Holnave (evan_loh)

From the DL From the PRO Legion News Around the Detachment Notable Troops Memoirs of a Stormtrooper Just For Fun Advanced Tactics Awards Follow FISD Greetings Troopers! Here we are again, another month behind us, another month closer to so many things Star Wars: Rogue One (re-shoots and all), Celebration Europe, Celebration Orlando (YAY! - SEE YOU THERE!), A new Battlefront game (2017), Episode VIII (also 2017). Convention season is underway here in the US, and summer is bringing with it many more opportunities to troop and do good for people. How awesome is it to be a part of all of this? Speaking of awesome... ​ Adam Savage. Yes the guy of Mythbusters fame, in case you didn’t know it, he is an Honorary Member of the 501st Legion, and he's a really, really well-known prop maker as well. Here's an excerpt from Adam Savage on making mistakes and confidence issues during builds. This is from a recent AMA on Reddit. "just the day before yesterday we were shooting a one day Build for Tested.com, and nothing that I did in the shop seem to go right. I kept screwing up. Remaking things and then boning THAT. I swear to you, I finished the day feeling like I had NO business making things. It sucked. I was blue. This happens. To EVERYONE. And it's ok. Like all emotions, good and bad it's temporary. I did some good building yesterday and feel a little better. I plan to do more today. I know intellectually that my feeling like I'm an idiot at making is patently silly. That doesn't help in the moment, but in the long run my going easy on myself in that moment is what's important. I went home, had some tea, walked the dogs and talked to my wife and slowly things slid back to normal." The point? We all make mistakes when we are building. Take a breather, collect your thoughts, and get back to it when you're legitimately ready to do so. Even Adam Savage has those days. ​I keep thinking I don't have much to say this month. What do you say we find out? Let's get to it... Friendlier Forums! Back in the Q&A and my opening statement, I talked about making the forums more user-friendly. In many ways, that’s not a simple thing to do, in other ways it isn’t hard. Starting out on that course fo action, I’ve made some small alterations to the forum layout. This was done to begin making the forums more user friendly and sensible. For starters, I’ve moved the Legion and Detachment Only sections to the top of the forums for you. Now, when you receive your Legion/Detachment access, you should immediately notice that there are new spots in the forums for you to read. Please, let the Staff know what you think of the layout. Good and bad, we need to know what you think, in order to make it better for you. That’s why we’re here. Detachment Vote for (Kidney) Change Over the last two months, there was a proposal to alter the Centurion Level CRLs for the ANH based TKs. Particularly, the Kidney Notches. It began as a proposal in a detachment discussion thread, and from there it moved to a vote. It has passed, and the DOs are aware of it. At this point in time, we are simply waiting for the uneducated DL to learn to edit the CRLs for it to be a published and official change, but rest assured that it is done and coming soon. EIB and Centurion Certificates Many of you have probably noticed that there are currently no EIB and/or Centurion Certificates available. This is once again, a lack of education. The Staff is working to get that remedied, and we’re planning to get that program up and running again. We want you to have those certificates, as you’ve earned them. This is on the list of things to get fixed. Please bear with us while we go through the changes and get everything lined up in this regard. You All Want to Look Good We know this. If we need proof, all we have to do is look at the very recently closed FISD Racing Shirt run. When we said a few months ago that we heard you loud and clear, and we knew you wanted shirts, we had no idea exactly how many of you really did want them. I won’t share the final number with you – I’ll leave that to Joseph – but WOW… Way to represent!!! You all go out of your way to make me proud to be the DL, and I greatly appreciate each of you for that. I can’t wait to see the pictures of all of you in the shirts pouring in, and just imagine the potential for the FISD photo at Celebration VIII in Orlando less than a year from now. So, I Think That’s It… I keep thinking that there was something else I wanted to share with you… Oh, the Newsletter! We’ve got another awesome issue to share with you this month. The longer I ramble, the longer it is before you get to it. We’ve got an amazing group of Troopers putting in some herculean efforts each month to bring you a quality Newsletter, and I think that they’re setting the standard for all of the other Detachments to follow. Please be sure to let them know how they’re doing. As always, it’s a great time to be a Stormtrooper, and that’s true because of each and every one of you and what you do each and every day, and I thank you for that! With Unquestioned Loyalty, Tim Waychoff TK-51878 "Dark CMF" Detachment Leader If you ask any of us Stormtroopers why we joined the Fighting 501st and why we chose to become a Stormtrooper we'd all have different personal stories to tell. One such story is of Jack, a YouTuber who got inspired and started on his own journey to be a Stormtrooper. Jack talked about what it was like to be a new member and also how our Stormtroopers have inspired him to become one. I believe his story, while personal, is synonymous with a lot of ours. He managed to capture the essence of "this is what the 501st is about" and I hope you loyal readers and Imperial Citizens get inspired by Jack's story: I was inducted into the 501st Legion this past Tuesday (the day of The Force Awakens' home video release!), and it was the end result of a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. But I'm in. I was mostly inspired to join based on Daniel Fleetwood's story - but there's way more to it than that. So much, in fact, that I actually made a video to talk about it in-depth. For anyone interested in joining the 501st, I do have a few tips that I learned while I was in the process of joining. 1) RESEARCH. You can never research enough. Research, research, and research some more - and when you're sick and tired of researching, keep researching. 2) Never be afraid to ask for help. I had a LOT of questions, some of which I felt were stupid at the time, and many people (both in real life and here on FISD) were more than willing to answer them and help out in any way they could. There's a reason, after all, that the motto of this site is "Troopers helping troopers". 3) Meet members of the Legion. I was lucky enough to have a LOT of help from one member in particular of my squad; he hosted an armor party and helped me oversee finishing my bucket, then took another three nights in a row to get my strapping system all done. I felt bad at the time for having him focus on me so much, but he insisted (and I believe him) that he doesn't mind. The build process is half the fun - and besides, with more troopers in the Legion, there's more opportunity to make people happy with our charity work. 4) Be on the lookout for deals. I was on the wait list for an ATA armor kit, and that was an 11-month wait. Then I happened upon an AMAZING deal from someone else in the same Garrison as I am. He was selling a half-finished RS kit, complete with all Centurion specs, for less than half the price he bought it for. I jumped on the deal, and only needed to make some minor alterations to make it fit. All in all, I think I spent less than $1000 altogether on EVERYTHING I needed for my armor - between the armor itself and the tools to make it. The only thing that pushed me over was investing in a Hyperfirm E-11 instead of a kit, but that was something I planned from the beginning. 5) Centurion isn't that much harder. I know, it LOOKS harder, especially just by looking at the CRL. But I've made my armor to Centurion specifications (except the shoulder strapping; I didn't have white nylon at the time. I'll fix that later), and it wasn't much harder than just going for basic entry. It's DEFINITELY more time-consuming (especially painting the bucket instead of using stickers), but let me tell you, it just made the process that much more fun. Of course, if you don't WANT to go Centurion, feel free to do whatever you want. But if you're on the fence, let me just tell you that it's 100% worth it, and not that much more expensive or harder than basic entry level approval. Anyway, I hope these tips help future troopers, and I also hope you guys enjoyed the video! - Jack "SkulShurtugalTCG" Know that your actions can change people's lives. Not just the people you visit but those who get inspired by seeing you troopers fighting the good fight and brightening up people's lives. With Unquestioned Loyalty, Evan Loh TK-24127 "Holnave (evan_loh)" FISD Public Relations Officer UK Garrison in the Force Awakens! The 1st Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment couldn't have been more proud to have our troopers from the UKG as First Order Stormtroopers in the Force Awakens! Below is the full story written: ** The Force Awakens… the UKG 6 from Episode VII ** The UK Garrison has six troopers within its ranks who after signing strict non-disclosure agreements with LfL over 18 months ago have had to live with the hardest secret they have ever had to keep. But now the Garrison has at last been given the official all clear to release this exciting news!! Six of our lucky members played STORMTROOPERS in STAR WARS: EPISODE VII – THE FORCE AWAKENS. The 6 from VII are: TK 256 – John May TK 1902 – Steve Buckley TK 2739 – Gary Hailes TK 5509 – Ross Walmsley TK 5968 – Rob Ledsom TK 7058 – Steve Hill And here is how it all began….. ….. