Minimum Unit Size

[sgtsaunders]

What are your parent organization's unit size requirements to start a new unit? What do you feel is a heathly minimum units size in order to sustain enough members show up at events?

[young 90th]

Well I really thinks it depends. One one side of the spectrum you have a close knit group of say 5 guys. They all came together to form the unit because they love that particular unit for one reason or other, and they always try to make it out to events so you usually have 3 or 4.
On the other side you have Huge units that on paper have a whole company but most do not have there heart in the unit and joined because it was the unit closest to them etc. On average 10 to 15 guys show up 5 of which are the mainstays that show up to every event and the other 5 to 10 are fresh recruits or people who have not made it to an event in a year. So what is more effective? 5 guys who know what there doing and are effective ? or 5 guys who know what they are doing plus 5 who are fresh?
Lil Beav

[garandguy1551]

putting a minimum on a unit can be constricting. It's certainly nice when you can get a whole rifle squad or more out to events, but when you're starting up a new group, it's not unheard of to have a couple guys just fall in with another group (if they're okay with that) until you've got the numbers to be a little more autonomous. And that's really more a tactical driven methodology. You could have two guys set up a display at a LH and do a great presentation. What it boils down to is that you take what you can get when it comes to numbers, and you just need to adjust your plans accordingly.

[privypiper2002]

My 10 cents is start with a unit of at least 5. That is at least a fire team. then grow from there. But please keep the rank down to a real level. I've seen too many 2Lts with 5 members. Just chaps my posterior. Otherwise. Do the research. Put together the kit and go for it.

All the best,

C

[sgtsaunders]

If all units show regardless of size, then things work out. But when each units starts asking

Are you going?
Are they going?
Are we going?

Then things change, guys won't go to an event, unless their buddies are going, or their unit is going. So if you have several smaller units not attending, because of this collectively you have a drop in attendance.

This pretains to tactical battles where both sides need the other side to show up. Versus LH events where you can just set up and do a solo act.

[blueletter]

Me and some pards have been looking into it and I know that the HRS parent Groups minumum is 5 and I think its the same for TGS as well, you may want to double check. We are in Illinois so I dont know about like out west or out east. We got like 6 guys interested but 20 would be awosome becuase that would be 2 squads. hope this dosnt really take it in a new direction but whats the differnces between the HRS and TGS Groups/

[TarawaJon]

The minimum to form a unit for the worldwartwohrs.org is 5. A couple new requirements such as a unit picture will be required this year.

There is a difference between organizations in structure and regulations. What unit are you interested in chartering? If you have been reenacting for a short time I would suggest you join an established unit and get a feel for what is involved. Drop me a line I would be glad to help.

TJ

[barcelonablom]

He's getting a feel for unit sizes. Our unit is probably in the area of 30 some members... only 12-15 are regulars. Other units in our organization are seeing a very small amount of numbers. Its not really a starting a new unit as it is a unit "dying out" or at least having maybe 10 members yet only having 2-3 show up consistently.

[hiltz]

Simple: Quality instead of Quantity.
I belong to three units. Two are my own. I'm in one GI unit with 50+ guys and for the past two years only the same 5-10 have shown for an event. Six of those guys are in my own GI unit and we always have at least 5 out of the 6 show. I just started a Feldgendarmerie unit and as of right now it's just me and my motorcycle, but a few guys are getting their impressions together. I have attended 2 events as a Feldgendarm so far. I had a blast and was accepted by other units.
In essence, a small group with dedicated guys is far more effective than a large group of all-so-rans.

[sgtsaunders]

So if size isn't a factor in whether a unit exists, then some sort of attendance requirement should be put in place in order for a unit to maintain it's "unit status".

[Gunny57]

6.
Our parent organization in Auckland requires 6 elements to form a unit. At that level, Lil Bev is right...you can expect at least 4 die hard to show up regularly...
MP

[Artgunner]

I see no problems in starting units. Establish a core of guys and build from there. Fall in with other units until you can meet requirements to stand alone as your own or have others to beef up your numbers. It helps to have an upbeat personality to foster enthusiasm and friendship to keep a unit growing and going. Always move, camp, eat, etc as a unit even though there are several of you. This way the wolves of recruiting won't pray on your men that has fallen in with them. We need more units to build up our hobby. We should always encourage this. Units come and go. They age out too. Building a unit within a big organization can present problems such as start-up requirements, numbers in attendance at events, etc. so you just have to deal with that or seek other avenues. Good luck!

