23 March, 1941

A man is formally inducted into the ranks of the Spanish Phalanx of the National Syndicalist Offensive’s Councils, which is a mouthful, so everyone just calls it the FE de las JONS, or just La Falange. He is given a black sweater and an armband, and asked to put it on.

“I don’t know, guys, I feel a little silly in this to be honest.”

“It’s not silly! It’s professional and intimidating!”

“A sharp military uniform is professional and intimidating, this is a black turtleneck with a black and red armband.”

He stands in front of a mirror while changing into his uniform for the meeting. The locker room is also painted dark red and black, making everything very hard to see. Franco wonders if they would make the lights red and black if they could.

“I think you guys are taking yourselves a bit too seriously. You know whose intimidating? The Assault Guard, and they don’t go around wearing turtlenecks.”

“So, what will you do, Francisco? Somehow just change the uniforms?”

He pauses.

“You know what, I think I can. Let me borrow a pen.”

28 March, 1941

In the newspapers of the National Syndicalists, a heretical article criticizing the outward aesthetic and presentation of the Falange is beginning to gain traction, written by some unknown upstart by the name of “Francisco Franco”. This criticism of the usual Black-Shirted European Totalist aesthetic is definitely a break from the usual Mosley and Mussolini, albeit only in appearance. A good number of the totalist movement are shamed by a sudden self awareness of how ridiculous they look In their current uniform. Several initiatives spring up to begin designing and introducing a new uniform.

Ramiro Ledesma Ramos reads the article in the paper as suggestions for a new uniform pile up on his desk. His sweater itches, and he begins to see the merit of maybe changing the uniform. He reads the author, and writes down that name as a potential rising star in the ranks of the Falange. He will keep an eye on this “Franco”.