"It is never done."
I always get asked the same questions about the armor: "How much did it cost?"
We generally don't answer that one. All I can say is there a great variance in the price, and quality between armor makers. I decided to invest in top of the line armor, so it wasn't cheap.
The second question is: "How long did it take to finish?"
The answer is: "It is never done."
Basic approval took six months for me, but I am a small trooper and took more modifications than most troopers. My "build thread" is here detailing my six journey with the armor. If you are fortunate enough to be closer to "screen accurate size," you may get done faster.
To receive the next level of approval, which is Expert Infantry (EIB), took me another three months. This is not a requirement and many stormtroopers stop at basic level. But, from the beginning, I had the idea I was going for the highest level standard possible with my armor and was going to quit until I got there. Even though I was a mini-trooper, I wanted the highest level of screen accuracy on my armor.
To reach the top level of approval, "Centurion," I had to rip my armor again. I took a month off from trooping. Some of the pieces of my strapping on the sides were slightly off in alignment and while this was fine for Basic and EIB standards, it was not good enough for Centurion. So, I started again with drilling holes, measuring and making sure ever spacing was perfect down to the millimeter.
 |
| July 2014. A detail shot for the Expert Infantry approvals. |
 |
| Fixing a detail on the backplate. August 2014. |
And, on August 14, 2014 I received the best news possible. I was the first woman ever in the Golden Gate Garrison to reach Centurion status. One of only a handful of woman in the Legion to achieve this standard. Was I proud? Hell yes.
I wrote the date on the inside of my armor. I still look at this penciled in mark everytime I get dressed in my TK to remind myself of hard I worked to get my armor to the standard it is today.
My garrison has a high percentage of Centurions. When I go out with a fellow trooper who has armor that looks as good as mine and we see a fan's jaw drop because we have gotten every detail just perfect, it is all worthwhile. "Good enough" is not good enough. It is all about the details. It is why I am so proud to be a Centurion.
 |
| I wear my white "patch jacket" at conventions and before and after events. This is the left sleeve of my jacket. |
# # #
