The WWII 509th PIB Re-enactors will abide by all 20th Century Tactical Studies Group, Inc (20th CTSG) by-laws, as well as safety and authenticity rules. Any and all future changes to the 20th CTSG bylaws and/or safety and authenticity rules, approved by the 20th CTSG Board of Directors, will be adhered to by all members of the unit.

The unit will be organized as a WWII Parachute Infantry Company, with HQ element personnel. Subordinate sections will be commanded by an Officer or Noncommissioned Officer. Medical personnel are also authorized, but will only be portrayed by personnel with formal/certified medical training, I.E.; Special Forces Medics, Pararescuemen, Navy Corpsmen, civilian EMT/Paramedics, etc.

Rank in the unit will closely follow the rank structure seen in WWII Units, with few exceptions based on unit size.

The unit staff will consist of a commander (CO), executive officer (XO), first sergeant (1st Sgt) and medical personnel. Additional personnel will be added when or as necessary.

The Charter members of the unit are portraying an as-yet undesignated 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion Company. Once the unit grows to multiples of more than 14 personnel, 2nd Platoon will be activated, then 3rd Platoon. Each platoon will consist of a minimum of 10, and a maximum of 18 personnel.

Charter members shown below are assigned to the following positions:

Company CO - Capt Eldred, W..

XO - VACANT

1st Sgt - VACANT

Medic - VACANT

1st Plt Leader- VACANT

1st Plt Sergeant - Cpl Burris, B.

1st Plt - PFC Aldrich, PFC Burris

2nd Plt - VACANT

3rd Plt - VACANT

All future promotions will be based on unit vacancies or exceptionally outstanding performance in the field. A majority vote of the Unit Commander, Safety Officer, Authenticity Officer, and Public Relations officer is required for promotion. Criteria for promotion eligibility will be as follows:

1. Candidates for unit vacancy promotions must have purchased all mandatory combat uniform items. Additional consideration will be given to those who have purchased dress uniform items.
2. Candidates for unit vacancy promotions must have attended at least 75% of mandatory events, as designated by the unit CO. Additional consideration will be given to those who have made active contributions to the unit.
3. Candidates for unit vacancy promotions must have learned the paratroopers song, "Blood on the Risers."
4. Unit members who have demonstrated exceptionally outstanding skills, and/or bravery in the field, may be recommended for an Exceptional Performance promotion by any two (2) unit members who witness the action. Regardless of performance, no soldiers will be promoted higher than one grade above their currently authorized position.

Dress Uniforms - Each member is encouraged to purchase dress uniforms for wear during living history demonstrations, and other occasions as appropriate. Dress uniforms, when worn, will depict those normally worn by WWII 509 PIB soldiers during May 1944, and will consist of the following:

1. Eisenhower ("Ike") or 4-pocket dress jacket
2. Mustard wool shirt
3. Mustard wool trousers
4. Cotton khaki tie
5. Olive/Khaki tank top undershirt - Dutch or original
6. Standard Overseas Cap with Blue (Infantry), Orange/White (Signals) or Brown/White (Medical) piping and early-war cap patch
7. Standard khaki/tan web trouser belt with polished brass buckle
8. Brown Cap Toe Jump Boots - Dutch jump boots are NOT acceptable in lieu of US made brands
9. US and branch insignia
10. Cut edge WWII type 5th Army shoulder sleeve insignia
11. Stripes or officer rank insignia, as appropriate
12. Leather A-2, Flyers B-10 (Officers) or Tanker Jacket (NCOs and EM) with 509th "Gingerbread Man" patch and parachute wings on chest. Tanker Jacket will be worn with shoulder sleeve insignia as authorized.

Notes:

1. Khaki uniforms are authorized, and encouraged for wear during all Italy and Africa reenactment scenarios.
2. US/branch insignia, rank insignia and shoulder sleeve insignia will be worn in accordance with WWII uniform regulations.
3. Additional equipment items are authorized, if approved by the CO, XO, or 1SG and the unit authenticity officer.

