Interesting to read this ideas and points of views.
For too long we have stayed very jealous of what is and what is not a Sandtrooper. And what can be included in our detachment. Even making it quiet obvious that for ages we did not wanted the SE sandtrooper here. Even if attitude is slightly different now, SE TDs are not yet here. But that is mainly cause no body wants to build one so far.
Talking about R1 Sandtroopers is completely different I guess...
People is interested in developing new R1 armor, and of course, turning it into TDs. At least it seems so, right? New kinds of pauldrons, new armor configuration and new packs and weapons... lots of ground to cover and lots of space to play. But, should we accept them as part of the Sandtrooper detachment???
And what does that implies??
Here is an idea, food for thought...
What if the 501st Legion's Sandtrooper Detachment is not the MEPD, but something bigger?
What if the Sandtrooper Detachment reconfigures itself as the Imperial Police Deparment. Or some similar wording meaning Law Enforcement across the Galaxy. Cause, the FISD is based on the idea of military corps, and the MEPD is a local law enforcement detachment...
So why not turn it into a Galactic Law Enforcement figure, where we can include the MEPD, the Jedha PD, and what not?
HWT should stay over the FISD cause they are soldiers, but sandtroopers in Jedha are Police Officers on local duty. That backstory could be added to the MEPD backstory in a similar way. I mean, its all make believe, right?
And then, gear would not make a Sandtrooper, but rol and most important, active duty. Thats actually why we have deployed troopers. It a trooper that has already seen action, a Police Officer that has gone to the field and therefore is all dirty, tuff and experienced.
HWT were once TDs, but we make it clear why it was not the same, even if the only difference were some armor details and weathering.
But now, years after that, I have come to the conclusion that it is not just that, but an attitude and a personality we over the MEPD have, that no other trooper in other detachments have.
See what I am doing here, I am not talking costumes, but people... and characters.
Thoughts?
Saludos.
PS. Anyway, how are we going to include the Jedha Sandtrooper designation on the 501st CRLS if we need at least two official references, and so far, they only appear on a book, but not in a movie.