's all broken down. Quick run down is... we're all part of the 501st, global, costuming club. But inside that, areas are broken into garrisons. For us, we're the Carolina Garrison (N and S Carolina). Doesn't mean we can't troop with folks in VA or GA or FL, but just means we stick to troops (outings) targeted in the Carolinas. (If we wanted to troop outside the Carolina, we'd just need to sign up with that areas specific garrison as well).

Detachments are the different groupings of costumes. So as an Officer, I'm part of the Imperial Officer Corps (detachment). TKs have their own, TIE Pilots have their own, etc. Hope that helps.

Once you get on the http://www.501stspecopsdet.net/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; boards, and begin having questions, we can help from there. And of course let us know if something doesn't make sense as I am still learning, and these folks in the Carolina Garrison are some of the most knowledgeable and friendly folks I've ever met!

Good luck!

-Chris

[CorporalSnyder]

Thank you so much! I'm going to go sign up there as well. I appreciate the breakdown of garrisons and detachments. If I have any questions I'll definitely go to them and also keep up here as well. Thank you again!

[xapologiesx]

Welcome! Don't hesitate to ask lots of questions, we are here to help.

[FantasticDamage]

Welcome Madison! Best of luck on your build!

[CorporalSnyder]

Welcome Madison! Best of luck on your build!

Thank you! I'm really looking forward to it! Even got my dad on board to helping me out with it.

[Cantina Security]

Welcome. Let us know how the research goes.

[CorporalSnyder]

Just a quick update: found the armor I'll need, just gotta get the funds. Probably be a couple years unfortunately; part-time job and going to school so it takes priority. Will definitely keep up with the posts on the forum!

[bobafett4ever]

Just a quick update: found the armor I'll need, just gotta get the funds. Probably be a couple years unfortunately; part-time job and going to school so it takes priority. Will definitely keep up with the posts on the forum!

So there are a few things I can say that may or may not help.

The first is keep stopping by and chatting with 501st folks at events. Getting to know the local 501st folks will only help.
Do not let the money get you down. The longer it takes and harder you work for it, the more proud you'll be when you've finally received it.
Last, and maybe most important, you could always start off getting a cheaper, soft costume just to get in. Once in, then you can work towards your armor. Just a thought. Something like Scanning Crew or Mechanical Crew may run $300-$350. May get you an in, then go from there. Just a quick thought while I'm watching TV, lol.

Mechanical Crew, I believe, us the easiest as it's the Blue Flightsuit, Jack Boots, and Helmet.

You mentioned your dad was interested too though... So maybe doing Scanning Crew would be perfect as you and him could be a team like seen entering the Falcon.

Hope that helps.

[CorporalSnyder]

Thank you!! I've looked onto getting a Tie Fighter: Reserve Pilot.
One quick question; with our person ID that we get upon membership...does it change with each costume we get approved?

[bobafett4ever]

The actual number does not.. the 2 letter abbreviation will.
So I'm ID-27529 because I'm an approved Staff Officer, but if I get my Navy trooper helmet and get that approved, I'll also be IN-27529. You can have as many 2 digit abbreviations as you have approved costumes. But no one else will ever have your 4 or 5 digit number.

[CorporalSnyder]

Understood! Appreciate the explanation.