Starting A Unit

[Hoss 4th AL]

I've been reenacting for a couple of years and I want to start my own unit. I need to know the basics of strarting a group, ie. laying down the rules, recruiting members, electing officers. Also, when you start a new unit can you just show up at officers call and join right in. One more thing, I want to start a dis-mounted group preferably under Joe Wheeler, any suggestions. Thanks!!!!

[MDRebCAv]

Where would this new unit be located?

[Bitter_Bierce]

I've been reenacting for a couple of years and I want to start my own unit. I need to know the basics of strarting a group, ie. laying down the rules, recruiting members, electing officers. Also, when you start a new unit can you just show up at officers call and join right in. One more thing, I want to start a dis-mounted group preferably under Joe Wheeler, any suggestions. Thanks!!!!

Congradulations on wanting to take the bull by the horns and start your own unit. Many nay-sayers will advise you to not do so... that you should just join an existing unit, blah, blah, blah. However, I will tell you that when I was much younger and far more enthusiastic about the hobby I wanted to start my own unit but I listened to the nay-sayers and never did. I now deeply regret not pursuing that dream. So, go for it!

Although never a line officer, I was president of a unit for many years, so here's a couple of organizational suggestions.

1) Do not make your unit a democracy where everyone gets to vote on everything. You will have problems from the get-go. Only have the membership vote on which events to attend each year, but establish a committee to appoint officers in lieu of electing them. And make yourself the permanent chairman of that committee by charter. It is your unit, run it your way.

2) Write a charter spelling out the level of authenticity you wish to establish. Make it very clear that certain things will not be acceptable (modern eyewear, for example). Each prospective member must agree to the charter. Don't like your rules? Hit the road, Jack! Don't allow the membership to vote on how authentic the unit should be - because they may vote to have coolers in the camp and if that is not to your liking you will resent how they stole control of the unit from you. I have seen this happen time and time again. It is your unit, you make the rules.

3) Place your group under a larger organization that serves as a blanket org for several other units. Just make sure they have the same or near-the-same authenticity level you want your unit to uphold.

4) Do not call your dismounted cavalry unit "dismounted". Call them "unhorsed" or "afoot" instead. That means your unit is temporarily on foot an you have no horses present. At various times cavalry units would find themselves unhorsed/afoot due to disease, battle fatalities, or lengthy encampments. If you don't have any horses, don't pretend you do. "Most of our horses were struck down with disease so we are temporarily afoot" sounds much better than saying "We are dismounted at this particular moment in time and our horses are over yonder with the horse-holders behind those trees where nobody can see them." ;)

5) Start a unit web site. This folks have a nice one: http://www.1stalabamacavalryusv.com/

[tompritchett]

As worded, this post is a duplicate of two threads I earlier merged together into one in Military Discussions conference (http://www.cwreenactors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14621). If you wish more information about the unit itself that Hoss is forming, ask your questions here. However, if you have general comments on setting up a new unit, please use the discussion in the Military Discsussions conference. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

[tompritchett]

However, if you have general comments on setting up a new unit, please use the discussion in the Military Discsussions conference. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Apparently, I must repeat myself as several of you decided to post generally commentary on Dismounted Cavalry in this thread rather than the one in the Military Discussion Conference. I have moved those posts this time but I will delete them from now on. Remember there are two threads in two different conferences- one here for recruiting only and the other on advice on starting such a unit. Please place your comments in the appropriate thread. I will not take responsibility for someone's inability to either abide by or comprehend such a simple request.

[Hoss 4th AL]

I am sorry about that, this was my first thread and I did not know where to post it. It will not happen again.

[tompritchett]

I am sorry about that, this was my first thread and I did not know where to post it. It will not happen again.

No problem. I tend to cut some slack for new members in terms of postings as long as those posts are not in violation of forum guidelines in regards to behavior towards other posters, spam, and language. That is why I left your post standing here regarding your forming a unit and consolidated your requests for advice on setting up the unit into one post in the Military Discussion area.