Birth of the Rancor Raiders
Our roots began when Mississippi was part of what was then the Southern Outpost. The SO was comprised of Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky. At that time there were only a handful of MS troopers. Being isolated from events and other state troopers a few of us decided as fun to create our own little band, an unofficial group of friends that wanted to troop but
too far away from the rest of the Southern Outpost. We called ourselves “Tarkins Talons” and ‘offically’ trooped for the first time at Wizard World 2005 at Chicago. For the next two years we trooped as a gang unto ourselves. In 2007, the Southern Outpost split. Alabama left to from its own garrison, Tennessee and Kentucky formed the MidSouth Garrision and the fate of Mississippi was thrown up in the air. At first Alabama was to take us, but at the midnight hour, they declined. Star Garrison (Texas) wanted to take us but the Legion Council decided Star was already to large. There was even talk of us merging with Louisiana and forming a garrison. MidSouth Garrison reluctantly took us under their umbrella, but Mississippi troopers were not happy about the situation to say the least. So began our road to independence. We began by forming a squad within the MidSouth Garrison called the “Delta Assault Squad”. This eventually lead to my push to become an outpost. Their were many roadblocks, not only from the MSG but the Legion Council itself. There had never been a state of the continental U.S. that had been an outpost before becoming a garrison. (Southern Outpost was formed from three states). With the help of the then current MidSouth CO Glen Tamboia and the founder of the 501st Legion, Albin Johnson, we merged victorious. The Mississippi Outpost was born. We adopted the TIE Mauler as our symbol. This was another first within the 501st since it was the first time an expanded universe vehicle had been used in an official capacity. We also adopted the official colors ‘green and black’ to stand us apart from other garrisons. Seeking something that would give us an edge, I brought the name Rancor Raiders before the troopers and it was embraced. It seemed just what we needed to give us a sense of unity and pride. Once again I’m proud of this garrison. And I’m proud of its role in the 501st Legion. May the 177th Armored Assault Regiment of the 501st Legion also known by the battle name “Rancor Raiders” keep rolling and never die.
“Death Before Dismount”
Brian ‘Vex’ McClure
Founder of the Rancor Raiders