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away……… well actually it was May 2014 at MCM London Comic Con when we were honoured by a visit from Mary Franklin who at the time was the Senior Events Lead for Lucasfilm Ltd. Unbeknown to any of us, she was on a secret mission that weekend! About a month later, Gary Hailes, our Commanding Officer, and Steve Buckley, our Events Coordinator for Lucasfilm and Disney events, received an email from Mary marked “In Total Confidence – For Your Eyes Only” explaining that in recognition of the good work that the 501st Legion does, they were exploring the possibility of using certain members of the UKG as Stormtroopers in Episode VII. Mary had compiled a list of five names that she had hand picked after her visit the previous month. Following further discussions with Mary, Gary and Steve went to visit Pinewood Studios Wardrobe Department to discuss the feasibility of this idea with the Costuming team. After signing watertight NDAs, they were allowed for the first time to view the armour, to say they were excited would be an understatement. Even more so when Gary became, as far as he knows, the first ever member of the 501st Legion to try on the new helmet after one of the wardrobe team placed one on his head!! Gary had been asked to attend as a ‘consultant’ as he did not meet the criteria so it was Steve who got to try on various sections of the armour as they needed to ascertain the size and fit. Gary then had the pleasure of advising the members Mary had chosen of the exciting opportunity LfL was affording them. Needless to say all were made aware of the very strict NDA they would be asked to adhere to but all unsurprisingly agreed to take part. The following week, Gary and Steve returned to Pinewood Studios with the other four chosen troopers John May, Ross Walmsley, Steve Hill and Rob Ledsom for a fitting. The wardrobe supervisors kitted the five of them up and cleared them for filming. The producer then offered Gary a chance to kit up in the new armour also as he was there anyway. He was not expecting this but of course he leapt at the chance. Who wouldn’t? When in armour the producer confirmed that Gary was strictly speaking too short to be included in the film. So she approached the wardrobe team and asked if there was anything they could do to increase his height so that he did not have to miss out on this opportunity. In true UKG fashion, John May, who is one of our founder members, immediately set about making lifts for Gary’s boots from discarded foam found on the floor. Also the wardrobe guy who had dressed Gary set about putting some padding into Gary’s helmet to give some additional height. In fact this unsung hero seemed more determined than anyone to ensure Gary made the cut and made it into the film. Once adjustments had been made, the Producer came back in and asked Steve Buckley and Gary to stand next to each other to get a sense of proportion. All the while, the tallest trooper Steve Hill was slowly moving further and further away and bending his knees in an attempt to help Gary out. Finally, after what apparently seemed like a lifetime to the guys, the producer said YES – Gary was in!!! Although we do have a sneaking suspicion this may have been Mary’s plan all along. And that is how the 6 from VII came to be. After a very long and extremely tiring day that had started at 5am and with the guys not getting home until gone 9pm, it was over. The experience had been magical and the treatment they had received during the whole experience from everyone there was superb. The guys were shell-shocked, it wasn’t real, and they just could not believe it. It has been so difficult for all of them to keep this secret and to not tell anyone particularly their fellow members and of course the public when they have asked us numerous times if the 501st had been asked to appear in the movie. So apologies to all who were by necessity, fibbed to a little bit over the last 18 months or so. We hope you will forgive them! - Story was taken from the UKG Facebook page With Unquestioned Loyalty, Evan Loh TK-24127 "Holnave (evan_loh)" FISD Public Relations Officer If you’re looking to take your trooping to the next level, you may be looking into a voice-changing device to help you get the SOUND of a true TK now that you’ve got the perfect shiny armor. Here are some of the popular options available to you, and some of the features of each of them. ROM/FX ROM/FX is a voice changer that comes with static burst and clicks as well as a built-in amplifier. This makes it a great option for someone who likes an all-in-one type of package. As of publication, it looks like the ROM/FX site is down, and we don’t have a clue when or if it’ll come back up. If it does, it will be an expensive option because of all the included features, but there's a reason it's one of the preferred methods of your fellow troopers. You can watch a demo video here: ICOMM IComm is a voice amplifier with static burst sound, but no voice-changing capabilities. You’ll also need an external speaker. Many people find that it gets the job done despite the fact that it does not include the voice changer, and because of this it will be a cheaper option than ROM/FX; it starts around $105. There are several static burst effects which you can check out here: TKVOICE TKVoice is an iphone app built by themaninthesuitcase. Chris found that some of the available voice changer options were too expensive for his taste when he began trooping, so he decided to devlop an iOS app to use on his troops. With this set up, you’ll need to buy a splitter to connect the phone to the mic, as well as an amplifier if you want. (You can also use the phone as its own amplifier.) The app is free, but since it costs money to keep it running, “tips” are appreciated! You can donate to Chris’ paypal if you choose to. Since Apple keeps churning out those updates, his thread is still going strong, and he’s fixing bugs as needed: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/32270-tkvoice-for-ios-development-annoucement/ TROOPER TALK Also in development for iOS is Trooper Talk by BrinkHouse. It’s still in its infancy compared to TKVoice, having only been started in January of this year. Andrew recently made it available on the App Store for a flat price of $9.99. Catch up on all the unfolding details here: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/34939-troopertalk-voice-changer-w-static-burst-app-dev/ I did have some trouble finding an Android-compatible app, but it sounds as if there’s one floating around out there in cyberspace. If you’ve got any suggestions, we’d love to hear about them! With Unquestioned Loyalty, Alison Machado "manyhighkicks" Imperial Propaganda Department Introducing the Stormtrooper Hall of Fame As many of you have seen, we have started a Hall of Fame in the Field Training Exercises sub forum. In this thread, you can find a collection of some the most impressive, the silliest, and the most heart warming photos of our Troopers in action. Once every two weeks a picture will be selected from newly created threads in the Field Training Exercises forum to be put into the Stormtrooper Hall of Fame. So always remember to post photos of your recent troops! I know that I and many others love to see them! With Unquestioned Loyalty, Aaron Imlay TK-91091 "T K" Imperial Propaganda Department The What Armor are you Wearing Poll - 2016 Edition If you haven't found out already FISD XO Paul (Daetrin) is running a poll on the different types of TK armor that we use! Go to the link above to join in the poll! Note: you will need 501st access to view and partake in this poll. With Unquestioned Loyalty, Evan Loh TK-24127 "Holnave (evan_loh)" FISD Public Relations Officer 14th Run for the Rose In all the photos below, I am the TK without a blaster in my holster. I have one, and used it at a troop later in the day, but didn't bring it to this particular one. And ignore the April 9 stamp. It's wrong. I joined the 501st last Tuesday, and almost instantly, I signed up for several troops with my local Squad. Most of them are spread out a month or two from now, but I was able to sign up for this troop (and, at the last minute, a Make-a-Wish troop for later in the day; that report may come later) and I'm very proud to call THIS my first ever troop with the 501st Legion! Others involved were Rick Flores (TK-6239, our Vader), Scott Harrelson (TK-24241, the other TK), and Thomas Maske (TX-25555, the Shadow Scout). My awesome wife Theresa was there as a handler and photographer (she's not in the 501st), as was Thomas's wife. The day started early for me. The event happened an hour away and we needed to be there at 7 AM, so both of us woke up at 5:30. Not ideal, but at least we got there before the hot Texas heat settled in. More here: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/36695-14th-run-for-the-rose-my-first-ever-troop/ Jack - SkulShurtugalTCG - 69004 Fanbase Collectables Family Fun Day / Force Awakens Launch More here: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/37012-fanbase-collectables-family-fun-day-force-awakens-launch-rockingham-western-australia/ Q - gmrhodes13 - 85421 NY Mets Star Wars Day at CitiField The 501st Legion's Empire City Garrison attended the NY Mets Star Wars Night in support of Stand Up 2 Cancer at Citi Field in Flushing NY onSaturday, April 9th 2016 from 5:00pm - 9:30pm. We had 8 characters in attendance as well as 3 handlers to help wrangle the crowds and take photos. This was an Open invite event, and other Star Wars groups also attended including the Empire Saber Guild and the Mandalorian Mercs. This event was to benefit the Stand Up 2 Cancer foundation and we were proud to support it. It was a miserable weather day with temperatures in the 40s, heavy winds, and