skelitor120

I, personally, just have two little belts that I hook through the fabric loops to pull them up in lieu of boot hooks; I should definitely look into getting actual hooks for convenience's sake. As for the boot jack, I doubt that they'd do any considerable damage so long as you use them carefully. In the event that it does scuff your boots, it shouldn't be anything that a polish can't fix. I personally have issues with my boots at the calf and currently have my riding boots at a cobbler to get them stretched. I'll have to see if they fit at all on Tuesday

Annnnnnnd Here it is !!! 

I'm afraid I don't get the point of "sitting down in Uniform", an Imperial Officer never sits down on duty, except for Grand Admirals. You can rest when you are dead
Now to be serious, I know the problem and there is not much to do....I stretch out the breeches everytime and I can't really bend the knees when sitting down, I have to keep my legs straight forward so that everyone is able to fall over them if they don't watch out it's funny but the trousers of the Staff Officer Uniform work better, don't know why...
my advice: carry one and don't care, don't let the hunt for rebels be disturbed by such triviality

The uniform is actually surprisingly comfortable.. so long as I'm standing. When I sit, it constricts and bulges in ways that are indescribably uncomfortable. It hangs naturally and feels even a bit roomy when standing, but because of my awkwardly-shaped body, sitting causes the pants to hike up, the tunic to bunch over the gut, I get a wedgie.. all kinds of things. I might try velcro as that'd at least keep the belt from sliding perpetually upwards on my torso.

I think that apart from the belt there's nothing much to be done .

Our glorious Imperial Uniform looks gorgeous but it has never been a comfy one to wear , looking sharp comes with " inconveniences "
Always makes me laugh when people think it's a piece of cake to troop a whole day as an Officer because it's " just soft parts "

I found an old thread (dated June 7, 2008) containing the proposed "Deck Crew" CRL. It looks like it eventually evolved into the specs for the Bridge Crewman. I guess that the 28 members were approved before the name change.

Hence the march phrasing:
Left...left...left, right, left...


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After your above post, I paid attention to how I walk and how my arms swing. I'm good! Right arm swings with left foot and vice versa. Was worried about that.

OH that's a very good point! Perhaps one of my favorite about marching; When you "dig" your heel it gives you a longer, more urgent stride and really drives home the importance in your bearing. Depending on your shoes (if your boots have strong heels) itll also give a satisfying tapping sound when you walk. I knew old drill instructors that would put metal tabs on the back of their heels so their foot steps could be heard from the other side of the building!

So, I know that the Imperial Army/Navy isn't exactly the US Military, and I'm sure that various different countries around the world have different definitions of "Military bearing", but I wanted to share some of the checklist tips for good posture and bearing that I learned from Drill and Ceremonies in my old high school's JROTC program and from the contest standards of US Army drill sergeants and judges, based on the fact that a uniform is a uniform and these tips will help anyone look professional and strictly-trained in uniformed character! (Any veterans are welcome to correct and add-on as necessary, even if they're not a US veteran: if your country has similar or different guidelines, feel free to share!)
 
