I had to go back and look up issue number three for reference when I spotted something I hadn't seen before (or didn't process).

The issue starts with the JOEs cleaning up after raiding a Cobra building. There are 11 JOEs in the 1st panel. Stalker and a JOE are leading prisoners out the door on the left. Clutch and Steeler are taking the giant robot apart. Hawk and either Flash or Grand Slam are at the bottom of the stairs. Scarlett is bandaging up Rock 'n Roll and another JOE is providing first aid to Snake-Eyes in the back. Breaker is closest to the reader, radioing in to Flagg. I would have guessed the other two JOEs are behind the reader or of camera to the left or right. A few pages later, Zap and another JOE are inside the motor pool above the PIT. So, that might be the original thirteen.

However, after the first panel, we see three Post Officer trucks back up to a loading dock where Hawk is. So, there are now three drivers driving these trucks. Could be generic soldiers assigned to the JOEs or just assisting the mission. For planning, the prisoners are being taken to Fort Hamilton (unknown who is guarding them) in the first truck, the second truck takes the wounded in the backdoor of the VA hospital (Hawk, Scarlett, Snake-Eyes, and Rock 'n Roll), and the third truck returns to the PIT (Clutch, Steeler, and Breaker).

Clutch drives over the Verrazano Narrows Bridge to Staten Island. The service bay door at the Motor Pool and Clutch drives inside, meeting Zap and the other JOE. The next panel shows the PO truck descending down into the PIT, passed all of the different levels.

At the first level we see a row of HALs on the left with two people working under it. Possibly two more in the background way in the background behind the support legs. On the right we see several VAMPs and at least three MOBATs. Two people are working at the front of the back MOBAT, while two more are working on top of one.

Down another level and on the right are three more people. One working at the computer banks, while two more are working around a desk in front of a big screen.

At the very bottom on the far right is the generators and life support systems rooms, along with the science lab. Another person behind a work station, while two more are on top of the generator behind the catwalk.

See included PIT pic...


Clutch, Steeler, and Breaker spend several hours scanning the robot for booby traps. Later on, Hawk and Scarlett come in and will later be changing into dress greens for a Social Tea being held in the motor pool. Flash and Snake-Eyes are also in the room.

Clutch, Steeler, and Breaker go to the canteen to fix breakfast. Flash, Stalker, and Snake-Eyes are now in the Armory cleaning weapons.

The robot breaks loose, yadda yadda yadda. So, it looks like Grand Slam, Zap, Grunt, Rock 'n Roll, and Short-Fuse are not prominently featured in this issue.

So, for the validation. My premise/theory of their being more JOEs around while the adventures of the original thirteen were running around makes more sense. Between the possible 14 down in the PIT, along with the one up in the Motor Pool with Zap, and the possible three drivers means there might be at least 18 more JOEs /trainees/greenshirts/etc running around.

Originally my theory was based on the following pics from the basic mission selection screens from issue #1.




If the computer tech lady there doesn't move her hand, then the yellow lines indicate the same computer screens. There are four sets of screens to her right, with the top left one showing a bald individual. We know the injoke of the male Shooter cameo at the bottom of the yellow computer screens. So that means there are at least 16 more potential JOEs just on the right.

In front of her and to her immediate left shows the original thriteen (A, B, C, D marked in both pics). There are still two characters to the left of Hawk and Zap. So that's now a possible 18.

Now, if there are even more screens past those on the left, that opens up for even more 'unknown' JOEs.

I submit, that many of these screens could be Cover Girl, Torpedo, Ace, Wild Bill, Tripwire, Snow Job, Airborne, Gung-Ho, Doc, etc. I full acknowledge that.

I also choose to believe that someone has to have flown any of the planes the JOEs use to get around, so there is at least one pilot. Someone had to operate the JOE hydrofoil in issue one that took the armor squad to the Cobra island to rescue Lady Doomsday.

I remember looking through the catalogs at all the vehicles and sets that didn't come with a figure. Part of my universe approach was to introduce characters that would fill these positions. Clutch can't be driving the MOBAT if he is in the VAMP. Grand Slam can't be strapping on a JUMP pack when he's manning the HAL. Someone has to operate the HQ weapons and man the consoles. Someone has to operate the PAC/RATs. That's what I've tried to fill, and also tried to fill roles I felt the early team might need help with.

They had no Navy personnel, so they had to depend on others for transportation. No planes, so they had to depend on the Air Force or MAC.

It also bugged me when the all thirteen left the PIT on a mission and left nobody at base. What happens if a Chaplains Assistant needed a vehicle or a ride? What if somebody knocked on the Motor Pool door and nobody answered? Any possible scenario involving others questioning what is going on behind the bay doors needs an answer to prevent discovery. Someone has to legite to the motor pool jobs, from the paperwork to the mechanics.

So, I developed a support crew and had other personnel at Ft. Wadsworth assisting the JOEs, without being all assigned to the PIT. I have someone is security dealing with that. Shooter was assigned there and knew about the JOEs, but they didn't know she was a JOE.

