The Duties of a 1st Sgt.

[@cblodg1]

Everything you say is 100% spot on. One thing, as a corporal, that I have had to break my first sergeant of is constantly wanting to run small drill details. That's the job of us two stripers. It's not easy for some guys to let go, as you say, they really are the most proficient in drill. But the way I was able to break that was to show my proficiency in drill. I'm always proud of our newest members taking the field and they look like they've been doing this hobby for years. That's what drives me to continue to improve and learn.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Great job! We've even started having our corporals lead their platoons in drill and they always take turns running company drill. It builds confidence, proficiency, and unit cohesion. This last event, I was standing behind the line like a 1st Sgt should and saw an opportunity for one of our Corporals to lead a platoon and capture a field piece and their crew. Which they did excellently. Properly organized NCOs are too uncommon in the hobby and yet the instructions are in all the manuals! Keep up the good work, "two striper."

[@morganpate5880]

I started my own company of Confederate Sharpshooters ( 12th Arkansas Sharpshooters) a little over a year ago. I have found many of your videos helpful as I am improving my impression, as well as encouraging my men to do the same. Just wanted to thank you guys and tell you how much I appreciate you making these videos

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Thanks so much! If there's anything we can do to help, questions we can answer, or a video you'd like to see let us know. One tip from sharpshooter to sharpshooter is, if you haven't done it already, is to find a Yankee unit or two that likes to play during events. It really helps to show off the unit, draw spectator attention, and recruit new members. Something like you and your men picking off skirmishers would look great and you can always repay the reenacting favor. Co D. always makes sure to shake the hands and thank the good cornfeds that take good hits or give up as prisoners for us. Thanks again!

[@1stminnsharpshooters341]

Hey Morgan - does you group have a FB or web site? is so I'd be interested.

[@rc59191]

Did Confederate Sharpshooters have a specific uniform like the Union ones?

[@chrislau7111]

I'm new to being a 1st Sgt. and found this video every helpful.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

We're so glad to hear that! Keep in touch if you have any questions along the way. We're always here to help.

[@kaydenleigh4927]

Thank you for this video. My gg grandpa was a sgt and worked up through the ranks in the Columbia Greys, Co. C, 2nd SC Vols. He was 1st Sgt at Bull run if I am not mistaken. He was promoted to 3rd Lieutenant. But I always wondered what he was like or what he did as 1st Sgt.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

I think I speak for all of us when we say our hat is off to your ancestor for rising through the ranks like that. Our "Duties of..." videos are aimed at reenacting responsibilities but they're heavily influenced by actual regulations.

[@ellisspear]

Wow...this is amazing. Well done Thank you

[@Joseywales414]

You mentioned that Capt. W was making leadership videos , I was looking for one about the corporal or Sargent , I didn’t see anything yet? Oh ide love to see you make one on a winter encamampment or making one of those tent/logmud huts. That would be awsome.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Those are on my to-do list for our April school of the soldier event. We usually end up with a lot of down time and will be a great chance to shoot those videos. Oh, and on the cabin comment...since I live in a forest, I've been seriously considering building a small shebang on the property. Your comment made me consider it that much more. Thanks!

[@foxhoundr3364]

Some good advise mate! I would say the first sergeants duties would include discipline with the company, mentoring the JNCO's and advising the company commander on the the junior enlisted soldiers.

[@Nelson-rh7og]

you guys amaze me every time!!☺

[@Nelson-rh7og]

Wait was Captain wighthall in the marines. P.S. sorry if i spelled your name wrong.

[@incognitoqwyn6434]

Who makes the best brogans? And sack coats?

[@1stminnsharpshooters341]

1Sgt Koepp and pards - watched this video for the second time with interest. One of the men in my other CW groups is interested in creating a NCO training class or training - while this is still in idea stage - I believe that this will be of interest to many. See you in the field or around the camp fire - LT 1st Minn Sharphooters.

