I couldn't find a thread about this particular aspect of the Outfit so I decided to create my own. I'm not too well vesed with Chicago's history or the Outfit, or any non-East Coast families for that matter.

Anyway, I've heard several people on here say that the Outfit is not a truly Italian crime family. That it disregards the rules of La Cosa Nostra. That it is inherently different than other families. That it's structure is different. That they don't "make" guys But no real in-depth explanation etc. etc.

I was hoping some of the more enlightened posters here could shed some light on the matter. What makes them different exactly? What is the structure like? Why are they different? etc etc...