First Circle

The Warriors Guild of ADF
First Circle
Revised 01/2008

If you buy the books from the links on this page, ADF will receive a portion of the purchase price.

Honor

1a. Principled uprightness of character; personal integrity.
b. A code of integrity, dignity, and pride, chiefly among men, that was maintained in some societies, as in feudal Europe, by force of arms.
2. Glory or recognition; distinction
(From The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.)

Balance

1. A stable mental or psychological state; emotional stability.
2. A harmonious or satisfying arrangement or proportion of parts or elements, as in a design.
See synonyms at proportion.
3. An influence or force tending to produce equilibrium; counterpoise.
4. The difference in magnitude between opposing forces or influences.
(From The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.)

Service

1a. Assistance; help: was of great service to him during his illness. b. An act of assistance or benefit; a favor: My friend did me a service in fixing the door.
2. Active devotion to God, as through good works or prayer.
(From The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.)

Step One – Spiritual

Examine and expand upon the ADF virtues and how they relate to being a warrior.

Suggested Reading:

Honor: A History by James Bowman
ISBN-10: 1594031983
ISBN-13: 978-1594031984
True Balance: A Commonsense Guide for Renewing Your Spirit by Sonia Choquette
ISBN-10: 0609803980
ISBN-13: 978-0609803981
A Life in Balance: Nourishing the Four Roots of True Happiness by Kathleen Hall
ISBN-10: 0814473342
ISBN-13: 978-0814473344
Vehicles of Hope: Serving Others on the Road to Satisfaction by Carol Tebo
ISBN-10: 1403389535
ISBN-13: 978-1403389534
The Power of Serving Others: You Can Start Where You Are by Gary Morsch, Dean Nelson
ISBN-10: 1576753662
ISBN-13: 978-1576753668

Exit Standard

Examine and expand upon the ADF virtues and how they relate to being a warrior. Below is an example of how one might incorporate the warrior’s triad to the ADF virtues. Remember, this is not the only way, but just one way to interpret the virtues using the Warrior’s Triad. It's up to all warriors to walk their own paths. Examine and expand upon the ADF virtues and how they relate to being a warrior. Use of Dedicant Path submitted work is allowed, but the warrior must expound upon the warrior aspect of the virtue.
(suggested word count 50 words per virtue – total word count 500)

Step Two – Physical

Physical Conditioning -This course is designed to help the warrior engage in health-oriented, moderate, non-professionally related physical activity on a regular basis. The warrior is expected to find and regularly engage in a non-job related physical activity with the intention of health improvement and stress release. In keeping with the Warrior’s Triad, one should remember the balance of physical training - Strength Training, Core Building, and Aerobic Conditioning

Resources / Suggested Reading:
Local health clubs.
Local amateur sports teams.
Commonly available exercise video programs and books.
Weight Training Basics (Paperback) by Thomas D. Fahey
ISBN-10: 0071446478
ISBN-13: 978-0071446471
Weight Training: Steps to Success (Paperback) by Thomas R. Baechle, Roger W. Earle
ISBN-10: 0736055339
ISBN-13: 978-0736055338
The Pilates Body: The Ultimate At-Home Guide to Strengthening, Lengthening, and Toning Your Body--Without Machines (Paperback)
by Brooke Siler
ISBN-10: 076790396X
ISBN-13: 978-0767903967
Pilates for Fragile Backs: Recovering Strength & Flexibility After Surgery, Injury, or Other Back Problems (Paperback)
by Andra Fischgrund Stanton, Ruth H. Coblentz, Oheneba B. Adjei
ISBN-10: 1572244666
ISBN-13: 978-1572244665
Exercise for Older Adults: Ace's Guide for Fitness Professionals (Paperback) by American Council on Exercise
ISBN-10: 088011942X
ISBN-13: 978-0880119429
Water Exercise : 78 Safe and Effective Exercises for Fitness and Therapy (Paperback) by Martha White
ISBN-10: 0873227263
ISBN-13: 978-0873227261
Aerobics Program For Total Well-Being: Exercise, Diet , And Emotional Balance (Paperback) by Kenneth H. Cooper
ISBN-10: 0553346776
ISBN-13: 978-0553346770
Core Performance: The Revolutionary Workout Program to Transform Your Body and Your Life by Mark Verstegen
ISBN-10: 157954908X
COMPLETE BOOK OF CORE TRAINING, THE: THE DEFINITIVE RESOURCE FOR SHAPING AND STRENGTHENING THE "CORE" -- THE MUSCLES OF THE ABDOMEN, BUTT, HIPS, AND LOWER BACK (Paperback) by Kurt, Brett, & Mike Brungardt
ISBN-10: 1401307884
ISBN-13: 978-1401307882

Exit Standard

Submit a four-month journal of activity(ies) and recap of changes to your body weight, measurements and stamina. Reflect on how working out made you feel. Did it change you spiritually, help your stress, etc?
(suggested word count 300 words)

Step Three – Mental

Conflict Resolution -This course is designed for the warrior to develop a basic understanding of conflict resolution and non-verbal communication skills.