rain, and it was touch and go right up until the game start at7pm. We all stuck it out and fortunately it did go on as planned. They started by having us take photos with guests at the entrance, and participate as judges in the costume contest. There were some great contestants and three lucky kids got to go out on the field between inningsas their prize. We were then asked to do a Steal the Base event on the field, and later two of our troopers Dave and Al stayed late to do the T-Shirt toss at the 7th inning stretch. They got some great screen time as well on the local broadcast of the game. There were a few hurry up and wait moments, and one event they had us scramble to, which ended up being cancelled. Overall it was still a great experience, and we hope to be invited back for future Star Wars events with the Mets. More here: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/36721-ny-mets-star-wars-day-at-citifield-empire-city-garrison/ Steve - starsaber25 - 10466 SC Comicon 2016 This event was held April 2-3 at the TD Convention Center in Greenville, SC. This was my first Comicon ever. I jokingly say I “sorta” went to comicon because I didn’t actually get to see much of it. My first order of business was to get to the 501st table. It was not to be. We were mobbed by fans before we got halfway down the first aisle. Someone stopped us to ask for a photo. When I looked around, a line had started to form. We finally moved another 30 feet and the same thing happened. An hour and a half later, we made it to the 501st table. I am so thankful for my wife who helped manage the crowd and keep things in order. More here: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/36527-sc-comicon-2016/ Bryan - trooper96 - 14082 NBC 6 News, promoting the release of the movie today on blu ray More here: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/36554-nbc-6-news-promoting-the-release-of-the-movie-today-on-blue-ray/ Brian - Polar - 11669 With Unquestioned Loyalty, Glen "Q" Rhodes TK-85421 "gmrhodes13" Imperial Propaganda Department The 2016 edition of the Star Wars character parade at LEGOLAND Malaysia is by far the biggest in terms of international trooper participation with approximately 90 Star Wars characters joining the parade. Now on its 3rd year, the parade brought together Star Wars fans from the different 501st Legion garrisons and Rebel Legion bases in the region. It was truly an international affair with troopers from Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Taiwan joining the 2-day event. Parade Behind the scenes/bloopers With Unquestioned Loyalty, Marc TK-43210"themacalu" Imperial Propaganda Department This edition of Memoirs comes to us from the sun and sand of Arizona (USA) and is shared by TK-61281 (Clint Randall). It is definitely (in my experiences so far) a one-of-a-kind story, with some amazingly emotional backstory to it, and that is specifically why I asked Clint if he would be interested in sharing it with all of you. Thankfully, he chose to do so. Take it away, TK-61281: Greetings fellow space warriors! In my nearly two years in the Legion, I’ve heard a ton of cool stories about special troops. Amazing hospital visits, profound quotes from kids, crazy experiences with celebrities of the Star Wars universe, etc. I’m sharing a story of not maybe the most amazing, but probably the most personal troop experience I’ve had and it’s tied to why I joined this group in the first place. The troop occurred on Saturday, November 22nd, 2014. It was National Adoption Day. It was my 11th troop, so I was getting my bearings at this point, but it was by far the troop I was looking forward to the most. It was the one year anniversary of adopting my son on National Adoption Day in 2013 and was the one year anniversary of meeting members of the 501st for the first time. That day in 2013, I had no inclination I’d ever consider joining something like the 501st. I had seen the Rose Bowl Parade videos a year or two prior and thought “Hey cool! What a neat thing these people are doing who probably have nothing else going on!” Well, fast forward to the week of Jeremiah’s adoption. It was anything but a joyful build up to an amazing day as some mishandling of the process caused the adoption to nearly be indefinitely postponed. Needless to say, by the time we got to Saturday we were just wanting to get through the hearing and get the papers signed and leave our stress behind us. We did just that, but as we walked down the steps to the lobby, now fully his legal parents, who was there in the lobby but two Stormtroopers and two Biker Scouts! I was floored. I was also shocked how giddy it made me. The stress melted away and I immediately got pictures with them and forgot all about the rough week and started celebrating what was happening that day. I remember asking if they were 501st and one of them said proudly, “Yes sir, we are!”. My perspective started changing dramatically with the memories those troopers gave our family. 6 months later I was researching vendors on whitearmor.net and talking to Dune Sea Garrison folks, and on July 6th, 2014 I was approved as TK-61281. (November 23rd, 2013) Now jump back to 2014. I’m at National Adoption Day again, but for very different reasons. I’m also coordinating, which didn’t mean much other than I got there first and stayed to the end and enjoyed every minute of it! There was a special bonus though - not very long before I had been looking at those photos from the year before and realized that the ESB trooper to the right was now my friend and fellow garrison mate, Keith Grigg. It’s so strange to think back and think it was my buddy Keith standing next to my kid the day he became mine. So anyways, Keith trooped the 2014 event as well and I then got the opportunity to take one of my most prized photos as a Legionnaire (sorry JJ Abrams) as I again took a picture with Keith, but this time as brothers of the 501st. It was a great introduction to the 501st, a great anniversary event and will always be one of my greatest memories of this whole adventure. Many thanks to my brothers and sisters out there who changed my perspective so that I could participate in such an amazing group. (November 22nd, 2014) So... There you have it. A story that brings together - in a most excellent way - the spirit of the 501st Legion as displayed to the public, and the spirit of family that we share as Legion members and how intertwined our lives can truly become. Clint's story is one that truly warms my shiny, plastic heart, and makes me that much prouder to call each and every one of you family. Thanks for sharing, Clint! With Unquestioned Loyalty, Tim Waychoff TK-51878 "Dark CMF" Detachment Leader Laurie Goode - Stormtrooper by day, rockstar by night! Laurie Goode played a Stormtrooper in Star Wars aboard the Tantive IV. In an iconic scene Laurie was one of the Stormtroopers who captured Princess Leia and brought her to Darth Vader. Definitely 501st material, and admit it, you all wanna be him. He is on the far right of the picture below: But Laurie is not stopping there! He has recently come out with a single and it's about the Stormtrooper to banged his head! Just who could it be?? Enjoy the video below! With Unquestioned Loyalty, Evan Loh TK-24127 "Holnave (evan_loh)" FISD Public Relations Officer This month the 1st Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment would like to congratulate: Expert Infantry Badge Award: Kelvin Pham "kkpham72" TK-81890 Christine Harris "Cupcake" TK-61102 Matt McSweeney "SupRsloth" TK-50613 William Rawlinson "Soundwave" TK-31984 Bob Martin "BobMerge" TK-82954 Rebecca Beiderwell "sharkbait" TK-29118 Christopher Faw "bmth chris" TK-10488 Stuart Galloway "Fraktilfilth" TK-23303 Sean M. Glennon "TK19812" TK-19812 Chris Pearson "themaninthesuitcase" TK-10911 Ryan Fitzpatrick "rtfitzpa" TK-38991 Brenden P. "Gypsydanger" TK-13420 Brian Martino "Pixelito" TK-16924 Antonio López Claudio "Toniltd" TK-17215 Randy Abramson "magni" TK-16127 Shaun Pugmire "shaunpug" TK-25415 Gabriel Arroyo "y2gabe2" TK-83186 Centurion Award: Jose Valera "drumstrooper" TK-11654 Conrad Lujan "Order-66" TK-50106 Brian Cook "blackyck" TK-25259 Taylor Fiore "whostaylor" TK-21808 Rene Reicht "Charon" TK-14976 Aaron Edman "Anzo" TK-77964 Jaime Iglesias Gómez "SG JIG" TK-25358 Stuart Galloway "Fraktilfilth" TK-23303 Ryan Fitzpatrick "rtfitzpa" TK-38991 David Walker "PBTrooper" TK-10737 William Rawlinson "Soundwave" TK-31984 Sean M. Glennon "TK19812" TK-19812 Stand tall and be proud of what you have achieved troopers. You will now be deployed into the First Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment Advanced Tactics Roster. Make us proud troopers! The FISD is always looking for new applicants for our Advanced Tactics program so please do not hesitate to apply if you meet the standards! Our Deployment Officer and armorers are here to help and guide you through to success! Feel like your armor is up to standards and worth of recognition? Apply for the Expert Infantry Badge Program now! Want to go the extra mile, raise the standards of Stormtrooper armor, and be the envy of your peers? Apply for the Centurion Program now! Note: Applicants need to be EIB approved before applying for Centurion. With Unquestioned Loyalty, Evan Loh TK-24127 "Holnave (evan_loh)" FISD Public Relations Officer Don't Forget We're on Facebook and Twitter! Facebook: www.facebook.com/whitearmor If you're on FB, stop by and say hi, ask questions, and share stories! Twitter: www.twitter.com/FISD501st or @FISD501st follow FISD on Twitter! Instagram: www.instagram.com/501stfisd With Unquestioned Loyalty, Evan Loh TK-24127 "Holnave (evan_loh)" FISD Public Relations Officer On behalf of the 1st Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment Command Staff and the Imperial Propaganda Department, <End Transmission>

