One of the guys at Norcal has about 77 fully outfitted mannequins at his house. He was about 35 women and howeve many men. He is German, Russian, American, English, African you name it units fully fitted with their weapons. He has WACS, WAVS, from WWII and Vietnam, also Marine women, nurses, etc. He has over $100,000 worth of original uniforms. All this to say that they are all TINY TINY TINY!!!
(I'm proud to say that I fit the typical female outfit of the day).
As to your raising the issue of not feeling I am playing a role. I am not quite sure on that yet. I was just invited in to the Norcal unit and am waiting to see what is going to commence. The CHS just mutinied so I am waiting to see what we do now. For now I am happy to do the little social events on the ship and elsewhere because for being new, it helps me each time we go out. I learn a little about my uniform and a little history.
I am in absolutely no way capable of starting my own group. What I don't know could fit in an aircraft carrier. What I do know could fit in a match box. There are two guys in the Norcal unit who have taken me under their wing and I am confident they will find a place for me.
I am also volunteering on the Hornet and with Toys for Tots along with being in a mineral and gem society so I am so busy I don't have too much time anyway.
Being in these units reminds me of when I was a reserve deputy. They throw you into the job and you have to pretend you know what you are doing and you learn by overhearing people. That is how it is with this. I have to just keep going and hope I pick up bits and pieces.