Old Guard

Protocol

Old Guard references a time in the BDSM lifestyle when there was much more structure than there is for the most part today. Anyone interested in exploring the concepts of Dominance and submission must embrace the concept of structure. Without structure, it is impossible to achieve stability within a D/s relationship. Old Guard tradition and High Protocol go hand in hand because much of the structure of the modern High Protocol standard can be directly linked to the structured approach that the Old Guard took toward the practice of BDSM within the Leather Community. Much of what we consider High Protocol is also taken from the Story of O and the Gorean lifestyle. For instance, most of the kneeling positions of slaves and submissives in the context of High Protocol, and many of the other ritualistic aspects of High Protocol events are directly taken from Norman's descriptions in the Gor novels.

It is often suggested in current BDSM thought that people cannot be in a BDSM relationship day-to-day, that no one can really live a Master/slave relationship "24/7," in the "real world."

This is not true. Dominance is power and authority. The ability to inspire or compel the compliance of others with the Master's desires. Such power and authority is unquestionably part of the "real world", and there is no reason, culturally, societally, or otherwise, why Masters and their slaves should not be able to retain the essence of their relationship while fully immersed in the real world.

For both Masters and slaves who are strongly called to their respective roles, dominance and submission is ideally a 24/7 structure. Yet few Masters have the inclination for, or interest in, moment to moment micromanaging of their slaves, and few slaves could withstand the tension of living under such a burdensome eye.

A well-implemented protocol is uniquely useful in providing guidance and structure even during times that are most casual and relaxed. Very importantly, they allow a slave to have a secure understanding of what is expected of her in different contexts, in different circumstances of formality. The Master is free to simply specify "This evening will be spent in Mid Protocol", and all parties then know exactly what expectations and standards will be applied to everyone's interactions.

Ideally, a tiered system of protocol levels is simple enough to be remembered and applied, yet flexible enough to survive the stress of daily life, reinforcing in both the Master and slave that, no matter what the context, there are applicable rules and standards, providing everyone with a firm groundwork within which to relate to each other as a Master and slave, in confidence and satisfaction.

High Protocol is likely to be the least used stage or level, but its perfection has the potential to improve the skill set of both Masters and their slaves enough that it should remain the goal of all well-trained slaves, and of their Master-trainers.

High Protocol rarely exists in a vacuum, nor for long. So the recognition of other levels of the protocol is necessary to provide the structure within which High Protocol can develop and flourish. That structure is the continuing expression of dominance on a day-to-day basis.

So, in summary, Protocol is nothing more than a highly ritualized set of rules for interaction between Dominants and their submissives and slaves. These rules rely heavily on etiquette and formal polite behavior. There are three levels of protocol. Which level is appropriate depends highly on the situation and context.

Low Protocol

Usually considered to be the most appropriate for interaction with the "rest of the world." This is often prescribed for day-to-day life, to allow the slave to interact "normally" in society, and generally without strict regard to formalities. Strict and formalized rituals are usually dispensed with, but note that politeness, manners, general etiquette, and thoughtfulness are never discarded. The concept is merely to provide for the maximum social effectiveness of one's competent slaves, without altering their status as slaves. There is still a role for structured behavior (including ritual) in this state, but such are usually more subtle, and often unnoticed by the world at large. (for example, the "daily wear" collar rather than a heavy "BDSM" collar, the addressing of the Master simply as "sir" rather than the more formal "Master", and sitting on furniture, albeit modestly and politely, rather than a Master's feet).

A Low Protocol nevertheless contains continuing elements of service and its responsibilities Casual behavior is permitted, yet with specific boundaries, requiring an awareness of accountability despite the temptations offered by casual behavior and independence. Low Protocol nevertheless demands the recognition of station as well as of orders, demands, and requests in an invisible and unobtrusive fashion. It challenges the slave to exhibit behavior that reflects the Master's intentions and desired interaction on both a personal and professional level.

As elsewhere succinctly observed, Low Protocol is often the most difficult for the slave to perfect because it offers many of the illusions, comforts, and distractions of freedom, yet accountability and responsibility continue unabated. It has the least moment-to-moment guidance, and often the greatest margin for error. Service, authority, and accountability do not diminish when a slave is allowed to act in Low Protocol. Only the expression of it is relaxed. There is no "Off Time."

Mid Protocol

Is that behavioral "set" most often encountered in public scene clubs and play situations? Perhaps the most classic of protocols, it is the one most easily identified as "BDSM." Considered a "Performance" Protocol, this level requires the slave to adhere to the first level of decidedly Master-imposed and regulated (as opposed to societally imposed and regulated) behavior and performance rules. Most BDSM activities are executed at this level.

Mid-Protocol requires the slave to focus on BDSM priorities, especially with regard to the D/s aspects, no matter how long or strenuous the time spent in this protocol. The focus becomes a priority. Mid-Protocol requires continuous awareness and anticipation of the Master's needs, desires, and expectations as well as those of others in the Master's company. This level presumes consistent ground rules of action and responsibility.

This includes responding to the Master in a more formal manner, but with a level of self-direction. While complete deference to the Master is required, it provides for a level of autonomy (while maintaining full adherence to specific guidelines) in dealing with others.

Despite such autonomy, however, it is not the time and place for casual behavior.

Full titles may be relaxed ("Sir" rather than "Master"), the slave may initiate a conversation with the Master, may refer to herself directly, and furniture may well be permitted at this level, but otherwise directed, the slave will always be expected to assume a specifically detailed position (such as walking slightly behind the Master if they are walking, or taking a seat to his left).

Mid Protocol provides for a workable but still distinctly BDSM environment. There is still formality in both etiquette and speech, but also sufficient flexibility to allow the slave to display her personality. A slave may still be a companion in this mode. Generally, Mid would be a good protocol level to apply when the slave is taken out for a special occasion or "night on the town."

High Protocol

The most exacting of requirements and the strictest expectations. The bar is continuously at its upper reaches when the slave is brought to High Protocol. Nothing less is required than complete attention and focus, regardless of distractions. The Master's every directive, every nuance, requires an absolute and instantaneous obedient response, without delay, hesitation, or question. The slave is relieved of any and all decision-making and prioritizing outside of strict service to her Master, as all such power and responsibility are shifted to the Master. All extraneous movement, speech, and thought are unacceptable. The slave's wants, needs, and desires are fully suspended throughout a High Protocol period.

The highest degree of concentration is demanded, as the slave must maintain an awareness that every act, behavior, movement, response, or expression is being carefully scrutinized and judged. Think Japanese Tea Ceremony, but with the Master's desires (both expressed by him and as observed and acted upon by the slave) being utterly paramount.

High Protocol conforms most closely to the 'ideal' of service commonly encountered in BDSM erotic literature. Full titles are used when referring to a Master, conventional use of furniture by slaves is not permitted, the slave may be required to refer to themselves in the third-person, directly addressing the Master is highly formally structured (i.e., the slave must usually request permission even to address her Master and may possibly not even be permitted to initiate contact with another master and the slave may be required to take and hold specific positions when not having been directly tasked.

Normally High Protocol is used for periods of instruction, amusement, punishment* or in the context of formal gatherings for the pleasure of the Master and others in attendance, or in situations like formal events where High Protocol is the standard.

Keep two things in mind with regard to the above discussion. First, note that this discussion centers around heterosexual male Dominant-female submissive interaction. Should you live within a different orientation, you may need to modify the protocol to your situation. Second, the modern BDSM concept of Protocol, while heavily derived from Old Guard tradition and the Old Guard concept of three degrees of protocol, does not describe Old Guard behavior in the context it is used here. (From http://www.denversub.com/protocols.html)

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