Jedi Initiate (Order of the Lethos Jedi)

The term "Jedi Initiate", "Jedi Trainee", or "Youngling" referred to a Force-sensitive child who was undergoing the early stages of Jedi training at a Jedi academy. In the Old Jedi Order, the term was used to denote members of the Order of the Lethos Jedi from the time they joined communal learning group known as a clan, until the time they passed the Initiate Trials and were selected by a Jedi Knight or Master for one-on-one training as a Padawan. During peacetime when the academy functioned on a standard teaching regimen, Initiates' training was restricted to the academy at which they were based, rarely venturing outside of its walls. Youngling was a term that existed in Galactic Basic Standard to refer to a child in a species-neutral way; the term was often used affectionately by the handlers that oversaw Initiate training.

Overview
Because the Order was comprised of many different species that matured at different rates, the rank of Initiate was not given at a certain age, but when an individual reached the maturity to begin formal education at the academy. Since the Order accepted a Force-sensitive being of any age the term "Initiate" was used to describe a new member that was to be sorted into a Initiate Clan. These clans stayed together day and night, learning, eating, and sleeping together from around the age of three standard years if an infant to until they were chosen as a Padawan. During the Order's early years and those years following reform or a purge, the Initiate stage did not exist, or if it did, it was not the prime source of future Knights. During these times, any individual with an affinity with the Force would be accepted by a Master and taught.

Youngling Clans
Main Article: Initiate Clans (Order of the Lethos Jedi)

Upon arriving at the Temple, Initiates were sorted into one of a host of clans by fosterers who used the Force to place each child. Each clan was made up of about ten Initiates who lived and studied together for a little over a decade. Each clan was made up of about ten Initiates who lived and studied together for a little over a decade. Each clan was tended to by a trained instructor who would lead their charges in the early exercises, guide them to meals in the refectories, and ensure that they were assimilating well into Jedi life. Such clans included: Clan Kyrat, Clan Vigil, Clan Quasar, and in honor of the Macgyver family there was, Clan Macgyver.

Instruction
Main article: Jedi training (Order of the Lethos Jedi)

Upon entering into a clan, Initiates would begin basic training in the Order's academy. Morning rituals consisted of Force studies, leading into the midday political science classes and the study of the histories of a thousand worlds and cultures. Following a midday meal, clans engaged in mandatory physical training, honing the Initiate's body into prime condition. In addition to classes, students were required to set aside time for five mandatory meditation sessions each day. Every new class of students began their education with the teaching of the Lethos Code and the Three Pillars--the Force, Knowledge, and Self-Discipline. Aside from their class work, students were expected to know the layout of the Temple by heart, as well as the names and histories of the Jedi memorialized in the Temple. It was vital that Jedi be not only aware of their history, but intimately familiar with the tradition and philosophies of the Order.

Drawing upon each other for assistance as they studied and practiced together, clan-mates were meant to view each other as family as they learned the Jedi ways. In their studies in the Force, Initiates were first taught the ideas of Control, a set of abilities which require self-control. While not the most exciting abilities a Jedi will ever learn, they are necessary building blocks in the progression to mastery. It was mastery of this ability that added several decades onto a Jedi's life, preventing decay and illness that would kill other beings. Before a student could begin their training in the art of the lightsaber, they first had to prove themselves in their other classes; otherwise, they would not progress to wield a weapon. When learning the Third Pillar, Initiates were first instructed to learn more advanced meditation forms so as to discipline one's mind for battle. Following courses in the six levels of lightsaber combat, students would be ready to take the Initiate Trials. Failure was not acceptable, and while the Trials could be repeated, an Initiate could not train for an additional year at the academy. One had to progress, or leave the path of the Jedi.

Dress
Main Article: Jedi apparel (Order of the Lethos Jedi)

In the Order of the Lethos Jedi, Jedi wore various clothing including simple every-day clothes, elaborate traditional clothing, military based clothing, and pilot jumpsuits.[37] Compared to the Old Jedi Order—where Jedi departing from the normal garb was rare,[9] the Jedi of Luke Skywalker's Jedi Order displayed much greater variety in their apparel, the Jedi within the Order of the Lethos Jedi also developed their own tastes in clothing but robes would be worn regularly by some members and robes would also be worn on formal occasions.