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JOINING THE LEGION

THE PROCESS

If you have any questions about this process, please don’t hesitate to contact our Garrison Membership Liaison (GML).

  • Step 1: What is required to join?

    Members must be 18 years of age or older and own a high-quality costume representing any of the characters conforming to our character approval statement. You can find a list of currently recognized costumes in the visual guides section of the site.

    There are no fees and the only requirements pertain to age and costume quality. The 501st is simply a fun, all-volunteer group of fans representing characters from the Star Wars saga. For more information on the goals of the club, read the mission statement.

    If you are under 18, please check out the Galactic Academy, a group created for our younger cadets. If you are looking to create a Jedi, X-wing pilot or other hero character visit the Rebel Legion.

  • Step 2: How do I get a costume?

    Generally speaking, our members make their own costumes. To make it easier to get help with your desired project, the 501st has formed detachments focused on particular costumes. Visit our detachments list below to find the right group for you!

    Once you’ve settled on a character it’s just a matter of heading over to that forum, signing up, and getting help from the experts! If you haven’t already done so, there are several local experts ready to help you here on our own forums. It is highly recommended you create a build thread on both our garrison and detachment forums. You will gain valuable insight from multiple sources.

    NOTE: Star Wars costumes that are commercially available in stores or online may not be acceptable for membership! It is recommended that you contact your Garrison Membership Liaison before purchasing a retail costume to find out if it is accepted or what modifications might be required.

  • Step 3: Pick your costume and join a detachment forum.
    Forum Name Forum Address Costume Club & Type
    Armored Cavalry Detachment http://forum.armoredcavalry.net/ AT-AT/AT-ST Drivers, Armored Officers
    Blizzard Force Detachment http://www.blizzardforce.com/forum/ Snowtroopers
    Bounty Hunters Guild http://thebhg.net/forum/ Bounty Hunters
    Clone Trooper Detachment http://501stclonetroopers.com/ Clone Troopers
    First Imperial Stormtrooper Detatchment (FISD) http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/ Stormtrooper, Stormtrooper variants
    Flagship Eclipse http://www.theflagshipeclipse.com/ Legends/Expanded Universe Villains
    Imperial Gunnery Corps http://imperialgunners.com/forum/ Imperial Gunners
    Imperial Officer Corps http://www.imperialofficer.com/forum/ Imperial Officers
    Jolly Roger Squadron http://www.jrs501st.com/ TIE Pilots
    Krayt Clan http://www.kraytclan.com/ Tuskens
    Mos Eisley Police Department http://www.mepd.net Sandtroopers
    Pathfinders Detachment http://www.bikerscout.net/ Biker Scouts
    Sith Lord Detachment http://www.501stsithlords.com/ Canon Sith Lords
    Sovereign Protectors http://www.forcepike.net/ Royal Guards
    Spec Ops Detachment http://www.501stspecopsdet.net/ Special Operations Troopers
  • Step 4: I've got my costume, now what?

    Our local Garrison Membership Liaison (GML) will need to verify your qualifications and will ask for pictures of you in your costume for validation.

    The following tips will help make sure that you get the right photos to the GML on your first try:

    1. 1. Only submit pictures of yourself alone against a plain background (no convention photos, please).
    2. 2. We will need photos with your helmet/mask on and off (if applicable)
    3. 3. You must include full-length views of your costumefrom the front, back and both sides.
    4. 4. Be sure to take your photos with adequate lighting and at a high-resolution to help us inspect the details.
    5. 5. Do not wear any non-canon accessories or add ons, including jewellery, glasses, earrings, (unit patches, extra weapons, pauldrons when not part of the canon costume etc…)
    6. 6. If you include any weapons such as a blaster or lightsaber, please ensure that they conform to the weapons policy.

  • Step 5: Submitting your Application.

    Once our Garrison Membership Liaison (GML) confirms that your suit is complete and valid for membership, fill out the online application.

    When your application is approved, you will receive confirmation via e-mail. Your Legion ID will be assigned and your record marked as “ACTIVE” in the 501st Legion member database. Please note that the 501st is an all-volunteer organization and the application may take several weeks to review.

    If for some reason you are not validated for membership, our GML will work with you and provide recommendations and resources that can assist you in modifying your costume to meet Legion requirements.

  • Step 6: Start Trooping!

    Congratulations! You’ve made it to the fun part: Trooping! We strongly recommend that you take some time and read the Trooper Survival Guide. This is the definitive guide to being a 501st member, and should help you get familiar with all the things you need to know.

    If you haven’t already, get to know our Garrison members, join our forums and register on 501st.com so you can get out there and help bring order to the galaxy!

    You can join our local Facebook and X, as well as our international social media groups on Facebook and X.