The Independent Army Rank Structure – Enlisted

If you missed the overview, take a moment to read that to help introduce this post to put this one in perspective.

Just to recap, enlisted ranks for both the Union and Confederate armies were Private, Musician, Corporal, Sergeant, First Sergeant, Ordnance Sergeant, Quartermaster Sergeant, and Sergeant Major. Suffice to say military tactics during the Civil War were quite different than modern tactics, and by that extension future tactics. While on the surface an inane statement, I want to point out that I think we can all agree there’s no need to bring back the designation ‘Musician’ as a military rank. No one uses drummer boys and fife players to keep the orderly battle formations in lock step. Taking that off the table leaves a fairly straightforward list of easy to understand ranks that clearly define themselves: Private, Corporal, Sergeant, First Sergeant, Ordnance Sergeant, Quartermaster Sergeant, Sergeant Major. Done and done right?

Well… to summarize Wikipedia’s description of the rank of Ordnance Sergeant it was a non-command rank assigned to a post and did not mobilize with any unit, was removed from regiment rosters, and was pretty much an administrative and supply position as its name would suggest. The same general rule applied to Quartermaster Sergeants, who were like Ordnance Sergeants except they were assigned to a company’s supply wagon. They were not a command position except to defend the supply wagon and only in the most extreme circumstances would they replace a fallen non-commissioned officer.

The Independent Army would have had posts and forts as required to garrison, supply, and deploy soldiers on an interplanetary battlefield. Someone has to handle supplies and ordnance and food and fuel logistics, etc. But, as you may recall from the overview, these would be temporary forts and encampments (not established posts) and were not designed to survive longer than was required to facilitate the war. By that end, the Independent Army wouldn’t have permanent “supply” ranks either, as the relationship between command positions and rank title would be far stronger than in most other organizations. All of the supply and logistics could just as easily be managed by appointed soldiers and sergeants. I’m sure many units would use the term Quartermaster or Ordnance as a title, or a descriptor of the person's current position - but not as an established rank.

Because of that, the Ordnance and Quartermaster Sergeant rank are superfluous and unnecessary; it’s fat that needs to be trimmed. The Independent Army rank structure would simply be Private, Corporal, Sergeant, First Sergeant, and Sergeant Major following the need for a team, squad, company, and battalion leadership*.

• Private – The average soldier. The term Private comes from the middle ages, when there were ‘Private Soldiers’ (like the term private citizen) who were not conscripted or feudalized into military service. They were there of their own free will. In few other contexts is the term more fitting than in our capacity as Browncoats volunteering to fight for our cause. There is no need for multiple classes of private, or a specialist rank, as the soldiers of the Independent Army are fighting for a purpose and once that purpose has been achieved they can returning to their homes and attending to their farms and ranches and real jobs.
• Corporal – The term derived from medieval Italian and designated the ‘head of a body.’ It has been used by countless militaries to designate leaders of small groups of soldiers or bodyguards. The familiarity and ubiquity of the term makes it an effective rank to use by the Independents.
• Sergeant – Probably one of the most recognizable military ranks, co-opted by paramilitary units and police forces and security organizations, a sergeant is your leader of sections and squads in charge of making the senior leadership’s plans a tactical reality.
• First Sergeant – Generally there is only one First Sergeant, as they are the senior NCO in a company. Being the first among all the sergeants of the company they are in charge of all the NCOs and the liaison between the soldiers and the commanding officer of the company.
• Sergeant Major – The highest ranking NCO in the Army; each Battalion would generally have one. Sergeant Major is technically a command position. In the Civil War when armies were fielded at the Battalion level in lines and block formations, it was a much more direct combat position. Realistically Sergeant Majors, while fielded in battle, more often serve in a regimental and administrative capacity alongside other field grade and strategic level officers.

*For those familiar with current Army makeupa reasonable question is ‘Where’s the Platoon level NCO?’ That would be the Lieutenant. There is no reason to assume the relationship Commissioned Officer and Non-Commissioned Officer animus we see today. Instead of needing NCOs at every level of leadership because Officers are these distant figures to be feared and envied, a Platoon is just a smaller company analog that young officers lead while training and acquiring the experience necessary to command an entire company. A platoon sergeant isn’t necessary when the Lieutenant is directly responsible for his unit and already has 3 – 5 sergeants as his subordinates leading the squads. While a company commander’s parallel in the form of a First Sergeant not only has historical precedence, but individual merit; generating an anachronistic ‘staff sergeant’ or ‘master sergeant’ rank does not encapsulate the minimalist goals of the Independent Army.

The 76th, A Rebuttle

So today I received a comment to my original post detailing the reasons I don't like the 76th Independent Battalion and why I made this blog instead of joining their group. I tried to respond to the comment, but the comment section doesn't give me enough characters to do it justice. Instead of splitting it into four or five comment responses, I'm just going to write a follow up essay using my responses to his/her (I don't know, the poster was anonymous). Hopefully those from the 76th or 76th sympathizers who have similar questions/comments/concerns will have the majority of their answers between these two posts - even if they don't agree with or like the answers.

