RANK CRITERIA

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The following guidelines are suggested as criteria for promotion including time in service and grade, as well as the progression of rank and title. In the following narrative, the title Knight applies equally to either men or women, although women are more properly referred to as Dame. 

Promotion from one grade to the next is NOT automatic except for promotion from Postulant / Squire (see below) to Knight. 

The accoutrements mentioned below are not required to be purchased. However, if a Knight in the appropriate position has the financial means to purchase a ceremonial sword, they can be found on the internet through various suppliers for relatively modest prices (<$150). Dames in the ranks of Knight Commander, or higher may, at their discretion, wear and carry ceremonial daggers instead of swords. 

APPLICANT:

An applicant is an individual who has requested membership in the Order. To attain this level, the individual must have completed a membership application and submitted it for review by the selection board. Applicants have no responsibility or vote in the operations of the order or their bailiwick. They may, at the discretion of the sponsoring Knight, begin to receive indoctrination to the Order’s mission and purpose. 

POSTULANT / SQUIRE

Postulants are individuals whose membership application has been approved. Squires are persons who have not reached the age of majority (usually 18 years of age) but who, with their parents or legal guardians written permission, are allowed to serve the order.   The term "Postulant" represents the applicant's position in the Order.  The rank of each postulant is that of "Companion at Arms."  It is assumed that each postulant is eventually seeking a leadership position and knighthood.  For those that desire to remain in support positions, and not advance, the term postulant will no longer apply after the provisional period, and the individual will be allowed the use of CAA after thier name,

Postulants / Squires should begin their education in earnest into Templar and our Orders history. Postulants / Squires may be given tasks or assignments by their Sponsoring Knight that only minor impact on the day-to-day operations of their bailiwick. A Postulant / Squire may remain at this level as long as is necessary to prove their worth and value to the bailiwick and to the order by both their Sponsoring Knight and to next Commander of the Commandery.   

Once the Postulant / Squire’s acceptability and worthiness has been proven, the Sponsoring Knight may recommend promotion to the next higher grade. Only with the approval of the Grand Prior or Chancellor can a Postulant / Squire be promoted to the next higher level in less than one month.  

Postulants / Squires are not entitled to wear any accoutrements or Order Heraldry. It is during this period that Postulants should study the Accolade and begin learning the responsibilities of the Order under the tutelage of their Sponsoring Knight.

KNIGHT

Knights are those individuals who have successfully proven themselves to be worthy of becoming members of the Order and who have successfully completed the prerequisites of becoming a Knight. A Postulant / Squire must undergo the Accolade Ceremony and be Knighted (dubbed) by a Knight at a minimum two ranks higher than Knight – specifically a Knight Commander in the position of either Commander of the Commandery or Preceptor as a minimum. 

During the Accolade, the Knight will be draped in the white mantle and be adorned with a Knight’s Cross without trophy. Additionally, Knights may wear the Knights Cross lapel pin or as a small (no larger than 1” square) embroidered piece of cloth affixed to a shirt or blouse any time they feel it is appropriate. The Knights Cross and Mantle will only be worn during ceremonies. 

Knights must continue to demonstrate their worth to the Order by assisting their immediate Knight Commander (Bailiwick or Commander of the Commandery) by successfully accomplishing the missions they are assigned. There is no maximum time limit a Knight can spend at this rank and position; however a Knight must serve a minimum of one year (12 months) from the date of their Accolade before being promoted to the next higher rank. 

Knights may serve in any variety of positions in the Bailiwicks, Commanderies or Preceptorys. However, their rank as Knight cannot be used in a command function, unless approval is granted on a case-by-case basis by the Knight Commander next in their immediate Chain of Command.

Promotion to the next rank is not automatic but is earned through demonstrated worth to the Order by working to achieve its goals and objectives; as in recruiting at a minimum of one new member per year, service in overseas missions in the protection of Christians or through spreading the Holy Gospel to non-Christians. Other means of service to the order are also considered for promotion such as serving in various positions of increasing responsibility in the Bailiwick or Commandery. Service external to the Order can be accomplished through a variety of means including service to the Christian Church, ministry in various church related activities, and demonstrated leadership in service to the community. 

KNIGHT COMMANDER

Knights who have proven valuable in achieving the Orders goals may be considered for promotion to Knight Commander. Knights must be recommended in writing for promotion through demonstrated service to the Order and leadership of their fellow Knights by their next higher Knight Commander or Preceptor to the Council of Twelve. Approval of this promotion requires a two-thirds majority vote by the Council. If the promotion is denied, the Sponsoring Knight may appeal through the College of Chaplains to the Executive Board. If the request for promotion is still denied, then the Knight must wait a minimum of six (6) months before being recommended again. 

