The Trouble with the 501st Legion - Scandal Explained
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- Опубліковано 21 чер 2020
- This topic is obviously a sensitive one and I hope that we were able to properly and respectfully cover it while explaining it in depth for everyone who has been confused, curious, or skeptical.
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Greg: / gogettergreg
Brian: / sithing.aint.easy
Taylor: / whostaylor
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Get your self someone who hypes you up like Greg hypes Michael at 54:00...
GREG IS THE KEY
Haha. It looks more like Michael is hyping up Gregg.
when you said that 501st members are "conditioned to spot errors in creativity", I FELT THAT. I was never a member of 501st, only RL but have since went inactive, and I have spoken to so many people who were excited to make a certain costume but then saw all of the requirements and "boxes to tick", so to speak, and completely fell out of love with the costume. Seeing that passion leave them, even over a DM or text, was heartbreaking to me. So many people feel like if their costume isn't "approved", it isn't worthy, and it's so far from the truth.
A lot of people experience this, and even more so when they try to do a main character and others prefer to gate keep over encouraging and supporting them. It’s a shame to see
One of the reasons I chose to follow the mandalorian mercs instead
that really hits me. I was so excited to make a costume and the 501st was my dream group but then I saw how accurate you need to be and detail to be done and it turned me off from my dream of it.
YES
I'm remember seeing star wars 20 years ago for the first time and fell in love. When I heard mr Guinness say the clone wars I thought nothing of it as a kid, but when I saw episodes 1 and 2 I was so excited about it as a time period. As a28 year old I started to try and make a phase 1 clone out of 2m plastic was going well but I realised that I was unlikely to ever get the CRL correct.. Didn't give up but a year later I bought a 3D printer and 5 months later I have a bunch of a clone printed and so happy to see that the galactic armoury got approved. I joined the imperial out landers as I knew I could eventually have modifications that I want to make the armour feel more real like buttons that have functions on my right arm. In all I will try for CRL approval but I am never going to let it get me down and I am going to support my friends if they way approval(especially the one close friend that I'm printing him a set in secret)
As a GML, I worked hard to balance fairness and accuracy with applications, and also provided resources if there were costume issues. A friend once said that people troop for many different reasons, and all of them are valid. That was really challenging but stayed with me, and I worked to embrace it in order to better accept people’s motivations that were different from my own for costumes and event participation. I am still amazed at the number of pets that wander into application photos. I burned out hard, going from 30+ troops a year for several years straight to 10% of that. There are still good people. MTFBWY to everyone!
Thanks for sharing! Ive mostly had great experiences with GML's, but I have heard horror stories. Def a tough job!
Same here
Keep it up, trooper! Your work as a GML is a thankless job but know it was/is appreciated by people like me. Thanks for being constructive in your criticism by providing resources in your reviews.
I'll be honest with you guys, a lot of what you said is the main reason why I don't really troop anymore. When I first joined, I loved it. Made a lot of great friendships with people throughout the legion including you guys. But as time went on, I started to see how toxic the legion started to become as well as my own squad. People taking advantage of the legion for their own gain, whether it was money, self-promotion, using their position to get in on exclusive events like red carpet movie premiers. I've even seen someone put so much effort and love into improving the things in our squad to just get completely ignored for all of the hard work they've done. No recognition, nothing. The squad ultimately became a little click of a small group of people and I just had enough after that. Don't get me wrong, there are still a bunch of wonderful people out there that still continue to do good in the legion and I always love to see it. But as of right now unless things change, I just can't be a part of the club anymore. I fully understand where you guys are coming from with all of this and now I understand why Michael, as annoying as it was at the time, kept bringing up that he quit. Love you guys and keep up the great work on the podcasts.
Nice profile pic...
I’ve enjoyed trooping with all of you at various events in the past. I completely see the bad behaviors that you are all talking about and I for sure see all of the good ones as well. I remember seeing all of your costumes for the first time and they all blew my mind. (Being just a basic TK myself) Taylor’s weathering on his shore was insane. I kept staring at Michaels paint job while at the Rancho Quakes troop. And Brian giving me a coin after a bday party troop he did for a little girl who survived cancer is a huge memory for me. (I keep it in my helmet bag and it goes with me to each troop). Anyways I just wanted to check in and say thanks, you guys rock and thanks for explaining all of the Legion issues. I am soo not a part of the convo I needed the update.
Good to year from you
John! Hopefully I’ll see you at a troop in the future!
I stopped trooping as well, and just kind of let it fade away... I am a ROTS Vader.. and I tried to make sure I was perfect to the little bits of Vader as seen in the end... It was an extremely costly build and I was approved on my first submission.. The problem started happening when my interest grew in creating a Kylo.. and of course we were trying to create a costume, from a few trailers and a costume displayed in a glass case.. The powers that be, were telling everyone how this costume was to be created, and what it was made of, and then said " we are right about everything " and of course, I disagreed with some of it.. and I then had a bunch of people talking my ideas down... my ideas were discounted,, and when I said that you don't have enough information of the creation of this suit.. well, you guys know how that goes... every 10 seconds, the powers that be, slowly had to start modifying the hastily made CRL which of course, everyone had spent tireless hours and lots of money creating.. it's this fabric, no its this fabric, wait, its this color, it's cut like this.. oh wait..start over... no stop.. its really this.. anyways, I created it how I wanted it to look, and I I just stopped participating.. These people.. "the powers that be" took all of the fun out of doing this.. and they are the reason I quit.. I hope their ego and narcissistic compulsions were worth the amount of people they cost the club.. I don't even know what happened after that.. because I am a normal person, that gave up, and DON'T GIVE A SHIT ANYMORE..