You have said before that "Recaster shouters should also be banned if their accusation is not true." at the RPF So I urge you to be cautious about who you're calling a recaster without absolute proof.

Nicely explained Aaron! Hi Nathan, to answer your question here's a pic: The "return edge" is the edge that extends out the end holes of the forearms in the picture above. Having no return edge means that those edges that extend over the forearm hole will have to be cut off/trimmed.

Not sure about tapatalk, but since the upgrade to the forum, you only need to copy the link into your post and it automatically gets embedded when you click "Post".

Brilliant story and video Jack! Rest assured I'll be sharing this video all over! I think you really managed to capture and relay to viewers what "Bad Guys Doing Good" means and what it is to be a Stormtrooper.

Nice to see you on the FISD as well!

RS moulds are casted from a screen used suit so if you're looking for lineage, accuracy and original size go for RS. TM is also the most accurate fan made sculpt you can get if accuracy is what you are going for. However as said before if you are on a budget, Walt has better prices although I have yet to see one in person. I'm not sure about your height or Walt's armour sizing but RS is better suited for a guy with a height within a couple of inches taller or shorter than 6 feet. I'm 5'8" and I managed to make my RS work on me but with minimal gaps between the thighs and shins.

You will need to request for 501st access in the Getting Started subforum.

PC Battlefront here. But in Asia so timezones can be tricky as times. Not to mention latency.

Soldiers and Citizens of the Empire, We welcome you to the Imperial Hall of Fame where we honor the Stormtroopers who have valorously served in the field. The Imperial Hall of Fame Curator Aaron "Pyrates" will be in charge of this collection and entries will be drawn from the Troop Logs in the Field Training Exercises. So you think you can make it into the Imperial Hall of Fame? Get your Troop Logs posted! In the Name of the Empire, The Imperial Propaganda Machine *Please note that, for the sake of keeping this thread HOF pictures-only, this pinned thread is only for the Curator or Staff Member-on-behalf-of-Curator to post. Any other posts will be deleted. If you have any questions please direct (PM) them to @Pyrates or a Staff member. Thank you for your cooperation!

Enjoy the newsletter! Go check out our previous newsletters where we had some awesome interviews as well!

Great! Just saw your request. It's a pretty neat store. The link will send you to a page with instructions on how to access the store (which is on a different link) and it is password protected.

Please follow the instructions on this link to visit our store: http://www.whitearmo...ng-fisd-shirts/ Note that you would need to have a TK ID to have access to the link above. If you are already a 501st member you may apply for 501st access in this forum in the Getting Started section.

You've got to request for 501st access in the Getting Started section.

Update: Check Swag section in the Newsletter for available FISD T-shirts, tank-tops, or hoodies while waiting for the highly anticipated racing shirts!