Knight Commanders are by the award of the Knights Cross with the Trophy and further identified by the display of a 2-inch wide red border to facing and the hem of their Mantle made of the same color of the Cross. Knight Commanders are authorized to wear a ceremonial sword, hung from a belt under their mantles during ceremonies.

Knight Commanders traditionally serve the Order as Commanders of Bailiwicks or as Commanders of Commanderies. Knight Commanders are the first level of leadership and command in the Order. 

There is no maximum time a Knight Commander may hold this position. However, a Knight Commander may not be promoted to the next highest rank (Knight Grand Cross) until they have served a minimum of three (3) years. This time period may be waived by the Council of Twelve if requested in writing and providing justification for service above and beyond what is expected of a Knight Commander. 

The Council of Preceptors will determine if the recommended Knight possesses the qualities needed to lead other Knights. 

Knights recommended for the position of Knight Commander must have demonstrated leadership and communication skills. Knight Commanders are required to manage and lead their bailiwicks and to develop their subordinate Knights. At a minimum, Knight Commanders are required to enroll one new applicant per year per Bailiwick (as recommended by their subordinate Knights), and to establish one new Bailiwick per year in their Commandery. Failure to meet these minimum criteria will result in the Knight Commander being reduced in grade to Knight. 

Knight Commanders can be promoted to the next higher grade – Knight Grand Cross –through their demonstrated leadership and dedication to the goals and objectives of the Order. Knight Commanders can be recommended for promotion either by their Commander of Commandery or their Preceptor. 

Knight Commanders may also serve on the National Council as an aide or in another position as designated by the Council of 12, the Chancellor, the Grand Marshall or the Grand Prior.

KNIGHTS GRAND CROSS

Bearers of the Knight Grand Cross have continually proven themselves of worth to the Order and to the attainment of its goals. Knights Grand Cross are identified by wearing the Knights Cross with Trophy device and by displaying two 2” red cloth bands spaced one inch apart around the facing and the hem of their mantle made of the same material and color of the cross. Knights Grand Cross are authorized to wear a ceremonial sword, suspended from a belt under their mantles during ceremonies. 

Typically, Knights Grand Cross serve the Order as Commanderies of the Commandery, as Preceptors or in other positions at that level. 

Knights Grand Cross are responsible for the management and development of their respective offices (Commanders of the Commandery or Preceptors), for the training programs and development of their subordinate Knights through their Knight Commanders. 

Promotion to the next level – Knight Grand Cross of the Temple of Jerusalem – is achieved through election to the level of Preceptor, or elevation to that level from the Grand Prior.

KNIGHT GRAND CROSS OF THE TEMPLE OF JERUSALEM

This is the highest rank attainable by members of the Order. Normally, Knights are promoted to this level either through election by the members or elevation by the Grand Prior.

Preceptors are authorized to wear a four-inch wide red band constructed of the same material as the cross on their mantles on the facing and the hem. Knight Grand Cross of the Temple of Jerusalem will wear the Knight Grand Cross with Trophy device on a two-inch white cloth band worn around the neck, suspended to a point measuring five inches from the base of the throat. Knight Grand Cross of the Temple of Jerusalem may wear a ceremonial sword, suspended in a sheath from a belt, worn beneath their mantles. Preceptors may also wear a white tunic beneath their mantles with the cross sewn over their heart above the left breast. The cross should not be more than four (6) inches square. 

Knight Grand Cross of the Temple of Jerusalem serving in the College of Chaplains may wear the same “uniform” as the Preceptors with the exception of the band around the facing and hem of their mantle. Chaplains will wear a four-inch wide band of purple instead of red, designating them as the “royal” representatives of our Lord in the Order. Chaplains may chose not to wear the sword as deemed appropriate.

Knight Grand Cross of the Temple of Jerusalem serving on the staff will wear the same regalia as Preceptors with the exception of the tunic, which will be divided vertically in half, with the wearers left side being white and the right side black. The red cross will be worn centered on the garment being no larger than 6 inches square. 

The Grand Prior is authorized to wear the white mantle with a four-inch black material band on the facing and the hem, the tunic as worn by the staff (half black and half white) with the Crest of the Order sewn in the center of the tunic. Grand Priors are authorized to wear a ceremonial sword, sheathed, suspended by a belt beneath the mantle. Grand Priors are authorized to wear a silver signet ring with the Order’s Crest engraved in it. The ring should be worn on the ring finger of the right hand. The ring may be worn by the serving Grand Priors or by former Grand Priors (Emeritus) with the joint approval of the Council of 12 and the serving Grand Prior. 

The ranks listed above are the current ranks of the Order.  Additional ranks may be implemented such as Knight Lieutentant, Knight Captain, Knight Major, or "enlisted ranks" for those that serve the Order in support capacities.  Such ranking structure shall be implemented or changed with the vote of the Council, and pertaining to the mission needs and growth of the Order.