We march as the Colonial Marines under the Aliens Legacy banner and lead the parade which as Rex stated is a HUGE honor for us.
Hijinx costumes are welcome at the convention and we all love them, but not on the streets of Atlanta when we're on display.

I understand this is a fun thread and just discussion, but I just want to make it clear what we will and won't do in the parade.

Exactly!
I think it degenerates the whole USCM mythos. We strive hard at making the Colonial Marines into one of the best costuming groups out there. We have a blast, we lead the Parade, but I think that sometime we have to rein it in-

Our group has the legendary Colony Sweep- I can't tell you how many times I've had 501st guys tell me how awesome we look, how much fun we're having and they wish they would do stuff like that.

While late night drunken shenanigans and the resulting costumes are the stuff of legend at DCon- please not in the Parade.

It's a huge, huge honor for the Colonial Marines to lead off the parade. It is because of our Color Guard. For anything else, anywhere else in DragonCon, anything goes. But, I'd hate for our lead-off status to get mucked with. (The 501st is quite jealous I'm sure! )

Fun is fun, we have enough problems having people realize what / who we are as it is. Let's not have the USCM Parade turn into just another bunch of goofiness...

Okay just to clarify-

The "Hypersleep impression" I've done in the past was worn either before or after the parade, not during. Not to mention it is an attempt at looking like I "just woke up from hypersleep" and not like I'm attending some slumber party.


I would have to say this is a slippery slope. We have gone from having literaly 12 members walking in the middle of the parade in 2003, to having an avearge of 4 or 5 dozen ultimate badasses looking mean!

We lead the parade because we have a Colour Guard- this was no small feat. First time was 2008 (before it was just one man carrying the USCM Flag- no US or allied country flags). In 2009 they gave us the top spot specifically because of the Flag Party.


The problem with costumes that border on "jackassness" is that it detracts from the hard work everyone has put in to look like badasses. Especially the Colour Guard who strive to have their dress uniforms (be it Service C or Dress Blues) looking as sharp as possible and working their asses off to stay in step, not f*** up, and do the unit proud.

No we are not the military. No we are not Marines. However when one of us puts a Service/Dress uniform on, you can damn well bet most of the public can't tell the difference, and those who DO know, will be looking us up and down- so it becomes pretty important to not do them a disservice.

And yes I know not to take this "too" seriously.


Now about "goofy" uniforms. Frankly I don't like the idea of a majority of members doing their best to look cool, only to be overshadowed by a few who required "no" effort whatsoever in their costume and basically get to act however they like in front of the crowd for a cheap laugh.

Nobody likes the guy deliberately making fart noises while you are making a presentation you worked hard on in front of the class.

This reminds me of the endless number of Stormtrooper "goofy" costumes you see- "Hippie/Groove Along" Trooper, "Saturday Night Fever" Trooper, "Baseball Furies" Trooper... on and on and on.

The one day I hoped would never come is when we became popular enough to garnish parodies of ourselves.

During the parade you can either be in the Colour Party (IF you have the uniform, and are able to hold a flag while marching in step with the rest of the group) or be a part of the Ready Line looking like absolute badasses!

After the parade you are welcome to do/wear whatever you like. In fact I encourage general shenanegans during the evening hours as it can be hilarious to watch and participate in.

I guarantee that this post will probably bring out some emotionally strong responses; might even polarize the group. However this needs to be discussed. This isn't the first time something like this has happened (last time was around 2008 to my recollection). It won't be the last either.


And just to say it- no we're not trying to emulate the 501st. We really don't have uniform standards. However as we have grown in the costuming community over the last decade, there has to be "some" guidelines drawn whether written or not.

When people look at us we want them to think "ALIENS! OH MAN I LOVE THAT FREAKING MOVIE!"

On a similar note... When I was moving about the con with several other Aliens Legacy members, a random person(s) would single me out and ask if they could take a photo of me and/or with me. I'd fall behind and hold the others up, or get sucked off somewhere else. That's because I was rocking full combat gear, and was easily recognized. The people I was moving about with, were often wearing half costumes, or pink camo, or without a Pulse Rife, etc.