[@Joseywales414]

This was pretty awsome, I am so thankful. In an additional video ide like to see you do one in action. Do one as an daily example maybe with Cap & a few others in a company type set up. For a real detailed in caricature one -make one like a school of the soldier but call it school of the NCO and you could even sell them. IE like those guys from Michigan and Virginia did on school of the soldier.

[@Joseywales414]

Maybe even work with another unit or two to produce it.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

That's a brilliant idea. It'd be like a reenactor NCO vlog. We upgraded our film gear this last year and upgrade to wireless mics so we could film drill instruction, too. Thanks again for the great suggestion.

[@mickeyholding7970]

NCO's lead by example.

[@carltonferrell4062]

wonderful video, very informative especially for me being my company ordinance sergeant. I don't quite rank myself up there with you being a 1st sergeant, but our company doesn't have a first sergeant so I kind of fill both responsibilities. keep the great videos coming, and any advice on how to be a better example for the men under me is greatly appreciated

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

If you're interested in learning and lead by example, you're off to a great start. Thanks for your support and I'll do my best to keep the tips coming.

[@civilcoinman]

great video I love your channel

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Thanks! You, too. Just subscribed.

[@civilcoinman]

Company D 2nd USSS thanks for subscribing a bigger channel subing to a smaller channel

[@civilcoinman]

Company D 2nd USSS hey I'm going to shout out your channel but first I'm going to sub with 8 channels

[@civilcoinman]

Company D 2nd USSS check out my shoutout video

[@civilwarguy0072]

how do u get a pass for going in another company street

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Great question. At events too many people (especially soldiers) cut willy nilly through camp with no care in the world for protocol. We enforce protocol pretty hard in our unit and will even stop non battalion staff officers and at least make them back out and walk all the way around our street. At events, the easiest thing to do is to go to the end of a company street, wait to be addressed, ask permission, and carry on your business. Now, in the CW ending up in another camp without a pass was being awol and a punishable offense. For an awesome impression check out some of Kautz's manuals or Sullivan Press online for copies of passes to be reviewed and signed by your command. You can find them elsewhere online with a little digging. Silas' reenacting links might have some and even checking out the free books in Google Library can be a great resource for accessing manuals. Or just ask your captain to hand write a note. Just remember the vast difference between small reenacting events and the massive nature of camps during the Civil War. During the war, one of our soldiers would often visit friends in other Maine regiments and wrote in his diaries of walking four miles one way to visit one regiment. He also wrote about requesting a pass from his captain or C.O. and hoping to get approved. Once again, thanks for this great question.

[@annamalin123]

Who was that guy you mentioned for forage caps and is he higher quality than dirty billy's hats?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Russell Osmianski who runs "Caps and Kepis" on Facebook

[@danielkohli1542]

I forget where I read it, or if I'm remembering the fact wrong. Were infantry and sharpshooter sergeants issued a pistol?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

They weren't unfortunately. Only branches that issued pistols to the enlisted ranks would have been light artillery and the cavalry/dragoons. However private purchase was a thing, added weight though saw many pistols acquired that way sent home or left on the side of the road.

[@danielkohli1542]

@@CompanyD2ndUSSS Thanks, in researching for artillery, cavalry and engineer solders, I have neglected researching infantry.

[@richhoule3462]

You guys are hard core!

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Thanks!

[@wadecates4438]

Good video, can you do a video on privates duties and impression

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Great suggestion! We're working on one.

[@60sspider-man29]

What's the highest rank a reenactor can be?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

There are people who reenact or portray Lee and Grant if they can get a good resemblance but usually reenacting as generals is hard because there arent thousands of us for a actual brigade, division or corps. Typically a colonel or lt colonel is the most common "high rank" you see

[@60sspider-man29]

@@CompanyD2ndUSSS oh k that's cool i didn't know that! Thank you for responding. I'm a big history nerd and i learned about reenacting from you guy's and I'm thinking of doing it one day so thank you for that.

[@swademieirs1228]

What’s in your tents?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Funny you should ask. Our next video is a tour of my A tent. Stay tuned!