I just want to weigh in as a Legion member. To me, and this is just my experience, a lot of the negativity is mainly through social media. My squad, for the most part, is a group of fantastic people that I would consider close friends and even family at this point. I have yet to PERSONALLY experience any of these horror stories I read/hear about online. That's not to say they don't happen, but I have yet to experience it. We are a rather small squad, so maybe that helps to tamp down on the drama and negativity. I've been a 501st Legion member for almost 3 years now. I had only been in for about a year when I got married, and a large portion of the squad was there at my wedding. I think what's happening with the 501st is it might be getting too large, and the larger garrisons don't really have an ability to police their own members. I think the smaller squads and garrisons, like the one I belong to, don't really have these crazy issues because we're more able to handle any drama or bs that comes up, if it even comes up at all. Maybe finding a way to make garrisons and squads smaller to better enforce any bs and build a tighter knit group is the answer. Sometimes it feels like a good ol boys club, but that's almost a guarantee with any hobby where people have been doing it longer.
The elitism needs to die out as well. We're all grown adult nerds that dress up in expensive plastic and pretend to be spacemen from our favorite movie. I still have no idea how any sort of negativity, hostility, and dishonesty can come from playing dress up with your geeky friends.
I've got a wide range of (expensive) hobbies, and the 501st Legion has been, by far, the best and most positive group I've been a part of.
BUT THAT'S JUST BASED ON MY EXPERIENCES AND MY OWN PERSONAL OPINION
We have been in Southern California Garrison for several years now and I have the same experience as you. Yes there is drama but it's usually on facebook and through social media & when I started to feel wrapped up i took a step back from facebook and just trooped when I could... it reminded me of why I joined... and I felt better about everything. There are so many good people that work so hard to create a positive atmosphere... really... I think the people that stir the negativity - on both sides - have lost sight of that because they stopped trooping and got wrapped up in the other.... Maybe the answer is that every member has to troop at least once a month (not just once a year) to keep their membership... it would weed out alot of the bad stuff IMO.
i'm totally not watching this while having online class
I just finished my armor build (Sergeant Appo) and was just approved into the legion. I really feel that the legion should be about the costuming and the charity work. the main thing that pushed me to join the legion was the opportunities to troop and make someone's day. I mean yeah I'm a huge star wars nerd and I had always wanted to have my own clone armor the chance to show people what I love and see the smile on a kids face when they come face to face with the characters they have seen in the shows and movies.
GREG IS THE KEY or IS GrEGG THE KEY
I remember my husband going through the nitpicking when he tried to get 501st approval for his RC. He got in for Rebel Legion not a problem, but the guy who was judging his 501st application would say something was wrong but wouldn't tell him exactly what was wrong. It took him 5 times to get approved for 501st and it was all over a disc that was supposed to be on his boot.
Dude I completely agree with why you left the 501st, I’m in the UK and troop as a stormtrooper for fun mostly for friends and family. I planned to join the 501st uk garrison as soon as I got my armour before it was even built. I’m i life long Star Wars fan and simply just wanted to be a stormtrooper for the uk Garrison. However, having done some research in to the rules and regulations of garrison membership, I felt just based on that research I didn’t then want to join , the rules and regulations just to keep my membership active seemed a lot of effort, as well as I knew my armour wouldn’t pass inspection as I made it to be comfortable to wear not 100% screen accurate. I’ve attended plenty of conventions in my armour and had a few 501st members approach me saying you should apply and were very nice and a credit to the garrison, however, I also had a few approach me with no introduction and just say “your armour would never get in” then just walk away. So I made the decision to continue for fun as I love star wars and want my trooping to stay fun and pleasurable not stressful and elitist. Keep up the good work my friend 👍
It’s a shame that a lot of members share this mentality, and are louder than the ones that are genuinely nice and welcoming. It’s great that you still chose to make and wear the costume for yourself
GoGetterGreg - cheers, yeah I love it, don’t get me wrong, I’m sure the majority of members are fantastic people, but like a lot of things the minority spoil it, unfortunately it just put me off applying
What sort of rules and regulations does the Garrison have? I thought the basics of joining was just having the costume approved and doing your one troop a year?
@@kevinprahl1746 - not when I was looking at joining, although it was a few years ago now, obviously your armour had to be screen accurate to the absolute letter, and you had to do a minimum of 6 troops a year to keep your membership active, and you couldn't choose which events you trooped, you had to put yourself forward, and the lead trooper or whatever the title was selected who would troop,and if you didn't do 6 troops a year your membership was deactivated just sounded like a lot of effort just to keep your membership active
@@drscifi Its also nonsense, 1 troop a year is all thats required, the same as every other garrison. Troops are posted on the UKG forum and members sign up.
**Greg Is The Key** Also as an official member of the MMCC i can honestly say there is a VERY thin line of members from all the clubs not just 501st who just want to troop and have fun & those that only do high profile events as well as trash talk us because of not being screen accurate at all. But knowing both Brian & Greg I respect your view points since Im well aware of the situations that have happened in the past. Miss ya Greg & Brian I love your DW tutorials. Hope to see you all soon.
I love that Taylor is FINALLY back on the podcast, it has felt odd without hearing his silence when he is asked a question xD. No but seriously it actually feels like the whole squad is finally back together
GREG IS THE KEY - prove me wrong
As a member of the club , i take pride in the accuracy but i have way more respect for a Cosplayer that wear a Cardboard Costume , because 1 he/she made it 100% by hand and they have fun wearing it . thats the spirit of cosplay . i am lucky to be in a garisson where we have 8 Kylo Ren 5 or 6 Vaders, no body tries to be exclusive. it is sad that some garisson have a ''bully '' attitude , it gives bad image to the club .
