53 pages later (and I should have joined when I first found the site, suggestions would have beeen more timely)
instead of embroidering the 405th patch with Region & Affiliation, put them on cheverons and rockers which can be placed above and below the main patch. This would also allow someone to display a list of the armor they have completed and registered with the unit.
screen print the patch on plastic and attach them with magnets, or use paldrons or sashes (I know, not canon, but it'd work). Or, once everything's ironed out, crafters can make the shoulder (or parts of the shoulder) replaceable; giving the wearing the option to show their 405th alignment.
Have a high initial ($25 or 30$) and a low annual ($5 or $10)
Use poker chips for give aways, they can be custom printed and you can carry a lot of them (my brother does them for geocaching)
If you want to be somewhat military, it should be a pair of dogtags (yes, that is what it shows in the pics, but that is not what is being stated)
Ideas for ranking
No Armor/Junior
E-1 to E-3
Navy affiliation -> Recruit, Apprentice, Striker
Marine -> Private, Private First Class, Specialist
Army Affiliation -> Private, Private First Class, Lance Corporal
Armor & Full member, but not really in a leader position or a junior crafter
E-4 to E-6
Navy affiliation -> PO3 (Petty Officer 3rd Class, or just 3rd Class), PO2 (2nd Class), PO1 (1st Class)
Marine -> Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Gunnery Sergeant
Army Affiliation -> Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Sergeant Sergeant First Class
Armor & Full member, in Leader position (have big responsibilities to unit) or a master crafter
E-7 to E-9
Navy affiliation -> CPO (Chief Petty Officer), SCPO (Senior Chief Petty Officer), MCPO (Master Chief Petty Officer)
Marine -> Master/First Sergeant, Sergeant Major, Master Gunnery Sergeant
Army Affiliation -> Master/First Sergeant, Sergeant Major, Command Sergeant Major
Officers, I think should be reserved to members who take a big hit to run the group or for honorary members
There should be a couple in each state/country/province(sp?)
some ideas for affiliations
http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/UNSC_Special_Forces
Spartans = SEALs = Navy (Bungie used a book titled:
Master Chief: Diary of a Navy Seal as inspiration)
ODST = Force Recon = Marines (Recon tells you how many there are, Force Recon tells you how many there were)
Pilots are Navy (the ones mentioned; the AF was likely absorbed into the Army & Navy)
That's all I have for now
BTW, anyone else in Indianapolis, Indiana; PM me if you do and I'll start a list on this post