Throughout the Star Wars films, stormtroopers are portrayed unflatteringly as gullible cannon fodder incapable of shooting straight.
In one Ooltewah home, however, the man under the helmet is as respected as the Emperor himself.
Since 2007, Bob Duff, 43, has been donning the troopers' signature white armor as a member of the regional chapter of the 501st Legion, a worldwide Star Wars costuming organization.
Mr. Duff's wife, Tricia, 37, and children Justin, 17, and Alissa, 11, soon joined him as a trio of Jawas, the glowing-eyed, brown-robed scavengers from "A New Hope."
Mr. Duff said he first became interested in costuming after visiting Indianapolis in 2005 with his older sons, Corey, 20, and Bobby, 22, for a convention celebrating the release of the final Star Wars film, "Revenge of the Sith."
"That's where we saw other people dressed up, and we got the bug," Mr. Duff said, adding that in real life, stormtroopers were pretty impressive. "It was like, 'Wow, that's awesome. I need to get one of those.' "
JOIN UPInterested in joining the worldwide 501st Legion costuming organization? Be prepared to make your own garb (commercial costumes are inapplicable) and visit www.501st.com for the steps involved.Those wishing to model characters from the Rebellion Alliance (read: scum) should visit the 501st's sister organization, Rebel Legion, at www.rebellegion.com.SUIT UP If you're interested in crafting your own set of stormtrooper armor or jawa garb? Here's a run down from the Duffs about what you'll need:STORMTROOPER * Materials: ABS plastic armor kit, Under Armor body suit, fans, voice amp, speakers, visor, helmet liner, Velcro, glue, rivets, model blaster rifle.* Cost: $1,100-$1,200.* Build time: 2-3 weeks (including custom cutting plastic forms).JAWA* Materials: Burlap, cotton, leather, LED lights, Swedish mauser bandoliers, home-made ion blaster.* Cost: $200-$300.* Build time: 2-3 days.
When Corey turned 18 in 2007, Mr. Duff and his son joined the legion, building their own sets of stormtrooper armor, including helmets equipped with fans and voice amplifiers.
Mrs. Duff joined in 2009, but age restrictions mean Justin and Alissa must wait until they're 18 to join.
Depending on their free time and travel costs, the Duffs get to wear their hand-made costumes at up to 20 charitable, fandom and sporting events a year.
Although she's normally somewhat shy, Alissa said she is more outgoing behind the glowing LED eyes and deep hood she wears as a Jawa.
"The first time I wore my costume at AdventureCon (an event in Knoxville), I couldn't take five or 10 steps without someone asking to take a picture with me," she said, smiling.
Besides demonstrating their love for the films, the Duffs said costuming has been just as effective for family bonding as a day at the lake or a trip to the movies.
"It's great because most of the time, after an event, we'll all go out to dinner together or something," Mrs. said. "We like to have fun as a family, and it's something for all of us to do."
THE DUFF EMPIRE
Bob Duff, 43
* Main costume: Imperial stormtrooper.
* 501st designation: TK-5901.
* Other costumes: Jawa, Republican clone trooper.
* Favorite Star Wars film: "Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back."
* Favorite non-Star Wars film: "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring."
Tricia Duff, 37
* Main costume: Jawa.
* 501st designation: DZ-5902.
* Other costumes: Princess Leia.
* Favorite Star Wars film: "Episode VI: Return of the Jedi."
* Favorite non-Star Wars film: "Wizard of Oz."
Justin Duff, 17
* Main costume: Jawa.
* 501st designation: N/A (members must be 18 or older).
* Other costumes: None.
* Favorite Star Wars film: "Episode II: Attack of the Clone Wars."
* Favorite non-Star Wars film: "Pirates of the Caribbean."
Alissa, 11
* Main costume: Jawa.
* Other costumes: None.
* Favorite Star Wars film: None of them.
* Favorite non-Star Wars film: "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets."