Gratuliere! You are interested in the Waffen-SSreenactment unit, the 1. SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler, and probably have all kinds of questions now regarding our structure and organization. This page should give you a good idea of what to expect of us and what we will expect of you.

PHYSICAL FITNESS.

We accept new members who can convincingly portray a German soldier of WW2. No, you do not have to have a 2% body fat index but you have to be height/weight proportional. This is an at times strenuous hobby, you have to on occasion, be able to sprint 20-30 feet or climb in and out of vehicles quickly without collapsing or passing out. If you have major medical conditions that rule this type of activity out, this is not the hobby for you.

DISCIPLINE.

We portray an elite military organization and maintain policies that are vital to achieving and keeping this standard. You will portray an elite, motivated SOLDIER and this will mean having to think and act like an elite SOLDIER. Your NCOs will give orders to a group or individuals. We do not reenact the Communist October revolution and therefore do not make decisions through soldier's committees unless they are club issues. You may be ordered to do routine soldier's tasks such as: fill canteens, get up early for drill, clean your weapon, run a message, etc. and should have no problems with this. If you have authority issues, behavioral problems or are not able or willing to work as part of a team, this is not your unit.

What will NOT happen:

You will not be harassed, hazed, screamed at, humiliated or ordered to do unreasonable things. Physical violence, threatening behavior or theft will absolutely not be tolerated even once. This is a gentlemen's club.

What WILL happen:

You will be treated in a fair and consistent manner as a Kamerad and brother of the unit by your superiors and fellow grenadiere. You will adhere to unit standards of behavior, safety and authenticity at all times.

UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT.

This hobby requires a lot of gear but don't worry, you will not be expected to buy it all at once. We are happy to loan items out to you so you can come out to an event. If you decide to join and are accepted, you will purchase items according to your financial abilities. DO NOT purchase ANYTHING before having spoken with us about what is acceptably authentic looking gear, or you may waste money and be very disappointed. After roughly one year in the unit you should own the basic uniform of a Grenadier.

RANK AND DECORATIONS.

You will advance in rank and responsibility according to your attendance of events, knowledge of Waffen SS aspects, willingness to contribute time and recources to the unit and your ability to competently lead and instruct men. Military decorations are awarded according to strong merit in combat or contributions to the unit. Exception: If you transfer from a reputable reenacting unit, you may of course keep your current rank and decorations just as in real life. You will be considered a military transfer and would have to be prepared to demonstrate and accept leadership responsibility in that rank's scope.

FOOD AND PROVISIONS.

You will eat with your Kameraden in a mess hall or in the field utilizing your mess kits. In the field, warm rations are generally delivered to the troops by the mess cook by truck or motorcycle. The food is German, plentiful and of good quality. You may supplement your rations with whatever authentic food items you wish to bring. Alcoholic beverages are not included in rations but coffee, etc. is.

ILLEGAL DRUGS / ALCOHOL.

Alcohol consumption: 21 and older, only during free time in the evenings, subject to the unit's DISCIPLINE section above. Drugs: We operate dangerous vehicles, real weapons and carry potentially hazardous blank ammunition. If a Grenadier appears to be under the influence of drugs, it is his last event ever, period.

FINANCIAL DUES.

Annual unit dues are minimal: $35 a year; part of which goes for fuel for our vehicles, Liability Insurance, loner gear and publishing our monthly Newsletter. We also pay about $10 for food and $20 for the use of battle areas/barracks (mostly on military bases) per event. Blank ammunition is purchased from the unit. On rare occasions we ask for a minimal donation for military vehicle fuel.

Still interested? Then we welcome you to the 1st SS Division "Leibstandarte"A.H., climb on board the Panzer VI ride!

Here’s what to expect at your first event:

After contacting us through e-mail, and passing your telephone interview. You will recieve a copy of the Panzerpimpf Zeitung (newspaper), Unit handbook, and your Marshbefehl (Marching orders). You will get your haarschnitt (haircut) as shown in the example. We are more realistic about haircuts, however, than some other units.

When you arrive at the Gefechtstand (Command post), the Posten (sentry) will challenge you, and you will present your Marschbefehl. The Posten will then escort you to our Zugführer, SS-Oberscharführer Brinke. You will report to the Zugführer smartly in the following fashion while standing at attention: "Freiwilliger X sich zur Stelle!" You are now no longer a Freiwilliger, but a Panzergrenadier with the rank of Grenadier.
After Reporting to the Zugführer, SS-Oberscharführer Brinke, you will then Einkleiden (kit you out) in any loaner gear that you may need, and issue you a loaner Gewehr 98K (rifle) if necessary.

You will then report to the Rechsnungführer, SS-Sharführer Burkhart. You will purchase Patronen (ammunition), pay your Battle dues, food, and the membership fee. The Rechsnungführer will then create your Personalausweis, issue you your Erkennungsmarke (ID disk), and your Soldbuch, (included in membership fee).

You will then be introduced to your Gruppenführer. If we are in Kaserne (barracks) you will be assigned a Bett (bed), or if im Feld (in the field) you will construct a Zehltbahn tent.

You will then be given some Grundausbildung (basic training). This will include the following:

Abendessen will be around 21.00 or so and consist of Split pea, lentil, or French onion soup with bread. Lights out will be around 24.00 hours, you will be assigned a time for Posten (watch) sometime during the night and will stand one hour of Posten. You will walk your post in a military manner challenging all that approach you by announcing "Halt! Wer Da?" and then checking for possession of a Truppenausweis, or Soldbuch.
Wecken (revillie) will be at 0700. You will then make yourself Kampfbereicht (battle ready). Früstuck (breakfast) will be issued.
The Zug will Marsch zur Front! Kampf (battle) will commence upon contact with the Feind (enemy). The battle is a series of engagements in consecutive order. There is no scripted victor, so motivation and adherence to tactics is of the utmost importance! Mittagessen will either be issued to you or brought up from the rear.

If the Zug is im Feld, night operations will be carried out. If the Zug is in Kaserne; inspections, Waffenreinigen, an award formation, usually a formal dinner, and of course liberty is the plan of the day. Be prepared to stand another hour of Posten.

Wecken is at 0700 on Sunday morning, Essen will be issued, and the Kampf will commence upon contact with the enemy.
The Battle will cease around 12.00 hours, Waffenreinigen, and reinigen (clean up) will begin, with final formation around 1400 hours.

For information on the rules, regulations, what equipment to buy, and authorised dealers, please see the Official 1st SS on-line manual.

Mit uns zum Sieg!