Membership Levels in the Order of the Arrow

There are three levels of membership in the Order of the Arrow: Ordeal, Brotherhood, and Vigil Honor.  After undertaking the Ordeal, one has attained Ordeal membership.  Brotherhood membership is attained after 6 months of service to the lodge.  It consists of sealing one’s membership by learning the customs and traditions of the Order of the Arrow.  The Vigil Honor is the highest honor that the Order of the Arrow can present its members for service to the lodge and council.  It is a high mark of distinction and recognition reserved for those Arrowmen who have given exceptional service, helping others beyond the call of duty.  It is not earned, but is bestowed upon an Arrowman who is thought by his peers to deserve it.

Each level of membership has a corresponding sash.  The Order of the Arrow sash is worn with the arrow pointing over the right shoulder.  It may not be worn any other way, with no badges attached to it.  The sash is only to be worn at OA events or an event where OA members need to be identified for rendering services.  The corresponding sashes for each level of membership are as follows:

Ordeal

ordealsash

The Ordeal sash is a white sash that is embroidered with a red arrow.

Brotherhood

brotherhoodsash

The Brotherhood sash is similar to the Ordeal sash, but two red bars enclose the red arrow.

Vigil Honor

vigilsash

The Vigil Honor sash has a red triangle with three white arrows in the center of its red arrow.  It also has the red bars of the Brotherhood sash.

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