 Here's the comment in its unedited form, followed by my responses to pertinent parts of the post.

 AnonymousMarch 16, 2015 at 8:57 AM

You know, you have alot of gumption, to criticize a group of people who are as much of a diehard fan group as you are. However, with that being said, I do on certain points agree with you on the accuracy of the canon uniform in question. You do have to understand though that this group all started out, at the time with a concept that no one else had attempted or tried,. so it was in its own development stages. and the significance of the uniform specifics were just to make it worth while to be the first to proudly march in full array with every detail shiny so to say. But it was not dead on or canon accurate. So, I am willing to give you the shadow of the doubt to hear your take on the improvements or adjustments that could have or will have profane effects on the fan fare. BTW, I am one of those 76th Battalion. I marched in the very first Marches in Dragon Con, and I have done DC for 23 years straight. I have also costumed as the FF Mal version and the Serenity version which got Nathan Fillion's approval in person and even on his former MySpace profile at one time. So I am no amateur. But please elaborate further to indicate the cultivations that could have or would be a better way to improve the presentation of the Whedon fan group. Also, if you are not willing to commit to your craft and costuming to try to make things as canon accurate, then why should anyone see your convictions to any other fan fare projects. I understand the cost factor and agree that some expenditures could have been substituted for more affordable facets. But are you willing to commit to doing all the work that is necessary to make thme Canon accurate if it is a more affordable substitute? costuming/cosplaying is not a given craft, it takes time and skilled effort to make something form nothing. I should know, I have been doing this form all facets for 22 years, both costume design, to theatrical make-up, to prop design and all being painted weathered,etc. But back on point, I am willing to conceed and be open to hear your side of the story and your input. Thank you for at least standing your ground and being forthcoming about your opinions, it is good to have that 1st amendment right and to be able to contribute to the cause and concept.

Hello there, anonymous 76^th-er! I’m happy you came on by my blog. I don’t give it the attention that I should, so it’s nice to know people see it now and again. I can go two ways with this response. I could make sarcastic comments on how you started your comment off on a real positive note. I could be vitriolic and respond about the gumption required to make non-canon concessions in a costume and then subsequently refuse to accept criticism on the subject all based on the grounds of “being there first.” Or I could excoriate your grammar and punctuation. But instead, I’m going to address some of the points you make, because I like feedback and I think it’s unprofessional to just shut people down.

“You do have to understand though that this group all started out, at the time with a concept that no one else had attempted or tried…”

I acknowledge the history of the 76^th and I think it’s commendable. But it’s also deplorable that “they tried really hard” is considered a valid dispelling of any possibility of change or improvement. Imagine how miserable the world would be if we used the first draft of everything that was ever designed. You seem to be interested in civics, acknowledging the first amendment. The American Constitution’s first draft was the Articles of Confederation, and I’m certain you wouldn’t want to live in that version of America. In fact, the first amendment is a fix to the original Constitution. But if we’re sticking to first drafts here, we shouldn’t have a 1^st amendment. Just food for thought.

Yes, it’s commendable that those who founded the 76^th did something that no one else had done at the time, or had attempted to do. My counter argument is that, if I were around at the time, I would have done it better and it’s hardly my fault I became interested in the subject second. In fact, before starting this blog I contacted the 76^th and expressed some of my concerns, and was firmly rebuffed.

“You know, you have alot of gumption, to criticize a group of people…”

Yes, I criticize the group. But I also extol its virtues. In fact, in future posts I actually reference the 76^th’s helmet painting tutorial. Why? Because it’s a good tutorial and there’s no reason to make a new tutorial for something that’s already well covered. Please read the original post on the 76th again more thoroughly. Notice how much time I spend complimenting the 76^th, acknowledging its place in the fandom, and thanking it for the framework it has created. It’s a great resource, and I’m sure it’s a good community for those who supplicate to the masters; but don’t think that by virtue of being first it has some ordained purity against critique or improvement. If the 76^th were an organization receptive to making true to screen browncoat costumes, this blog wouldn’t exist. But it isn’t, and those in charge of the place don’t feel inclined to receive dissent, so I have created an alternative for those who want it.

  

“I have also costumed as the FF Mal version and the Serenity version which got Nathan Fillion's approval in person…”

I make the distinction that the 76^th doesn’t do a screen accurate cosplay, they do a Firefly themed cosplay. I don’t want to be firefly themed, I want a costume that is equivalent to your Mal costume, one that those on set would endorse and say “hey, that’s spot on.” something indistinguishable from props and costumes found on set. I want to look like an extra on the show. The way that the 76^th demands you assemble your cosplay does not fulfill that desire. They don’t look like the Independent soldiers did on screen.

