Safety Structure

All Unit Commanders and Command staff must accept full responsibility of all its unit members. The Unit Commanders and staff have full responsibility for each member, safety, authenticity and conduct. NorthWoods Living History practices the military aspects and standard chain of command theory. This means your unit has a chain of command structure in practice. The Unit Commander is the first step in a well-organized informed safe and authentic living history organization.

Disregarding any safety regulations and refusal to obey the rules and regulations of the state and country will be grounds for immediate dismissal from NorthWoods Living History. Serious infractions may lead to permanent actions against the individual or the Unit to which he/she belongs. All state and federal laws must be obeyed/followed. The deliberate legal violation of such laws can result in criminal charges. We want all our members to remain safe, healthy and unharmed at all times.

Command & Control

1. At each participating event, there will be an appointed Safety and Authenticity Coordinator or Team. The appointed person/persons will be presented at the event. These individuals will be responsible for all adherence to each and all members to all safety and authenticity rules, laws and regulations.

2. All those belonging to the Northwoods Living History are encouraged to be a member of a recognized NorthWoods Living History chartered unit. The recognized chartered unit will have no less than five (5) properly listed members. The rank of each unit and its members will be adjusted to the members respectively with the added 25% casualty loss.

3. Individuals looking to portray military police, fire fighter, medical, emergency medical, military reaction force, partisan group, A General Staff, postal service, field kitchen unit, etc., your ranks will be adjusted accordingly. We will work to do such impressions as historically accurate as possible.

4. We will not accept Far Right or Far Left Hate or affiliated groups. If anyone is a member of any of the above listed organizations, groups, or politically  hate-motivated causes, you will be removed from membership and all active participation.

5. NorthWoods Living History does not focus on the politics of the time period in which it is portrayed. It is not our purpose to teach the reasons why these Nations were at war. We portray the everyday tactics, inner workings, life, death, survival and hardships of the common soldier. His and her struggles of war.

6. Our focus in on the uniform, gear, equipment, training, weapons and transportations of the everyday common soldier. We are students, actors, and teachers in the art of war of the common men and women of war. We are students and teachers of strategy, tactics and maneuver. Players in two or more opposing Armed Forces in a realistic simulation of armed conflict. A simulation by whatever means necessary in a military operation. We use rules, regulations, historical documentation, data, evidence, procedures designed to depict the actual or assumed real life situation. 

NorthWoods Living History is based in the State of Wisconsin. We follow all the laws of the state and all federal laws and regulations on firearms in the United States of America.

NorthWoods Living History is in legal active participation with the laws of the State and rules, regulations of all federal law in the United States.

There is NO LIVE AMMUNITION at any and/or all living history events. NO LIVE AMMUNITION at any and/or all organized fundraising events. If you have knowingly, deliberately violated this number one rule, you will be removed from the event and as an active member of our historical society immediately.

The active participation in a combat role or living history impression, starts at age 12 years. The youth must always have a parent or legal guardian according to State and Federal law with them, if that said person is in possession of a firearm. Any and all age requirements, will be dealt with at the time of registration - whether in person or through online registration.

This is within the strict guideline for active participation in related hobbies. Hobbies such as hunting and competitive shooting in the State of Wisconsin and in most states in the United States of America. The legal guardian age must be 25 or older. He/she may be the Commander of such chartered unit. The chartered overall Unit Commander is and will be the responsible party for each of his/her chartered unit members.

NorthWoods Living History takes all firearms extremely seriously. At the legal age of participation with parent and or legal guardian. They must have graduated and or certification, proof of Hunter/Gun Safety - course and or certification. They must be with the parent or legal guardian and always have the certification with them - at all times if in the possession of a firearm.

If a member of NorthWoods Living History is within a State that has firearm restrictions, bans outside of Wisconsin or any State with laws that differ, that member or members must follow all gun restrictions, age restrictions and/or bans, legislation within that State. NO EXCEPTIONS!

It is NorthWoods Living History, as an organization, responsibility to remain informed, educated and knowledgeable on all firearms related laws, in all 50 states. It's our primary goal to actively participate in our hobby as safe as possible. It is our purpose to actively educate and strongly encourage all our members to actively participate in firearms knowledge, safety, training in all aspects of firearms and its laws. The knowledge and education is key in the firearms environment. Safety is always your responsibility!

All vehicles that participate as an active part of the historical event must have current insurance coverage. The driver/operator of such a vehicle must have a current up-to-date driver's license. The owner/driver of such a vehicle will always be responsible for their vehicle. You may be requested/required to show proof of insurance, at registration, of such an event.

NorthWoods Living History is not, and will not, act as a law enforcement agency or in that capacity. We will act as an overseer in the safety and authenticity of each member. We can only advise, educate and assist inform if there is a legal violation. It is our upmost concern for safety and historic accuracy. Your cooperation, guidance and the following of all laws, rules and regulations is based on a safe environment for each member. If any laws, rules or regulations are deliberately violated, your membership will be taken into consideration or removed.