From the DL From the PRO Legion News Celebrity Q&A with Bara Heiða and Tómas Árnason Notable Troops Memoirs of a Stormtrooper Swag Alert! Advanced Tactics Awards Follow FISD Greetings Stormtroopers (to include gonnabes/wannabes/fans/groupies)!! It has been a very busy month here at FISD; we've seen a lot of lively and spirited discussions on all things TK, including many troop reports, new costumes coming our way later this year (Rogue One Trailer), newly available armor kits being approved at the Centurion level, Merchandise designs and runs gearing up for this year, new CRLs being finalized (Imperial Shock Trooper - Battlefront), and a proposed change to the current OT based TK CRLs for Centurion level. It has indeed been busy, but I digress... I'm asking all of the approved Detachment members to take a few minutes to look at the proposed change to the CRLs. The two week discussion period is about to close, and it will be opened to a Detachment advisory vote for two weeks after that. I've made it no secret that I'm available to each and every one of you in many ways, and this upcoming vote is a great way for each of you to let myself and the Staff know how you feel about the proposal. Be involved! Speaking of being involved, I want to take a moment to thank each one of you for being involved here, for staying involved here. I have recently mentioned it in one of the new trooper posts, but paying it forward is the lifeblood of Troopers Helping Troopers. Taking what you've learned, and assisting others - whether they've just signed up, or they're the DL - is how our community grows. It is how we forge friendships and bonds that extend beyond the borders of any country, and span the globe to truly create our global TK community. It is each of you, the members of this global community, who make it worth visiting and managing it each and every day. The knowledge that exists and the growth that happens here are amazing to witness, and it is even more amazing to be a part of it. While I'm speaking, let me go on record in saying that you all rock! One of the most interesting things that I've been able to see since assuming the responsibilities of Detachment Leader is just how wide-spread and alive the spirit of volunteerism and Troopers Helping Troopers really truly is here. Naturally we see it as members, but to be exposed to all of it in the ways that I am now - consistently being approached by members seeking out ways to help - is truly humbling and it serves as a constant reminder just how special this Detachment is within the 501st Legion itself. This group of people, this forum, founded by Paul (Daetrin) nearly ten years ago is legitimately comprised of amazing people. Thank you for being awesome! So in the spirit of Troopers Helping Troopers, and celebrating your collective awesomeness, I'm going to ask each of you to do a few things - for all of us. First: Spread the word. Get those Facebook TKs that you know, and drag them over here. Show them the kind of impact that they can have on new members simply by sharing what they've learned. Make sure that other members of your Garrisons and Outposts are aware of what's happening here at FISD. Merchandise runs (Racing shirt and large patch runs are seriously JUST AROUND THE CORNER!), CRL change votes, great troop reports, amazing builds, new Troopers joining the ranks... There's a lot happening here that a lot of your peers just aren't aware of, and they're missing out! Second: You've seen several mentions of the Detachment's upcoming Tenth Anniversary Celebration (July). If you've got some ideas that you think would be fun to have included in the celebration, please, please, PLEASE... Message a Staff Member - it doesn't have to be me (but it can be), any one will do - and share that idea. This is your Detachment, and your input is welcomed and needed to ensure that you as a member, are reflected and celebrated here. Third: Really, this is an extention of everything that I've already said during this ramble, volunteer. Contribute. Your experience here is what you make it in so many ways. If you've got an idea for the monthly newsletter, share it with Evan or Danny, or any member of the IPM. If you want to host an armor party, reach out to your local FISD Attache (that definitely needs to be shared with/in your Garrison as well). If you're active, and helpful, and positive in how you interact with others it will grow that spirit within the new members, and they'll do the same as we move forward together. In short, keep doing what you're doing, but find a way to take it to the next level. Everyone here is a kindred nerd-spirit who is excited about some variant of Stormtrooper, just like you are. Where else do you go on a regular basis, that you can you say that? With Unquestioned Loyalty, Tim TK-51878 "Dark CMF" FISD Detachment Leader Calling all Imperial Citizens who would like to take part in the Imperial Propaganda Machine (IPM)! One of the IPM's duties is to inform the masses of our latest news and to remind that the Emperor's will is supreme. This is done by releasing our newsletters. We are looking for loyal citizens who would be willing to contribute to the Newsletter Team through writing articles or thinking up of new ideas. Please send me or any of the staff members a PM if you're interested! Potential recruits and applicants! Have you always wanted to be a Stormtrooper and join the ranks of the 501st Legion? Need information and advice on making smart decisions on acquiring the right armor? Look no further! HelloGreedo gives some tips and pointers below: With Unquestioned Loyalty, Evan Loh TK-24127 "evan_loh" FISD Public Relations Officer A partnership as been formed between the 501st Legion, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Lucasfilm’s Force For Change. Disney-Lucasfilm has announced that they will match charitable donations of up to $1 million (US Dollars) which will be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Make-A-Wish Foundation has been granting wishes of children who have life-threatening medical conditions. And we, the 501st, are really big on charities. It's in our DNA. Make-A-Wish Foundation bring joy to children and families when times are tough. Help us fundraise for Make-A-Wish through the Force for Change campaign by donating through May 5th. Donate on this page: https://www.crowdrise.com/FFCMake-A-Wish/fundraiser/501stLegion With Unquestioned Loyalty, Evan Loh TK-24127 "evan_loh" FISD Public Relations Officer For those who missed last month's (March) Newsletter we posted a music video featuring a 501st Trooper, Tómas Árnason, starring in a music video for a song sung by Bara Heiða. So for this month's Newsletter we reached out to both Bara and Tómas to get to know them better! Video below for your viewing pleasure: IPM: Tell us about yourself: How did you get into music? How long have you been a Star Wars fan? Bara: I started to sing as a baby. My mother told me strangers would comment on my singing before I learned how to talk. When I was a teenager I started to play a little guitar. My father taught me some and I learned from guitar books I found at home. I saw Star Wars as a child and have liked it ever since. The costumes, the setting, there really is nothing like it. IPM: Do you play any instruments? What gave you the idea for the music video? Bara: I play the guitar and ukulele. Recently I have been writing more songs on the ukulele. My brother (Daníel Jón Jónsson) came up with the idea for the video. I instantly loved it. Plus it sounded like something that could look cool without having a large budget. IPM: Why did you want to tell a story about a down-and-out Stormtrooper? Bara: If you listen to the lyrics of the song they do not quite match the story of the video. The song is from a female’s perspective after falling in love with a Stormtrooper who leaves for battle. The video tells the story of a Stormtrooper that gets stranded in a strange place and has to adapt. IPM: How long was the shoot and edit the video? Bara: We did the shooting and editing in less than two weeks. My brother and his friend Haukur Jóhannesson (Spunk team) were so fast and professional. It was a pleasure to witness them working and at all times was it a pleasure to take part in it. Tómas Ármason (the Stormtrooper TK-22304) was also so lovely to work with. It was an absolute dream team. IPM: Is this your first sci-fi themed song? And what have the reactions been like to this? Do you plan to do another Star Wars-themed music video? Bara: Yes, it is my first and most likely last sci-fi themed song. The reactions have been fantastic. The video has over 100.000 views and the song is currently number 3 in the Icelandic charts, also getting radio airplay in Germany and the Farao Islands. IPM: Where can people download the song? Bara: People can download this and three other recorded songs at www.baraheida.bandcamp.com Sometimes it is not like I just write songs, but more like they come to me. It was like that with this song. It came to me and included a Stormtrooper. I let it be as it was instead of trying to change it into something it was not. Some people commented that they would prefer the song if it was in Icelandic or if the lyrics were different. Sometimes it is important to realize that you can't make everyone happy and the most important voice to listen to, is your own. Interview with Tómas Árnason: IPM: How long have you been a Star Wars fan? Tómas: As long as I can remember. The first strong Star Wars memories I had were seeing the remastered edition of New Hope in the local cinema of my home town. After that Star Wars was somehow always there in my life. Then when I found out about the 501st I was amazed right away. “Bad guys doing good” just sparked something within me and I started to look for ways to be part of that. IPM: How long have you been a member of the 501st, and what garrison/outpost do you belong to? Tómas: I became a member in October 2015 so I'm still a bit fresh. I then joined the Icelandic Outpost and have been trooping ever since, helping to spread the word of the good work the 501st does and Star Wars in general. IPM: Where was the music video shot? Tómas: There are a few locations. The big snow field is shot out of Reykjavík, around a town called Hveragerði. Then there is Geysir which is a geyser in southwestern Iceland. But for the most part the shots are around Reykjavík. Nexus (comic book store), Bæjarins Bestu (hot dog stand), Slippbarinn (restaurant/bad workplace), and the Plain Vanilla office (good workplace). IPM: How was filming like? Were you told the whole story from the start or were you asked to act a certain way there and then? Tómas: I did get a short list or an early script and got to have some input on what I was able to do in the armor. Daníel and Haukur, the guys who were directing and filming, had a really clear and good idea right from the start. When filming a scene they gave us the basic and then let us