A couple things:
1. Greg is the key
2. Holy cow did I love this podcast. I really appreciate the perspective you guys shared and super like how you guys kept it positive but showed the things that have to change. Thank you for this podcast, and for being great mentors, great people, and showing why you’re the reason we now have this positive corner of Star Wars.
This episode was really interesting, I recently joined the UK Rebel Legion group and I'm glad I now know all this before I got to far into the group. Thanks Rexin around Crew.
Greg is the key.
Be the change you want to see in the club and just keep your wits about you. Otherwise, give it a shot! It's a different experience for everyone, and you'll never know until you give it a chance. If need be, you can always walk away. It's just a costume club.
@@explodedweevil5537 Thanks. I'll try my best
Recently just joined that myself. This sure is an eye opener.
@Andy Morley Nice to see your still around chap. this really brings back good and bad memories. I`d say find another club instead.
This is the most controlled chaos I have ever seen on this show. That’s saying something.
Greg is the Key
As a member myself, I appreciate you all staying respectful in your discussion of the club and not generalizing your experience(s) to all 14,000+ members in the club worldwide. As you rightfully acknowledged, there is more than one type of member in the 501st.
Edit: The accusation of $4,000,000 was proven false and unjustified (based on an unreliable app called ZoomInfo). Project Mayhem has also been disbanded in a sign of good faith so hopefully that's progress. The garrison in-question also has its financial records published internally on their website and is accessible to the LCOG.
I disagree with the notion of disbandment. The 501st is already fairly decentralized already with its garrison structure. Yes, some garrisons may need restructuring, but you also need to realize that the UKG was its own organization prior to the 501st. It was not created under the 501st. As part of the merger, it maintained alot of its original policies, such as the charity pot that is at-issue here (i.e. the whole "4,000,000" dollar fiasco). That garrison is unique in that respect and thus should be the focus of reform.
I know this issue isn't the first of any garrison dealing with money, but to disband and restart only feeds into a cycle of these sorts of issues. Any organization experiencing this kind of growth, whether with local members or internationally, is going to have growing pains. As you said yourself, it is the franchise that attracts the socially awkward who abuse or otherwise unintentionally mishandle abritrary leadership positions-- not a result of the club itself but the intellectual property it concerns itself with. There is also nothing inherently wrong with clubs participating in events sponsored or hosted by Lucasfilm, but I won't say much more on that.
Passion on any issue is a great motivator but calculation is still required for effective change/progress. We can not allow emotions to cloud our judgement but instead relegate them to be the fuel for our actions-- which are truly what will determine the fate of the 501st-- not inflammatory posts online. I admire your passion nonetheless, Michael.
Project Mayhem was disbanded as good faith? I have to disagree with any part of the creation of this sub sect. There was nothing positive coming out of that name, or the actions taken. It was created to cause Mayhem. I chose to be a Squad Leader. That was my way of trying to improve the legion. Not create a special club with its own merch and yelling louder than the rest techniques.
SithingAintEasy Officially, yes. It has been disbanded according to our new LCO, Ingeli. She spoke with them via a Zoom call, and they came to that agreement. I agree with you wholeheartedly that the subgroup, or any exclusively political subgroup in the 501st, should be fought like a bad plague. I am also a squad leader for the sake of effecting the change we humanitarian members, in Michael’s words, want to see in the Legion. To return to our roots.
Disbanded? I call BS on this. All they did was close their Facebook group. To think they still aren’t talking in private messages and planning their usual BS is just naive.
GoGetterGreg Time will tell. If these same individuals continue to use their usual tactics in a coordinated manner under a different banner, then yes, the gesture was “BS.”
On the other hand, Ingeli, the new LCO, assured us that she spoke to some leading members of the group and, at least in namesake, the group was disbanded to move towards unity in the community. I’m sure members still hold many of the same opinions, but PM was always just members of the Legion that had a passionate vision for the organization, albeit using utterly disagreeable tactics to realize that vision. I don’t condone their actions, but I also acknowledge there’s alot of miscommunication about who and what PM is. Some of their opinions aren’t all that radical, even if I might not agree with them or how they go about promoting their agenda.
For now, I think it’s best to stay optimistic. If we want change and aren’t closed off to the possibility of said change, then we need to have the same faith they have *allegedly* shown to us by disbanding in the name of moving past previous conflicts. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t still be cautious of such domineering subgroups, but to reject the possibility of change altogether doesn’t do us much good either- especially without seeing the dialogue on the issue on the Legion forums. Trust is a fragile virtue, and I don’t expect it to be repaired overnight in the Legion, but this step is one in the right direction. To doubt its authenticity on one’s own intuition denies the progress we are all trying to advocate for in the Legion.
About half way done listening to all the podcasts on Spotify/UA-cam after finding y’all last month. This makes my Monday even better! Greg is the key.
Thanks for joining us!
As someone who's been thinking of joining the Legion, I'm glad you guys did this. I still wanna join for the trooping, hospital visits, etc., but this is definitely an eye-opener as far as the community within the organization is concerned.
It is by no means representative of the entire community as discussed during the podcast. You’re joining for great reasons and rest assured you’ll get along just fine with those who joined for similar reasons- myself include. Only occasionally do you find dissonances and even fewer of those lead to any notable conflict. I’ve yet to experience anything like that after 3 years.