Suggested Reading:

Outdwellers and Snakes" by Laura Cunningham, Oak Leaves #31
"Puck, My Favorite Outsider" by Lady DragonStar, Oak Leaves #29
"Moebius Strip: The Outside is the Inside is the Same Side" by Edwin Chapman, Oak Leaves #29

Exit Standard

Write essay on warrior’s role in ritual.
Example: One could explore out-dwellers in a ritual context and explain how we might deal with them based on lore. What is the relationship between out-dwellers and warriors, if any? Again, this only an example of what one might write about. (suggested word count 200 words)

Step Five – Physical

Self Defense 1 - This course is designed for the warrior to develop an awareness of general body mechanics and the basic principles of body positioning, how these principles apply to self defense, and how to apply them in a practical manner against a set of more common street attacks.

Suggested Reading:

Self-Defense for Peaceable People: Defend Yourself Regardless of Size, Gender, Age, or Strength by John Townsend
ISBN-10: 1583941568
ISBN-13: 978-1583941560
Attack Proof: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Protection by John Perkins, Al Ridenhour, Matt Kovsky
ISBN-10: 0736003517
ISBN-13: 978-0736003513
Common Sense Self-Defense: 7 Techniques That Can Save Your Life (Paperback) by David Garcia, Stewart Smith
ISBN-10: 1578260906
ISBN-13: 978-1578260904

Exit Standard

Warrior must pass physical test of very basic attack moves. Any COH member can grade warrior on exit standard. (Warriors may present certificate from martial arts school showing completion of second belt or higher or provide proof of military basic training to pass exit standard).

Step Six – Mental

Grove Safety Knowledge (boundaries, self defense law, lawful restraint techniques, team tactics, etc...) and First Aid Knowledge.

Resources / Suggested Reading

Contact local/state authorities for local laws.

Defense Techniques learned in Step Five

Conflict Resolution Techniques learned in Step Three

The American Red Cross First Aid and Safety Handbook (Paperback) by American Red Cross (Author), Kathleen A. Handal
ISBN-10: 0316736465
ISBN-13: 978-0316736466
Handbook of First Aid and Emergency Care (Paperback) by American Medical Association
ISBN-10: 0375754865
ISBN-13: 978-0375754869

Exit Standard

Write an essay on local laws, park regulation etc that a warrior might need to know about in regards to ritual as well as review of basic first aid knowledge that might be needed at rituals or festivals

A) Provide list of all park, local and state laws and regulations that may impact ritual or festivals in your area and recap how you will incorporate those laws into keeping your grove safe.
B) Recap basic first aid knowledge that one might need for ritual or provide Red Cross etc certification.

Step Seven – Spiritual

Begin journeying using a technique, such as the Two Powers meditation, to meet your totem animal or warrior mentor. At least once a week meditate with your mentor/totem to develop your relationship and ask what lessons you need to learn as a warrior. One might look to find protection runes, etc.

Exit Standard

Keep a journal for four months and recap what you have learned. How has your relationship with totem/mentor changed you? What lessons have you learned?
(suggested 300 words)

Step Eight – Physical

Camp Craft - This course is designed to help the warrior to develop a basic competency level in general camping skills of: planning, organizing, supplying, providing safety, preparing food, selecting a site, disposing of waste, preparing for unexpected weather conditions and other skills common to camping.

Suggested Reading:

Celtic Warriors: The armies of one of the first great peoples in Europe (Hardcover) by Daithi O'Hogain
ISBN-10: 0312205090
ISBN-13: 978-0312205096
The Roman Soldier (Aspects of Greek and Roman Life) (Paperback) by G. R. Watson
ISBN-10: 0801493129
ISBN-13: 978-0801493126
Celtic Warriors (Shire Archaeology) (Paperback) by W. F. Ritchie, J. N. G. Ritchie
ISBN-10: 0852637144
ISBN-13: 978-0852637142
Soldier and Society in Roman Egypt: A Social History (Paperback) by Richard Alston
ISBN-10: 0415186064
ISBN-13: 978-0415186063
The Coming of the Greeks (Paperback) by Robert Drews
ISBN-10: 0691029512
ISBN-13: 978-0691029511
Barbarians, Marauders, and Infidels: The Ways of Medieval Warfare (Hardcover) by Antonio Santosuosso
ISBN-10: 0813391539
ISBN-13: 978-0813391533
Fighting Techniques of the Medieval World: Equipment, Combat Skills and Tactics (Hardcover) by Matthew Bennett, Jim Bradbury, Kelly DeVries, Iain Dickie, Phyllis Jestice
ISBN-10: 0312348207
ISBN-13: 978-0312348205

Exit Standard

Write an essay reviewing what you have learned. Compare and contrast ancient warrior actions with today’s warrior’s actions. What lessons can we learn from the ancients that can apply now? What doesn't apply anymore?
(suggested 300 words)

Certain exceptions will be made for warriors with physical restrictions; requests for exceptions must be made in writing and approved by Council of Honor (COH) before being submitted. The COH will help modify the Exit Standard to meet the warrior’s restrictions while still pushing him or her to achieve improvement.

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