PFC REID “SMILEY” PALMER | FEBRUARY 2021

1. Determine why you want to become a reenactor. This will help you narrow down what you want to portray. There are many kinds of WWII reenactors, ranging from people who want to teach the public about World War II history to people who only want to recreate battles. To learn more about different types of reenacting, refer to the “What We Do” section of the Who We Are page.
2. Find a group. Don’t buy anything until you find a ‘primary unit’ to fall in with. There’s a lot of groups out there, so if you see one that peaks your interest, reach out to them. If you don’t know where to start, go to a public event near you and talk to the units there. Make sure that the unit does the kind of reenacting you’re interested in and you feel comfortable around them. Check out Greaser’s Newbie FAQ and the Pick a Unit Checklist for more information about things to look for in reenacting groups. Once you are confident that you want to hit the field with a specific unit, reach out to them to see what you need to do to join and if they have any requirements for falling in with them for your first event. They will become your ‘source of truth’ for your impression. They will guide your purchases and help you figure out what events are in your area. If you don’t have the cash to buy all your uniforms, equipment, and weapons right away, your unit will typically have things to loan, but take good care of them!
3. Research the unit you represent in the time period your unit typically portrays. Typically your unit will have a certain time frame that they portray, like D-Day, Operation Market, or the Battle of the Bulge. Talk to your authenticity officer, unit commander, or main unit researcher in your unit to find out what books, documentaries, and websites you should check out. The 401st GIR and the 90th ID have provided good lists of resources for where to start your research.
4. Ask questions. Typically your unit commander, authenticity officer, or unit historian will either know the information or where to find what you’re looking for. It’s better to ask a basic question than spend $200 on something that you’ll never be allowed to use.
5. In general, less is more. Once you get your basic uniform, web gear, and weapon, talk to your fellow unit members about what you should get next. However, remember that GIs tended to carry as little as possible, so you likely will not need a ‘complete’ impression for your first few events.
6. If you’re uncomfortable, listen to that feeling and remove yourself from the situation. Blank-firing weapons and pyro are still dangerous and you can get hurt. Talk to your safety officer about how to handle weapons and pyro safely. For more safety tips, refer to How to be a Good Joe.
7. Don’t base your impression on modern movies or video games. They are filled with inaccuracies. One of my biggest pet peeves is reenactors carrying their rifles at “low ready” instead of at port arms. Modern military mannerisms rarely, if ever, apply to WWII. Work with your unit to learn how things were done in the 1940s.
8. Not all reproductions are made alike. Some companies reproduce fantastic products, others make consistently bad products, some have a mix of good and bad products. Consult the list below for a good place to start, but remember that you should work with the people in your unit before buying anything. Note that there’s also a ton of great resources both for learning about WWII US GI uniforms and gear both online, on websites like olive-drab.com, and offline in books like Government Issue: U.S. Army European Theater of Operations Collector Guide by Henri-Paul Enjames.
9. You’re not going to be perfect right out of the gate. Also, don’t feel bad about not having everything right off the bat. This is a journey and a learning experience; be patient, accept constructive criticism, do your research, and enjoy the ride. Strive to improve; and accept that you’ll never be perfect.
10. Remember that there’s always more research to be done. 90% of the hobby is preparation, only 10% is actually attending events. Even if your unit has been active for over a decade, continue to find new ways to research the people you portray. The results can be quite surprising and challenge the unit’s common knowledge. If photos are not easily available, try to find online archives (especially after action reports, lessons learned reports, morning reports, or unit journals), interviews, memoirs, or newspaper articles. Read whatever books you can get your hands on (note: drawings from Osprey books are not acceptable sources and often contain inaccuracies).
11. We all have different ideas, impressions, and thoughts, but we all are united by history and wanting to keep that alive. The hobby is full of amazing people with a limitless amount of knowledge. Don’t forget that. If you hit a break wall, reach out to your unit or a help page. This hobby has thousands and thousands of members, if not millions. But we’re all in it together. Work to unite, not divide.

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What Should I Buy Where?

When you fall in with a unit, they should help you prioritize your purchases. DO NOT BUY EVERYTHING ON THE LIST BELOW. This guide is meant to be a reference, not as a list of things you need to buy to get into the hobby.

Reenactors frequently debate whether you should use original items, reproductions, or a mix. Reproductions (aka repros aka repops) always stand out and are never perfect, but tend to be cheaper than original items. Some people also prefer not to risk damaging historical artifacts that are becoming scarcer. What you decide to collect is up to you, your/your unit’s standards for authenticity, and what you can afford. However, NEVER use original weather items or original boots. These will not hold up after 80 years.

Note: All prices are in American dollars, are estimates from February 2021, and reflect products available in February 2021. Not all reproduction runs are the same quality, and some are occasionally unacceptably poor quality, so these recommendations represent only those items on the market at the time of this publication. Ask your fellow unit members for the latest feedback on new production runs.

For more information, check our our Resources page.