Often they first become involved with a unit that a friend belongs to. With this already established comeraderie, a reenactor gets a feel for how to act and gets to know what sort of activities are personally interesting. Beachler noted that it sometimes takes several years before a reenactor finds the regiment or unit that suits the his or her preferences. Indiana native Charles Dawson, for instance, noted that he found himself drawn to an Indiana regiment, the 27th, after serving contentedly for several years with the 20th Maine. Styles of reenactors also play a part.
Authenticity is crucial during portrayals of battles or in demonstrations.
Accurate clothing, weapons, equipment and tactics are required. However, when the historic site s visitors go home, differences emerge. Some units believe that authenticity includes everything that takes place behind the scenes as well. Food, cooking utensils, and sleeping equipment replicate those available during the period. And while just about every reenactor will tell you that authenticity adds a special emotion to any event, other units are just as happy to bring ice chests and soft drinks and to run out to the ice cream parlor on a warm summer evening.