Originally Posted by VersatilityToad
O thought they were implementing a system where you had to be granted shepherd xp anyway? It would make more sense instead of request matchmaking. You could request a shepherd especially on side missions

I personally see it as something of a status symbol or stamp of assured quality... not unlike another system that uses different statuses, symbols, or groups in its jolly cooperation in order to differentiate allies. Indeed if only I, as a Shepard, could be so grossly incandescent.