iconoclasta_88 Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Hey everybody... Seems that posting this kind of topics is my duty here... LOL... No seriously, every once in a while, I like starting threads where we can discuss or elaborate on topics as why we love being dirty, our Sandy community and the real meaning of being a sandtrooper... Just a few days ago, I posted in somewhere (I think it was a facebook post on WTF's fanpage) about why HWT most likely will never make it into the MEPD... And I started thinking about the reasons that makes this community and our character so different, so special. The main idea of that post was that Troopers doing the HWT most of the times just get the gear in order to change from TK into HWT and back every now and there, and that was something a Sandtrooper would never do. And that was why we over here believe there is a special bond that keeps us together not as costumes or simple members, but as Sandtroopers. It is a mind set what makes you want to get all dirty and carry that very heavy extra gear every single troop. We might have other armors or costumes, but 9 out of 10 times we would choose to troop in Sandtrooper armor and full gear no matter what. We are open and welcoming, but also, very much into our character and community. We stand apart not only for the looks but for the attitude both in and out of character... We go further as costuming and prop hobbiests and as a fans community. We are Sandtroopers and even if just as a metaphor, pass and endure several challenges before even getting to wear our armor, not to mention all what we do to actually portray the character in any event. Am I right? Are we different from every other detachmente, designation and character in the 501st and maybe in the whole costuming universe??? I really think so... But what do you think? What makes it special to be a sandtrooper for you? Saludos Juan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoveMonkey Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 I agree with all your statements. From what I've seen, HWT is a temporary look that some use from time to time. As Sandtroopers, we choose to be dirty 24/7. We choose that wear a heavy pack most if not every event. And we love our BFGs. I originally wanted to be a regular TK when I first got my kit. But the more I looked and researched, the more I just loved the Sandtrooper. You get such a unique look between each trooper that includes pauldron color, pouch choices, BFG choices, pack type, and the style of the weathering. It makes your kit just stand out compared to a sea of white. So glad I made the switch and joined this amazing group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iconoclasta_88 Posted September 14, 2016 Author Share Posted September 14, 2016 Im glad you took the dirty life bro! Tks are iconic and a great thing on its own, but sandtroopers are just a different class!! Saludos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fraulein Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 I like being a sandy, because there is individuality. We may know who is who at a troop, because of something minor or a different smudge. But we don't all look the same like regular TKs. We look the same but different. I do notice that of other detachments, Sandies tend to be casual and relaxed we don't get that "we are better than your detachment because of _____". attitude. We try to help people who may be starting out - even if they are not going for TD. Whereas I have run into some people that are "I'm not TD so I'm not going to help you." We don't "have a stick up our butt" as another person once put it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airborne Trooper Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 It was me you were having this conversation with on WTF's T76 page. I absolutely love sandtroopers. Not once did I ever think I wanted to be a regular, clean TK. When I joined the Army, I didn't just want to be a regular soldier. So I went to jump school to become Airborne. I can't even buy a BBQ grill without figuring out ways to modify it to make it better. It's just in my nature to go that extra step. It drives my wife absolutely crazy but there is something about having a focus on even though you may never be 100% satisfied. I may get more 501st costumes but my sandtrooper will always be my #1. The point to my posting on WTF's T76 page was that as the new movies come out and obviously new costumes, it would be great to add to our detachment. Give more options and also bring in people who might not otherwise visit the website. I know it's in the name, Mos Eisley. But I think it's rather limiting to only allow troopers from one planet in the SW universe. We have a very proud lineage that many other detachments don't get. We can actually point out specific characters in the film. I know that's what really sets us a part from others and no way do I want that tarnish it. With respect though, being able to breathe new life wouldn't hurt . This is just my opinon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iconoclasta_88 Posted September 15, 2016 Author Share Posted September 15, 2016 Hey Jason! Yes!! I now remember