Alright, no posts for 30 days on uniforms. A very sticky subject with a lot of N-SSA members. That the N-SSA is a Shooting Organization and not Re-enactment. I get it. But-- from a Historical perspective it is a FACT that Military Uniforms were worn by both sides during the WAR. When they did not have them they wore shoulder devices or wrapped pieces of cloth around their hats or sleeves. TRUE! I have that research. The identification and dedication of an N-SSA team to a particular Northern or Southern Regiment or Company I remember was done with a lot of pride and many had ancestors who fought in these Regiments-- FACT. I agree totally to preserving those Uniforms and Regulations first printed out from the 60's, 70's and 80's that were reviewed and accepted as the Uniform to be worn in National and Local Competitions. I was on the Uniform Committee-- I read them and made comments-- that was my job. Now as we grow older a lot of us cannot take the heavy wool or jeans cloth in hot weather. We have substituted a Straw Hat for our Hardee's hats or caps. We have gotten rid of the Brogans of CW fame and wear our most comfortable shoes-- some even went barefoot. We wear light weight pants and have gotten rid of our kersey wool trousers or gray wool or jeans cloth trousers. I know it and support it for our health and well being. No one wants to see a fellow skirmisher get sick with the heat or sun... or just stop shooting all together for that reason. The Skirmish Director can call out in hot weather to dispense with wool and go with shorts, light weight trousers, light weight shirts and straw hats!! We have done it.
What I am proposing here--- we all have our Official Uniform Regulations or Descriptions in our By-Laws that are kept by the N-SSA as part of your application for membership. I propose that a second new set of Regulations are submitted for our members with health and age issues. That a new summer weight uniform be submitted or that in inclement weather your team or team member can shoot in clothing that is comfortable and necessary for the individuals safety. I am NOT saying we do away with uniforms-- NEVER!-- I am saying that a team can get into trouble-- if they show up on the line wearing a uniform totally different from what the stood inspection in in the past. That has not happened yet!!! But it can!! and would be totally sanctioned under our By-Laws. What say you?
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