act it out, giving us the freedom of acting more natural and not feel forced in the scene. They did manage to keep it relaxed and fun, but at the same time being very professional about it. IPM: There has been many Star Wars fan films produced. Do you think this experience has given you urge to star in more films? Tómas: I would love to. It was a fun experience and I would not say no to another chance at it. I think it is safe to say I can act a little bit, well at least with a helmet on ;-) And who knows. The new Star Wars movies are rumored to have some scene taken in Iceland, so if anyone is looking for a local Stormtrooper they know where to find me :-) With Unquestioned Loyalty, Alison Machado "manyhighkicks" Imperial Propaganda Department Amazing Austin's 5th Birthday The 501st Legion's Empire City Garrison attended Amazing Austin's 5th Birthday at the Morgan Center for Kids with Cancer in Hicksville, NY. The event was on Friday, February 26th 2016 from 12:00pm - 1:00pm. Chris Feehan (TK-6744), Ron Lares (SL-5928), Anthony Paladino (TK-10666), and Steve Sheades (TK-10466) were in attendance. We normally do not do birthdays, but this is a special case for a young boy battling cancer. Austin has been battling cancer since he was 16 months old, and for his 5th Birthday his mother called on us to make a visit. He is a huge Star Wars fan and wanted to meet his favorite characters. We made it happen and visited him at the Morgan Center for kids with Cancer, along with some of his classmates, friends, and relatives. The Morgan Center is a pre-school for kids with cancer, and he loves going there. We took photos with Austin and the attendees, handed out citations, and wished him a very happy birthday. It was a fantastic experience and we were honored to participate And on to the photos! More here: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/36152-amazing-austins-5th-birthday/ Steve - starsaber25 - 10466 Montreal's St-Patrick's Parade 2016 Hello troops, We took part in the Montreal St-Patricks parade on Sunday March 20th 2016. This was our second years. Last year we were with the SPCA, this year, we were invited on our own. All three Star Wars were present; 501st, Rebel Legion and the Mandalorian Mercs. Here are a couple of snapshots of the event. More here: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/36414-montreals-st-patricks-parade-2016/ Eric - Tolo - 37427 St-Patrick's Parade, Hudson Qc Hello Troops, Saturday, March 19th was Hudson's St-Patrick's parade. Here are a couple of pictures of the event. For some reason, I love parades lol. And on to the photos More here: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/36373-st-patricks-parade-hudson-qc/ Eric - Tolo - 37427 White House Easter Egg Roll Due to the nature of this event we had very strict instructions due to where it was and with the people involved. The biggest requirement was that since The Force Awakens Stormtroopers were requested and The Empire Strikes Back Darth Vader we could not be seen together. We went through security and watched the rain that began on Sunday Night dreading going out and having a wet undersuit for 12 hours. The families came in groups and we had a schedule of specific times and events to follow. Bob and Charles worked their magic and interfacing with the Disney Group made it an incredible experience! The sun came out around 10am and from there it was a beautiful day! We were told there was going to be a special event for the First Order TKs. About an hour before the event the FO TKs were to escort POTUS & FLOTUS. Security was very tight and we followed all their instructions and there were no falls, trips or disasters! The picture sessions for both Vader and the Stormtroopers were overwhelming! It would start with 10 families and in minutes lines were 50 to 75 feet long and getting longer. We did between 30 to 45 minutes each session. Numerous celebrities were at this event wanting to get pictures with the Star Wars Characters. I give huge credit for Bob, Charles again in addition to the Volunteers for the event for keeping things flowing and having patience to deal with the crowds. When it was over we were suited up for about 8 hours. We did strip the armor off for a precautionary bathroom and water break for an hour and walked around the grounds. It was an honor to have participated in such a fun day at the White House with all the families and the other different characters! And on to the photos! More here: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/36459-white-house-easter-egg-roll-2016/ Michael - TriumphTrooper8 - 10114 On March 20th 2016 the Puerto Rico Garrison participated alongside The Rebel Legion and the Mandalorian Mercs on the Saint Patrick's Day Parade in Guaynabo Puerto Rico. Here are some photos: And this one is a bonus goof: Christian - v7sg - 9539 Ruben Santos or TK-34281 (you might know him as Crusader_6 here in the forums) is an ARMY veteran and for the last 4 years has been a Police Officer on the Puerto Rico’s Police Force. When I asked him about his most memorable troop he told me that it was the visit that last Christmas the 501st had with members from the Puerto Rico National Guard to the My Little Joshua Foster home for kids, to give presents to the children. In his own words he told us: “I was scared at first since we were dealing with small kids aged from 3-6 years old and usually they get scared with masked characters. I remember that I was the first to arrive at the Foster home and started talking with the caregivers and one of them told me that these children don’t have a family, the parents are either in jail or in rehab. These kids have lots of love to give ( and they do need some in return). When we were in costume with the children, I got a bit choked up, but held my composure. At first one of the kids was afraid of us and didn’t want to come out. The gifts were given to the children by members of the legion and members from the National Guard. The children were happy that we were there, they wanted us to play with them. And remember that kid that was afraid? By the time we were almost done, she came out and started playing too. I joined the 501st Legion for moments like this. I think that reception was good and I think they expect us again this year. For sure I will be there again” With Unquestioned Loyalty, Christian Burgos-Hernández TK-9539 "v7sg" Imperial Propaganda Department We have heard you loud and clear, Troops! Yes, in just a few short weeks you will have the chance to order your own spiffy new FISD racing shirts, personalized with your screen name and TK number! The price and shipping cost have yet to be pinned down exactly, but they should be right about the same as the last one, which was $30.00 for the shirt, $7.00 for Priority Mail shipping in the U.S., and $26.00 First Class for international, (based on one shirt) from the manufacturer. Exact numbers will be in the official post. The complete list of information on this run will be posted on May 1st, and the run will last until approximately June 1st. Here are some sample questions you may be wondering about in the meantime, though: 1. I don't have my official 501st i.d. yet. Can I order one? - You must have your 501st approved TK or TD designation i.d. number to order one. 2. I am a TD, can I order one?- Yes, if you are 501st approved with a TD number. 3. Can I order one for my wife/child/handler?- Sorry, but again, you must be an approved TK or TD with a valid, up to date 501st Legion i.d.#. Sorry, no exceptions. 4. How long will it take once I order?- The payment will go to the manufacturer right after June 1st, so please allow up to 4 weeks for me to receive them and get them mailed out, and another week for the USPS to get them to you via tracked Priority Mail. International orders may get theirs sooner. 5. How will I know what size to order?- See chart size below. 6. Are there different colors available?- Sorry, but no. 7. Are these the same shirts as the last run? You bet! And while you are waiting for the racing shirts to kick off don't forget that as 501st members you are entitled to an ongoing run of FISD T-shirt, tank-tops, and hoodies! Please follow the instructions on this link to visit our store: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/27166-open-permanently-ongoing-fisd-shirts/ With Unquestioned Loyalty, Joseph Pedigo TK-10963 "justjoseph63" FISD Ambassador This month the 1st Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment would like to congratulate: Expert Infantry Badge Award: Blayne Fitzpatrick "BlayneFitz" TK-42105 Chris Lewis "welshchris77" TK-11677 Michael Perkins "TriumphTrooper8" TK-10114 Charles Holmes "MrOrange" TK-79433 Conrad Lujan (Tahitoa) "Order-66" TK-50106 Gary Hill "Sentry71" TK-11146 Richard Boyda "hupspring" TK-17695 Jeff Salt "wingnut65" TK-50297 Dave Adams "bobafret" TK-72569 Omar Treyes "RoninTK72" TK-56072 Dave Walker "PBTrooper" TK-10737 Gregory Cabrer "Gory" TK-50216 Jaren Henderson "Jaren" TK-71177 Aaron (AJ) Edman "Anzo" TK-77964 Brian Cook "Blackyck" TK-25259 Ricky Resurreccion "RickyBoyBlue" TK-74259 Rene Reicht "Charon" TK-14976 Taylor Fiore "whostaylor" TK-21808 Darren Mullen "Darren TK-11916" TK-11916 Jesse Terrazas "Misfit13" TK-10313 Centurion Award: Andy Samson "Tig70" TK-83970 Daryl Doak "daryldoak" TK-11371 Allan Liefke "allan1313" TK-97491 Chris Lewis "welshchris77" TK-11677 Charles Holmes "MrOrange" TK-79433 Jeff Salt "wingnut65" TK-50297 Kris Yalung "VenicioKristylz" TK-70714 Omar Treyes "RoninTK72" TK-56072 Jaren Henderson "Jaren" TK-71177 Richard Boyda "hupspring" TK-17695 Ricky Resurreccion "RickyBoyBlue" TK-74259 Stand tall and be proud of what you have achieved troopers. You will now be deployed into the First Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment Advanced Tactics Roster. Make us proud troopers! The FISD is always looking for new applicants for our Advanced Tactics program so please do not hesitate to apply if you meet the standards! Our Deployment Officer and armorers are here to help and guide you through to success! Feel like your armor is up to standards and worth of recognition? Apply for the Expert Infantry Badge Program now! Want to go the extra mile, raise the standards of Stormtrooper armor, and be the envy of your peers? Apply for the Centurion Program now! Note: Applicants need to be EIB approved before applying for Centurion. With Unquestioned Loyalty, Evan Loh TK-24127 "evan_loh" FISD Public Relations Officer Don't Forget We're on Facebook and Twitter! Facebook: www.facebook.com/whitearmor If you're on FB, stop by and say hi, ask questions, and share stories! Twitter: www.twitter.com/FISD501st or @FISD501st follow FISD on Twitter! Instagram: www.instagram.com/501stfisd With Unquestioned Loyalty, Evan Loh TK-24127 "evan_loh" FISD Public Relations Officer On behalf of the 1st Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment Command Staff and the Imperial Propaganda Department, <End Transmission>

