15th Iowa, you better read this one...

[Matt Woodburn]

I shouldn't have to say any of this. Remember I love you guys, so here goes....

We do not accept women in the ranks! Ever. For any reason. Period. At these 150th mainstream events there are plenty of units that accept women. Go find one of those. If you are a female and insist on figuring out a way to get in the ranks, go do it with another unit. I will protect my guys experience at all costs. Consider this my private boat party that happens to have a historical theme (I signed the contracts and don't have an affiliation with a government entity that says I must admit you, so I'm not).

You need to be 16 years of age. It really should be 18 years of age. This event really has the chance for a fatality if you screw up. Slipping over the side or off the gang plank happened frequently back then and it can happen easily today. Thank goodness we have a 20+ year modern Navy verteran that was a deck master of amphibious assault craft running our deck. He can probably help the crew get the boat close to the shore to drop the gang plank. After that, it's up to you. And remember you are doing this in the dark, and maybe in the rain or sleet. You must be careful or you will slip. And you will go under so fast with all of your gear, even if we had someone standing by with a life ring we couldn't throw it to you fast enough. You don't want to screw this one up boys. Remember you might be able to hold your muzzle above the water and breathe through the cone! The last sentence was not advice.

And once you make it on shore, you have a five mile march. It will not be flat. It might be a mile of thick mud first before you get to the road. It will be hilly. Remember Bummers? Get in shape. I don't have plans to pick you up when you realize you cannot make it. Know you can easily make it BEFORE the event.

[FlatLandFed]

Sound advice, Brother.
Am starting to walk/jog without gear, will in time add a weighted vest, then a packed knapsack. I know I couldn't complete this hike today ...
Re the possible slippery gangplank, would it be better NOT to have metal heel plates on our shoes? It was treacherous enough trying to navigate the mossy rocks and vines while scaling Lookout Mountain a few autumns ago -- I'd hate to have anyone take a tumble with the stakes even higher.
Adrenalin level now at "full" mark! This keeps getting better and better.
Paul Land Lubber Hadley

[GrumpyDave]

I'd suggest having a bucket of period sand handy to throw on the gangplank, just in case.

[johnnyreb43nc]

Guess I'll take my Brogans and socks off,and go up the gangplank barefoot.

J.T.
Jason Tailford

Lazy Jacks Mess
Liberty Rifles.

[Gallo de Cielo]

I think Matt is attempting to get some large-scale news of importance passed along and also to sober folks up who might envision it as something of a lark as to the reality of this undertaking.

Nine months of lead-in about heel plates and the like seems like a waste of breath and I suspect that the original post was not intended to provoke five pages of comments about shoes.

As someone who has worked to put together events that push the physical and/or mental abilties of participants I want to urge guys to back off the frivolous posts and hone in on the core message that Marse Woodburn is driving at.

[PetePaolillo]

....in terms of safety that the casual wearer who only wears their shoes/boots a few days a year might not have.

Anyone that falls into this category better be ready, Like Fred and others have said. This event is doable for even the novice, but you need to prepare yourself if you have trouble marching at an event. Nine months is plenty of time to know what you are capable of and improve your physical health. People can train the way they need to, in order to be prepared. Shoe choices is not what this is about. If you and your shoes do not have a cozy relationship already, than it is time to get introduced to them and March with them in your training regiment.

Know your gear, know your body and know your limits.

PS there are plenty of threads about whether to wear heal plates and hobnails or not. We can discuss that topic on those. BTW AMEN on no Galtroops. Start out right off the bat at the mainstream event for that noise.

[sigsaye]

Hay all, some of you have met me, most have not. I have been on marches with some of you a few years ago, but nothing recently. Any way, I'm the Sailor. In real life I spent 26 years in the navy and was, by trade, a Signalman. most of my time was at sea and over the years I ran Deck Department and Weapons Departments along with Operations. My last three ships were amphibious assault ships. I served as everything from a boat Signalman to Debark Control Officer.

Matt and I will be going to check out the boat here in abit to get a feel for it. We will do everything we can to make it as period correct as possible. However, some things will not be allowed to change. for example, fire fighting and life saving equipment can not be covered or obstructed in any manner. This comes from the Coast Guard, no variations or deviations. Also, pretty sure the boat is deisel, and, we've all had a plane fly over just as we were getting into the "Zone". And, the crew have over all authority over everything.

OK, all that being said, personnally, I have two goals, have fun and keep everybody safe. the sand on the brow (gang plank for you soldiers), is a good idea. Also, I would suggest if you have your musket rigged with a sling, please use it. Not across your back, but up on one shoulder so you have the use of both hands on the rails. This goes without saying, but insure your weapon is not loaded. this would be espically important if you end up needing to use your musket as a snorkle. Please try to not have loose floppy gear that can snag on "things sticking out." I know this is really a tour boat, so onboard hazzaeds are minimun, but it is always better to have thought out everything that can go wrong and prepare for it in advance, than trying to figuer out what to do or deal with an emergency in the rain and dark. Done that, and it is not in the fun collum.

This is going to be great, you'll be just like embarked troops throughout history, cramped, bores and (as far as the Sailors are concerned) in the way.

Steve Hesson