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Level System

The Origin of Levels

Levels, ranks, or whatever you wish to call them, have been argued and debated over by Jedi for years and years. The debate still goes on. We at JEDI have had so many ideas as to how to apply levels. It gets to the point many of us have gotten tired or upset of the whole ordeal. Finally, JEDI decided the best thing was to use what we already know and not complicate the issue. All we needed to do was generalize it and make it more universal.

We realize many Jedi do not like or use ranks, finding them more of a hindrance than a help. We are fine with this. The following system we have here are for those who need it in order to analyze their growth of learning. It also acts as an indicator. We do not believe in misusing these levels, such as using them to glorify one's status. We feel the advantages of a level system outweigh the shortcomings.

By looking through the various Jedi websites, especially the more developed ones, JEDI has decided to put together a system in which all levels can be recognized from whatever website you are on. So far, it seems the Force Academy, the Jedi Temple, and Jediism have come up with the most detailed criteria for levels. Of course, many of them vary in definition or order in which they are pursued. Because of this, we have done our best to put together a criteria everyone can translate across the Jedi Community. This fixes the problem of recognizing a level or rank from a different website then the one you usually go to. It also stops major conflicts from arising.

Instead of insisting that you pass through our entire educational system, all we need to really know is how you are ranked at the website you were trained at. We could then offer you an examination and evaluation for the level your current status would require. For example, from looking at our system, you can see that a Journeyman from the Jedi Temple would take the Jedi Scholar Accreditation Exam since a Journeyman rank is equivilent to a Jedi Scholar. Remember, you need to be evaluated first by the faculty before the transfer is complete.

Through research, we found certain levels were commonly recognized by the Jedi Community, where similar names were used over and over again. The real problem in putting it together was the order at which the levels where held. By careful consideration, observation, tests, and personal usage, we have come up with the following system.

The Level System

The Level System has been simplified to about six levels, the simplest number possible in order to recognize every single rank Jedi commonly have used over the years. If we took any more out, it would be much harder to determine a certain level from another website. Realize that whatever training method you use, these levels can be applied to you. The following are the names of the levels, the ranks they are equivalent to, and descriptions of how they are used and maintained.

Bystander/Adept (Level 0):
_{Equivalent to Force Academy's Observer, Jediism's Guest, or any Uninitiated rank}

Basically, a Bystander is a person who observes the Jedi ways and has no official rank. Another common name for a Bystander is an Adept. You'll see both terms used often when refering to this level. We mainly use the term Bystander when refering to someone who hasn't participated in Jedi studies at all. An Adept is a term generally used when refering to someone who has had training, but doesn't wish to use levels at all. They both equal the same level.

Probationer/Student/Apprentice/Padawan (Level 1):
_{Equivalent to Jediism's Apprentice, Jedi Temple's Student/Initiate/Apprentice/Padawan, Force Academy's Padawan/Apprentice, or any generalized Initiate/Learner/Padawan/Apprentice rank}

A Student is someone who has started basic training, either through courses or a specific criteria. It is also someone who has accepted training with a sense of purpose and motivation. When a Student signs up for a class the first time, they are known as a Probationer. This is for those choosing the Academy or Solo Method.

We use the terms Apprentice and Padawan to recognize a learner who is being trained under a Mentor using the Traditional method. These terms are used often to mean the same thing. We generally use the term Apprentice to refer to an experienced learner. We use the term Padawan to refer to a learner who is new to the Jedi ways.

Scholar/Initiate/Artisian (Level 2):
_{Equivalent to Jediism's Knight, Jedi Temple's Journeyman, or any other Journeyman/Journeyer rank not yet mentioned}

Scholars are advanced learners. We mainly use this term to refer to those who are using the Academy Method and have passed the Student Criteria. We also use this term for those who are experiencing advance training, whether they using the Traditional Method, or the Solo Method. What do we recognize as advance training? We recognize it as the learner's ability to apply what they learned in real life senarios. They are getting ready for the trials ahead and begin to focus on particular fields of study.

Knight/Knight Savant (or Savant) (Level 3):
_{Equivalent to Force Academy's Knight, Jediism's Knight Officer, Jedi Temple's Knight, or any generalized Knight/Charge rank}

A Knight is someone who has passed the trials and have officially chosen a field of study, proving to have abilities to accept higher responsibilities. We apply this to Academy, Traditional, and Solo Methods. When Knighted, they are now given the ability to act as a Mentor and can teach learners. Later on, a Knight may be able to go into further study and find a major of their choice (Knight of Healing, for example).

A Knight Savant (sometimes refered simply as a Savant) is an individual who has demonstrated the intellectual achievment of Knight status; however, either they have not communicated their ability fully in the submission of their Accreditation Exam, have not passed the trials after the Scholar Criteria is completed, or if the faculty is not convinced they are applying the knowledge that they have gained. Savants have all the rights and priviledges of a Knight, with the exception that they may not act as a Mentor to a Student.

Guardian/Disciple (Level 4):
_{Equivalent to Jediism's Knight Commander/Scholar, or any generalized Guardian/Disciple rank}

We felt this level needed to be added. It is a typical moment we see with Jedi when the Force tells them to do something more than what they are doing. It is a point in which a learner must stand in the spotlight, act a leader, show unswerving devotion to their ideals. A time when a person goes beyond the call of duty. The term Guardian is mainly used for those who are more experienced Knights and have taken leadership roles in the past. The term Disciple is mainly used for those who have been pressured to stand up and follow a difficult path, even if they don't have much experience.

