Interested in GAF any suggestions on how to start

[Bristow Kid]

I have always been interested in the military especially the Civil War era and the Indians Wars era.  I am thinking of incorperating a military persona into my shooting.  Have heard many good things about GAF and am looking for any suggestions on how to get involved.  To give you an idea I am developing an Originals persona for NCOWS as a Stagecoach Driver.  But was thinking of adding some military back round to expand my options and possible get involved in GAF.  Thanks in advance for any help and suggestions.

Bristow Kid

[Pitspitr]

Well you've already taken the first step by checking here. The next thing to do would be to send US Scout a PM or e-mail stating your desire to join. I'd also check the GAF web site which is a great source of information even though the webmaster seems to have "retired" (hence you can't just click the enlist link) http://www.grandarmyofthefrontier.org/ If you have any other questions send me an email at cnp@nctc.net and I'll be happy to answer them the best I can.

[US Scout]

Bristow,

Just send me a PM with your alias, real name, mailing address and a phone number.  With that you'll be enlisted and entitled to all the priviledges of a GAF member.

After that, just make yourself at home here in the Barracks.  Let us know what your specific interests are and we'll be glad to help you out and guide you, if you request it.

We do not require anyone to wear a uniform, but we highly encourage it. We have members who dress up as Army (US and Confederate, Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, Staff, etc), Navy and Revenue Marine (Coast Guard), Marine Corps, plus a few that prefer to wear the uniform of another nation - British, Canadian, etc.  As long as it falls within our time period (essentially the same as NCOWS), you're OK.

US Scout
GAF, Commanding

[Advertising]

[Bristow Kid]

Thanks alot gentlemen.  I appreciate the assistance.   I will getting in contact with you soon.

US Scout a PM is on the way.  Just one question can I use my NCOWS and SASS alias?

[US Scout]

US Scout a PM is on the way.  Just one question can I use my NCOWS and SASS alias?

Bristow,

Your information received and on our master roster.  I'll be updating our roster posted at the Barracks as soon as I finish here.

Use of the alias is your choice.  We have many members who are reenactors, living historians, history enthusiasts, etc, that do not have an alias.  If you have and use a SASS/NCOWS alias, I post it on the roster that way, since most people will probably know your by that name.  On the other hand, I have no problems using your real name on the roster if you prefer. 

US Scout
GAF, Commanding

[Trailrider]

To: Bristow Kid

Early, after the Civil War, the Army had an enlisted grade of "wagoner".  This was one of the first specialist ranks, equivalent of a corporal.  (Not sure of the insignia for a wagoner, but perhaps someone else knows.)  Wagoners were listed as either "regular duty" or "extra duty" men, which meant the latter got paid extra for his work.  A wagoner drove the various wagons and ambulances.  BTW, an ambulance was, of course, used to transport wounded, but also as a sort of station wagon or staff vehicle to transport personnel from the nearest railroad to the post, or whereever.  I'm not sure when the rank was abolished, but by the mid-1870's, wagoners had been replaced by civilians employed by the Quartermaster Dept. at the various posts.  They were called "teamsters".  A teamster in 1875-76 was paid a dollar a day plus one meal a day. If single, they were also quartered with the enlisted troops.  If they went in the field with the troops, they could be issued obsolescent arms and ammo in case they wound up in a firefight! (Teamsters and packers with Crook at the Rosebud actually fought as a group and held one flank against the Sioux and Cheyenne.  This is verified by the .50-70 brass found by J.W. Vaughn in the days before metal detectors were outlawed at the historical site. These .50 caliber...and some .45-70's... were issued depending on what was laying around loose at the posts.  Pistols also might be made available to the civilian employees, if they didn't have their own.  So your personna as a stage coach driver or QM employee who was a former Wagoner would be right in there!  Clothing in the field was a catch-as-catch-can thing, even for the regular troops and officers. So you could wear portions of a uniform dating anywhere from the CW on.

There are NO hard and fast rules in the GAF.  You do NOT have to start out as a private and work your way up the way many re-enactment outfits do.

You could, for instance, sew the 1/2" wide stripes of a corporal to Levi 501's, in the branch color of your choice, and just wear whatever shirt or jacket you have handy.  I'll leave the detailed comments to others more expert than I.

BTW, where is your "permanent duty station"?  That will tell us to what "department" you are assigned.

Welcome, once again!

[Bristow Kid]

Trailrider,  Thanks for the information that fits perfectly with my other persona.  I fall under the command of The Department of the Missouri.

US Scout Thanks for adding me and welcoming me aboard.  You can list me under my alias that will be fine with me as most from here know me by it.  I look forward to learning more about GAF and participating in GAF activities.

