What about Re-enactors?

[paddywhack]

uh-oh i think this mean the boys scouts are secretly hitler youth!!!!!!!!!

[starshy]

I think it would depend on the scenario, but frankly, reenactors basically entertain (and educate from time to time). For those that simply do displays and such, they have no combat value whatsoever. For reenactors that actually do fairly realistic tacticals where it's set up much like a combat manouever, they would probably be better off I suppose. However, poor physical condition and the lack of mental preparedness and experience for actual combat would be the main detriments here I would think.

Ultimately, there is a difference between playing army and being in one...

[Andy Harris]

I reenacted for about four years, and found it to be a lot of fun. The membership was pretty diverse, including lawyers, cops, university students, active and reserve military, and just about everything in-between. A fair amount of veterans, too. Every once and a while, we'd get a nutcase or two, but they were usually weeded out rather quickly.
A few of the guys in my organization left to join the military, and I think the time they spent reenacting helped to familiarize themselves with some of the principles they later learned in basic training.
As far as it turning into a militia or political front, the group I belonged to was very careful to stay away from any public perception of extremist activity, and any type of racism, anti-semitism, or political nuttiness was not tolerated.

[CWP]

The reenactment groups I am familiar with include a large number of active and former military, including some combat veterans. Of our group, we have had four current and former members deployed overseas since 2001.

[PlaceOfBayonets]

My son and I were talking while working on my car this morning. We got to the subject of those "nutty" reenactors (my take on them). I said hey it's a harmless thing, just a bunch of grown men playing army but kind of crazy. He said wait a minute, think about the Weimar Republic and all the different groups that were training as pistol clubs, veterans groups, etc. The not so crazy thing about them was they were providing disciplined training to bodies of men that eventually enabled the NSDAP to overpower rivals and you know the rest of the story. What if the reenactors are learning discipline, learning to conduct manuvers, learn tactics and developing command structure. Would such a group at the very least be effective in disaster situations or a breakdown in civil order? Not on any grand scale but perhaps like a militia?

Good god not at all like a militia. Go to a re enactment. It's more of a social gathering with fake combat interspaced. There is not much disipline at least in WWI that I do. Not on the German side anyway. We don't rehearse attacks and don't manuver properly on assaults. It's more of a wing it as you go deal. I personally know how to conduct myself from reading the history but as a team little effort (some is but not enough) is made to form teams with spcific jobs Etc. The only thing is, MOST re enactors are dressed the part with a lot of accuracy.

Wilhelm

Photo taken two weeks ago.

[PlaceOfBayonets]

That was great!

I have a colleague who is a Civial War reenactor and I was telling him about our convoy taking an RPG round at the very close of Desert Storm. He responded by telling me a "similar story" about his Civil War battle.

There was a poll last week asking about WAF members who are also veterans. I'd like to know what percent of reenactors are veterans???

It seemd to me from the talk around camp that about 40% of the guys in WWI are either former military or current active duty. So I was told they do Viet Nam in Newville during july and at least one Nam Vet was there. But that is probably rare. I took a cab to the last event and the cabby was a Nam Vet. He was asking me all kinds of questons and mentioned not even being interested in Nam Re enacting since he did the real thing as a US Marine in the 60's. But he seemed to think it was neat and agreed with me when I told him I learned how easy it is to be "killed" in a war from my simulated combat experiences.
I met a WWII German vet on the site once, he was there to look at the sights and remember I suppose. I talked with him and at some point he lectured me something about "you boys don't know how horrible war is and".... I think he related that we made a mockery of it. But he of course mis understands the purpose of it all being that he is emotionally involved in the past and the real war.

I don't go to "play army" but I suppose some guys do. I go to get an insight and catch a glimpse of the history I've read so much about. To "live" it to the extent that one can and I can tell you you do get a glimpse of it. How can you not? You feel the weight of the uniform and helmet. The Same helmet a real WWI Soldier peered out of. You look down the sights of a real Gew98 the same rifle a real soldier fired during the war and when you see a Tommy fall after "shooting" him it is indeed a glimpse. Some of the things I've read about but did not understand was made clear after one event. Things like, how do you lose track of your buddies in an assault. Wel I learned it's very easy and happens in seconds just like I've read about.

Wilhelm

[landsknechte]

As to the original question - I think that the reason most re-enactment groups have a disclaimer stating that they are non-political etc, is to try and steer away strong minded political types from joining and taking over the group by stealth, and forming them into a paramilitary group.

Spend a bit of time looking at the websites of various reenacting groups, and you'll notice that sort of a disclaimer tends to overwhelmingly appear on the websites of WW2 German groups (especially Waffen SS). I think that says a lot right there about the real reason. It's not about people taking over the groups, as much as chasing off the skinhead wanna-bees.

Informing the general public that "...hey, we're not real Nazis..." is the other big reason.

--Chris

P.S.
Where on the west coast are you guys? I thought that virtually everyone doing WWI was back east?

[PlaceOfBayonets]

Live west coast time zone. Fly to PA for events

[landsknechte]

Live west coast time zone. Fly to PA for events

That's exactly what I was hoping you weren't going to say. Drat.

[stoneagegixer]

That was great!

I have a colleague who is a Civial War reenactor and I was telling him about our convoy taking an RPG round at the very close of Desert Storm. He responded by telling me a "similar story" about his Civil War battle.

There was a poll last week asking about WAF members who are also veterans. I'd like to know what percent of reenactors are veterans???

I'm no veteran but I did the Army reserve thing for 12 years. The reeactment just fills my void for the army, I always miss it. Why did I stop? The back can't take the cold and wet anymore, I've turned soft at the age of 34. But our events here are quite realistic. Our fire and movement is good, so is our approach and tactical approach....