So, when standing "at-attention" (or just standing straight for the layman), some good notes are:
Keep your chin up; depending on your posture and height you may feel like you're "looking down" at people, which is useful for the villainous looks you may have to give civilians as an Imperial Officer Keep your back straight; a basic posture note, but one that can be forgotten easily. Ensure that you're not hunching forward or leaning, and that your shoulders are back. Press your heels together, and have your feet at a 45 degree angle. To practice proper spacing, have someone else place their foot between your feet, and move your toes to touch theirs. Keep your arms at your side, with hands balled into loose "fists". Have your thumb pointed down (not tucked into your fist) and ensure that it's in line with the seam of your pants (or in this case, the point of your flares). Look straight-forward. When in a military formation, this would usually mean looking "past" or "through" people and obstacles in front of you in order to keep your face trained directly ahead of you, though I suspect that this will hardly be necessary whilst trooping.  Never lock your knees; They should bend ever so comfortably so as to allow blood flow. Failing to do so will run the risk of either your legs falling asleep or you passing out Another position is "parade rest", sometimes referred to incorrectly as "at ease"
Fold your arms behind your back, just above your butt. tuck your RIGHT hand into your LEFT hand, as to allow the left knuckle to lay against your back, Have your thumbs nest against one another with your right thumb laying on top. I've noted that some reference images show Imperial Officers utilizing parade rest by holding their left WRIST in their right hand (and sometimes vice-versa), rather than clasping their hands together. Do whatever feels comfortable, of course! There are actually differing standards for this position, even in the US Military: The US Army and some areas of the Marines insist that your hands should be at mid-back, causing the elbows to point out much further, while most of the Air Force and Navy allow the hands to fall more comfortably right above the rump. Put your feet at shoulder-width apart, keeping the same angle as Attention. Through some practice, you will find that this position is the most comfortable; if you feel like your legs are too straight or too spread, then they probably are. Whilst in PARADE REST, one is expected to keep their eyes straight forward as if they were at Attention. To the contrary, AT EASE allows for free movement of the head, usually as to give attention to a speaker or subject. Again, this probably isn't necessary to know for basic troop work The final thing to note is how to salute-- This is the US Military salute, and probably isn't necessary or accurate for an Imperial Officer.. but why not?
First thing to note is that the form of a salute is very hard to master on your own. It usually requires another person to tell you how it looks; what needs to be straightened or what needs to be slacked. Try practicing in a mirror if this is of any concern to you. The salute is always given with the right arm. The lower portion of the arm (the bicep) is level with your shoulder, forming a straight line outwards, and a point at your elbow. The upper portion of the arm (the forearm) is at the most direct angle towards your face. Ensure that your elbow points directly out to your side. Your hand forms a straight blade-like posture, sometimes referred to as a "knifehand". The thumb is straight along the hand and all the fingers are held together. Make sure that your wrist doesn't bend at all; it should form a straight line from your fingertips to your elbow. The very tip of your longest finger should touch the outer-point of your eyebrow; If you are wearing glasses, it should touch the furthest point of your glasses, and if you're wearing a hat, it should touch the brim of the hat. The hand should be rotated "downwards" so as to show none of the palm. Likewise, the hand should not be entirely vertical so as to show the thumb; work on finding a good middle ground. When moving your hand to-and-from the saluting position, your arm should swing inwards over your chest with your elbow as the pivot, so that your fingers trace along your gig line (or where buttons would be on a dress shirt, for example.) Basic bearing (stuff that didnt fit into the above categories)
Whilst taking stride, let your arms swing naturally-- every time your right foot takes a step, your left hand should swing forward. Doing the opposite (stepping and swinging on the same side) is referred to as "Puppetting" (as it looks like your hand is pulling your foot along a la puppet string) When sitting, ensure to sit with the soles of your feet facing the floor. (This means to either avoid crossing your legs, or do so in a manner that doesn't raise your foot) and always keep your back straight. When sitting at a table, never put your elbows onto the table  
This aside, I've found a single (And somewhat desperately-sized) Wookiepedia article about how the Imperial Officer should salute. Take this as you please:
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Imperial_salute
It appears to be a rather relaxed salute in which one extends their right arm forward and addresses the palm to the one they're saluting. This is reminiscent of a type of roman salute, one of many gestures used in history to signify fascism (and as such should be used with caution-- I'd even advise against using it at all, especially if you live in Germany.. if you get what I'm saying ;O)
 
 
Nothing here I've listed is imperative to the Imperial Officer; I just thought a simplified bearing tutorial would be a valuable resource for people who want to know how to look professional in character 

So, I know that the Imperial Army/Navy isn't exactly the US Military, and I'm sure that various different countries around the world have different definitions of "Military bearing", but I wanted to share some of the checklist tips for good posture and bearing that I learned from Drill and Ceremonies in my old high school's JROTC program and from the contest standards of US Army drill sergeants and judges, based on the fact that a uniform is a uniform and these tips will help anyone look professional and strictly-trained in uniformed character! (Any veterans are welcome to correct and add-on as necessary, even if they're not a US veteran: if your country has similar or different guidelines, feel free to share!)
 