[Drydock]

Looks like you're gonna be right down the road from this years National Muster.

[Bristow Kid]

Yes I will be Sgt. Drydock and will be shooting in it too.  Thats what peaked my interest in GAF.   I more then likely won't be in uniform since I dont have one yet.  But I'll be there.  Hope to meet many of the fine members of GAF that weekend.

[Pitspitr]

Bristow,
I received your enlistment information from General Scout and forwarded it to my Adjutant, Cap. Ol' Gabe for inclusion in our Department roster. Welcome to the Department of the Missouri. If I can be of any assistance please don't hesitate to ask.

[Bristow Kid]

Thank you Sir for the welcome.  I am sure I will here from Ol' Gabe soon as we have become friends through the long Range and Buffalo shoots @ Ackley.  I thank you also for you offer of assistance. 

[Dr. Bob]

Bristow Kid,

Welcome to GAF.  Don't be affraid to ask questions here.  Lots of folks with knowledge and all are willing to share it!  Glad to see you here.

[Bristow Kid]

Thanks Dr.Bob

[Bristow Kid]

Where do y'all get your uniforms?  Do you have someone make them or is there some place to purchase them?

[Pitspitr]

 I belong to the General Miles Marching and Chowder Society so I had most all of my equipment before I ever tarted CAS. The authenticy standards to join the GMMCS are very strict and so in order to meet them I had to have a lot of my equipment custom made (that quality of indian war period gear is much more difficult to find that Civil war period is). If you can tell me what period you're interested in and what items you need, I should be able to offer several suggestions as to where to get gear, both off the shelf and custom made.

[Bristow Kid]

Well I am doing my persona in a few different levels.  Keep in mind all my stuff needs to be NCOWS legal because I'll use it there too.  But I am looking for Union Artillery then after the Civil War to a member of the Quartermaster Corps on the Frontier and Mounted Infantry as another possibility.  Up till 1873 after that I'll be a civilian atleast for the time being.  Thanks for the help.

[Dr. Bob]

Howdy Bristow Kid,

3 places to get a feel for what is out there I would recommend that you check out Fall Creek Sutlery, Blockade Runner and the Quartermaster shop.  A wide selection of uniforms and a varity of qualities and prices.  The uniform reg is revised in 1872, so your cut off date is fortunate.  Have fun looking and remember you don't need a uniform to participate at the Muster.

[Bristow Kid]

Thanks Dr.Bob I know you don't have to have a uniform to participate.  Just working on it for future use.  Do you happen to know the web addresses for those places you mentioned.  Thanks again

[Frenchie]

Gentlemen,

I am not trying to micturate in anyone's breakfast cereal here, just adding my thoughts. I'm a Civil War reenactor of some years and experience and I want to share some knowledge and viewpoints. I am personally aiming at combining my reenacting, GAF and NCOWS personas into two basic impressions that change in the details as required to span the time period 1860 to 1872.

There is a stratum of reenacting called, among other things, "progressive". The standards for the materials, cut and construction of progressive-level reenacting outfits is higher than the mainstream ones, and that also applies (at least in what I use for a mind) to the NCOWS "Originals" category, which I hope to someday achieve.

This high standard is not, as far as I can tell, required in GAF. Mainstream "mass produced" and well-done "home-made" outfits are perfectly acceptable, and items from Blockade Runner, Quartermaster Shop and other "mainstream" vendors are fine for this.

But if you are someone who would like an outfit made of meticulously exact (or very darn close) reproductions of original items, then there are certain makers whom you should know of. There are perhaps a dozen or so, and I'd be happy to share the list with anyone interested.

The differences are far too numerous and detailed to go into here. Some are pretty obvious (for example, dark blue aniline dye fades to a purplish hue, while real indigo dye remains blue as it fades). Others are less obvious, but I can and will discuss the differences on request.

These are suggestions only. The "material culture" of what you wear and use is less important than your mindset about what you're doing, and I for one would never comment on your outfit unless specifically asked for my opinion, and then I'd prefer to do it in private.

Well, maybe if you showed up in fuzzy polyester leopard skin trousers and matching holsters because you saw a photograph of a Texas Confederate wearing them (and yes, there is such a photo), I might not be able to supress a small snicker... 

[Bristow Kid]

Frenchie,

I too am combining my NCOWS and GAF into one persona.  I added the time periods so I could adjust and expand my persona as my pocket book and knowledge allowed.  Maybe sometime in the future I'll have a talk with you about the list you have of manufaturers.   But for now I think I will start witht the main stream stuff and I'll still pass muster.