Our Impression

Age - Those 15 years and older can join as a medic, and may become a rifleman upon turning 16. -Helmet (per CHG safety guidelines) -Tropical Shirt/pants or Tropical tunic/pants -Brown boots or Tabi -Leg wraps -Haversack -Canteen with harness -Leather waist belt -Leather Ammo pouches (two front pouches) -Leather Rear Ammo Pouch w/oiler -Type 30 Bayonet w/frog (if carrying a rifle) Rank patches are optional for the shirt, but should be on the tunic. Unless told beforehand, all ranks are Private 2nd class, the red patch with a single yellow star. Shirts can have the temporary button on patch or the two collar patches the tunics should have two collar patches sewn on. If you wear glasses, they should be the round type. Both plastic and metal frames are acceptable. I myself have changed from glasses to contacts. Hair was worn SHORT!~ However, soft caps with havelocks go a long way to hide hair styles. This is very important for public shows. Weapons: Arisaka rifles, Type 99, Type 38 long rifles, Type I long rifles and if serving with a crewed weapon a Type 38 or Type 44 carbine is acceptable. Pistols are worn only by officers and crewed weapons operators. Optional: -Pack - various types available, tube or the canvas (Octopus) type pack are acceptable for tropical battles. -Mess kit - chopsticks - spoon (same type used in restaurants as a soup spoon). There is also an issued pocket knife and/or bread saw if anyone wishes to get that detailed. -Soft cap with or without havelocks. (also known as neck flaps) Should have the yellow army star on them. -Shelter half, tent pegs and poles -Rain cape -White knitted gloves -Helmet cover with Army star and/or helmet net -Camo net cape -Blanket -Also optional are the tradional Japanese underware or Fundoshi and white tube socks. Authenticity inspections will NOT be checking for those items.