5 foot rule and female "soldiers"???

[indguard]

Five feet away, now THAT isn't arbitrary.

I can go for that one.

WTH

[wilber6150]

Everyone keeps blasting the original poster about going to the wrong events and that he should be attending the right ones... So I was just thinking what is the ratio of wrong events to right ones ? If one only wants to attend a couple of events a year then it would be easy just to attend the "right" ones, but if one wants to attend more then that that or chooses not to travel 8+ hours to an event does the advise given to the poster have merit? What is an reenactor to do ? How about giving the man some advise about what events in his area that he might like to attend which would be "right" instead of just criticizing the ones he does attend..

[MMurphy]

Everyone keeps blasting the original poster about going to the wrong events and that he should be attending the right ones... So I was just thinking what is the ratio of wrong events to right ones ? If one only wants to attend a couple of events a year then it would be easy just to attend the "right" ones, but if one wants to attend more then that that or chooses not to travel 8+ hours to an event does the advise given to the poster have merit? What is an reenactor to do ? How about giving the man some advise about what events in his area that he might like to attend which would be "right" instead of just criticizing the ones he does attend..

Thanks Wilber...

Actually, I like to make the local events, since the concept of "right" events vs "wrong events" is up there with each persons idea of what is right and wrong...it's like asking someone "what is classified as pornorgraphy?" you'll get a dozen different answers of varying degrees.

Honestly?...With the price of gas, I am not going to be travelling 8+ hours to go to "right events" (plus the fact that I work on Sundays...);

So while not feeling like I'm being blasted, instead of arguing over "right events vs wrong events", I was seeking ideas on the original topic...

Thank for your answers though!

[Micah Trent]

Everyone keeps blasting the original poster about going to the wrong events and that he should be attending the right ones...
What is an reenactor to do ? How about giving the man some advise about what events in his area that he might like to attend which would be "right" instead of just criticizing the ones he does attend..

No one is "blasting" the original poster here. Just a helpful hint that many on here get so bent out of shape about. On another note: you did want some advise well...You asked and thou shall receive:

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...isplay.php?f=5

You will find that there are closer "right" evets to you then you thought.

See...we can be nice!

[Spinster]

Will,

Every aspect of this hobby requires some research. And what is the 'right' event for a particular person will vary.

For example, if I look at the profile of the original poster, I can't tell where he is from. Some folks give that information, some don't. Thus, no one can offer him a list of events near him. While his unit carries a Virginia title, he could just as easily live in California, Great Britain, or even Russia. Each has folks reenacting the American Civil War.

Now, in this case what constitutes the 'right' event for Mr. Murley may be one where the host unit standards say something like "Inasmuch as Victorian women were precluded from serving as soldiers under arms during the War Between the States, a soldier who is discovered to be female, by requested admission, shall be discharged from service and excluded from military duties on and off the field by the respective battalion commander as was the practice during the War."

Now, there are two major umbrella organizations in my immediate driving range --(under 3 hours). One has that standard, the other does not. Guess which event host will have fewer female soldiers?

If female soldiers are a bug on my reenacting windshield, then I will be looking to who is hosting a particular event to find out what is a 'right' event for me. It could be though that the bug on my windshield is lack of military discipline in camps. Or inadequate separation and protection for the civilian population. I might have to read a little harder and infer a few things to discern what is a 'right' event for me.

I might have to write somebody and ask. I might have to pick up the phone. Nobody else can really do this for me, because they don't know all my criteria and can't weigh the options for me. And while there are certain 'right' event listings maintained, holding certain standards, they are not a secret, and not necessarily for every person every time. Each has to look to their own needs to discern whether the particular event meets their standard of 'right'.

In short, RESEARCH.

Normally, once a person starts asking certain questions, its time for them to kick their reenacting up a notch, and stop going to events that are 'wrong' events for them.

This year, in order to get to events that meet my criteria of right events, I will: catch a $60 plane flight, drive 4 hours to the coast with only a bedroll and my clothes, drive 2 hours hauling every bit of plunder I own and make two trips, drive 30 minutes, drive 6 hours, catch a seat in the Carpool from **** for 13 hours because airplanes don't go there, hitch up the trailer to haul the wagon 3 hours away, and make 2 more trips to the coast. Thats for this time period, not my other one. The most 'expensive' $ trip I'll make is that one 2 hours from home with all the plunder in my big green diesel truck.