Nice progress Ahmad! Can't wait to see the rest of your build in the next armour party!

I learnt something new about fuumantroop today! Ahmad are you familiar with the term "armour parties"? Because we're having one this weekend and you are invited. Contact me via PM here or FB if you'd like to attend. You can bring your big brown box there and we can guide you on how to assemble your armour and all. And we got the tools to help you start trimming this saturday as well.

Welcome bro. Nice to know another FISD member in Malaysia! Looking forward to your build thread!

Congrats Eric! Just wanted to clarify: there will be an LMO rep for each detachment. So in FISD's case you're both the LMO and LMO rep?

In Memoriam From the DL FISD Attache Program Around the Detachment Notable Troops Just for Fun Advanced Tactics Awards Follow FISD We honor the fallen. On the 11th of February, 2016 Greggory Dewayne Sebren (TX-24244) of Garrison Tyranus (and recently transferred to Star Garrison became one with the force. Greg was eager for opportunities in which to represent the Legion. Greg is survived by his sister Tamara and his brother Gary. With all respect we now engrave Greg’s name in The Hall of Eternal Legionnaires. It is with a very heavy heart that I report the passing of Jenny Riddle, jnnfr72, TK-9496. She has been a member of the Imperial Propaganda Department for several years. This one hits home for me, Jenny was the only EIB in Bloodfin Garrison when I started in 2011 and she helped and encouraged be to be an EIB and beyond. She always had a smile and had positive things to say. It has been a while since I trooped with her as she moved to Georgia but I had chatted with her a few times, but not as many as I would have liked. I hesitate to say the cause of death, but I do know it was suicide...this too hits close to my heart. I have lost 2 children due to this. Life is short Troopers, live it to the fullest, enjoy all you can and love everyone. Buckets off...Rest in peace my friend... Jenny is the short trooper. I'm the other. With Unquestioned Loyalty, Mark Ryner TK-4584 "captsafe66" FISD Provost Marshal Speaking Softly, and Carrying a DLT-19 This Month... Last month, my first rambling as the DL was rather fun and happy. This month, my first “official” rambling as the DL will be decidedly less so. I’m going to continue a tradition – just for now – that dates back to at least last year and beseech all of you here to be aware of the scope, magnitude, and impact of what it is that you’re about to post here at all times. I have officially been in position for less than three weeks today, and I have received a few emails asking me if I will ban users because of their negativity. That’s kind of absurd, wouldn’t you say? Not that someone would email me about another user, but that they’d have to. For the record, I have no problem whatsoever with users emailing me with perceived issues here at the Detachment. That’s one of the ways that things can be identified and solved, and I am the DL for the members after all. If they cannot reach out to me, then I’m not being available to them, and that isn’t how this works. So, I’m happy to receive emails or PMs from members who feel the need to make me aware of situations. Please continue to feel free to do so. Last year, Eric used one of his NL posts to get on the soap box, and say “let’s not be a bunch of (well-meaning) dicks to each other.” Now, I’m not as tall as he is, so maybe I have to get a slightly higher soap box to be heard more clearly than he was, because even though the overwhelming majority of the people here are helpful and well-mannered/well-spoken all of the time, there is a small number out there who are always helpful yet unaware of the impact of how they’re saying things. One of my main goals this year is to make the forums more user friendly for the newcomers. If they don’t feel welcomed, they won’t stay here. Bottom line. The same applies to our regular members and contributors. If they feel belittled, or unappreciated, they won’t stay and that hurts rather than helps others here. It’s “Troopers Helping Troopers,” not “Troopers Meaning to Help, but not Finding a Polite or Reasonably Respectful Means of Getting Their Message of Help Across to Troopers.” That’s really a mouthful, and it would look horrible in signature banners. You’ve all heard the old mom’s saying “If you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all” right? Or.. “It’s not what you say, but how you say it that matters.” Keep these things in mind Troopers. Seriously. Keep them in mind. Whether you’ve been here for nine plus years, or nine plus minutes, you deserve the same level of respect and assistance as anyone else, and I expect that you’ll show each other that same respect and assistance that you either receive daily, or would have liked to have had as a new member. So if you see someone asking the same question that you’ve answered literally 2,187 times since you’ve been here, or if you see the same “how do I do…” post that you’ve seen 1,138 times this year, even if you know the answer, if you can’t find a respectful way to post it at the moment I’m going to ask you to let it go. Don’t answer it. If you’re having a bad day at the office, or at the house, or on the golf course, or your favorite hockey team got whipped up 5-0 last night as they’re supposed to be gearing up for the playoffs, and you can’t keep your currently sour mood out of the forums, then read, don’t post. Let someone else respond. Maybe a fan of the team that blanked yours last night. They’re probably in a better mood than you are, and the person asking the question will benefit more from their answer than your own at the moment. I’m going to be working with Mark (captsafe66) to add more deputies to the Provost Marshall team, and they and the Staff are going to be asked to be a little more Stormtrooper-like about things in the coming months. If you are being that well-meaning jerk in the forums, I expect them to get on your case about it. I expect you to be told to move along. No matter whom you are. If I’m doing it, because maybe my favorite hockey team got blasted 5-0 last night, I expect them to get on to me about it. I’m no better than anyone else. I’m human. We all have bad days. Some of us have more than others, more often than others. Know yourself and your posting style. Look in the mirror and ask yourself if you’re a jerk on the forums more than most people. If you think you might be, then by all means, keep posting but be aware of that, and how your words might impact other users. Off of the soap box now. So, that's enough Heavy Weapons Trooper behavior for the time being. The IPM has once again put together an awesome Detachment Newsletter for you. There is a lot of good information ahead of you here and some really exciting stuff coming in the next few months as well. We’re getting the planning underway for the Tenth Anniversary Celebration of the 1st Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment, so if you as a member have any ideas that you think sound fun, reach out to a member of the Command Staff and share it with them. I cannot promise that it will be used, but I can promise that it will be shared among and reviewed by the Staff for use. This is your Detachment, be involved. Help us to make it better for you. Since I mentioned the Command Staff, please click on that link if you didn't see the announcement made on March 9th, and become familiar with who they are. We are here to improve this Detachment and keep it running smoothly for you, and we're very serious about both of those things. Speaking of improvements, there is a new thread in the forums (Besides the Command Staff Announcement, and besides the literally hundreds of other ones) that I'd like to specifically draw some attention to, and it is this one here: For Those About To Troop, We Salute You. The purpose of that thread is that once you new TKs have received your Legion approval and your TKID, you can come back and and have a place to share a bit of your story with the even newer members who maybe have not even ordered their kit yet. Perhaps something that you share in that thread once you've established your 501st Legion member forum access will help a fellow new forum member in ways that you can't imagine. Remember, Troopers Helping Troopers! So get your TKID, get your forum access established, and get over there to make your "Hey look, I got approved!!!" post and share it for everyone to see! Remember, if it’s a great time to be a Star Wars fan, it’s a better time to be a Stormtrooper. We’re in for a fun year, Troopers. Spread the word, share the love! With Unquestioned Loyalty, Tim TK-51878 "Dark CMF" FISD Detachment Leader The FISD is currently looking to fill quite a few positions in the Imperial Attache program, and is looking for qualified people to fill them. Our main goal is to have at least two in every Garrison, and at least one in every Squad and Outpost. Some of the main missions of this program include: 1. Being a liason between your unit and the FISD, keeping us informed of news, updates, etc. of things happening in your area. 2. Being active on the boards (both here and on a local level) helping new recruits, answering questions, welcoming new folks to the FISD. 3. Assisting and encouraging both new and approved members to reach EIB and Centurion level. The qualifications are: 1. Have official status as a full, active 501st Legion Stormtrooper. 2. Must have built your own armor. 3. Be in good standing with the FISD and your local unit, and not under any disciplinary action. 4. Be an active participant on the FISD and your local boards. 5. A suggested level of EIB or above. Benefits: 1. In addition to the title FISD Imperial Attache, you will have access to the Imperial Propaganda Machine area of the FISD - the same area as the photoshop team (Combat Photographers) and other extended staff in order to share ideas, information, file reports, and ensure any best practices are shared among the entire team. 2. Access to the Attache Headquarters section- To discuss things related to the position. 