501^ST LEGION RECRUITMENT TRANSMISSION

Joining a Wretched Hive of Sun & Humidity

The Florida Garrison

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ENLIST NOW

Costume Selection

Do you know which costume you would like to build?

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Yes

No

(Right): Artwork by Marietta Ivanova

Connect with the Garrison/Squad

To find others knowledgeable about the costume you are seeking, establish contact with local members by:

1. Registering on the forums at fl501st.com and post an introduction in the “Recruits” section [optional].
1. For help in navigating the forums, look here: Florida Garrison YouTube
2. Emailing our Garrison New Member Liaison (NML) at flgnmlteam@gmail.com
• The NML will connect you with local squad-level liaisons to help you along the join process.
3. Looking for any armor parties near you in the Recruits section.

(Above): Florida Garrison at Megacon Orlando 2019

Field Experience

Garrison Map

HANDLING

After connecting with your future squad, it is helpful, though optional, to see them in action on a troop. To do so, you’ll need to:

1. Be registered for the Florida Garrison forums at fl501st.com/boards/index.php
2. Notify local squad leadership that you will be requesting handler access and submit a request at:
• https://tracker.fl501st.com/ → “Sign Up”
3. After signing up for an event, you will attend to take photos, keep prying hands away, and guide troopers who have limited visibility/mobility.

Handling is mutually beneficial. The squad is helped while you can see prospective costumes in-action and meet more of the squad.

Next Checkpoint

Costume List

To decide on a costume, it will be helpful to know your options. Costume Reference Libraries (CRLs) can provide this information as well as the intricate criteria of a possible build. You can browse them here:

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CRLs (Alphabetically)

CRLs (By Detachment)

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Can’t decide? Don’t fret. Connect with other members to investigate and discuss your options.

Connect

(Right): Example CRL for ANH TK (Stunt)

Costume Building

Ready to start researching, sourcing, and building/finishing a costume?

Yes, I’ve made a decision

No, I want to keep handling and get to know the squad and costumes better

Note: Regardless, do know that the squad will be there to guide costume construction or support other considerations

Detachments

Congrats! You know your costume. Now begins the marathon of materializing the costume. If you have not already, you will want to register with your costume’s detachment by:

• Clicking on the hyperlink in the costume’s CRL where it says “Detachment” near the top of the page right under the front and back model images.
• After arriving at the detachment website, registering and posting an introduction thread like you did on fl501st.com
• Continuing your costume research by reading build threads, looking at vendors and/or recommendations, and communicating with detachment staff.

To briefly define “detachments”, these international 501st units consist of all members with a particular costume. Each detachment writes and updates CRLs, runs merch, but most importantly houses a wealth of information about building and buying its costumes. Some are more active than others, but all have some degree of useful information.

Ready to Source & Build

(Right): Pathfinders Detachment

The Build

For many, the building phase is easily the most challenging step to join. Though we cannot sum up every aspect of a build, which varies by costume of course, here are several fundamental tips:

• Take your time. Rushing will only lead to mistakes. Mistakes lead to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.
• Measure thrice, cut once.
• Ask questions. Lots of questions.
• Research vendors prior to purchase. Typically avoid eBay; Etsy is hit or miss. Check if detachment has vetted sellers list– not all do.
• Attend armor parties but do not expect others to build for you
• Post a build thread on the detachment website and the FLG forums. It adds time to your build but stopping to document your progress can help generate feedback that may prevent lethal or tedious errors.
• Remember to have fun! Yes, accuracy is important to a degree but try not to stress yourself out over it. Take a break and think about what motivated you to pursue the build every once and awhile.

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Done?

(Left): OT TK Kit

Costume Submission

If you have made it this far, you’re almost there! You’ll need to take two steps:

1. Submit a membership application at 501^st.com. Here.

2. Submit high-resolution photos via email to fl501stgml@gmail.com. These should include, at a minimum, front, back, sides, sides w/ arms raise, action shot, and a bucket-off photo (if applicable).

Take these photos in front of clean, contrasting background (i.e. do not take stormtrooper submission photos in front of white wall).

The Garrison Membership Liaison (GML) will review the photos according to the CRL. More photos may be requested. Then you will hear of the results.

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(Right): Example Submission.

Approved!

Costume Approval

Welcome to the 501^st Legion family! You will receive an automated email with your TKID shortly. Afterwards, there are a few more steps:

1. Request 501^st access on the FLG Forums. You can do that by submitting the access request form here. You’ll need your name, squad, TKID, and 501^st profile link. Required in order to troop.
• If you already have handler access, the webmaster will need to adjust your status manually.
2. Request 501^st access on the detachment forums. They will have a thread for it.
3. Consult squad leadership to inquire about joining an unofficial but helpful private FB group for the squad. Some might not have one.

(Right): Fire Team Alpha of Everglades Squad

Troop!

Bad Guys Doing Good

Now get out and troop! Have fun!

Garrison Map

Parjai

Squad 7

Makaze

Tampa Bay

Everglades

Back

Click squad names for Squad New Member Liaison email addresses.