One simply has to plan properly and do a bit of research to find and attend the 'right' events.

[Spinster]

And yes Mr. Murley, there are an increasing number of females attempting to portray soldiers in the 1860's.

Poor portrayals are tolerated in certain organizations, and not in others. I've dressed a couple who would pass the 5 inch rule (my own personal 'right' standard, not 5 feet).

I've worn my hair in an upsweep for the last 30 years--this does not mean I could plop a kepi on it and don an extra large jacket and pass for a man. I still walk like a girl, talk like a girl, and throw like a girl. Most women do. And there is plenty for us to do in this hobby without resorting to wearing jean wool and domet flannel.

Some organizations are willing to tolerate such for the sake of numbers, or friendship or kinship. Others are not.

Set your own vision of 'personal best' and reach for it.

[Rob Weaver]

I once belonged to a unit that stood on the moral high ground that "since there were no women known to be in our ranks, we do not accept women as members under arms in the ranks." Then I had the unmitigated gall to find solid documentation that we not only had a women in our regiment, but in our very company. A sergeant who gave birth while in Federal service. Darned ol' research. Messes with your preconceptions.
There was a woman in the 7th Wisconsin, so I don't feel bad about having a young lady in our ranks who has grown to be a fine and competent reenactor. I used to be a militant member of the "he-man women hater's club" but have since decided not to let that destroy my reenacting experience. Is it a bug on my windshield? Sometimes, but not as much as it used to be.

[Poor Private]

I agree that the "right events" is subjective, and I am tired of people draging that ole saw out when they don't have an answer for someone. And Yes my unit does now have a female in it's ranks and I bet you can't find her in our latest unit photos. www.firstmichiganinfantry.com
And I for sure am not driving 4+ hours to any "right event" when there are several local events within 2 hours driving. My son and I have determined that a 2 hour drive is gonna be it for us this summer. So the local events are the RIGHT EVENTS for us this year.

[flattop32355]

So why do units try to "accurately" portray a unit when they allow this?...What's the justification?...Laziness?...apathy?...Scared to tell the girlies..."Sorry but you gotta follow the five foot rule", so they won't be sued by some "victimized" female screaming sexual discrimination?

Without reading any further down the thread, I'll ask an obvious question: What makes you think they are trying to "accurately" portray anything?

That's not particularly a slam, because there are units all over the authenticity scale, at events all over the place, with standards from strict to nonexistant.

Any visual "distance rule" is arbitrary, similar to the one about coolers covered over in a tent are "okay", but not ones that are out in the open, or any other such "rule". I've also heard ten feet, twenty five feet, fifty feet.....

We all reenact at an accuracy level we choose, sometimes upping the level a notch or two at at time as we move up the Authenticity Scale, and sometimes not. Some who can't/won't try to be more accurate (Yeah, that includes us fellows who aren't seeming to lose any of our excess weight) still like to do this crazy hobby, and there's no set of established rules that says you can't.

The female reenactor topic is a fun one in our day and time, as we try to portray a different day and time, with different social norms and expectations. Add in the differing levels of commitment and dedication to "authenticity" within the spectrum of the hobby, and you get, well, what we've got; people and unts all over the board. I've "seen" good and seen bad female impersonations. Same for males.

Best advice is to look at the events you attend that allow things, like this and others, that you don't agree with. Is there enough "bad" to outweigh the "good" of the event for you? If so, seek out other events, if possible.

These subjects will always be a part of at least a part of the hobby. The good news is that you get to pick and choose the parts of the hobby in which you will participate.

[RJSamp]

Mike,

Consider upgrading your choice of events, and this problem may take care of itself. Roger Johns aka 'Mempiss'

or as was suggested...try better events with real standards. That problem really only exists at the bottom end of the mainstream.

Kent Dorr - Ohio
"Devils Own Mess"

OK you two want to name a couple events with 'real' standards that were 'better' events that didn't have women as soldiers at them? I'm talking the upgraded 'right' events.... start with an analysis of Outpost 2000 and Outpost 2007, as I'd hate to analyze an 'upgraded' event that I haven't personally attended. This 'problem' (to some!) may well NOT take care of itself.....and your mileage statistically won't vary even if it is an upgraded event.

Next we can analyze if 80 rifles portaying a 4 company battalion (some of us would consider this a division.....) is 'better'...with or without females in the ranks.