Combat Uniforms - Each member, must provide his own combat uniform and equipment. Combat uniforms will depict those normally worn by WWII PIB members in May 1944, and will consist of the following as a minimum:

1. M1942 Paratroop Jump Suit, or M1943 Combat Suit
2. Stripes or officer rank insignia, as appropriate
3. Olive/Khaki tank top undershirt - Dutch or original
4. Brown Cap Toe Jump Boots - Dutch jump boots are NOT acceptable in lieu of US made brands
5. M1C Jump Helmet complete with airborne liner. Standard M1 Steel helmets are not acceptable. Helmet will be camoflaged with paint according to unit specifications. Painted "Gingerbread Man" tactical symbol is authorized and encouraged.
6. Standard Overseas Cap with Blue (Infantry), Orange/White (Signals) or Brown/White (Medical) piping and airborne cap patch (early war version)
7. Standard khaki/tan web trouser belt with open black buckle
8. M1938 or M1942 Leather Riding Glove
9. M1941 Knit Wool "Jeep Cap"
10. M1936 Pistol Belt with rigger pouches or M1923 10 pocket cartridge belt
11. M1936 Suspender
12. M1936 Musette Bag
13. M1910 Canteen, Cup and Carrier
14. M1942 First Aid Pouch with metal Carlisle bandage tin and contents
15. M1910 T-handle or M1943 Folding Entrenching Tool
16. M1918 Trench Knife or M3 Trench Knife
17. WWII type brown plastic Corps of Engineers wrist compass

1. Rank insignia and shoulder sleeve insignia will be worn in accordance with WWII uniform regulations.
2. Use of olive drab equipment will be kept to a minimum.
3. Additional uniform and equipment items are authorized, if approved by the CO, XO, or 1SG and the unit authenticity officer.
4. Rigger-modified field equipment (as shown in the books American Warriors, At The Point Of No Return, and First Airborne Task Force, all by Michel De Trez) is encouraged, but must be approved by the CO, XO, or 1SG and the unit authenticity officer prior to use.
5. Reinforced and camoflaged M1942 Jump Suits will conform to 509 PIB unique specifications, and must be approved by the CO, XO or 1SG and the unit authenticity officer prior to use.
6. Wear of berets will conform to 509 PIB unique specifications, and must be approved by the CO, XO or 1SG and the unit authenticity officer prior to use.
7. Vehicles, if used, will be of period design and/or manufacture, and will conform to all 20th CTSG requirements prior to use at any re-enacting event.

Each member must provide his own weapon, which will consist of at least one of the following:

1. M1903-A3 Springfield
2. M1 Garand
3. M1 Carbine
4. M1A1 Carbine
5. M1928 or M1 Thompson Submachinegun
6. M3 Greasegun
7. M1917-A1 BAR
8. M1919 Browning
9. M1911 Colt (Only as a secondary weapon)

1. Semi-automatic versions of the automatic weapons listed above are authorized.
2. Use of "captured" weapons is authorized, but will be kept to a minimum.
3. Use of gas-powered machine guns is authorized, but if they are used, care will be taken to adhere to realism. Members using gas-powered machine guns will use realistic rates of fire, and periodically simulate both the belt and barrel changes normally seen when using the actual weapons. Use of a second gunner/ammo bearer with appropriate ammunition containers will be utilized with crew serviced weapons when not in fixed positions.

There will be no awards given to individuals in this unit. Dress uniforms, when worn, will depict those normally worn by 509 PIB soldiers during May 1944, and will therefore include only those awards normally worn by the average soldier.

Unit members will wear the following awards on their dress uniforms:

US Parachute Badge (509 PIB oval optional)

European-African-Middle Eastern (AKA "ETO") Campaign Medal with 4 bronze campaign stars (Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Naples-Foggia and Anzio)

Presidential Unit Citation (above right pocket)

French 3rd Zouaves Badge (on right pocket)

Unit members who have earned a US or foreign military Good Conduct Medal of any type (documented) will also wear the following:

Charter unit members (those who joined when the unit chartered, or within one year of official recognition by the 20th CTSG) will also wear the following:

Unit members who have earned a US or foreign military airborne badge (documented) will wear the following tab, above the 5th Army shoulder sleeve insignia:

Unit members who have earned a foreign military airborne badge (documented) will wear the following on the wearer's right side, above the Presidential Unit Citation:

At all times when in uniform, members are expected to adhere to proper customs and courtesies, conduct themselves as professionals, and remember we are representing some of the finest warriors in the history of the US military.

All members are highly encouraged to learn the paratroopers song "Blood on the Risers." Words and music will be made available to all unit members, and should be rehearsed prior to and during any and all re-enacting events.