Artgunner

[Buggnkat]

Well 5 is a good starting point. You gotta start somewhere. When we formed a 506th group many moons ago, we started with 2, within a years time we had over 15 in 3 we had near 50.

I have now co-formed a unit with 5 members who have all agreed to get no larger without the vote of the original 5. This keeps us friendly and what we want out of the hobby.

Now for being small, we have been lumped in with good and bad units at events. Some of the best was the 30th out Minnesota. Warren and his crew treated us wonderfully. But on the transverse, we were attached to a group that got lost, didnt know what its objective was and could have cared less if they did ANYTHING right, that is till lunch.

We as a general rule work well with most units, if we get the itch or decide that the knuckleheads we are attached to are too annoying then we carry out the orders given without our attached hosts.

Numbers are just that. I have seen big numbers that fell on their arses, and have seen small units do great things. I agree with one of the above posts, "Quality not Quantity".

Greg Lee

[35divmp]

All:

Greg's right. it will all depend on the people you get and want to keep will many times drive the size of your unit.

Another thing is the impression itself. If you are doing something that's NOT the standard "norm," i.e., infantry, armor, paratrooper, etc. and are doing instead like MP, medical (not medic), engineer, supply, artillery, chemical, etc., then your numbers will be FAR smaller than the "norm" units out there.

We have only 6 members in our unit and usuaally only 2-3 us are able to make most events, that's just the way things are. We have one 2nd LT., one SGT, and the rest are PFCs or lower. We represent the Command section of the divisional MP platoon so our numbers are fairly correct.

Jay

[sgtsaunders]

I'm hearing a lot of "being thrown in with another unit". How large do you have to be before you no longer are "thrown in with another unit"?

[Buggnkat]

Depends on the event. Usually if you show with 10 or more you are on your own. If the objectives are small or multiple scenarios are being used you can see 5 or more pretty much the standard.

[twhigham]

Dec 27, 2008 12:05:42 GMT -5 sgtsaunders said:

What are your parent organization's unit size requirements to start a new unit?

As far as I know, it only takes 2 guys to get started, depending on historical role.

Dec 27, 2008 12:05:42 GMT -5 sgtsaunders said:

What do you feel is a heathly minimum units size in order to sustain enough members show up at events?

5 to 10

Dec 27, 2008 12:05:42 GMT -5 sgtsaunders said:

I'm hearing a lot of "being thrown in with another unit". How large to you have to be before you are no longer are "thrown in with another unit"?

5 to 10, depending on impression and historical role. 2 cooks can stand alone, 2 regular infantry not so much.

[caffrey]

David,

Does it really matter how many people show up to an event from any particular unit? We are all paying members. For example, why should I be required to attend specific events with respect to our unit's superficial standing within the parent organization? What you are suggesting is equivalent to Big Brother.

Similarly, maybe you should read the CHG bylaws. You will find many redeeming answers.

Here is a link to our club bylaws: sites.google.com/a/chgww2.net/docs/Home/documents/CHGBylaws.pdf

[Artgunner]

Dec 28, 2008 15:45:36 GMT -5 sgtsaunders said:

I'm hearing a lot of "being thrown in with another unit". How large to you have to be before you no longer are "thrown in with another unit"?

This can also be dictated by judging and number of judges to travel with units. Around my area, normally if you have the most men on the field at an event, others will fall in with that unit and it is allowed to command itself. As an event promoter, I personally don't like everyone and his brother running all over the place doing this and that. You cannot control the event to where all will have fun and most times the ones running around seem to kill what the event was to be.

As an example; at SOV events, you can be a small detachment, have a specialty like engineers, and be sent in all directions to do your job at hand. But we also will group men/units together at start or on the fly so we will have an OC/radio with the unit for army control and or event control.

Artgunner

[Mayo]

If someone does not attend events, the only thing they are paying for is being a member. You can be a paying member, and not have a unit. But, to attend an event it should be a rule that if you do not have 10 people (roughly the approximate size of a rifle squad) you should have to fall in with another unit. This is a discussion. Caffrey, this is not a "new rule." We are discussing ideas. Dave is prompting healthy discussion in order to find out what opinion other folks have.