I'm a part of the WW2/1940s reenactment community, and we have very similar problems with pettiness. You can have a 1945 dated badge or rifle at a 1941 event and people will point it out. The amount of shit people talk in the background is also crazy. People will get ripped to shreds just for minor errors. I was part of a group for 1 full year from when i joined to when i left. It was crazy, I have 2 different impressions. Royal Engineer sapper and RAF Sergeant Engineer. The main one that comes to mind for me, is the eagle on the shoulder/upper arm, i had applied the eagle the wrong way round. It was a small error any beginner would make, but alas i was ripped to shred for it. It just goes to show that people in any community where they have an inkle of authority, abuse that power to make themselves feel better. The irony is that the punk who was the leader of the group still acts as if he is friends with me and the other guy who left. Its hilarious at events when he tries to be all chummy :D
Civil war re enactors are really bad about it apparently. Which is especially funny considering most of them are overweight and middle aged, which is definitely not period accurate for the average civil war soldier :D
@@MichaelCasanovaMusic hahaha its funny. There are various facebook groups called FarbFest. That are solely dedicated to sharing images of bad reenactment outfits. Luckily i havent been posted in one yet by someone else. (I did post a picture of myself once, luckily it was fine :D ) But the same thing happens for german units during ww2 (I wont say the name, dont want to get zucced by youtube) and they are not peak physical condition.
A lot of great perspective here. Thank you for putting into words a lot of the struggles I've had with the legion over the last few years.
Greg is the key.
Brian: talks
Michael: picks up button, presses button
Button: great story Brian
I’ve just started listening to you guys, and I’m thankful that I did - you guys are awesome - keep it up!
All good points. You all were fair and honest in your comments and personal experiences & that is needed a lot, now more than ever.
I was also the individual on Tik-Tok you referenced in this video. I think you might have misinterpreted my comment about "you of all people." If you go back and re-read, I was trying to say that it was a shame that "you of all people left the 501st" because your work is really good. I really admire your costume-making and follow your content, so it was disappointing to learn that you left (but for your own reasons which I respect). It was NOT intended as an insult.
Overall, I was just trying to communicate exactly what you said: "This is not a reflection of those of you who are out there trooping for the kids." With my comments on Tik-Tok, I was just trying to say that: You can't generalize negative perceptions of the elitists and abusers in the 501st to the entire membership. And you don't as evidenced here. But I do get that the clowns at the top are ruining our image at the bottom. I am not "pretending nothing is wrong." I am going to be the change I want to see in the Legion by continuing to troop at the bottom for the right reasons.
applause! thanks for sharing.
Thank you for this episode. Your perspective on the current state of the 501st is shared by many of my friends in the Star Wars Fan community (and hopefully a good number of others as well). I joined the 501st in 2004 for no other reason than to find out where I could wear my cool costume other than in my living room. Many events and great opportunities later, I find myself completely jaded with the entire club. For the past couple of years, the main legion boards have been rife with accusations, slander, recalls, removals, ratifications, in-fighting and more. I used to love browsing the legion boards to see what garrisons were doing across the globe and to pick up an item or two in the for sale forums. Now, it takes me 10 seconds to browse past the posts with 30some pages of responses lamenting the s&*#-storm of the week. A wise man once said "the only drama you find in the legion is that which you bring with you". I could go on and on, but you have presented it well. Keep up the great work gentlemen - I enjoy your content ! If Greg is the Keymaster, who's the Gatekeeper ?
Thank you for the comment!
Great job on this show! I’m not a member of any club, but have quite a few friends that are. I came across the whole scandal on Facebook and wasn’t too surprised. I really admire the devotion that members put into their kits and the time they take to troop events. I’m not surprised whenever the drama pops up. I’ve been a part of other non related groups and have seen the same types of things come up. Anyway, thank you for your perspective on this and keep up the good work
Back when master replicas was doing helmets I saw a 212th helmet and bought it. It was the start of me wanting to have a full set of clone armor. I knew people in the 501st and asked them if they had any ideas how to go about it and they told me to talk to someone in the local garrison because he had the connections and he would be the one to ultimately approve the costume. When I talked to him he told me that I needed to have a stormtrooper costume first. So I stopped even trying to build the armor. So now over 10 years later I still want to join and the person is no longer with the legion but everything coming into the public light gives me flashbacks of what I went through. I probably will never join cause of it. But at least..... Greg is the key.
My husband started watching you guys and we met briefly at Galaxys Edge. After that I started watching your shoe alongside with him and I appreciate the show, your honesty and humor. Hopefully we'll see you guys again!
That means a ton! Thank you so much
Honestly, I haven't been on the channel for very long, I found you through some of your suit-up vids a few months ago. Started watching the podcast, and the episodes are a nice way for me to relax and to have a laugh when I'm tired or when I'm feeling a little blue. Thanks! :)
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Greg is the key!
This week on the Rexin_Around show: For the first time, this incredible podcast has introduced a somewhat structured format. Not only that, but there is the return of the legend Taylor. We now know where he is, but Who's Taylor?
Greg is the key
Eliminate the money. No merch, no receipt of fundraising, it must go directly to the charity and you would eliminate the problems and more than likely 1/2 the legion. The final part of the equation is to eliminate the politics and Lack of transparency.
The issue has historically been too much merch, but with the new LFL restrictions posed this year, I think merch would be much more manageable in the way of policing. Total elimination, just like total disbandment, is overkill. Sadly, the LFL guidelines, though still in-effect, were never tested because of COVID-19. Most Chinese manufacturing firms are closed down/stalled anyways, so not much merch this year.