3. Access to merchandise for Attaches only, (coming soon) i.e. patches, decals, stickers, etc. Challenge coins are being discussed as well. So, if you enjoy helping future, new, and present TKs out, have a good working knowledge of armor, and are interested in joining up, just post on the link listed below with your qualifications and reason(s) for wanting to be a part of the program. We will review your post, and get back to you as soon as we can. If you have any specific questions, you are more than welcome to PM me, and I look forward to welcoming you to the rank of Imperial Attache! Click here to find out more! With Unquestioned Loyalty, Joseph Pedigo TK-10963 "justjoseph63" FISD Amabassador Newbies and veterans alike are getting to work building ANOVOS OT TK kits, and if you have ever had a question while you’re slicing and dicing and clamping and gluing, there are two threads on whitearmor that you need to know about. Both started by Tony (ukswrath), they detail his own personal build as well as a general discussion forum where people are covering issues they run into with parts, numbering, fitment and more. If you’re building an ANOVOS trooper, these are the threads you’re looking for… Discussion Forum: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/35142-anovos-tk-discussion-forum/ Ukswrath Build Thread: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/35086-ukswraths-anovos-tk-build/ Both will be an incredible resource for anyone who is building this armor, and especially for other first timers like myself. For help with specific parts (including trimming, fitment, and assembly), visit page one of Tony’s build thread, which contains links to jump to each section of his thread, which as of the time I am writing this, is already 42 pages long. Here are some of the common questions and issues that have come up: Are the kits 501st approvable out of the box? Not really - it’s not the “kit” that gets approved, but the final build for each person. So, assuming you assemble everything correctly and that it all fits properly to your body, it would be REALLY close to basic approval. The most notable exception is the belt - ANOVOS kit comes with 4 connections (Chicago screws), but ANH Stunt basic approval calls for only two. Presumably, most folks will be building this as ANH Stunt - more modifications would be needed if you were trying to build ANH Hero. Your options are to mod the belt to make it approvable or to replace it. Beyond basic approval, if you’re going for EIB or Centurion, here are some things you’ll need to address: The elastic used for chest-to-back connection should be white, as opposed to the black that comes in the ANOVOS kit. ANOVOS cloth gloves should be switched for rubber, and the ABS handplates should be switched for latex. ANOVOS-supplied belt will be appropriate with mods for EIB, but not for Centurion - you’ll need to replace it entirely. Some buckets may need extra clean up or detail work done. Specifically, check out your helmet’s frown - there seems to be some variance in how they look. If yours has overspray from frown paint, get some mineral spirits and clean it up. The tube stripes may or may not need to be relocated, as well. The brow trim may need to be moved or replaced, depending on what yours looks like. Lastly, you may or may not need to trim some of the return edge around the eyes. Some of my pieces look melted or deformed. Is there something wrong? Some of the pieces are not perfectly symmetrical - kidney plate, the details on the cod and ab plate, and some amount of “imperfection” is okay and to be expected. Check out the gallery images that show the screen-used armor - some definite “funk” going on there. However, some people have noticed issues with vacuum-forming funk going beyond the trim lines and into the armor - something like that would be a problem, and if you have questions you can post in a build thread to get some feedback on it. Frequent issues: One glaring issue that lots of people have noticed is that the Anovos instructions are mislabeled. The instructions say, in one panel, you’ll need pieces 38 and 39. However, in the next panel, pieces 27 and 28 are shown. Compounding that problem, some of the leg pieces have been misnumbered - so be extra careful when you’re trimming and fitting your pieces. It’s a little up-in-the-air how they ultimately need to come together. Take extra time on the fitment and take lots of pictures to get advice from others before you glue anything. Check these two threads out if you’re building an ANOVOS TK - you’ll be glad you did. Huge thanks to Tony for his hard work on the build, the threads, and sharing his experience with us! With Unquestioned Loyalty, Alison Machado "manyhighkicks" Imperial Propaganda Department Seismic 40+ Armor Party Rocks So Cal Garrison Celebration Anaheim is behind us, but the hundreds of fans who took advantage of the Anovos pricing on TK armor have begun receiving their brown boxes. In the spirit of Troopers Helping Troopers, the SCG's Orange County Squad hosted a massive armor party to get those new troopers up and running. SCG will soon nearly double its original trilogy Stormtrooper contingent. With over 40 builders and another 20+ SCG members there to help, this was an event of EP!C Fire Team proportions. Hosted by OCS leader Rob "Supreme Counselor" Stelmar (TK-5621) and SCG XO Jason "No Pants" Cecil (TK-32571) at a local high school (where Rob is an administrator), the builders created a sea of white (and one more Phasma in the making) in the school's lunch area. There were stations for builders to visit for specific details, such as the EIB/Centurion station hosted by Francisco "Echo" Owens (TK-19191), as well as a garrison information table with card trading and general garrison procedures. SCG's new GCO, Drew "Drewid" Hannah (IG-4237), gave his first public address of the year, welcoming all the new builders and sharing his excitement. The massive influx of TKs will really help us increase our presence at more of the charity and public events we support each year. With Rogue One coming out this year, and with a growing list of parade requests, we hope to also show the true force of the Empire around Southern California. With Unquestioned Loyalty, LadyInWhite (aka "Mama TK") TK-6818 Ingrid Moon Make-A-Wish: Welcoming home Nolan - Portland Yesterday, we welcomed Wish Kid Nolan at the Portland International Jetport from his Jedi training at Disney World. We had three TKs, an Obi-Wan, and a Mando Merc in attendance, plus myself and one of our TK's sons as wranglers/photographers. Nolan got to show off his newly acquired Jedi talents to our costumers. We presented gift bags full of Star Wars toys to Nolan and his little brother. Smiles and laughs were had all around and it was a good, short event. The Make-A-Wish staff helped make things very easy for us, and things couldn't have gone more smoothly. This was the first time I got to see an event like this first hand, and I couldn't have wiped the grin off my face if I tried. The overall reactions of everyone looking on, especially the two younglings, is what makes me so excited to be part of this group! Now I just need to finish my non-Death Trooper costume, and I can suit up myself for events like this More here http://www.whitearmo...rtland-me-2716/ Mike - SolidScrafty - 80494 Educational event: Planets in the Park This was actually through my work in partnership with the local Astronomical association. Activities for kids, photos w 501st members and very large and expensive telescopes set up for everyone to gaze into the heavens... More here: http://www.whitearmo...ts-in-the-park/ Clint - cm325i - 16311 Malachi's Birthday I wanted to share with you guys a troop I participated in this past Saturday. Of all the times I have put the white armor on so far, this is the one I will remember. Here is a cut-and-paste from the Carolina Garrison's Mission Reports... More here: http://www.whitearmo...achis-birthday/ Bryan - trooper96 - 14082 Mimi IS ONE OF US! Everyone remembers the heartwarming story of Mimi. She is the little sweetheart who underwent cancer treatment and was visited by members of the Midwest Garrison. She wanted to go for a walk and took the hand of our own TK 41551 (Eric Werner) and the rest is 501st history More here: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/35884-mimi-is-one-of-us/ Steve - gazmosis - 4034 With Unquestioned Loyalty, Glen "Q" Rhodes TK-85421 "gmrhodes13" Imperial Propaganda Department Has anyone seen a Stormtrooper take the main stage in a music video before? I haven't. Stormtrooper TK-22304 - Tómas Árnason stars in this music video by Bara Heiða and plays as, you guessed it, a Stormtrooper. He wasn't exactly experiencing the best of time until he met someone.... I can't stop singing "Stoooorm...Stoooorm...Stooorm....Stoooooooormtrooper..." (you'll see what I mean when you watch the video) and I think it's a brilliant song. You can download the song here: https://baraheida.bandcamp.com/ Bara Heiða - Stormtrooper This is madness! If you thought of King Leonidas to kicking the man above into oblivion you thought wrong! Star Wars March Madness is here and again and it up to us Imperial Citizens to vote for our favorite heroes. There are really only three people you are allowed to vote for: the Emperor, Darth Vader, or Governor Tarkin. Much to the displeasure of the Emperor and Tarkin, Lord Vader expects to win again just as he did last year. Any other outcome would end in you Stormtroopers on sanitation duty for the until he wins again. That's right. Sanitation for one whole year. So do you duty and VOTE! With Unquestioned Loyalty, Evan Loh TK-24127 "evan_loh" FISD Public Relations Officer This month the 1st Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment would like to congratulate: Expert Infantry Badge Award: Joe Progar "Trogdor" TK-13881 Michael Betsko "DesertMonkey" TK-32478 Karl Germyn "Gloves" TK-21122 Terry Browning "Navajo Bro" TK-8869 Mario de la Peña "SStormtrooper" TK-55839 Brandon Ragan "Target92" TK-42806 Francis Moreira "Backstep" TK-88001 Lee Massey "Monster72SW" TK-29772 Steve Tennison "Chip" 24271 Jose Valera "drumstrooper" TK-11654 Andy Samson "Tig70" TK-83970 Daryl Doak "daryldoak" TK-11371 Fernando Llorca "Lord Darzu" TK-71987 Jamie Godfrey "TKMowsearz" TK-9592 Allan Liefke "allan1313" TK-97491 Centurion Award: David Camacho "Nacho" TK-46700 Roy Ice "IceStormTK" TK-93500 Brandon Ragan "Target92" TK-42806 Ben DeVries "Buttons" TK-76327 Stand tall and be proud of what you have achieved troopers. You will now be deployed into the First Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment Advanced Tactics Roster. Make us proud troopers! The FISD is always looking for new applicants for our Advanced Tactics program so please do not hesitate to apply if you meet the standards! Our Deployment Officer and armorers are here to help and guide you through to success! Feel like your armor is up to standards and worth of recognition? Apply for the Expert Infantry Badge Program now! Want to go the extra mile, raise the standards of Stormtrooper armor, and be the envy of your peers? Apply for the Centurion Program now! Note: Applicants need to be EIB approved before applying for Centurion. With Unquestioned Loyalty, Evan Loh TK-24127 "evan_loh" FISD Public Relations Officer Don't Forget We're on Facebook and Twitter! Facebook: www.facebook.com/whitearmor If you're on FB, stop by and say hi, ask questions, and share stories! Twitter: www.twitter.com/FISD501st or @FISD501st follow FISD on Twitter! Instagram: www.instagram.com/501stfisd With Unquestioned Loyalty, Evan Loh TK-24127 "evan_loh" FISD Public Relations Officer On behalf of the 1st Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment Command Staff and the Imperial Propaganda Department, <End Transmission>

I suggest starting a new thread and locking this one if a new one would be started. Less confusion that way!