The Red Shirt Rebellion is the Krewe’s parade-escort corps — a volunteer body that the Overlords have, on more than one occasion, described as essential in tones strongly implying the parade does not actually happen without it. The mission, broadly, is to guard the perimeter of the rolling Krewe and assist with route coordination while subkrewes march through the frenzied crowds. Some Red Shirts are assigned more specific responsibilities — guarding the Krewe’s refreshments, escorting parade royalty, herding the occasional contraption that has decided to wander — but the central duty is keeping the perimeter intact and the route legible.
Two ranks operate within the Rebellion: Free-Range Red Shirts, deployed where they are most needed on the day; and SubKrewe-Specific Red Shirts, attached to a particular subkrewe and answering to its captain. The two share a uniform, a chain of command, and the same patient expectation that they will, on parade day, do exactly what they are asked.
Red Shirts march in the parade at no cost — dues are waived in lieu of labour. They also attend the Chewbacchanal for free, with complimentary beer at the after-party. The trade is simple, time-tested, and broadly considered fair by both sides: the Rebellion does the work, the Krewe stands the round.
The Overlords ask, in exchange, that Red Shirts remain reasonably sober for the duration of the parade and follow the orders of their Red Shirt Capos. After-party conduct is, as always, between the member and the Sacred Drunken Wookiee.
Red Shirts must be 18 or older. The role calls for steady judgement under enthusiastic conditions, and the Krewe declines to ask that of its younger members.
The Rebellion has, on at least one occasion, recorded itself for posterity:
Red Shirt sign-up runs through Krewebacchus — create an account at krewebacchus.org and select the Red Shirt option in place of dues. For day-to-day coordination, recruitment chatter, and the inevitable parade-week last-minute organising, the Red Shirt Rebellion Facebook Group is the operational nerve centre.
Parade-day specifics — gear pickup events, Droid Collar distribution, t-shirt and vest rules, gear-return logistics — live in their own entry at Red Shirt Operations. The Rebellion is encouraged to read it before parade week.