In 2016, Michael Halstead walked past a Star Wars Stormtrooper at Rose City Comic Con. It was not a particularly unusual sight at the convention for pop culture and sci-fi fans, but he froze in his tracks. A Stormtrooper nearby said something, and the voice came out metallic, through a speaker, and had the click-pop at the end, just like in the movies. He knew at that moment he had stumbled upon something special.

“How do I get into this?” he asked himself laughing.

Almost six years later, the insurance claims manager from Salmon Creek moonlights as the commanding officer for the Cloud City Garrison, the Oregon and Southwest Washington region of the 501st Legion.

The 501st Legion is a worldwide costuming organization made up of about 15,000 people across the entire globe. Because it’s so large, it’s split into smaller regional sections or garrisons. The group specializes in making movie-accurate Star Wars costumes and using them to raise money for charity. The 501st Legion represents the bad guys in the films, like Stormtroopers, Darth Vader, Boba Fett and Kylo Ren.

Movie-Accurate Costumes

The costumes might have piqued Halstead’s interest, but the philanthropy is what kept his attention. Wanting to give back to his Southwest Washington community, he reached out to the garrison. He was greeted by welcoming, friendly, like-minded people who told him about the charitable aspects of the organization and how he could begin building his own costume.

The process is quite intense, Halstead explains. “It has to be movie-accurate. There are requirements and it has to be approved. So, you’ve got to submit pictures of the costume front, back, side, side, action shot and helmet off so that someone can look at it and make sure that the costume meets the standards so that we’re still allowed to play in the Disney sandbox. They allow us to do what we do because of the accuracy of our costumes and the charity work we do.”

Typically, Disney doesn’t like anyone using their trademarked property (especially Star Wars), but they make a huge exception for the 501st. The executives allow it because their brand is represented accurately and is used to do good in the community.

The costumes are so realistic that when producers for the television show The Mandalorian needed more stormtroopers for a scene and didn’t have enough outfits, they called the Los Angeles garrison of the 501st to see if anyone could volunteer their time.

A chance for a Star Wars fan to end up in an authentic Star Wars show was a dream come true. Unsurprisingly, the producers had more than enough volunteers. The Mandalorian came face to face with an army of stormtroopers who were no doubt grinning from ear to ear underneath their helmets.

However, making a movie-quality costume without experience or fashion background intimidates most people. The group hosts building parties to alleviate some of the stress of this enormous project. The members gather to share patterns, tips and tricks for building specific costumes. They also have a costuming tag on their website, www.501st.com. There, you can find a drop-down menu of the requirements needed for the outfits.

Luckily, some companies specialize in building kits. They will ship you the plastic required for the costume, but after that, you are on your own. The builder cuts the plastic, fits it to their body shape, glues it together and ensures it straps to the body and won’t slip or fall off during an event or appearance.

Like most intense hobbies, this one can get pricey.

“There are some costumes that are cheaper and an easier way to get into the Legion,” explains Halstead. “So, there is the imperial officer, where you have your face shown and you’re from a Star Destroyer. If you want to build a stormtrooper, you’re looking at around $1,000 to $1,500. If you want to build a Darth Vader, those can cost $6,000. Again, they’ve got to be movie-accurate, so you can’t just go get something from the Halloween store.”

For the members, there is joy and pride in the building process itself.

Often, members of the Cloud City Garrison make more than one, including Halstead. “I’ve got a stormtrooper, a biker scout from Return of the Jedi, the guys on the speeder bikes. I’ve got Boba Fett from Return of the Jedi. I’ve got a Gamorrean Guard, the pig guard in Jabba’s Palace, and I love wearing that one because people who recognize it react to it. I’ve got a Muftack, one of the little aliens in the cantina scenes. I’ve got a Wampa, the seven-foot-ten ice creature, a Kylo Ren, a Cad Bane from the cartoon series, and Zuckuss, the bounty hunter.”

“Bad Guys Doing Good” in Southwest Washington

If there is a baddie from the Star Wars universe you identify with, then there is a place for you in the Cloud City Garrison. Even if they already have that character, they’re happy to have another. Being bad can be so much fun. “Bad guys are funny. They’re really not mean,” says Halstead. “The stormtroopers themselves are not really bad.” And their aim is often subpar.

