Members and recruits must meet these requirements to wear a turkey feather in their hat and continue their participation. Members are required to attend 3 Unit Events during the year and pay annual dues of $25 to continue membership.
Clothing: Appropriate clothing of a colonial rifleman is to be worn at all events. If you are unfamiliar with this attire, speak with a riflemen at one of our public events or research can be done by using the History tab.
Personal Gear:The following period-correct items are expected for “full battle gear” at events and scouts.
-Tomahawk or belt axe;
-Belt knife;
-Haversack or knapsack (for clothing, food, cooking items, etc.);
-Possibles bag (shooting or hunting pouch);
-Canteen;
-Rope and dowel (approximately 10 feet of hemp rope to be made at Unit Events);
-Field Ration;
-Stone for sharpening knife or hawk;
-Riflemen must also carry their medal, signal whistle and turkey whistle.
Flintlock Rifle: If buying a factory rifle, talk to one of the experienced members first about what to avoid. Your flintlock MUST be obtained within one year of joining. You may borrow until that point (if someone is willing to lend).
Rifleman Ranks
Rifleman: Each recruit, to be a full member of Morgan’s Riflemen, must meet requirements in the following areas: Gear and Rifle (above) and Skills:
-Light a sustainable fire with flint and steel;
-Eat four consecutive meals from his own bag (may be cooked food or cold fare);
-Fire the flintlock safely (blanks and live fire);
-Shoot and hit an 8½ x 11 inch rectangular target, 3 times in a five minute period, at 25 yards from benchrest or afoot. You may shoot as many times as you can manage in the timed five minutes;
-Clean his flintlock, in the field, with only gear from his own bag;
-Sharpen his knife and hawk, with only gear from his own bag.
*For a recruit to be accepted as a rifleman, he must receive a unanimous vote of approval from the other riflemen.
*When a recruit has met a requirement, it must be signed-off by an Officer. Ask an Officer before starting a qualifier.
Marksman: A Marksman may adorn his hat with a cockade. Marksman rank is required to attempt Top Scout and must accomplish:
-Shoot and hit an 8½ x 11 inch rectangular target 3 times in a five minute period from benchrest or afoot;
-3 hits are required at 25, 50 and 100 yards; five minutes are timed at each distance. You may shoot as many times as you can manage in the timed five minutes.
Top Scout: A Marksman…
Master Marksman: A Master Marksman may adorn his hat with a ribbon behind their cockade.
-Shoot and hit an 8½ x 5½ inch rectangular target 3 times in a five minute period from afoot;
-3 hits are required at 25 and 50 yards; five minutes are timed at each distance. You may shoot as many times as you can manage in the timed five minutes.
Expert: An Expert may adorn their hat with a gold button on their cockade.
-Shoot and hit an 8½ x 5½ inch rectangular target 3 times in a five minute period from afoot at 100 yards.
*Ranks may be signed off with timing and approval of two riflemen.