Program Policies
Safety is our first priority! Warriors must learn to assess, mitigate, and assume risk. Policies of personal conduct and eligibility are intended to be as inclusive as possible, while also enhancing the quality of our community.
Eligibility
ALL are Welcome!
Warriors come in all shapes and sizes – male and female, and virtually every hue of skin, hair, and eye color. All political, social, and religious perspectives are respected. One Shepherd is emphatically inclusive! That point well noted, it is only fair to point out a few caveat. Namely that because Warriors from all walks of life are welcome, we insist there be: (a) no recruiting, and (b) no bashing of other Warriors’ beliefs, affiliation, or demographic.
Furthermore, One Shepherd is legally and ethically obliged to adhere to the following three limitations to our inclusive policy:
Age Limits
The minimum age to join the Operational Warfighter Leader Program is 21 years old. There is no maximum age limit.
Ethical Considerations
One Shepherd makes ample use of battle simulations to explore the escalation of violence as a means of coercive force. Persons with strong convictions against warfare and/or the use of force are not encouraged to participate in training.
Personal Conduct Policy
All are welcome – but no promoting and no recruiting!
One Shepherd is proud of our heritage. To date our alumni include citizens from dozens of nations across the globe with various political affiliations, and we represent perhaps every major theological viewpoint.
We are a plural community of diverse warriors!
Demographics
We collect no records of our demographic composition. Yet a quick sampling would illustrate that One Shepherd is comprised of about 97 percent male membership with as much as 85 percent of our student body descending from European ancestry. Our average participant is roughly 28 years old with an age range of 14 to 65 years old.
Keep in mind that a dominance of one demographic identity may obscure the fact that all peoples are welcome at One Shepherd. Neither should the overwhelmingly male ratio of this training community in any way be construed to suggest that female warriors are unwelcome. The exact opposite is true! We accept and welcome Warriors from all walks of life.
Religion & Prayer
Outward demonstrations of prayer or meditation are also welcome! However, a protocol is established to ensure that all beliefs are respected:
1. INVITE people to join you in prayer.
2. STEP AWAY a polite distance from the ongoing activity to conduct prayer.
Preference of Vice
We ask that all members respect differences of opinion. Prohibition of vice is not a categorical religious imperative, neither is it a universal personal choice. However, legal code is more prescriptively defined!
Tobacco: State law prohibits the possession or use of tobacco products before the age of 18 years old. One Shepherd must and does comply with this legal requirement.
Alcohol: State law prohibits the consumption of alcoholic beverages before the age of 21 years old. Furthermore, due to a significant increase in the likeliness of accident, state law also prohibits the handling of firearms while consuming alcohol beverages. For these reasons drinking during One Shepherd training or simulation events, and while firearms are handled, is forbidden. One Shepherd MUST adhere to facility rules and guidance.
Illicit Drugs: State law prohibits the possession or use of non-prescribed narcotics of all types. One Shepherd must and does comply with this legal requirement.
Profanity, nudity, and discussions of sexuality generally fall into two categories – either vulgarity or obscenity. Vulgar can be defined as “pertaining to ordinary people” or ostentatious, excessive, or pretentious. Obscene is commonly defined as “offensive to morality.” The difference being that vulgarity may offend, but is not intended to offend. Obscenity is intended to offend, whether or not it achieves this effect.
Be gracious. Consider the offensive remark, deed, or display to determine if it is merely vulgar. If so, disregard the offense. If the remark, deed, or display is believed to have intended offense and did offend, then report it and Staff Officers will review the incident.