Membership in the La. State Militia is open to all males over the age of 17 years. Those people desiring to join must first complete an Enlistment Application, which will then be voted on by the current membership. Upon acceptance, a new member's immediate family become part of the "unit family" also. Those members with sons between the ages of 14 and 17 who wish to participate are welcomed, as long their father is present at an event (we operate under the guidelines of the State of Louisiana, Office of State Parks Black Powder Regulations which state that no one under the age of 14 may "take the field" during a reenactment and no one under the age of 16 may fire a weapon). Those militiamen between the age of 14 and 17 are utilized as couriers, flag bearers, or musicians.
When the unit was formed, it was decided to make this hobby very inexpensive for the members. We have no uniform standards, as other units do. Our uniform is non-uniformity. We are portraying a middle- to late-war impression when clothing and uniforms were very difficult to obtain. Members may wear a complete Confederate-type uniform, a combination of Confederate and Union, a combination of uniform and civilian clothing or a complete set of civilian clothing.
You will find no Confederate battle or national flags in our camp. We fight under the Louisiana Republic flag and the 'Pelican' flag of the Sovereign State of Louisiana, taking our orders from our commander-in-chief, the Honorable Governor of Louisiana. At times, these orders oblige us to cooperate with Confederate military commanders in the field.