Impressions New company commander

[Capt7thWvCoA]

Hello everyone, I'm new to being a company commander. I'm forming my own unit and would like some advice from experience company commanders. All advice is welcome.

 

[captaindrew]

Well I got elected captain of an established unit so I don't have the experience of trying to form a new group but have some at running one as captain and long time 1st Sergeant. Do you have any members yet? Have you set up a 501c corporation? Is your unit insured? If not insured yourself consider joining an umbrella organization that offers insurance. I can tell you recruiting is a struggle, especially since Covid had shut things down for 2 years with the exception of a few events. We've only had 1 good new recruit in the last couple years that's. We've had a few try an event or 2 and disappear. KNOW YOUR DRILL!!! And when you're in charge dealing with personalities and egos can be a challenge. Luckily our group is pretty tight knit and we hold elections every year so it's generally not an issue but we've still had a couple over the years. COMMUNICATION! It's so important, keeping the group informed of events and selling them to get people out to events. Coordinating things like food and other duties, holding meetings, there's a lot to it. Having others willing to help is huge. I've been blessed with an excellent 1st sergeant and another member who loves to cook which is huge.

 

[7thWisconsin]

If you have a small group, start off as a mess or a guard with a sergeant in charge. I wouldn´t wear corporal´s stripes because corporals don´t get a lot of respect in reenacting. A sergeant will let you steer your unit when by themselves, and be helpful when you´re brigading with a larger unit. Units can always use a 2nd or 3rd sergeant. If you´re going the route of an officer impression, know your drill very very well, because you may be in charge of people who are not in your unit and you will need to prove yourself very quickly.

 

[Trooper "D"]

Hello everyone, I'm new to being a company commander. I'm forming my own unit and would like some advice from experience company commanders. All advice is welcome.

Can you juggle? If not learn. Take a few psychology courses...you'll need them.

 

[jackadven]

Can you juggle? If not learn. Take a few psychology courses...you'll need them.

Yes, if his men cannot shoot the fruit out of his juggling hands, their marksmanship isn't good enough. Also the Rebs will think you're a madman and leave you alone on the battlefield.

 

[Trooper "D"]

Yes, if his men cannot shoot the fruit out of his juggling hands, their marksmanship isn't good enough. Also the Rebs will think you're a madman and leave you alone on the battlefield.

You do realise that I was referring to multi tasking and having to be more than just what is prescribed in regulations.

 

[jackadven]

You do realise that I was referring to multi tasking and having to be more than just what is prescribed in regulations.

Of course! I was just cracking a joke.

 

[RetiredCanuck]

You should also be flexible on your rank as it fits within the structure of the events you attend. Your place on the field and your field rank will largely be a function of how many men you show up with.

 

[Story]

Hello everyone, I'm new to being a company commander. I'm forming my own unit and would like some advice from experience company commanders. All advice is welcome.

How much experience do you have with being a basic rifleman or NCO?

 

[captaindrew]

You should also be flexible on your rank as it fits within the structure of the events you attend. Your place on the field and your field rank will largely be a function of how many men you show up with.

Good point, I always have my officer's kit and my private's kit with me. Sometimes there's a greater need for another rifle than another officer, often the case actually.

 

[Story]

Good point, I always have my officer's kit and my private's kit with me. Sometimes there's a greater need for another rifle than another officer, often the case actually.

Art (hobbies) imitates life.
Life imitates Art (hobbies).

 

[Capt7thWvCoA]

How much experience do you have with being a basic rifleman or NCO?

I was a corporal with my old unit until I'd had a falling out with them

 

[Trooper "D"]

Of course! I was just cracking a joke.

OK good. Funny joke. My mental picture of someone juggling as men fired it him is stuck in my mind now.
Cheers!

 

[Capt7thWvCoA]

OK good. Funny joke. My mental picture of someone juggling as men fired it him is stuck in my mind now.
Cheers!

Lol

 

[Story]

I was a corporal with my old unit until I'd had a falling out with them

Cool.

Perhaps a practical option would be a Sergeant's portrayal until you built this new company's numbers to over a squad's strength.

 

[SethJ]

Perhaps... A sister company? If you wanted to start building your own Company, you could always try and fall in with a different company as a Sergeant, or some considerable rank, and use that as a place to build knowledge on commanding troops and becoming a better CO. Not only would this give you some practical experience while under another company, but you also wont be marching with yourself leading 5-10 soldiers all by your lonesome in lines of larger Companies...

Unless of course most of the Companies are already that sized, in which case I could argue that another unit could work... Or perhaps just merge with another unit at that point, they may need the numbers

My two cents as an amateur Private
Bayonets,
-Seth