I honestly have grown to love this channel (and all of you on social media in general). You all are so funny, entertaining, helpful, and honest. This video is so unbelievably truthful. I can't believe how similar my situation with the legion was to Michael's... eerily similar. Seeing what you guys do here is exactly why I still have passion. I do things for ME and that's what keeps me going. I wish so bad that I could be around you guys. Absolute legends, all of you. What I would give to build a 332nd clone with you guys. Keep being honest... keep being amazing! Star Wars is beautiful.
I legit thought the video froze 🤣
You're not alone. 🤣
So I'm a 15 year old boy and its my dream to make a suit of clone armour and have a giant collection and have fun with friends and meet new people in the 501st Legion. And I've heard so many good things about it, and you guys, and I know that there are always going to be toxic people and I see it everyday when I go to school and I don't like seeing injustices in any societies. It's really disappointing to see things like this and there needs to be change and a difference can be made.
As Maul famously said
"He (Greg) is the key to everything"
I had no idea previously about all the politics that occurs in the 501st, but it’s so true that that’s what happens every time people see potential for them to have power or personal gain. I think that’s why what you guys are doing with the podcast is so awesome and is what the 501st should be, a place to connect and share a common love for something that inspires creativity.
wait... whos taylor again? seems like a cool guy
jk tho but i'm loving the zoom in that you guys did with all of the expressions, cracks me up every time. super excited for the other contents that you'll be posting I've been binge watching your podcasts this past few weeks and you never fail to make me laugh like an idiot
keep up with the awesome work guys!
also yes, GR-3GO IS THE KEY!!!
I feel like I'm the only one who wasn't huge on the bad batch. But if everyone else likes them then I'm glad they're getting a show that will make ppl happy
I wasn't a fan either! I mean cool concept and I'm not against their existence or anything.. they're just meh to me.
This was a really great episode! As someone who has thought about joining different clubs before especially to find other people who are interested in the same things in my small-ish area this episode was really great. It won’t stop me from joining if that’s what I choose to do, but I think this was a great reflection on the issues from a bunch of different points of view.
And like everyone else, I’m really glad Taylor is back. It does feel like now we’ve got everyone back together and it made me smile when I saw the Instagram stories pop up this weekend.
Also Greg is obviously the Key.
Thanks for sharing! I continue to be a legion member. I just try to stay away from drama and enjoy trooping to spread the love of Star Wars!
SithingAintEasy And that is one of the reasons I’ve loved following you! I’m all for the people that love Star Wars and do these things for the “right” reasons, it’s why I love this podcast so much. I’m glad the community has people like you all in it!
I was a member of the 501st from 2002 to around 2010 and during that time I spent a few terms as the assistant detachment leader for the biker scout detachment (Pathfinders). It was during my time as the Pathfinders ADL that detachments were required to develop the first CRL's. I was tasked by the head of the detachment to draft the biker scout costume standards. Back then, the goal of the CRL's were simply to establish a baseline list of costume standards for membership into the 501st. Never were the costume requirements meant to granularly judge a new member's costume. I am assuming that started happening after I retired from the Legion.
I will say that before I left I worked with other scouts in the Pathfinders to come up with the advanced "Lancer" standards for those who sought higher levels of costume accuracy. The Lancer standards were (at the time I was in) completely optional and nothing fancy was given to a member who attained the status except for a forum sticker that labeled them as Lancers (who acted as mentors to potential members). The higher standards were popular and other detachments started implementing similar programs. I assume at some point the elitists glommed onto those things and started lording over others with their sense of superiority. Shameful, but unsurprising. One of the reasons I eventually left the 501st was because I could see the dysfunction coming. I was also my garrison's XO and had Legion leadership board privileges and the stupid behind the scenes, Game of Thrones level politicking I started seeing ended up souring me.
Sorry to hear of your departure. Thanks for your work in the Pathfinders. As a Scout Trooper in the detachment myself, the Lancer program is used, sometimes, as a justification for elitism but not all the time thankfully. It remains optional and has no membership perks other than the forums sticker you mentioned. Some seem to have come up with a fictional overvaluation of it though 🙄
@@explodedweevil5537 I appreciate it, and I am glad people haven't gone overboard with the Lancer status. It really was meant to be a set of standards that gave something like a set of goals to people who really wanted to go above and beyond. If you look in the forum archives for my posts (my username was my TKID#: TB-1019) you might find some from around the time the Lancers were started and what our goals were. I tried to stress that it should never be used to shame others who just wanted to troop. I felt the basic CRL was just fine for what we did. Hell, I myself never attained Lancer status.
From my time in the 501st and Rebel Legion, it's clear to me that the group either needs to fragment or dissolve. There were good people there trying to do good things, but more often than not I always ran into cliquiness and negativity. When I joined up most of the members treated me with either indifference or even some cases mistrust, I never once felt welcomed in the group and it made me feel more of an outcast than I felt being a 19 year old at the time and loving Star Wars, this was back in 2009 when loving star wars wasn't completely cool yet. The so-called heads of my garrison and base were also prone to talk about people behind their backs. The only two people in the group that were super nice to me were themselves a target to the rest of the garrison's and base's bullying and it made me sick. The leader of the RL Base I was apart of didn't want anything to do with new people unless they were a woman, since he was trying to get some. I ended up leaving the group 6 years ago and never looked back. I know it's terrible for me to say but I almost seem glad that the negative press of the 501st and Rebel legion is being put into the light, from my experience this group has no right to exist in the way it does right now. I know this was a long comment with probably a lot of run-on sentences and I expect people to disagree with me on this too and that's their right to disagree, May the Force be with you!