Let’s use your Mal costume as a parallel for a minute. Hypothetcially, let’s say you changed a few things. For instance, you added a different kind of suspenders because you couldn’t find some that matched. Maybe the boots you could afford were lace up, but you wore them anyway. Now let us use a different color for the leather of the coat; a brown color but a different shade. Add some stuff to it that wasn’t there before, like a big patch on the arm and maybe some flashy knee pads to the britches. Use a revolver instead of a screen accurate Reynold’s pistol.

You may have perfect stitching, the highest quality materials, and it could be tailored perfectly. It might be a stellar costume and it would certainly resemble this familiar character called Captain Mal from that one show Firefly. But truthfully, is it really a Mal costume, or is it just a space cowboy that resembles Mal?

Now let’s look at the 76^th. They require patterns, ornamentation, insignia, and accoutrements that are either different from or nonexistent in the screen images we have from the show. The 76^th resemble browncoats from the show Firefly, but they’re not browncoats as seen on screen. In addition, the group is not open source. They hide much of their information behind closed boards requiring registration and all the proprietary patterns, accurate or not, are sold for profit by the founder. I find that to be contrary to the free and open costuming community. I plan to offer that kind of knowledge on this blog for those who want to put in the time to be a screen accurate browncoat but don’t want to supplicate to the cult of Boothe.

I want to be a “as seen on TV” browncoat. That’s what this blog is about. Those are our fundamental differences. And since this isn't a 76^th hate blog (as I point out) I made the post to identify the reasons behind splintering from the established 76^th group and creating this new project. I dislike what the 76^th is doing sure, but I don’t hate them. They have their place. The only thing I object to on a personal level is the decision to use US rank insignia. It’s indescribably disrespectful to me and every other service member. The image I want to portray is incompatible with the 76^th, so I choose not to participate. But since the 76^th is a popular, recognizable, and pervasive costuming group in the firefly fandom; I posted a list of my dislikes about the group as a way of answering a potentially repetitious question: “Why not just join the 76^th?” I respect the group enough to be honest with why we’re incompatible.

“…proudly march in full array with every detail shiny so to say.”

I am happy you’re proud to march in shiny array. But nothing about the browncoats as we know them via the show was shiny, so I don’t want that. I think it’s foolish to want that if you want to be a browncoat, but that’s a personal opinion not a critique or insult or attack. However, I acknowledge that the spic and span, neatly pressed, blemish free, look appeals to some people. The 76^th caters to them, and while I wish the 76^th would update its patterns and required materials (and take off the ****ing rank patches) I don’t necessarily think they should drop the parade pretty mystique. It’s unique, and it’s something that will always set the 76^th apart from the rest. However, it’s not how I want to portray myself. However, the 76^th wont accept someone with screen accurate clothing, so I can’t play. However, someone who wants perfectly pressed uniforms, as long as they're screen accurate, would be wlecome in the Shadow Irregulars… we’d just kind of think he was a weirdo who liked soap too much.

“But please elaborate further to indicate the cultivations that could have or would be a better way to improve the presentation of the Whedon fan group.”

This entire blog is my elaboration on how to improve the presentation of the fan group, please take the time to actually read it. I don’t really appreciate your gibe at my convictions though. Is this blog updated regularly, or frequently? No. But I’m also dedicated to my volunteering, my family, my career, and my education. This is for fun. To discount my ability to have a quantifiable impact on the hobby just because I don’t have 89 hours a day to devote to costuming is hardly much of an argument and is a bit discouraging to everyone except for those who dedicate their life to making costumes. It’s borderline discrimination. I mean, I could have some nasty things to say about someone who prioritizes their time so that they can make costumes all day instead of earning more money, having more sex, or developing one’s self personally. But that’s pretty low, and I wouldn’t have thought it up until you broached the issue. And I am not so crass as to insinuate that your proficiency in costuming is somehow at the expense of being a functional human being; so neither should you insinuate that my lack of surplus free time completely invalidates my worth as a costumer.

“But back on point, I am willing to conceed and be open to hear your side of the story…”

The thing is, and this is the point that I’m not sure where the line between honest and rude is, but for all the time you and your 76^th buddies put into the costume: none of you seemed to have spared much thought for the canon accuracy of it all. I find that deplorable. No one who cared about screen accuracy would accept modern US Army rank patches, or vests with braiding in the wrong place, or smocks of the wrong material. You challenge me to be willing to commit time to doing the work necessary to make it accurate when you had the monopoly on the subject for years and did nothing to ensure accuracy? That’s preposterous and disappointing. As a fan, I feel betrayed by the group for having an opportunity to be a shining beacon and a leader in the genre. I feel like the group took advantage of their monopoly to interject someone’s, or a small cartel’s, perspective in an attempt to get a large group of people to carry on their personal lineage. I honestly wish that the 76^th was accurate enough to be worth joining, as this blog is actually quite a bit of work. But the fans deserve a little extra work, so I don't mind so much.