I figure I'd put it out there and see what responses come.

The role of teacher in the martial arts is very well-defined. The person holding the menkyo is the teacher. Students are everyone else (including that person, too). But what is the role of a senior student in your organization or dojo? How is seniority measured?

I've never offered my advice to someone but I've sought it out from other students and had it sought out from me.