The Most obvious method of rank display is the
colored belt system. Beginners start at white and progress to Black.
The colored belts are called Kyu ranks. This means “boy” or child
understanding. The Black belt ranks are called Dan “man” or adult
understanding. It is a shame that unscrupulous schools have damaged
this form of rank. Many people are Black belts because they paid for
it rather than having the skill and work “put-in” to earn one. For
this reason, many people will come to this school and say, “I don’t
care about the belt. I just want to learn.” Well here the belt means
what it is, a display of knowledge and skill. To say, “I don’t care
about the belt. I just want to learn.” Is to say, “I don’t want to
get any better.” If you have an orange belt you are at that level.
Same with all the colors. There have been times when I will not let
a student promote, and times when I have skipped a color. It is the
skill I am interested in as well. Here is our belt color guide:
Our School
Patches also are used to indicate teaching ranks. The all black patch
indicates a novice or Kyu rank. This is used as a pre-black-belt patch.
Next is the Green warrior, this is the Patch for any black belt that
is not an instructor. Last is the Green warrior on a black field.
This is reserved for Instructors. Only the chief instructor of a school
may issue this patch.
