The Kestrel Minority

Well, that gives us two main strengths then:

1. We're original after all!
2. We're awesome!

Could be a bit early, but as current class selections tend to yield a majority of Jedi, it could be worth considering to give TKM a more Jedi-oriented approach.

Myself I like the current neutral stance of TKM, which keeps the door open to a wide variety of classes and personalities. Tending towards a specific class or classes could make others feel left out or neglected.

On the other hand, I'm fond of the underground approach as well, especially the angle of getting things done for Jedi who would otherwise be constrained to stringent Jedi Order regulations.

Very good points there. Besides - it's the loosely organized, unlikely allies bound by loyalty to each other through a network of cooperation and mutual respect that have the best adventures. Not like those high and mighty organizations with their red tape and stuff. ANd junk.

Right I've been giving this a lot of thought to be honest... I still don't have a complete definitive version in my mind but I'll try to spew out what I think TKM is. I think a lot of the points I raise have been mentioned before but still...

To me TKM is a group that is mostly concerned with fighting for what is right, in any way possible. I see TKM as being formed out of either a group of adventurers (as Thrakos described so nicely) or maybe a former squad of the Republic that were part of a conflict on a planet were it was pretty obvious that something evil was afoot, but due to the bureaucracy in the Republic no action was taken. This squad took it upon themselves to resolve the situation and formed a small alliance with some local populace to overcome this evil (what this evil is, I don't know ).
Either way it inspired people and the Republic, while not too happy with the way things were done, would be pleased with the result in the end.

From this single alliance TKM arose, a group that gets the "Good thing" done without the need for endless bureaucracy. As such TKM would be of a more "neutral good" stance, trying to get things done and fight the evil of the Sith while not being bogged down in procedures or political intrigue. As such TKM's reputation for doing good things would grow and expanding their network would come naturally.
As for the Republic, they would allow or tolerate TKM based on the fact that they get the results the Republic wants. Besides there would probably be Senators in the Republic who would be happy with having a group who would get things done.

There... that's about it

You might question our methods but you can never question our motives...

Great post, Machior!

Looks like most thoughts run along the same lines.
I like the idea of a specific event or situation that brings the group together. We might want to work that out, what it was, when it occured etc.
The angle of being tolerated by the Republic can be interesting in how TKM isn't an official body, bordering on the illegal, but appreciated because of its results. Perhaps there would be followers and opposers within the Senate. Maybe only a select few Senators know of the existence of TKM? This could make for underhand rivalries within the Senate, if we want to take it that far.

Here's a "slightly" different angle :
Five years before the signing of the Treaty of Coruscant a crack Jedi unit was sent to prison by a Republic court for a crime they didn't commit. These men and women promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Dantooine underground. Today, still wanted by the Republic, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the Kestrel Minority.

Dun, dun, DUN! Go A-Team