RANKS AND DEGREES
Training at Legacy of the Sacred Saber is done through a series of programs that, as they are completed to the satisfaction of the Education and Promotions Board, lead to earning ranks and being awarded degrees. The following should give you an idea of what you can expect from each phase of your training here. Each person has their own capacity, schedule, and priorities, so any time frames posted on this general explanation guide are merely estimates and guesses; your path is your own and you should walk it in the way that works best for you and your unique situation.
Please note that you must be at least 18 years of age to hold an account at and study at LotSS.
Visitor Program
The Visitor Program is our introductory set of lessons. It helps you to find your way around the Temple and settle in, as well as start considering your ideas about service. You will also be asked to consider what you hope for from the next part of your Jedi Path; we believe that self reflection is an important element of personal growth and as such, the "Your Jedi Path" reflection lesson is one of the final lessons for each rank. The Visitor Program may take two or three weeks to complete. The final lesson of the Visitor Program is to apply to become an Initiate. Successful applicants will have completed the Visitor's Path to the satisfaction of the Education and Promotions Board, and demonstrated respect for LotSS and its standards.
At the end of the Visitor Program you will also be invited to apply to become a member of the Legacy of the Sacred Saber. In order to become a member you must have completed the Visitor Program and have demonstrated respect for the community and our standards. You may train through the rank of Novice without becoming a member, and may apply for membership at any time once you have met the requirements.
Initiate Program
The next rank is Initiate. The majority of the Initiate Program consists of deepening your knowledge of the LotSS Doctrine and developing ways to apply it in your own life. This Program requires more contemplation and longer term action; you might expect to complete it in a couple of months. Once you have, you will be invited to apply to become a Novice. A successful promotion applicant will have completed all Initiate Program lessons to the satisfaction of the Education and Promotions Board, been present and active in the LotSS community, and honored the Code of Conduct both for its literal meaning and the spirit in which it was written.
Novice Program
The Novice Program is the furthest training you may undertake without being a member of Legacy of the Sacred Saber.
This program encourages you to begin to take charge of your own learning to a degree, to dig further into the idea of service and what role it plays in your life, and to deepen your understanding of several key spiritual ideas. These lessons require thought and research and may take somewhere between 2 and 4 months to complete.
If a Novice has not been active at LotSS for 2 months, you will be considered Inactive but may retain your rank.
The next rank is Apprentice. In order to become an Apprentice you must complete all Novice Program lessons to the satisfaction of the Education and Promotions Board, be present and active in the LotSS community in a way that inspires harmony and balance, have found a Mentor who is willing to apprentice you, and have received Council approval for your proposed apprenticeship. Your Mentor will help you to get the final approval once you have both agreed informally to the apprenticeship. A ceremony will be held to seal your apprenticeship once it has been formally approved.
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Apprentice Program
The lessons of an Apprentice Program are determined by your Mentor. While a Mentor may use the same lessons for several apprentices, no two Apprentice Programs will be the same. There are, however, some key ideas that you will be looking at during this phase of your training including personal belief, service, connection, faith, leadership, purpose, self worth, diversity, virtuous living, and how to be a Mentor.
In order to advance ranks and become a Knight, you must have been an Apprentice for a minimum of 1 year, though apprenticeships could take longer. Once your minimum time requirement is met and your Mentor feels you have served your apprenticeship to their satisfaction, they will put you forward to the Education and Promotions Board as a candidate for Knighthood. At that point, a series of assessments and interviews will begin. Ultimately, the Education and Promotions Board will vote on whether to award your Knighthood. If you do achieve the rank, a Knighting Ceremony will be held.
If an Apprentice is not active online or in person and is unreachable for 3 months, they will be considered inactive and will forfeit their apprenticeship and any other positions they may hold.
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Once you have completed your Apprenticeship, the initial part of your training is over. At this point, you will be awarded an Associate Degree of Divinity, or "a-div". Just as is true for any other religious institution's training, this degree is not transferable.
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Knight Program
While there are a few specific and structured lessons in the Knight Program, the balance of training now shifts toward self study and temple service. Knight is the rank at which you may begin to serve by holding an Office or sitting on a Committee or Board. Knights or above may also choose to enter a specialized study track: the Guardians, the Sentinels, or the Consulars. Members who have been ranked Knight or higher for at least 1 month are also permitted to become Mentors. Once you have been a Knight for a minimum of one year, served a service sponsorship with a Councilor for at least 6 months, and completed the lessons of the Knight Program to the satisfaction of the Education and Promotions Board, you may apply to become a Paladin. There will be another series of assessments and interviews and a final vote by the Education and Promotions Board. If you do earn promotion, a ceremony of recognition will be held.
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If a Knight is not active online or in person and is unreachable for two months, they will be moved to the Inactive Knights list but will retain their rank and, should they become active again, may regain their active status. Inactive Knights forfeit their apprentices and any other Offices they hold.
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Paladin Program
A Paladin's focus is on service, including Mentoring Apprentices, as well as doing an intensive self study project. Once they have completed their lessons to the satisfaction of the Education and Promotions Board, served as an LotSS Officer for at least one year, and had at least one of their Apprentices attain Knighthood, a Paladin may apply to become a Master.
If a Paladin has not been active online or in person for a month and has been unreachable during that time, they will be considered Inactive. Inactive Paladins forfeit their apprentices and Offices but retain their rank.
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Once you have completed the Paladin program you will be awarded a Bachelor Degree of Divinity, or "b-div". Just as is true for any other religious institution's training, this degree is not transferable.
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Master Program
Masters are asked to post a self study lesson at least once per month and to serve as an LotSS Officer for at least 2 years as a part of their continued personal studies and growth.
If a Master has not been active online or in person for a month and has been unreachable during that time, they will be considered Inactive. Inactive Masters forfeit their apprentices and Offices but retain their rank.
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Members who have completed the requirements of the Master Path will be awarded a Master of Divinity Degree, or "m-div". Just as is true for any other religious institution's training, this degree is not transferable.
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