The path to becoming a Jedi is not easy, there are perhaps only a handful in the Galaxy, a few million in existence compared to the trillions of people in the galaxy. The training to become a Jedi usually takes a couple of decades, this begins young and ends to end when many species are in the age of majority. For a human being a padawan typically ends around the age of 20 to 25 for reference. Prospective Jedi in the Republic are identified early in their lives often as toddlers, preferably before the child has developed too many attachments to their birth family or parents.
Within the Republic this is seen as a great honor and opportunity as the youngling will get one of the best educations any family could ask for and even if they don’t become a Jedi they will have completed and been filtered into a top class education program. In fact most younglings do not become Jedi, most either do not have the level of Force ability or temperament to be Jedi. This is common and there is no stigma for such individuals. When a Youngling completes their early basic training they graduate to being a Padawan typically at the ages of 11 to 15 and they are assigned a master who they will work for perhaps the next five to ten years on average. Padawan are not Jedi, but for all intents and purposes to civilians they are treated as Jedi and can act with Jedi authority in lieu of their Masters.
Padawan is a time of doing, while Youngling is a time Learning, Padawans put their training into action. It is also at this time that they build their first lightsaber. Early in their career they tend to stay close to their Master but later in their training they may take on missions by themselves. No two Padawan journeys are the same but in in general the bond between Master and Padawan is deep and profound and often lasts a lifetime.
Padawans graduate to the rank of Jedi at their behest of their Master, once they feel they have the right mindset and training to be a Jedi. This can be a formal affair or simply a private acknowledgement between Master and Padawan at this point the Jedi can pursue their duties as they see fit in service to the Republic.
Jedi Ranks
- Youngling: Younglings are not Jedi, they are simply Force sensitive students being groomed to be Jedi, most will not become Jedi though and be directed to other professions and careers. They will receive world class educations and often do well in life.
- Padawan: Although technically not Jedi, Padawans have all the basic rights in society and can act with Jedi authority in lieu of their Master. This is a rank of learning, training, and growth and culminates with being acknowledged as a full Jedi by their Master and the Council. Among Jedi, Padawan are expected to follow the lead of full Jedi especially a Jedi Master.
- Jedi: The basic rank of all Jedi, these are full members of the Order and are allowed a wide latitude to pursue missions and callings as they see fit. Some Jedi travel a great deal others may spend all their time in a given location depending on what task they wish to pursue. All Jedi are expected to serve the Republic and the Order.
- Jedi Knight: This is not an official rank, more of a title among Jedi for those Jedi that work as protectors and defenders of people in the field. These Jedi tend to be more martial in their focus and work as peacekeepers. Most civilians see all Jedi as Jedi Knights, technically both true and false. Among the Jedi, marking oneself as Jedi Knight makes it known where they are putting their focus and energies. Again this is more an honorific title than actual rank.
- Jedi Master: Technically the highest rank one can attain among the Jedi, the rank of Jedi Master is one of respect among the Jedi. It acknowledges a Jedi with a wide breadth of knowledge, experiences, and understanding of the Force. Not all Jedi become Masters, some refuse the rank others just never reach the dedication to be named a Master. Most master says that it takes a lifetime to become a true Master, and that every Master is really just a student.
- Jedi Council: The most revered Masters are given right to lead the Jedi Order, they form a democratic council of Jedi Masters and guide the Jedi as a whole. These are usually the most respected and members of the Order, the term is variable usually based on how long the Jedi Master wishes to serve, often for life.
- Grandmaster: The Grandmaster is the leader of the Jedi Council, first among equals, and the leader of the Jedi Order nominally. They are seen as the wisest member of the Order and well steeped in the Force and the ways of the Jedi. They are the first teacher, often active in the education of young Jedi and also active politically working closely with the Galactic Republic Senate.