Rancor Raiders
“Rancors never question why,
Raiders live to ride and die.
For the Empire, we cross the fields,
Mauler pilots, all guts no shields.”
Why We Exist
In 2007, a seven-year-old boy named Matthew, who had cancer and was being treated at St. Jude in Memphis, had one wish: a Star Wars themed day at his school. Brian “Vex” McClure — a TIE pilot — and his fellow trooper Reaper showed up to flank Darth Vader as Matthew received his Make-A-Wish tickets to Disney.
After the ceremony, Matthew told Vex he wanted to be a pilot like his dad, a Navy pilot stationed at Millington. Vex reached under his chest piece, unpinned his Jolly Roger Squadron wings, and pinned them to Matthew's shirt. “Now you're an official pilot for Darth Vader too.” Matthew smiled and ran to show his father.
Matthew lost his fight with cancer a year and a half later. Vex has never worn another pair of pilot wings since that day.
From Talons to Garrison
The group that became the Rancor Raiders made their first appearance at Wizard World Chicago as "Tarkin's Talons" — an informal Mississippi unit of TIE pilots. Steve Sansweet of Lucasfilm personally recruited them to assist in a Battlefront 2 panel. The 805th designation honors this moment — August '05.
After the Southern Outpost split, Mississippi was passed between garrisons until Vex decided: if no one wants us, we'll build it ourselves. The Mississippi Delta Assault Squad was formed under the MidSouth Garrison. The Aurebesh "D" seen on RRG logos to this day honors this beginning.
At 7:30am on a Saturday morning, the 501st Legion Council voted Mississippi into independent outpost status. Born from a hard-fought campaign by founder Brian "Vex" McClure, the vote was the culmination of years of "trench warfare" within Legion politics.
The Mississippi Outpost adopted the battle name "Rancor Raiders." The name came from a Legion Council member who remarked that tangling with Mississippi was like wrestling a pack of Rancors. They wore it as a badge of honor.
The Mississippi Outpost formally renamed itself the Rancor Raiders Outpost, cementing the identity — green and black colors, the TIE Mauler logo, and "Death Before Dismount" as their battle cry.
The Rancor Raiders became an official garrison of the 501st Legion. The first 501st unit to incorporate an Expanded Universe vehicle (the TIE Mauler) into their official logo. Mississippi was also the first state in the continental U.S. to achieve outpost status before garrison status.
The coastal squad Phantom was formed, bringing together coastal Mississippi troopers under the Rancor Raiders banner and fostering the tight camaraderie the garrison is known for.
Inspired by Phantom's success, central Mississippi members around Jackson formed Trinitite Squad. Named for the material left after the Empire glassed Mandalore, the green connection felt natural. A small but powerful group — just like the Mandalorian remnants who held to their own traditions.
What It All Means
Every element of the Rancor Raiders identity has a story. Founder Brian “Vex” McClure documented this history to ensure it survives into future generations of the garrison.
The garrison's founding members were mostly TIE pilots. The Mauler — an armored cavalry vehicle — reflected founder Vex's own military background. The Rancor Raiders were the first 501st unit to use an Expanded Universe vehicle in an official capacity.
Green was one of the few colors not claimed by other garrisons. A deep forest green with military character — not "pukie or Kelly green." Black accents it naturally. Combined they form the garrison's guidon, modeled on the 7th Cavalry's Little Bighorn guidon.
The backwards "F" visible on RRG logos and patches is the Imperial Aurebesh letter "D" — an Easter egg honoring the garrison's origin as the Mississippi Delta Assault Squad.
The symbol of the US Armored Cavalry, adapted with a Star Wars flair — a nod to the TIE Mauler's classification as a Compact Assault Vehicle (CAV).
Named for 1977, the year of the first Star Wars film. The 177th Armored CAV Regiment is the garrison's fictional designation within the 501st Legion universe.
The official battle cry. A Rancor never gives up the Mauler. Ever.
The garrison's official song. It was the first thing you heard when you visited the original Rancor Raiders website.
The 805th designation honors August 2005 — the first time the Talons trooped together at Wizard World Chicago. The precursor unit that spawned the Rancor Raiders.
Years of Service Ranks
Established December 2014, these ceremonial ranks recognize years of service to the garrison. They are not command-oriented — purely a recognition of dedication. Members may wear their service rank pins at non-canon events.
Garrison Squads
The garrison's first squad, serving the Gulf Coast region of Mississippi. The camaraderie fostered by Phantom became the model for all subsequent Rancor Raiders squad formation.
Named for Trinitite — the material left after the Empire glassed Mandalore. Central members around Jackson, Vicksburg, and Meridian united under a name that carries double meaning: the remnant Mandalorians who held their ground, and Mississippi troopers who built something from nothing when no one else would claim them.
From the Vault
Historical images spanning the garrison's evolution — from the earliest Tarkin's Talons concept logos through the Rancor Revolution and garrison status. Click any image to view full size.