To each their own. If you want to wear panties and armour in the hotel, that's fine. I wouldn't ask anyone to be fully geared up for days on end sweating balls. I know it's tough.

Let's try to keep it friendly, please, folks!

Personally speaking, and I DO apologise if I cause offense with this, as you know I luvz ya, Stace! - Much as I loved the pink armour, I can see the point of view that it could detract from the overall look of the group.
Pin-ups, to me, are slightly different - They fit with the general military "feel" of the group.
I even had some reservations about Sandy's wearing the Saltire as a cape last year - Sorry dude, but you reminded me more of a football ( Soccer :p ) fan in Glasgow on match day, than a Marine in a parade.

Could be a good idea to take each intended parade costume on its own merits, and see what the consensus is on here before committing to wearing it with the main group?

1. Hello Kitty was cute, but not in bad taste.
2. Cheerleader Marine is also cute, but also in relatively good taste.
3. Pin-ups, so long as they're in good taste may be a good idea for the parade.
4. Hot pants and pantsless Marines are the province of Saturday night and the Spattle... when the kids are in bed... not the parade.

If Hot Pants Marines find their way into the parade, I will not object, as I have no real authority. I will however refuse to participate.

Every year one of us volunteers (or is drafted) to organize the parade; we don't just 'show up' and lead the way.
The years I've been attending Dragon Con it's been either Kevin, Rex or myself (if I recall correctly).
In fact there are many steps that need to be made well in advance for most things we do at Dragon Con.

Leading the parade with the color guard has laid a big responsibility on our shoulders and 'I believe' its time we set some costume standards for the parade. The convention is your time and your vacation and we have no right to tell you what you should/shouldn't wear so don't worry.

As Kevin stated we've gone from a dozen or so marines to over 50 in a short space of time and Saturday morning from about 9am to when we all pile into the Marriott guzzling down water from the scout troop is the time we must be at our best because we're on display for everyone to see as 'The Colonial Marines' and 'The Aliens Legacy'.

I personally have no problem with military style dress (be it screen accurate or something of EU creation), but a standard has to be set and it has to be in good taste, be USCM style and must abode by convention and local laws.

As Dom said no one has any authority over another here as we're all equals; but those of us who spend time and effort organizing these events during our convention time do as we're the one's who are responsible for the group and are required to follow the rules.

I understand this is open to interpretation, won't sit well with everyone but I believe discussion needs to happen.

for Dcon in general, great idea. for the parade however its a big no!

If the "Giant bunny rabbit carrying a pulse rifle" was in reference to KillByLaughter's Bugs, then you missed the point entirely...

I would strongly argue that, should she wish to do so, Lauren's costume would fit just fine with any other pinup-style costumes.
She's a Playboy-bunny interpretation of the Hadrian's Wall squad mascot - NOT a random giant bunny. ( It's slightly a moot point, since she now has armour, and stated that she'd prefer to wear THAT in the parade, but I feel the distinction needs to be made. )

With the New Sega game coming out in February, people may take notice of who we are again. Let's give them a good "first" impression.

Just to clarify even though the other thread was just a bit of fun im getting the Impression that pinups/cheerleaders would be ok and we are talikng females yes?

Ah. I only saw it in passing, it was late, and I had been drinking. I see a Xeno with a red collar, I just assume it's you.

I even had some reservations about Sandy's wearing the Saltire as a cape last year - Sorry dude, but you reminded me more of a football ( Soccer :p ) fan in Glasgow on match day, than a Marine in a parade.

I've had a lot of fun on this board and hanging out with many of you, but if things are going to get to the point where people won't want to be around me simply because I'm doing the HK armor, then frankly I'm not sure I want to be around them.

Would it upset anyone if we had the color guard lead, the main group in the more accurate costumes in the middle with the HK, pinups etc bringing up the rear?

Everyone is involved yet the group is organized.
Thoughts?

Because honestly, on the flip side of it I can go buy stormtrooper armor, paint it Hello Kitty, and then be accepted by just about everyone, be able to participate in all the 501st events, and I won't have to worry about backlash and people wanting nothing to do with me.