Our membership requirements are that you must be at least 18 years of age, or 16 years of age with parental consent, be highly motivated in trying to improve your impression on a continual basis, and be safety conscious around all you come into contact with whether they be your unit comrades, fellow reenactors, paid living history interpreters or the general public.

Some of our physical requirements are that you be capable of handling moderately stressful labor such as digging firepits or trenches, marching and drilling to commands in Russian and just generally getting your uniform and equipment dirty and sweaty from crawling around on the ground, through undergrowth, etc. This group is not for people who just want to stand around in an immaculate uniform essentially becoming a walking mannequin although we do expect you to keep your uniform, equipment, and weapons in good serviceable order. These are just good, commonsense things taught to all soldiers in every army.

Our emphasis is on the first half of the war, but we also do late war as well when the scenario requires it.  In other words, we willingly reenact all periods of the war.  All members must have an early war uniform and kit first.  Contrary to what some people will tell you, recreating the Red Army soldier accurately is not cheap, but it is still far less costly than doing American or German.  We will gladly help you with uniforms and equipment if you are willing to put forth your best effort in authenticity.  

Vzvod does not charge membership dues, though we do expect each member to contribute at events.  This could mean food, water, extra ammo, transportation, etc.  Bring enough supplies for yourself, but also try to bring a little extra.  Members with extra uniforms or equipment are also encouraged to consider loaning such gear out to prospective members on a very limited basis, though this is not at all required.

Appearance and Behavior

Hair 

Hair to be kept short, off the ears and collar, tapered in the back, not squared, no side burns.  No beards without consulting us first.  It has been said that men over 50 or Russian Civil War veterans were allowed to wear beards.  That may be true but it was more common for higher ranking men or other branches of service or some of the ethnic units such as Cossacks.  The vast majority of the Red Army infantry were men in their 20’s and 30’s, with a lesser number stretching into their 40’s.  For obvious reasons the infantry with its strenuous tasks had to have men in better physical condition, shaving was required daily.  Mustaches are allowed but we shouldn’t have a preponderance of them.  Though mustaches became a little more common during the course of the war, they were still the exception, not the rule.

Uniform

Clean white collar liners should be sewn inside the collar of the tunic.  All buttons must be buttoned at all times.  Headgear on at all times when outside.  Boots clean and polished if possible.  No non-Red Army equipment or civilian clothing without prior permission.  Early in the war the Red Army, being mainly on the defensive, had fewer opportunities to capture or use enemy equipment or clothing.   

Behavior

This shouldn’t have to be explained but unfortunately it has been found necessary to do so.  We expect you to be polite, friendly, courteous, and show respect to fellow re-enactors whether you like them or not, and especially to visitors and veterans.  Soldierly behavior is explained in more detail further down.

Drugs and Alcohol

NO drugs!  Period.  No alcohol in the field or in front of the viewing public, period.   Yes we know that there were many times during the war that some Russian units were given vodka as part of their rations and some soldiers were even drunk while fighting.  That was then and this is now.  Drugs and Alcohol don’t mix with weapons even if it’s just blank fire weapons.  However, at the end of the day when the battle is finished and all the viewing public has left for the day, then alcohol can be consumed responsibly in period containers.

 

Things to Consider at a Tactical:

All members must be willing to behave like a soldier.  For example it may be necessary to march a long distance to reach the objective and deploy tactically or even dig a foxhole while participating at a tactical.  You may get sweaty or dirty.  You will learn a few commands in Russian, as well.  Remember, we are supposed to be doing what they did over sixty years ago.

Efforts on the battlefield can sometimes rapidly degrade into a disorganized frenzy.  Think of children playing  “cops and robbers” or “cowboys and Indians” saying “I got you”, “no you didn’t”, “yes I did”, etc.  Members of Tretiy Vzvod will be above that mentality.  We will take our hits and die in place.  We won’t just take off our headgear, stand up and just walk away in the middle of a firefight.  That sort of behavior ruins the realism, authenticity and visual integrity of what reenacting is.  We will wait for the winning party to collect us if we’re dead or search us if we’re taken prisoner, or for a reset to be called.  We have two medics in our unit, and you may also choose to be wounded, in which case you should yell for a medic and have chosen a wound by the time the medic reaches you.

We strive to be very comprehensive and complete when it comes to the authenticity of our gear.  That means everything from our underwear to our outerwear, including period identity papers and documents, food rations or lack of food rations, uniforms, weapons, tactics, and behavior.  It may sound strict, but you will find that it makes a tremendous difference in the experience you will have in the field.