So, when standing "at-attention" (or just standing straight for the layman), some good notes are:
Keep your chin up; depending on your posture and height you may feel like you're "looking down" at people, which is useful for the villainous looks you may have to give civilians as an Imperial Officer Keep your back straight; a basic posture note, but one that can be forgotten easily. Ensure that you're not hunching forward or leaning, and that your shoulders are back. Press your heels together, and have your feet at a 45 degree angle. To practice proper spacing, have someone else place their foot between your feet, and move your toes to touch theirs. Keep your arms at your side, with hands balled into loose "fists". Have your thumb pointed down (not tucked into your fist) and ensure that it's in line with the seam of your pants (or in this case, the point of your flares). Look straight-forward. When in a military formation, this would usually mean looking "past" or "through" people and obstacles in front of you in order to keep your face trained directly ahead of you, though I suspect that this will hardly be necessary whilst trooping.  Never lock your knees; They should bend ever so comfortably so as to allow blood flow. Failing to do so will run the risk of either your legs falling asleep or you passing out Another position is "parade rest", sometimes referred to incorrectly as "at ease"
Fold your arms behind your back, just above your butt. tuck your RIGHT hand into your LEFT hand, as to allow the left knuckle to lay against your back, Have your thumbs nest against one another with your right thumb laying on top. I've noted that some reference images show Imperial Officers utilizing parade rest by holding their left WRIST in their right hand (and sometimes vice-versa), rather than clasping their hands together. Do whatever feels comfortable, of course! There are actually differing standards for this position, even in the US Military: The US Army and some areas of the Marines insist that your hands should be at mid-back, causing the elbows to point out much further, while most of the Air Force and Navy allow the hands to fall more comfortably right above the rump. Put your feet at shoulder-width apart, keeping the same angle as Attention. Through some practice, you will find that this position is the most comfortable; if you feel like your legs are too straight or too spread, then they probably are. Whilst in PARADE REST, one is expected to keep their eyes straight forward as if they were at Attention. To the contrary, AT EASE allows for free movement of the head, usually as to give attention to a speaker or subject. Again, this probably isn't necessary to know for basic troop work The final thing to note is how to salute-- This is the US Military salute, and probably isn't necessary or accurate for an Imperial Officer.. but why not?
First thing to note is that the form of a salute is very hard to master on your own. It usually requires another person to tell you how it looks; what needs to be straightened or what needs to be slacked. Try practicing in a mirror if this is of any concern to you. The salute is always given with the right arm. The lower portion of the arm (the bicep) is level with your shoulder, forming a straight line outwards, and a point at your elbow. The upper portion of the arm (the forearm) is at the most direct angle towards your face. Ensure that your elbow points directly out to your side. Your hand forms a straight blade-like posture, sometimes referred to as a "knifehand". The thumb is straight along the hand and all the fingers are held together. Make sure that your wrist doesn't bend at all; it should form a straight line from your fingertips to your elbow. The very tip of your longest finger should touch the outer-point of your eyebrow; If you are wearing glasses, it should touch the furthest point of your glasses, and if you're wearing a hat, it should touch the brim of the hat. The hand should be rotated "downwards" so as to show none of the palm. Likewise, the hand should not be entirely vertical so as to show the thumb; work on finding a good middle ground. When moving your hand to-and-from the saluting position, your arm should swing inwards over your chest with your elbow as the pivot, so that your fingers trace along your gig line (or where buttons would be on a dress shirt, for example.) Basic bearing (stuff that didnt fit into the above categories)
Whilst taking stride, let your arms swing naturally-- every time your right foot takes a step, your left hand should swing forward. Doing the opposite (stepping and swinging on the same side) is referred to as "Puppetting" (as it looks like your hand is pulling your foot along a la puppet string) When sitting, ensure to sit with the soles of your feet facing the floor. (This means to either avoid crossing your legs, or do so in a manner that doesn't raise your foot) and always keep your back straight. When sitting at a table, never put your elbows onto the table  
This aside, I've found a single (And somewhat desperately-sized) Wookiepedia article about how the Imperial Officer should salute. Take this as you please:
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Imperial_salute
It appears to be a rather relaxed salute in which one extends their right arm forward and addresses the palm to the one they're saluting. This is reminiscent of a type of roman salute, one of many gestures used in history to signify fascism (and as such should be used with caution-- I'd even advise against using it at all, especially if you live in Germany.. if you get what I'm saying ;O)
 
