Privateers, on the other hand, is intended for those of us whose focus is on formal competition, a more rigorous training schedule, and advancement in ratings. All Privateers are Swashbuckler's, but not all Swashbuckler's need to be Privateers.

The requirement for entry into Privateers is not based on attaining a  skill-level or amassing experience, but instead is dependent only on the individual's expressed desire to seriously pursue the sport.

The goal of Privateers is to facilitate the progress of our members in attaining higher ratings and rankings through cooperative training and mutual support.

To this end, each Swashbuckler who wishes to become a Privateer must agree (in writing) to practice, train, or compete on average at least twice a week, and compete in a minimum of 4 USFA sanctioned tournaments each year. More is better. This agreement, once made, is duly recorded and each new Privateer is issued his or her own "Letter of Marques", and thus commissioned to compete formally as a Privateer. This "Letter of Marques" also includes a log book section for recording each year's training sessions accomplished, competitions entered, tournament results, and ratings earned.

Once per week a "Privateers Competition Workshop" is held in which all attending Privateers cooperatively share, develop, and train in techniques and tactics specifically oriented toward competitive fencing. The goal of these sessions is the open and honest sharing of information and the constructive criticism of each other for everyone's mutual benefit.