The advancement of Men of Iron is designed for each member to work toward becoming a knight. Each member will experience personal development, spiritual development and relationship building with the aid of a mentor. Each level of advancement has a corresponding workbook that contains the steps for earning that advancement level. The advancement levels in Men of Iron follow the traditional development path of the knights of old. They are the Page, Squire and Knight.
Completion of each level grants the member new privileges. For example, a Page may not wear any armor or blades until he becomes a Squire. After becoming a Squire, he may wear light armor and a sword or dagger. Only Knights may use an wear their own personal coat of arms. Pages and Squires wear the arms of the local household.
After obtaining the level of knight, a member may choose to become a Knight Baronet. If the Knight Baronet becomes a master of his trade or profession, he can become a Guildmaster of his chosen guild. Currently there are 19 unique guilds that a member could chose to become a master of.
To begin the advancement path one must become an official member of Men of Iron. Once a member, the path to becoming a knight will be as follows:
The Page
The Page is the first level of advancement in Men of Iron. The theme of the Page is Service. This theme follows throughout the workbook with the biblical example for a Page, the historical example of the Page and the service requirements. The Page should seek out a mentor to walk this path with him as he works toward earning this level. Once he completes the requirements and earns the level of Page, he will earn several privileges that come with being Page. More information on the Page level can be found on the Pages Advancement page on this website.
The Squire
The Squire level will build upon what was introduced to him as a Page. The theme of the Squire level is becoming a Standard Bearer. In the Squires Workbook he will begin to enter into the beginning stages of the skills that will ultimately help him become a knight. The Squire level will focus on learning to become a standard bearer by discovering the biblical example of a standard bearer. He will work with his mentor to understand the organization of Men of Iron, the Squires role in a Tournament, living by the Code of Chivalry and the structure of Men of Iron. This level will be the platform from which he prepares to become a Knight.
Upon becoming a Squire, Men of Iron members may begin the work toward becoming an apprentice of a guild if they choose.
More information on the Squire advancement can be found on the Squire Advancement page on this website.
The Knight
The level of Knighthood is a great milestone in the life of a member of Men of Iron. The theme for the level of Knight is the Prayer Warrior. This focus of the prayer warrior is not just about the martial skills of a sword and shield, but also about becoming a man of the spirit who knows how to pray and enter into spiritual warfare. The Knights Workbook will guide the Squire through the process with his mentor as he learns the ideals of knighthood and how they apply to his life, learn the historical and biblical examples of knighthood and prepare him for the Knights Ordeal.
More on the Knighthood level may be found on the Knights Advancement page on this website.
The Knight Baronet
After becoming a knight a member may choose to continue to advance to the level of Knight Baronet. Here the knight will complete the task set him to earn this honor.
This level is marked not by personal advancement but by assisting others to become Pages, Squires and Knights. Becoming a mentor to those who would seek to better themselves.
Once completed, he will be awarded the title of Knight Baronet and will be given the baronets medallion, authorized to wear the baronets coronet, the baronets streamer may be added to his pennon and will be allowed to add this achievement to his arms.
If he has not already, a knight may chose a guild and begin working toward becoming an apprentice and/or a journeyman in that guild
More on the Knight Baronet can be found on the Knight Baronet Advancement page on this website.
The Guildmaster
After becoming a Knight Baronet, a knight may choose to continue to earn the highest level that can be earned, the Guildmaster.
The Guildmaster is one who has completed the apprentice and journeyman levels of his chosen guild and has distinguished himself as an expert in that study to obtain the level of a Guildmaster.
There are three distinct type of guilds that cover a broad range of interests, the Trade Guilds, the Fine Arts Guilds, and the Professional Guilds. Each of these will challenge every member to become the very best of their craft or profession and use it to further the ministry of Men of Iron.
After earning the level of Guildmaster, the knight is awarded the guild pin for his guild to be attached to his baronets coronet, the Guildmaster medallion, the Guildmasters streamer and be allowed to add the Guildmaster achievement to his arms.
More on the Guildmaster can be found on the Guildmaster Advancement page on this website.