I haven't seen regular mods
You haven't been here long enough.
Anyways, we used to have a blue bar for new "
Moderators" group. Basically, when someone is promoted to mod status they are on "probation" as a mod for the first 2 or 3 months. This was an old left over practice we used to employ when we used IPB for our boards. But now that we have Xenforo we basically said screw it and promoted mods are automatically bumped to
Global Mod status.
Actually there's a comprehensive Wiki page covering this topic...
GBAtemp Member Groups & Ranks
That page lacks the single black pip, but that isnt surprising as we never ended up using it.
The single black bar was made for a specific "squeaky wheel" reporter we used to have around here. Said reporter wanted to step down but demanded that they were recognized as a former reporter... Originally, we were giving them the double back bar medal pip, same as former mod staff/supervisors. Needless to say, none of us current staffers agreed that this reporter was all that important and we had the reporters double black pip removed and the single black bar pip was created. Later, there was a small bit of a kerfuffle in the reporter room. Once the dust settled, this reporter and one other were unceremoniously demoted from any sort of former staff position, had their accounts passwords scrambled (to avoid any more martyrdom) and the medal was never implemented.
Years later, I personally think we should be giving the single back pip to former mag staffers out of respect.