the whole thing. LOL... I tend to forget where I post. I'm too old for social media! LOL! Anyway. I can see what you mean. Specially with breathing new life wont hurt. And yes... evolving is life. If we don't, we will get stuck and die as a detachment. We have faced that a few times in the past. That's where the SWAT program came from. That's why Bluey and Dirty Boy took over and brought new ideas and goals! I have not yet seen the Rogue One trailer cause I want to stay spoiler free. But I know there are new Sandtroopers, and other designations. We could embrace that... I mean, we should embrace the SE Sandtrooper and all Sandtroopers. And maybe evolve or keep building on our detachment mythology. We go way back as a community and have a string backstory aswell... My main question would be, would troopers attracted to these new Sandtroopers (including the SE) would share our point of view on our character? Cause for me, thats why I would not want the HWT in our detachment or ID designation. You might know that a few years ago HWT were TDs and not TK. But we discussed it a lot and took our POV to other levels and at the end, HWT were embraced by the FISD and we had the TD designation assigned exclusively to Sandtroopers. If new Sandtrooper versions enthusiasts were as passionate about it as us classic Sandtroopers, I would welcome them no doubt. Cause for me, the MEPD is not a meeting place gathering some costumes, but a real Sandtrooper community. If not for that, actually Sandtroopers SHOULD be included in the FISD. Cause technically, we are just Stormtroopers with extra gear just as HWT and many other characters... it is not the gear but the attitude what bring us apart of the rest of the TKS and together as a TD community... But yes, I do agree with you bro. Evolve or die. What do you think bro? And everyone else? Saludos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD-7620 Posted September 19, 2016 Share Posted September 19, 2016 I totally agree! I may have started out as a normal TK, but after a short month of trooping I joined the "dirty side", and I haven't looked back since! I have looked at the Rogue One trailers, and the sandtroopers there look awesome! However, they seem to have gone with the approach that has been seen in some comics; they look like normal stormtroopers, with some extra gear. Will that mean that we should be part of the FISD? Perhaps, but that would still make us a specialised unit within the stormtrooper corps, and we would still be sandtroopers! On a side note, and while on the Rogue One topic, I absolutely love the details of the new TK helmets in the movie!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD9009 Posted September 19, 2016 Share Posted September 19, 2016 Agreed! ... once You're a Sandtrooper You're for life! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolf Posted September 19, 2016 Share Posted September 19, 2016 Once a sandy... all ways a sandy, i guess its in your blood/personality Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berkal Posted September 19, 2016 Share Posted September 19, 2016 That and the paint is hard to wash off your armour :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCRIBBLER Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 Go DIrty or Go Home. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaneH82 Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 I plan on doing full time HWT later this year and not falling back to regular TK when convenient and maybe, just maybe, go dirty full time. I want to get my kit in, get approved and make a decision then. When I first saw ANH back in 1977 I thought the sandies where the coolest looking. Still do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SgtMaximus Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 I guess I could weigh in. I purchased my armor with the intention of being a TK. But I switched when I decided I liked the sandy look better. Plus the BFG's and the packs are too cool. Since I made the switch, I couldn't be happier. Everyone is much more helpful here than on the "clean" side. Lol. Everyone I've talked to here has been so friendly, it makes me realize I made the right choice. Can't wait to be an official TD! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Im new to 501 and to being a Sandie, but then it is my only current costume. Just recently I trooped for 3 days at the Middle East Film and Comic Convention and it was a blast. Not only because we kept hearing comments (there are two Sandies in my outpost) like, wow he's all dirty. but often than not we heard the reply from others `'that because he's a bad *** Sandtrooper" . I also danced in a competition in full kit.. if I can post the video of that I will ... and then we met with Greg Gruneburg. He basically crashed our stand out of nowhere and told us he had the greatest of admiration for what the 501st do... bottom line is I enjoy being a sandy, you stand out from loads of pristine white TKs and you have an aura about you that people pick up on, you not only need to look the part but you need to feel the part.... picture to follow on Tour of duty thread 19630 out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.