CRESTVIEW — History, particularly the Civil War, has been Rollin Cluff's passion since he was a toddler.
“When he was probably about 5 years old, he would tell us things about the various characters in the war,” Rollin’s mom, Deb Cluff, said. “We don’t know how he found out about them.”
“When I was young, I used to watch a lot of war movies and it was interesting to me,” Rollin said.
In sixth grade, "the re-enactors came to his school and he fell in love,” Deb said.
By age 14, Rollin was one of the youngest members of the Walton Guard, a group of Civil War re-enactors. But it wasn’t until this year he got his $500 long rifle.
“Unfortunately, he couldn’t fire a powder gun until he was 16, so he would carry the flag when he was little,” Deb said.
Rollin learns about the conflict’s history from both points of view, donning the blue or gray, depending on which unit his group is portraying. “I reenact both the Confederates and the Union,” he said.
“I sometimes don’t understand how they actually went through some of the battles wearing those uniforms, because to be honest, they’re not that comfortable,” Rollin said.
Re-enactors insist on authenticity — so no modern lightweight fabrics and comfortable hiking boots. “When you reenact some of the summer battles, it gets to be 100 degrees out there and you’re wearing at least two shirts and two pairs of trousers,” Rollin said, and the clothes are wool.
Rollin’s interest in history extends beyond the Civil War. Using maps and history books, he’s traced his grandfather’s experiences in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.
The home-schooled student is duel-enrolled at Northwest Florida State College, where he takes three courses.
“His favorite is world civilizations,” Deb Cluff said. “He said, ‘Mom, I already know so much of this stuff.’”
His other hobbies include surfing, sailing and he’s visited the Seacrest Wolf Preserve. In addition, “I’ve done the aviation challenge, flown a flight simulator, and flew a plane with an instructor," he said.
So, what's next?
“My plan is to go to the Virginia Military Institute, get a doctorate in history, and join the United States Marine Corps,” he said.
“When I get out, I want to start teaching history.”
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Re-enacting history is this Crestview teen's hobby (PHOTOS)