You guys hit it right on the head. Brian is the best person to have on for this topic. I still wont stop trooping and im still pround to be a part of the 501st because of all the positive people like Brian
Keep on trooping and never stop if you can help it! If you do, do it on your own accord. Don’t let anyone else discourage you.
Thanks Rene!
Greg is the key... great video! so glad I have come across you guys! I was building a mandalorian costume to join the mercs and it was becoming super stressful, always worrying if everything was perfect and approvable, it was an extremely unenjoyable build, I’m
About to order an animated clone kit and this video inspired me to built it for me, not a group, and to have fun with it and enjoy cosplaying again!
Okok-
I'm obviously not finished with the video yet but about the GreggPO picture (btw all I'm gonna say now is not just because I'd like to ""win"" the picture, but because I really wanna express my thoughts)
I think you should know how much I love the podcast, for example through the "bunch" of fanart I created (and will create *cough* ). Your podcast helped and helps me through a lot and the community you've created is absolutely wonderful. I recently joined the Discord (thanks to Dale) and the first second in already felt SO amazing, the way everybody greeted me. I couldn't imagine how my life would look like right now, without you, the podcast, and this incredible community. You're part of the reason I started my art account. I never thought I'd come so far and you helped me achieve that, you even MENTIONED ME in the PODCAST. Like what?! That is still so surreal.
So thank you so much Michael, Taylor, Brian and Greg for doing all of this, you have no idea how grateful I am to be part of this community and I hope one day I'll get the chance to tell you that in person, even if that seems impossible right now.
May the Force be with you and remember ; Greg IS the key.
Wow! Thanks so much for the kind words. We appreciate you and are glad you’re here with us ❤️
As an outsider looking in, and as someone that has debated on making armor to be in the club, this is still very insightful. I think that ANY organization of people can take note at how they operate and show themselves to be on different platforms. All the things said about the 501st in this podcast can be said about all major organizations out there (political, religious, fan clubs, etc.). The takeaway is to remain positive and do these things for the positive reasons you love and to be weary of the allure of power. THIS is why I've continued to follow and support this podcast. You guys give it to people straight, not to attack specific people, but to show people first-hard how to use their platform to promote positive change. It may have been delivered in a humorous and dramatic fashion, as expected of you boys, but at it's core, the message was delivered respectfully and definitely not sugar-coated. Love it, and great to see Taylor back! Keep up the great content!
GREG IS THE KEY!
I love how this podcast is always randomish and it brightens my day
Greg is the key
I swear you guys never cease to put me in just the best mood. Perfect way to start my day. Greg is the key
I would love to join the 501st for the fun and the experience. But your right, be careful with certain folks that are in the legion. I am in the process of building a Sandtrooper from a Anovos Kit. Maybe check out my Instagram sometime!
Greg is the key
Im a member of the 501st all i can say is troop with friends do your thing have fun let negatives people out. Been trooping for years and I applied this point of view.
Keep in mind this:
Have fun do it for the good things
Good luck with your project
SL19723
Great show! My first time tuning in... will go back and start listening to the back catalogue! Greetings from Ireland! GREG IS THE KEY!
Another thoughtful and well balanced piece. You have explained exactly why I chose to have no contact with my local group, but support friends who build their own. I love what you do, thank you XXX
Yay Taylor’s back on the couch this week! Really looking forward to the Post-Production series.
No matter what this podcast has helped me grow as a fan and have fun, that’s what I love about you guys, you don’t paint yourselves as perfect. So keep being an awesome podcast and I hope to see you guys soon!
Greg is the key! 🔑
Thank you for all you have said on the legion stuff. You hit all the notes and I agree 100% and at the end of the day I want to raise money for charity and bring smiles to those around me.
Thank you 🙏🤟
Keep up the great work! Greetings from the Florida Garrison!
@@explodedweevil5537 You as well!! Greetings from British Columbia 🇨🇦
Wow - such a fascinating episode. I have to admit, I'm one of the people that wanted to join the "Rebel" version of the 501st (as my goal was to be Obi-Wan/ ROTS). I really wanted to blend the worlds of Star Wars Cosplay and doing charity work (as I think it's so important to give back to the communities in which we live and work). This has made me aware (and I know you all said, "Don't NOT join" (in one way or another) but it confirmed what I feared - that politics and "power," corrupt. I've seen it at work, within the co-op I live in and I've experienced it in community theater (where I thought I had a "creative home" full of like-minded "Creatives" - only to find it was about "who has seniority and what THEY want to do and see and be seen IN." So, after all this rambling - THANKS for bringing up this topic and coloring it with some of your experiences. I think I will do what Michael suggested - just "Cosplay" and "be creative" for myself - at maybe something like NYCC (if it happens this year). Thank you guys for a great and informative episode.
I was in the 501st. I was a huge promoter. Tried to help people join. Gave people tons of tips on how to get in without investing too much money. Tried to help people as much as I could - did research for them, explained how to do stuff/making the costumes/buy parts. Got pushed away due to attitude issues. Elitist bullshit, telling me I needed to let people sink or swim (because they had to figure it all out themselves). Left about 2-3 years ago, after 7 or so years.
This podcast is literally the only one I listen to. And the only one I want to listen to. You guys always talk about you being unprofessional like it’s a bad thing, but it’s one of the biggest reasons I love the podcast so much. Love you guys and the podcast.
-Greg is the KEY!!!!
I love watching you guys podcast and love that you all are so passionate about what you do and the positive experience you create for others, May the Force be with You, Always.
