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country with the "National Militia Standards", they also set out to provide groups with a standard unit numbering
system.
The country is divided into 'Eastern', 'Central' and 'Western' Corps. 'Eastern' is 1st Corps, 'Central' is 2nd
Corps and 'Western' is 3rd Corps. Each of these Corps is then subdivided into 9 Divisions. Montana, Wyoming,
Oregon, Washington and Idaho are grouped as 7th Division.
Then, each state is numbered as a 'Field Force' depending on what order the state was accepted into the
Union. Idaho is the 43rd state, hence the designation '43rd Field Force'. After that, each county is numbered to
give you a battalion (Boundary County is #21), then a town in that county would get a letter designation (A
Company) and then finally platoons within the company (1st Plt).
So that makes us...
1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 21st Battalion, 43rd Field Force, 7th Division, 3rd Corps
This example is for Bonners Ferry, Boundary County, Idaho. Sandpoint (Bonner County) would be A Co 17/43,
Coeur d'Alene (Kootenai County) would be A Co 55/43. These are the county seats. The next smaller town in each
county would be Bravo (B) Company, then Charlie (C) Company, etc. Each town then divides into platoons (1st, 2nd,
3rd).
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And why "Light Foot"?
I like tradition. Up until the late 18th / early 19th century, British infantry units were called "Foot" (foot soldiers). As in, the
"13th Regiment of Foot". Cavalry was called "Horse", heavy cavalry was "Heavy Horse", i.e. the "48th Regiment of Horse".
( I know, I know, "but they were the enemy"! That was long ago, let's get over it, I say. If it weren't for England we wouldn't be a
country today... we'd be South Canada and speak French! )
As we will not have much in the way of supply lines or support elements, we will most likely "live off the land, resupply off
the enemy", so to speak. Carrying what we need on our backs through the mountains.
Light = Fast
Fast = Surprise
Surprise = Victory!
Hence, the "21st Battalion of Light Foot" or "21st Light Foot", for short.
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Our unit flag...
Is the "Green Mountain Boys" flag.
"The Green Mountain Boys were a militia organization first established in the 1760s in the territory between the British
provinces of New York and New Hampshire, known as the New Hampshire Grants. Headed by Ethan Allen and members
of his extended family, they were instrumental in resisting New York's attempts to control the territory, which it had won
control over in a territorial dispute with New Hampshire. When these disputes led to the formation of the Vermont
Republic in 1777, the Boys became the new republic's militia. Some companies served in the American Revolutionary
War, including most notably the 1775 Capture of Fort Ticonderoga and later invasion of Quebec, and battles at
Hubbardton and Bennington in 1777." - from Wikipedia
This militia wasn't formed by the governor or legislature of a state (Vermont wasn't even a state yet), but by citizens who
saw trouble on the horizon and took organizing measures on their own accord to prepare for the defense of their
communities, first from a neighboring colony, and then from an oppressive, tyrannical government.
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Our unit patch...
Is a circular green patch with a Spartan helmet and crossed short swords. Above is "Come and get them" in Greek.
Pronounced "Molon Laveh".
It is a famous quote from ancient military history. It was uttered by Leonidas, King of Sparta, to Xerxes, King of Persia,
during the battle of Thermopylae, when Xerxes ordered Leonidas... "Lay down your arms!"
Leonidas' reply will live in history... "Come and get them!"