In the past few years, I realized there could be a second PIT under a secure hanger at Maguire AFB in NJ. The majority of the armor and gear would be kept there, along with a skeleton crew. Hawk calls up, says to ready and load gear and vehicles, and then gets the JOEs from Staten Island to Maguire. This way there is no hiding of tanks while transporting them over a hour down along a major highway. That would completely be pointless if any snooping Cobra agents were watching Fort Wadsworth for activity. Just have a C-130 pull into the hanging, close the door, load the plane, the JOEs get into the base through an underground passage, get on the plane and leave.

Anyway, long explanation, but at least I found further proof to back up my theory...

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Sparks from the early episodes of the cartoon could fall into this as well.

Oh, yes. That how I use him.

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Yes! This is why I have had no problem with the Toon's Greenshirts and loved the introduction of the Steel Brigade.
There is no way the original 13 (hell 16 if you count Shooter, Sparks, & Flagg) could have run the PITT.
Love for the rank & file:

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I haven't gotten to the RPG card Greenshirts, but I have done Agent Stanley, that female Greenshirt with the head set.

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Due to a lack of parts, I haven't customized any but I have started "wishlist mock up" of them. Sort of my own "if I ran a wave or two".

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I'd love to see your thoughts on that parts list.

Well like I said I had started it, trying to keep it all recycled parts here, but still working out some parts. This came as I was working on a similar set to the 50th series, but the two packs were vs sets of named characters and the 3 packs as troop builders (and really most of my thoughts went to the named characters first). I did it this way to be kind to army builders, so that way you wouldn't get an extra 9 of a named character in order to have a squad of troopers. These are all loosely based on the card of the same name which is why I don't have any artic troopers or the tv greenshirts.

Green Shirts - Fire Squad
Infantry
Head:
Torso: Zartan v17
Waist: Zartan v17
Arms: Pit Commando v1
Legs: Pit Commando v1
Equipment: Duke v’s helmet, Duke v25’s m-16, Hi-Tech v1’s knife, Snow Job v3’s rifle, & Duke v33’s backpack.
Rifleman
Head:
Torso: Pit Commando v1
Waist: Pit Commando v1
Arms: Duke v33
Legs: Zartan v17
Equipment: Duke v22’s stoner rifle, Hawk v15’s backpack, Snow Job v3’s rifle, Hi-Tech v1’s knife
Ranger
Head:
Torso: Dusty v12
Waist: Dusty v12
Arms:
Legs:
Equipment: Duke v33’s rifle, Hi-Tech v1’s knife. Snow Job v3’s rifle,
Green Shirts - GI Joe HQ Techs
Mechanic
Head:
Torso:
Waist:
Arms:
Legs: Tunnel Rat v12
Equipment: Snake Eyes v30 uzi, Tunnel Rat v12’s overalls, Hi-Tech v1’s knife, Snow Job v3’s rifle,
Medic
Head:
Torso: Lifeline v7
Waist: Lifeline v7
Arms: Zartan v17
Legs: Duke v33
Equipment: Lifeline v7’s oxygen mask/pistol/ , Hi-Tech v1’s knife, Snow Job v3’s rifle,
Communications
Head:
Torso: Pit Commando v1
Waist: Pit Commando v1
Arms:
Legs:
Equipment: Hi-Tech v1’s knife, Hard Drive v1's backpack (modified to fit), Snow Job v3’s rifle,
Green Shirts - Combat Specialists
Marine
Head: Pit Commando v1
Torso: Pit Commando v1
Waist: Pit Commando v1
Arms: Pit Commando v1
Legs: Pit Commando v1
Equipment: Hi-Tech v1’s knife, Snow Job v3’s rifle,
Paratrooper
Head:
Torso:
Waist:
Arms:
Legs: Ripcord (Renegades)
Equipment: Hi-Tech v1’s knife, Snow Job v3’s rifle,
Commando
Head:
Torso: Roadblock (ROC)
Waist: Roadblock (ROC)
Arms:
Legs:
Equipment: Duke v33’s helmet/goggles, Hi-Tech v1’s knife, Night Viper v’s uzi, Snow Job v3’s rifle,
Green Shirts - Water Troops
Diver
Head: Torpedo v
Torso: Abel ‘Breaker’ Shaz v1
Waist: Abel ‘Breaker’ Shaz v1
Arms: Abel ‘Breaker’ Shaz v1
Legs:
Equipment: Shipwreck v13’s spear gun, Hi-Tech v1’s knife, Snow Job v3’s rifle,
Sailor
Head:
Torso: Lt Stone (ROC)
Waist: Lt Stone (ROC)
Arms: Pit Commando v1
Legs: Pit Commando v1
Equipment: Shipwreck v11’s shotgun, Shipwreck v12’s lifejacket, Hi-Tech v1’s knife, Snow Job v3’s rifle,
Coast Guard
Head:
Torso: Viper v16
Waist: Viper v16
Arms:
Legs: Pit Commando v1
Equipment: Major Barrage v1 shotgun, Benchpress v1 boonie hat, Hi-Tech v1’s knife, Snow Job v3’s rifle,

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