Also, Greg is the Key
Thanks for talking about this! I am still in the Legion, but this is the very first time that I am embarrassed to say that I am a part of it. The idea is so great and beautiful, but this newest issue really made me think about the organization as a whole. I think I just need to get back to focusing on having fun and surrounding myself with the best people. Or paint my Stormtrooper Orange. That will show em! ;)
Check out Timberline Garrison in Idaho. I am so glad to be a part of it, as everyone is so kind and just a big family. I just hope all other Garrisons can strive to make the change to be more positive.
GREEEEEG IIIIS THEEE KEYYYYYY, I'm not in the 501st and I didn't know much about it and I didn't know that things like this were happening and I'm glad you guy shed light on the situation 👍.
Having been a detachment leader since 2013, I agree with a lot being said, though there's a lot more nuance that i feel is missing from the conversation. I've been fighting against the folks trying to cause chaos for the past years, but the reason it's gotten this bad is the fact that membership doesn't pay attention. You can't expect change when one portion just shouts "shut up and troop," while completely ignoring the other group proactively trying to take command positions in order to assert their "authority" in various ways. It needs to be a collective effort or else it's a moot point. I'm passionate about the detachment, and that's the only reason I'm still in the club.
Fake power struggles make everything challenging. Thank you for your service.
Great podcast. Love the energy you guys put into every episode. Great episode with great info today for me because I'm working on armor to join the legion. Keep up the good work guys.
Greg is the key
I cosplay myself and have a few friends who are in the legion they have a positive attitude, doing a lot good work for charity etc but some of their stories concerning CRL standards are daunting to say the least. I'am a member of a couple of smaller cosplay groups who do it for fun with little drama or no elitism. Great podcast people.
Great episode! I appreciate how open and honest you guys are when discussing this.
...
Greg is the key!!
I loved this one. Ive always thought about building a set, but didnt like the way they were organized. Proud that you guys were able to respectfully discuss this situation about the 501st and keep it calm and entertaining. And also, GREG IS THE KEY
y’all are seriously the best role models any star wars fan can have, especially now with all the drama that happens through the blessing and curse that is the internet. seeing you guys not just get angry at the 501st but also wanting it to get better is really good to hear, because i think star wars deserves a wholesome community like that so that fans have a vehicle for expression that also lets them bring joy to others. keep doing what you’re doing, guys. greg is the key!
as a 501st member I agree with you there are many issues but there just isn't a better outlet to do these things and on a local level I really like most of the people in my garrison because they are the ones in it for the right reasons and I wish everyone in the Legion would stop thinking they are so into getting power and being corrupted by things and just remember why they initially joined
P.S Greg is the key
This podcast always puts me in a good mood! I love watching and listening to you guys! and Greg is the key
Awesome episode fellas good to see the structure of the podcast coming together after so long. I believe this is the first time you guys actually have topics and covered them all lol
There's no greater birthday present than a new Rexin Around episode. 🎉
Happy birthday!!!
My friends from the 501st posted this to FB and I got know my local 501st through doing charity events. I was apart of DC east and did charity stuff with/ through them as robin/redhood, but the things you are about is what happens when groups get to big and I can see how feeling would get hurt with losing out to go to big named events.
The allegations about the UK Garrison, used a bogus scam website we proved you type in any Garrison name and get an equal result. Other than that fair points
This podcast is the best most whole hearted positive thing ever. All they want is everyone to enjoy Star Wars and you don’t get that much anymore. Love the podcast, videos and all of you have a great friendship that makes everything better. Great show. Greg IS the Key!
Greg is the key
I've been wanting to join the 501st for at least 5 years. Money or time was always but this month I finally was able to get approved. Of course with no in person troops I haven't had a time to meet face to face with my local leadership but in conversations I've had they seem like a great group of people. I like Brian have been involved with lots of different groups for different hobbies and it's true that there's always people in it for the wrong reasons and spreading toxicity. This pod made me a little nervous about the fact that I've joined and I hope to have the great experiences that I've heard of with it. I grew up with scouts and saw alot of issues there but I made alot of good memories there too so I hope the 501st will be the same. If anyone reads this and has advice for a new member I'd love to hear it. Thanks in advance! Keep up the great content guys!
Honestly, just troop and approach your local leadership with misconduct if/when you see it. If they are complacent in response, go up the chain of command until you find someone who cares.
Otherwise, just troop. Get out, and like Michael alluded to, make children smile. Dance, wave, high-five, and have fun. Spend time and get to know a few members but, as with any group, there'll probably be people you politely disagree with on other aspects of life (e.g. politics, religion, etc.). That's perfectly fine too. Just be polite in greeting them at troops and in saying goodbye. You don't have to get along with everyone. Just be cordial as a formality.
Troop and Have fun!
@@explodedweevil5537 Well said!
You guys always make my week :) i love getting the notification of a new upload.
Also... Greg is the key
i used to be part of a large group that is for toy photography that i left because most of the people at the top are not people i would want to associate with. and pretty much everything you guys said could apply to that group. too much elitism, people at the top abusing their power, and people who have been a part of that group for a while would just talk crap about anyone that was new and weren't good at photography and just trying to learn. people came to that group to learn, and for a bit it was exactly that, but then it got too big for its own good. and on top of that, it got to the point where it wasn't even fun to participate in the group. there are more problems than just that, but pretty much everything you guys said is true about a lot of groups.
oh yeah also
GREG IS THE KEY
Greg is the key, love you guys content I've been trying to watch almost every episode, you guys motivate me and make me want to start my own show
Greg is the KEY!
