If you doubt the importance of "staying in character", think of this: have you ever gone to an event or a living-history facility which specialized in a period which you were not familiar with, and come away genuinely impressed?  What was it that impressed you?  Normally, it wouldn't have been a minute attention to "material authenticity" because the layman doesn't know what is right and what is not. What probably impressed you was the attempt by the living historians to stay "in character", and make you feel like you were really talking to the character. It is this factor that makes these historical figures really live.

• A Feldmutze or Stahlhelm will always be worn when outdoors.
• A Feldmutze or Stahlhelm is also always worn while operating a vehicle.
• Your Feldmutze or Stahlhelm is always removed when moving indoors, particularly while in a mess or eating establishment, or for a church service.
• A soldier who is armed and on official business does not remove his headgear when entering a building.
• All clothing items should be worn and never carried. This meaning clothing carried over the arm, shoulder, etc. Clothing can of course be carried in your Rucksac. 
• All outer garments such as the Mantel (Greatcoat) must be worn completely buttoned up. If it is too warm then please take it off.
• Your complete uniform should always worn and never mixed with other forms of dress, uniforms, and civilian clothing (period or not).
• Except for tactical events, your uniform will be kept clean and pressed; shoes and brass will be brought to a high shine with the use of polish. Even at tactical events your shoes should always be well maintained.
• Make every attempt to avoid wearing a sloppy uniform. There is a difference between a worn looking uniform and a sloppy uniform. The worn looking uniform and soldier may have field repairs on the tunic, dust and grime from combat. The sloppy soldier will have buttons missing on this tunic, holes in his tunic and hosen, wearing your belt on your hips in a western style and the tunic or work shirt hanging out of his belt.
• Blankets should not be draped over ones shoulders like a cape. There are of course photos of soldiers doing this, however they are likely POW’s or freezing to death in Russia. Fortunately we will not have to worry about either of these situations.
• You must always carry your Soldbuch with you at all times and all dress.
• You must always wear your Erkennungsmarke at all times.
• Exotic kit items are never allowed unless approved prior to the event by unit command. We will be portraying the average and typical soldiers of the time.
• Your rifle is carried with a single hand and not with both hands as an American soldier would do.
• All non-period items will be stowed completely out of site or preferably not present at all. Non-period items that are deemed necessary for safety and health should be disguised and covered at all times. Never allow anyone to see them.

• Avoid making a typical American casual posture by slouching and placing your hands in your pockets. Stand upright and keep your hands out of your pockets, something that was typically learned at an early age as a member of the Jungvolk, Hitlerjugend, and RAD service.
• Also avoid leaning against walls. Soldiers will not lean against walls but will instead either sit in an appropriate place or stand upright.
• Shave once a day. This surprisingly was a strict rule, however of course this obviously changes while in a heavy combat situation. Even after combat the men were still expected to shave.
• When leaving barracks or walking around, always do so with a Kamerad. This was for safety reasons from the poor situation that existed with Partisans.
• Wedding rings should be worn on the right hand, not the left as in American fashion. A soldier with a ring on his left hand indicates that he is engaged to be wed. After the wedding the engagement ring is removed and replaced with a wedding ring for the right hand ring finger.
• While the unit travels and moves from place to place it will typically always be done marching.
• Group singing is an authentic activity and encouraged. Every member should make an attempt to learn the groups marching song. The more members that know the lyrics the better the unit will sound. 
• The German language has many polite mechanisms that are not present in English. Always be polite to one another, in particular to members of other units. Frequently use "Sie" instead of "du". Shake everyone's hand when both entering and leaving a room.

• Officers should always be saluted. While at the front the salute is made in traditional military fashion, and not the Deutsche Grusse.
• Whenever addressing a superior stand properly at attention, and be sure to click your heels together.
• Commissioned officers should be saluted with the salute appropriate to the uniform being worn.
• All NCOs and officers superior in rank should be addressed by rank.
• Public officials should be addressed by the proper form.
• Members of foreign armed forces will also be paid compliments as outlined above.

• Though drinking in moderation is both period and allowed, drunkenness is not. All drug and alcohol laws will be strictly enforced. Members found breaking them will be immediately expelled from the unit. For safety reason drinking is only allowed after all battles have ceased and firearms have been properly stowed away.
• Public drunkenness while in uniform is particularly frowned against, especially at an event attended by the public. If as a re-enactor you will be "going out" it would normally have been done in civilian clothing and you would not have wanted to be caught drunk while in uniform, especially when in close proximity to the front. As the majority of events are tactical in nature this is rarely an issue.
• Gum and should never be consumed at events. Few Germans in 1940 were familiar with gum chewing and used "Kaugummifresser" to refer to the American soldiers found constantly chewing gum.
• Europeans hold their forks upside down in their left hand. A knife, spoon, or piece of bread is held in the right hand. This is still done today.

• If you are going to smoke at events it should always be done appropriately. You should smoke only outdoors using a period pipe or unfiltered cigarettes. Cigarettes should be held between your thumb and index finger, and not as an American soldier would do with his index and middle finger.
• Pipes were frequently used by German soldiers. Be sure to have your tobacco in an appropriate looking bag.
• Filtered cigarettes should never be used. Either purchase unfiltered cigarettes or remove the filters prior to the event. Alternately, it was very common for the German soldier to roll his own so bring paper and tobacco and place it in a period container.
• Chewing tobacco should never be used.
• Period lighters and wooden matches only.
• Cigarettes should be in a period case or a reproduction package

• One of our main goals as a unit is educating the public about military history. Be receptive and open to questions and concerns. If you are asked a question you do not know, humbly admit to it. Be honest and never make something up as it will damage credibility of the PNWHG, the unit, and yourself. Avoid arguing with people that disagree even if you believe them to be in error. 
• Always be polite by thanking people who pay compliments to your appearance.
• Our code of conduct will always be strictly enforced during public events.
• Profanity should never ever be used.
• When speaking with veterans show him your genuine interest by asking him questions about his time in the service, when he joined, how long he served, and the unit he was in. Be patient and never try to force answers from him. Give him ever bit of respect by carefully listening, not asking awkward questions, politeness, and discipline. Always be sure to thank him for his service.