A New Iron Trooper Medal in the works and will be here soon

[Major Matt Lewis]

Ok folks,

Last year at the Department Muster in Nebraska there were 2 things that I felt I did for the greater benefit of GAF....

1. Got Jerry to agree to host the Nationals this year.

2. Talked to Steff about designing a new Iron Trooper. 

I admit that this was partially done for selfish reasons, as I did not recieved the award that I earned back in 2006.  But there were some definate nonselfish reasons that I will now explain.  I wanted the Iron Trooper to be of such a design that we would encourage people to join GAF and come to the National Event; because only one is awarded a year and you have to belong to GAF to win it. 

Anyway, Steff said he is ready to start casting...the Iron Trooper will be a "dinner plate" medal.  Meaning it will be worn around the neck on a black silk ribbon.  It is comprised of the wreath modeled after the Marine Expert Rifle Badge and the Maltese Cross again borrowed from the Marine Sharpshooters badge.  It will also have the year in which the awardee won The Iron Trooper.

Oh, I forgot to mention, it will be cast out of Sterling Silver....Now, I will obviously be posting photos when I get it.  But, It will be a medal truly worthy of the title Iron Trooper.

2004 Iron Trooper Colonel Diamond aka Dave Birk
2005 Iron Trooper Shootn Newton aka George Newton
2006 Iron Trooper Major Matt Lewis aka Richard Gimbert
2007 Iron Trooper Pitsptr aka Jerry Davenport
2008 Iron Trooper You?

I know I will be purchasing one, I think Jerry will be purchasing one and so will Dave Birk.  I believe it will be awarded going forward.

[Zouave Officer]

Pardon my ignorance on the Subject, but what exactly is the "Iron Trooper" Medal? Forgive my lack of knowledge on this, but I'm still what could be called a Greenhorn, so I'm sure this is the first of many things I have not heard of.

[Major Matt Lewis]

ZO,

The Order of the Iron Trooper is the award earned by the individual who wins the GAF National Muster.  The first 3 Iron Troopers were awarded to the over all shooting winner.  I believe last year, the rules were changed to encompass the Personifications as well.  US Scout or Pitsptr can probably explain better.  I was not able to make it last year as work (dirty 4 letter word that it is) got in the way.  I will be there this year unless Uncle Sam gets in the way....

I place such a high emphasis on the GAF National, that it is the only multiday shoot that I will be traveling for this year.  My wife a nurse has change her schedule and works every Friday and Saturday night.  She only get's off 2 weekends a year and one of it will be used for the GAF Nationals.  It is the funnest shoot that I have been too, but I am biased, I started them all.

[Pitspitr]

The requirements to be awarded the OIT (The medal that is awarded to the Brigade Champion) changed in a couple of ways last year.

The GAF is working hard to become a unique organization that is more than just a posse of SASS or NCOWS shooters who happen to be interested in the old west military. While the GAF does not require it's members to wear period uniforms and shoot the battle rifle class, we certainly encourage it. We feel that those things really define the niche that makes the GAF unique. Therefore; to be eligible for the Brigade Championship one must place in the the Battle Rifle class and the uniform competition. The MEMBER who places highest in both contests wins the Iron Trooper. For instance, I placed second in the battle rifle class and won the fatigue uniform contest and was named the Brigade Champion.

I've linked some approriate threads below.

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,16438.0.html

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,16801.0.html

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,17271.0.html

[Major Matt Lewis]

Thanks Jerry.  I figured you would have the information.  I will be prepping my Cavalry Carbine.  Going to James Country to have Jean whip me up a new 1872 Uniform too....Want to be spiffed up for the Muster this year. 

[Zouave Officer]

Thank you both for your prompt responses. I know that I will not be able to attend the National Muster this year myself, unfortunantly other areas of my life are intruding upon my attendance. Maybe I will be fortunante enough next year to get myself a furlough and come and join you all.

Thank you once again for the information, it is very much appriciated.

[Bull Schmitt]

I need someone to write-up the details, appropriate for the GAF web site, on earning, applying for, awarding, purchasing, etc. of this medal . The verbiage should be similar to that on the web site for other awards/medals.


Col Bull

[Pitspitr]

I saw An Iron Trooper medal today. It was unfinished and may have been just a prototype but it is easy to see that it will be a very special medal when it is finished.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

I saw An Iron Trooper medal today. It was unfinished and may have been just a prototype but it is easy to see that it will be a very special medal when it is finished.

Would it be correct to assume that Prairie Flower is doing that medal, too? 

I'm doubtful that I'll ever get one (I have no proper battle rifle and my uniform budget is WAAAY less than Major Matt's or yours, Col. P  ) but it is interesting and I hope for it as I want the same for the GAF as you posted.  I'm also really looking forward to my new GAF medal from P.F.!!  I know - it's only been a month since I ordered it, and he's doing some engraving, but I'm anxious! 

[Pitspitr]

Yes, Prairie Flower is doing the Iron Trooper too.

Last August I would have bet money that I would never win the OIT. So... never say never.

I can also report that there several GAF membership medals sitting on his engraving bench awaiting engraving so he's getting closer with the next batch. I did notice that my name wasn't listed to be engraved on any of the medals. That's a good thing for the rest of y'all, as that means he's put me on the back burner so he can get yours done.

[Major Matt Lewis]

As long as my name is listed for one of those Membership medals, I will be happy....

[Pitspitr]

I stopped at Prairie Flower the day befor yesterday and am pleased to announce that they had a new batch of membership medals just out of the moulds (Hopefully J. Dawg's and Mine are in this batch). Steff told me that the only thing holding him back from casting the OIT's was that he's currently out of Sterling Silver, but that he hope to have it and begin casting today or tomarrow.

[Pitspitr]

And here are the new Iron Trooper Medals!......