 
Nothing here I've listed is imperative to the Imperial Officer; I just thought a simplified bearing tutorial would be a valuable resource for people who want to know how to look professional in character 

You might find a lot more help from the Armored Cavalry Detachment. They're the official wardens of the General Veers outfit armor -- http://forum.armoredcavalry.net/
 
As for the rank, you'd just have to see if the people making the chestplate are capable of changing the rank for you. I'm not sure if the rank tiles on the chestplate are part of the chestplate or an addition over the top of it-- I'd hope it's the latter.

This'll be a big help, thanks!

Here ya go:

http://www.toughgloves.com/fit.html

So I bought 3 different pairs for Krennic (don't ask, I returned 2), and what I found was while I measured at a 9-10, the 10 fit in the Patrol gloves, but anything with a wrist required an 11 (and the Marksman actually needed a 12 for me).

My best suggestion is follow that guide, then size up if you're at or near the top number - and order from somewhere like Amazon first.  Try them on, if they fit, awesome, if not, follow the return policy, and order a size or two higher depending on how they fit.  Just don't try to force your hand if it doesn't want to go - they are leather, but you still can rip leather.

I think I mentioned somewhere that I wasn't planning on buying from that seller specifically, but rather just that brand of gloves. They seem to be from 60-100$ no matter where I look, so that's why I wanted to check before shelling out that much!
 

Cheaper on Amazon.  Wind up your Google-Fu, son.

https://www.amazon.com/Tough-Gloves-Enforcer-Leather-Gauntlets/dp/B004LYT9I0

Oh, if you look on the eBay link you posted, scroll down. Look at the section at the bottom "more like this". There's a pair of deer skin leather gloves for $32 that would fit the bill. Not to mention that deer skin would be softer than cow hide. 

I'm not sure if you saw it or not, but these gloves your asking about in this eBay posting are a size 6. That's fairly small. I don't know your glove size, but I'm betting it's larger than a size 6. 
Not to mention these are terribly expensive. 

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't see more First Order materials until after the 2nd or 3rd movie in the trilogy. As it is, we only have solid footage of Finn (as a Trooper) and Hux (as an Officer), everything else is, for the most part, background stuff.

Just found this pre-parade line up pic. Very festive group.
 
 

Lookin great, Commander!

Today I was able to make it to my first troop since becoming 501st official with my Staff Officer Uniform. The parade is televised by WSB Channel 2 here in Atlanta. My wife watched the parade from home and snagged a pic of me on TV. (A little blurry) I'd say it was a good first troop!  

Unfortunately, I will be spending this holiday-- like I have the last 2 Christmases, New Years and Thanksgivings.. at work. Also unfortunately, I happen to be working in a retail store this year, so I get the added excitement of surviving the Black Friday hoardes. Nonetheless, well-wishes to everyone this Thanksgiving!

The "ranks" are for how many posts you have. 25 = Ensign, 50 = Lieutenant JG, so on. Ribbons are determined by specific achievement, I believe. 

I was counting the posts til I made Ensign, then completely missed it when I made JG Lieutenant.