Quote :

Histcloth wrote :Those who scream the loudest or throw the largest stones are the ones who WANT to be the ones who change things and by using their methods, they are admitting to themselves that they can't. In many instances, they resort to being downright mean, saying hateful things and spreading scalrous rumors.

I spent 2 1/2 years serving as a small town city commissioner and mayor.
I know exactly what you mean.

Well...I purchased my very first Sekela item (Forage cap) I can appreciate the difference from my very first sutler model.  As Arnold said "I'll be back."

One thought to consider, what is your career/life situation right now? Is your career field one that involves moving every three to five years, or are you "moving up the ladder" in your career so that you may move outside the area your unit is in. That situation will necessitate having a generic look for your uniforms such as a sack coat, trousers, slouch/forage cap, brogans, leathers, and an 1861 Springfield or 1853 Enfield musket. You can have the specialized gear for a specific impression, but you will want to also have the generic looking items to fit into the majority of impressions. We have had to learn that in the past ten years as we moved to Maryland, Nebraska, and now Oklahoma. If you are going to be in the same area for 10 or more years, then the specialized impression is not a problem.

When I ventured off into this hobby some 15 years ago the advice received was less than sterling.  Matter of fact, it was hard down bad.  It is safe to say the first flurry of buying during that initial twelve months was wasted money.  It may have well been tossed down the toilet.  Every bit of that junk (and some it was junk) had to be replaced with quality items.  The only solace is at the time all of us in that group were equally ignorant.  Once some people who knew their stuff got hold of us we were ashamed of what we had been wearing.

Keith,
Those are good points.  I happend to be such a person that can get transferred and have many times.  I've been in places as short as a year and as long as 8 years (Syracuse, NY).  

I'm just finishing my third year here and can appreciate that our unit sticks pretty much to the basics so that you can fit in virtuallly anywhere.