The 501st Legion is a worldwide volunteer costuming organization dedicated to building and wearing highly accurate, movie-replica costumes from the Star Wars universe and specifically those of the Galactic Empire. Its counterpart, the Rebel Legion, does the exact same thing, but for the heroes of the Rebellion. I started my own journey back in 2009. However, it wasn’t until 2012 that I finally earned my matriculation number—TKID 20100—and officially became a stormtrooper.
Despite our villainous appearance, we are definitely not here to “fight.” Our mission is to support, to help, and to do good. We use our costumes to bring awareness and raise funds for various local and global charities. We call this “trooping”—participating in events while in full costume to bring joy to the public, both young and young-at-heart. Some of us organize events, some of us participate, and some of us donate. Many of us do all of the above and more, but our intent remains the same: to bring smiles and support the community.
Trooping can happen on a massive scale with dozens of troopers, or it can be as simple as two people showing up for a cause. Sometimes it is self-organized, and sometimes it is part of a larger event. Regardless of the size, it always happens in costume for the viewing pleasure of the crowd.
