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It sound to me like you really love the hobby. I love the research, the smell of black powder. I am beginning to hate all the politics between units. I am in the 2nd United States Sharp Shooters Co B. We are treated almost like second class citizens, even though during the war were used as special forces. First in - last out - and a lot of the time shot to ribbons. We are starting to get more respect now, which is a good thing. But my body grows weary - too many years of destroying my lungs with cigarette smoke. I may just go to be one of them citizens - preferably with a limp (I don't have to act much for that anymore) - a kane and a beautiful woman at my side. Now that's the way to spend a weekend. I can still smell the powder, without most of the misery!

Four Companies (about 100 men) of The 1st. US Sharpshooters were engaged with the 3rd Maine in a Skirmish line against 3 Alabama Regiments (8th,10th, and 11th) at Pitzer's Woods at GB, 2nd Day.

We had a couple of guys doing a 2nd USSS impression up here for a while - at one of the bigger events the Brigade Commander ordered the one who had promoted himself to Captain to take a detached Company of Infantry into the line - but this "Captain" didn't have clue #1 about Hardee's, Scotts, or any other system of tactics of the period for that matter, nor any idea how to lead a Squad of Infantry, much less a Company.

He was promptly marginalized by the Union Reenacting Community for his vain, egocentric, pretentious incompetence, and probably shared his stigma with everybody else that has a SS impression, unfortunately.

It was this sort of thing, we understand, that led to the rule at most major events that the only "Officers" allowed onto the field had to be functioning competently in that position as part of an established Line Company or assigned to Brigade / Division Command by the event hosts.
No more "walk-on", self-promoted sham shoulder boards allowed.

Now the incompetent "phony" Officers are easy to spot. They are the ones pacing back and forth in front of the Spectator bleachers, chewing cigars, and trying to look important.
Generally, anyone appearing on the Field as an Officer lately, knows what they are doing - and it's a better and safer event for it IMHO.

Another reason we might not see all that many people doing the SS impression is the cost of those Sharp's Rifles; well over a grand for an authentic replica, aren't they?
Historically, a lot of them used the regular issue M-1861 Springfield rifle musket even after the Sharpe's were regular issue.