There is another, more practical reason Halstead likes playing characters with helmets. It allows him some emotional space when making hospital appearances at Randall’s Children’s Hospital, which he visits monthly, and on occasion Doernbecher. “The pediatric oncology unit can be very tough. We’ve been to the burn unit. We’ve gone to the ICU and things like that. I like wearing the helmet because it’s hard to keep your face in a certain way when seeing these kids through challenging times.”

Despite the emotional toll, charity work is what fuels the members, making their slogan “Bad Guys Doing Good” exceedingly appropriate.

Some of their most memorable events involve Make-A-Wish. If the child wishes to visit Disneyland to visit Galaxy’s Edge, the members will meet them at the airport or escort them to their gate in full costumes to give them a proper Star Wars send-off. Members of the Cloud City Garrison will consider all Oregon and Southwest Washington event requests, especially if it has a charitable aspect. Stormtroopers have popped up at birthday parties, trunk-or-treats, fun runs, weddings and even funerals. However, since the group comprises of volunteers, a member must be available on the appearance day.

Good Guys Doing Good in Southwest Washington

But some are not seduced by the dark side; some wish to channel their inner Luke Skywalker instead of the Emperor. Like in the Star Wars galaxy, there must be a balance. The Rebel Legion’s Kashyyyk Base, run by Missy Thingelstad, achieves that. They are the sister organization to the 501st Legion and handle all the good guys like Jedis, X-Wing pilots, Han Solo, Leia and even some aliens.

Thingelstad got involved because her husband was in the organization. While he dressed in costume, Thingelstad worked as a spotter, assisting the costumed characters up and down stairs, ensuring they had what they needed for an event, or helping to physically dress the character.

“It really starts because we all have a baseline love of Star Wars, but we want to be able to share with others,” says Thingelstad.

While Thingelstad also has an Empire costume, she prefers her Rebel attire. She has a Master Jedi, Resistance pilot and Mon Mothma costume. “I love both the Empire and the Rebellion. I prefer the style and everything that is the Rebellion. I like the fabric costumes. I like to sew, so that’s a great way to bring out my creativity. Who doesn’t want to be a good guy and throw around a lightsaber and battle evil?”

But don’t join the Kashyyyk Base because you think putting the costumes together will be less challenging; the opposite is true despite having the force on your side.

“It’s just as difficult, if not harder, because many of the good guy costumes are fabric-based, and there are no patterns that we can use to develop those. My husband has a number of armored costumes, and the great thing about those costumes is that, most often, somebody has gone before you and has created a great kit that you can customize for yourself. But for most Rebellion costumes, you must make a pattern, source the fabric, and figure out many embellishments. They aren’t any easier. They both present an equal level of challenge and creativity.”

Memorable Moments

While Halstead and Thingelstad have not been asked to be part of a Star Wars movie or show, they still have experiences they will never forget.

“I think, for me, the standout experiences aren’t necessarily the high-profile events,” says Thingelstad. “The events and experiences that I love and what draws me to continue with this group are when we can make a personal connection. It could be a child or an adult who identifies with Star Wars. My favorite events are when we go to hospitals and tour the pediatric units. That’s always gratifying and fun to be just a bright spot in the day of somebody going through a really challenging time. And I really enjoy just putting a smile on people’s faces.”

And nothing puts a smile on someone’s face like a lightsaber.

“Kids of all ages are drawn to light sabers, from infants to kids of all ages and adulthood. It’s really just kind of fun,” explains Thingelstad.

It’s all about the fun for both groups and they want to share it with new members. Don’t be intimidated, says Halstead. They will ensure you walk the dark or light side with others if you want in. “We’ve got people that are more than happy and willing to try to help as much as possible because our goal is more troopers equals more troops that can go to events, which equals more money given to charity. And that’s what it’s really all about is trying to get these charities some help.”

The Cloud City Garrison and Kashyyyk Base can be reached on their websites, www.501st.com and www.rebellegion.com. It’s a chance to learn more about the organization, the costume requirements and how to request members to attend an Oregon or Southwest Washington event.

No matter what side you fall on . . . may the force be with you.

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