Who can join the 71st?

The 71st is a family oriented unit - men, women and children of all ages are welcome to participate!

What are the requirements for membership in the 71st?

You must fill out an application, be approved by the 71st membership at a business meeting, and pay annual dues of $25.

How many events are there per year?

Our schedule consists of between one to three events per month from March to November - usually one full weekend camp-out event, and possibly a one-day living history or parade. 

Is there an age requirement to be a member?

All ages are welcome to participate.  Anyone under the age of 18 must join with a parent or guardian. In order to carry and fire a weapon as a soldier, you must be 16 years old.

Where do I buy my clothing and equipment?

Vendors called Sutlers sell military and civilian items to reenactors. They set up shop at reenactment events and sell on the internet.  As with anything, there are both good and poor quality items - veteran members of the unit can be very helpful when buying your equipment!

What if I cannot afford to buy all of my clothing, uniform and equipment at once?

No problem! In fact, we don't expect you to do so. The 71st has an extensive collection of loaner gear which is ready for use by new members while they are getting their kit together.

How do I learn the maneuvers and to fire my rifle?

Our main training event is School of the Soldier in March, where both recruits and veterans learn and sharpen their skills.  If you join the unit over the course of the year, we can schedule a training session for you to learn the ropes before you take the field with us.  We also train new members at events to make sure that they are familiar with the drill and stay safe.