Loved the episode gentleman, great seeing the four of you all together. The one thing you guys missed....droid content.....anyways I'm looking forward to what Taylor will be creating. Hopefully we'll get to see him every once in awhile back on the couch.
Droids don't talk back Dan! LOL
@@sithingainteasy5116 you have no idea Brian. We're working on custom personality chips....I'm having one made for J5 with soundbites from the movie.
Thanks for this guys. It mirrors a lot of my own thoughts about the Club and why we have gotten where we are now. The history of our Club is basically just consistently refusing to deal with our cultural problems. Thanks for making the video and for those of you who are still members, double kudos. It is a bad atmosphere and you clearly show here that you are aware of the types that will come after you just for speaking honestly your thoughts.
I've been watching since you've done the troops and made that content. The 501st has been something I've wanted to join for a long time now and this really sheds light on the inside of whats going on. Having second thoughts so thanks for this. Greg Is the Key
Like everything in life, just choose wisely who you associate yourself with. I continue to be a member and enjoy trooping very much.
Same here. Joining the 501st remains one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Is the organization perfect? Hell no. What large club is? For that matter, I’m sure the business world has no shortage of controversies. They simply have full blown PR and Legal teams to keep things under wraps. Naturally, we don’t hear about it as much or see inside the organizations.
Like working for a company, you’ll find people you agree with and those you don’t, but if you want to be happy while “working”, then simply be cordial and do your job- even if you have to decompress from working with certain people afterwards. Don’t get me wring though, the friendships I have made make it all worth it and then some.
Question, if I do not want to join the Rebel Legion but want to do charities as a rebel fleet trooper. How, how do I do this without the legions. There are no groups besides them near me.
Thanks for the overview on those topics and I know their is a lot of politics that go on but that won’t stop me from putting on my armor see see kids and adults smile and excited to see us! Good pod cast! I subscribed and look forwards to listening in to more! Gregg is the key!!!!!
AYE Taylor is back!! Can't wait for those clone wars figures to come out, only recently started collecting the black series and wanted the clones the most. Great way to avoid studying for an exam tomorrow.
oh and Greg is the key
One of the best podcasts yet!!!! Oh and Greg is the key. :)
Love that you guys are doing more on top of the podcast. Don't get me wrong I love the podcast and the episode is amazing so far but I love that yous wanna do more too and I'm really excited to see it. Much love ma doods
We’re excited ❤️
This was my first time viewing the podcast and I really enjoyed it! Thank you guys so much for all the work you do! GREG IS THE KEY!
Don't usually comment but these recent events have really taken the veil off of people's eyes. Sadly it seems they are just sweeping it all under the rug. I completely agree with the merch, I've seen many members go out of their way to troop things just for patches.
Since I've joined, I only had three reasons:
1. Do a make a wish troop ✓
2. Do a hospital troop ✓ (was visited long ago by troopers in a hospital)
3. Do a hockey game ✓ (selfish but small dream)
Since then I was working for smiles, doesn't matter the age group. If I lose grip of that "payment" or passion then I need to take a step back and rethink my spot in this club. 501st is a charity at the end of the day, don't forget that fellow members.
You guys keep me going at work, love you
Greg is the key!
I appreciate you bringing up the "and there are some people who need to be punished for things like sexual harassment and racism, etc, who don't because they're friends with leadership". I mostly just have fun with a small group of people I've been friends with for a very long time and I occasionally troop. Everyone I've been around in RL and Mercs so far has been really nice. But I'm not super active, I don't try or expect to do high profile events, etc, so I'm unlikely to be privy to a lot of drama.
Loved the thoughts. I had been thinking of finding a local division lately. Greg is the key.
Taylor is BACK!!!!! Love your podcast guys. Your podcast has been a great escape during these harsh times and I love you guys, you are incredibly blunt and funny, and if people are gonna hate you because of that, it's on them. And honestly, Greg is the key.
I’m part of the RL and the 501st and working on MMCC approval. I absolutely love my local garrison/base/clan and we are a great family! Sure we have issues at times, but I think most of us handle it like adults. Maybe I’m naive, but I haven’t had any dramatic issues in my two years as a member (which I know is mostly part to awesome leadership in the local level). We also don’t often have “high profile” events that we get called to, so I’m sure that helps it. Legion-wide I can’t talk because I never get on those forums and deal with the political stuff. I guess I’m the “put your head down and troop” person lol! Personally, I agree that some changes need to be made in the Legion and how things are run- mostly with the high ups and such. I’m not taking any sides really because I think there are issues all around much like y’all said. Hopefully this situation is eye opening and the clubs refocus their vision and change some of these glaring issues. I’m gonna keep trooping though (once we can!) because I love the hugs and smiles- trooping events are always the highlight of my week ❤️
Also GREG IS THE KEY 🔑
Keep up the good fight!
One thing I always admire about you guys and this show is how obvious it is that you care about the community and truly want it to be the best it can be. Keep up the good work!
Also Greg is the Key
Came for the tea, stayed for the bad batch news. Like honestly I’m so excited! I had no idea there was gonna be more bad batch. ...Also Facebook can burn.
Planned topics?.... is this the rexin_around channel or did I click on a different one? I love the original reason the 501st was created and hope it can become focused solely on that mission again *Greg is the key*
Comment Greg is the Key.
This podcast makes Mondays just a little better. Keep it up
So what other groups are out there that will help build armor for people in the U.S.? I would really appreciate links. Google is not helpful.
Greg is the KEY. Love the show, look forward to it every week.
A lot of the stuff you discussed is why I left the group 5-6 years ago. Bravo for having the discussion in public