Master/Mistress (Level 5):
_{Equivalent to Force Academy's Master, Jediism's Master/Priest, Jedi Temple's Master, or any generalized Master rank}

The level of Master has to be the most debated of all levels, simply because it is hard to define. JEDI sees a Master as one who has demonstrated a mastery which exceeds the teachings taught in the Jedi Community. This doesn't mean they have mastered the Force. Many people assume this is the case, but it isn't. Baiscally, it is one who has been around and has experienced nearly all the Jedi ways, doing so over and over again. The person acts as the living and unifying symbol of the Jedi. They represent what we stand for and what we are all about. Experience and wisdom are the prime character traits. Mistress is just a term a person of the female sex may use, since some of us see Master as a male dominant term. Some don't. Whatever the case, they both mean the same thing.

This level cannot really be earned. It is given by peers who decide the person is qualified to be named such. It is a very serious position to consider giving. It is not uncommon for people to call certain people a Master out of respect. As far as this level is concerned, we see it as the highest recognition we can give to show someone our most deepest respect.

Grandmaster\Grandmistress (Level 6):
_{Equivalent to what is also known as Jedi Lord or Jedi Leader}

Grandmaster is a term given to someone who is the leader of the Jedi. Only one person can be given this title at one point in time. Since we haven't unified the Jedi together, this title hasn't been rationally claimed. It actually only exist in theory. Again, it doesn't mean this person knows everything about the Force. It's basically the leader of our entire Jedi Community, not just JEDI.

How Levels Apply

That is a basic summation of the way JEDI uses the level system, an explaination of how this is put into practice. As you should know by now, those who are not part of any method are known as a Bystander or an Adept. If you are part of one of the training method, read the following:

Academy Method - Once you start a course, you are a Probationer. When you pass your first course, you will be known as a Student. When you finish the Student Criteria and past the trials, you are then a Scholar. When you finish the Scholarship Criteria and have passed the exams, you are able to graduate as a Knight. If you fail in the exams, you are a Knight Savant for a period of three months until you can ask to be reconsidered for Knight recognition. The faculty could either grant the elevation or defer it for another three months. When a Knight, you can specialize in further studies and achieve a specilized label, a Knight of _____.
Traditional Method - Once you find a Mentor, you are either a Padawan (a new learner) or a Apprentice (an experienced learner). When you are given advanced studies and trials, you are a Scholar. When you finish your training with your Mentor and have passed the exams we give you (they have to be permitted by your Mentor), you are able to graduate as a Knight. If you fail in the exams, you are a Knight Savant for a period of three months until you can ask to be reconsidered for Knight recognition. The faculty could either grant the elevation or defer it for another three months. When a Knight, you can specialize in further studies and achieve a specilized label, a Knight of _____.
Solo Method - Once you start your assigned criteria, you are a Probationer. When you finish you first portion of the criteria, you are then refered to as a Student. When you finish the entire criteria and have passed the exams we give you, you are able to graduate as a Knight. If you fail in the exams, you are a Knight Savant for a period of three months until you can ask to be reconsidered for Knight recognition. The faculty could either grant the elevation or defer it for another three months. When a Knight, you can specialize in further studies and achieve a specilized label, a Knight of _____.
Praxeum Method - Start at an approved website/school and learn from them. Make equivilancies with our Student and Scholar levels with the levels you're using. When you pass their programs and have passed the exams we give you, you are able to graduate as a Knight. If you fail in the exams, you are a Knight Savant for a period of three months until you can ask to be reconsidered for Knight recognition. The faculty could either grant the elevation or defer it for another three months. When a Knight, you can specialize in further studies and achieve a specilized label, a Knight of _____.

If you go beyond the call of duty with any of these training methods, you are either a Disciple (someone who stands up unexpectedly) or a Guardian (experiened Knight who takes a leadership role). If you are qualifed and act as a symbol of what we stand for and masters our ways, you can be a Master or Mistress. We do not give the Grandmaster or Grandmistress position for obvious reasons.

Jedi Grandmaster or Grandmistress

To be honest, we don't know if there will ever ever be an official leader of the Jedi movement, simply because there has never really been one. The Jedi groups online are still split to the point unity between us is very hard to estabish. Besides, to say one is a Jedi Lord or something is saying one is the leader of Jedi Masters, the grandest Master. This is a position which Jedi may need in order to unify and grow, yet it could be used to tear the movement apart if abused. Also, many suggest no such person is qualified, so no one has the general acclaim allowing them to be recognized as such. So far, we haven't really seen anyone who is ready for such a task. We many never see such a person in our lifetime.

Many don't like this theory at all. They think it is vile or a position which is too dominant. The fact is it is probable. Because it is probable, we should give reference to it even if there are many of us who don't believe in this position. It is probable there may be one who could fill this role. Maybe by telling you about it, you will strive to become it to prove your worth. Don't let us stop you. Whoever this person is, he or she will have to lead the Jedi with no fear or doubt of the consequences. All things are possible with the Force. Still, keep in mind it is the Force, and only the Force, which rules itself. With this in mind, we don't have to fear of bad things that may happen in the future.