In addition to our "Lesson of the Week" and martial arts training, you will find our schools monthly newsletter a wealth of information on a wide range of subjects. Each month's exciting issue is packed with informative articles on health, safety, fitness, nutrition, and of course, all of the exciting events taking place in the school. This web-page will contain only the feature article in the monthly newsletter.

 W e pray that everyone enjoyed the summer break. For those that stayed here at home, we trained hard and had a lot of fun. September is once again upon us and this means getting back to STEADY martial arts training. The key to growth is consistent attendance! We are looking forward to seeing all of you who took the summer off. You were missed!!

This months newsletter will discuss the many rewards and recognition that our system and curriculum offer. This will be especially helpful for our newer families to understand the ranking system on both a student and an Instructor level.

Each of our nine colored belts is broken down into three short term goals. (with the exception of the white belt.) The short term curriculum goals are rewarded with the red, white, and blue stripes. It takes approximately ten classes to earn each stripe. This is highly dependant on each students learning ability. The stripes are not only a reward for learning curriculum, but it also helps establish the importance of a ranking system. Baseball, soccer, swimming, and other various activities cannot be compared to the benefits that arise from our system of training.

The belt colors have much more meaning than just to differentiate rank. White signifies purity and the beginning of ones training. We can relate it to a brand new seed. Orange/yellow tell us that the seed has been watered and has had the basics firmly rooted into the soil. This seed seeks more growth or knowledge and needs the sun to help its growth. The camo/green represents that the seed or student has grown considerably and has taken on the strong color of green. Purple/blue tells us that the seed or student is reaching toward the sky. The student sees no limits and sets high goals. Brown/red signifies that the student is becoming dangerous as they work toward the goal of Black Belt. Now here is where things start to get confusing. The Black Belt is broken down into the following: 1R, 1D, 2R, 2D, 3R, 3D, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9th degree. The R stands for recommended. The recommended Black Belt wears a half red / half black belt and has a minimum of six months to learn the required curriculum. The student to test once again to obtain the "D" or decided rank. Once the Black Belt achieves the rank of 1st degree decided they have earned the privilege of wearing a solid Black Belt and black trim on the bottom portion of their dobok top. When the Black Belt earns the rank of 2nd degree recommended they get the privilege of getting their name on their belt. They too have a six month minimum to learn the required curriculum to test for their "D" or decided rank. The rank of 3rd degree recommended has a minimum age of 14, and 3rd decided at 16 years old. The next big change in uniform recognition happens at the 4th degree. The minimum age for 4th degree is 20 years old. The 4th degree has the privilege of wearing black stripes on their dobok top and pants. The 4th degree also represents the expert level of Black Belt and in Korea is considered a master. 5th through 9th degrees earn the privilege of putting a different color stripe down the center of their black fourth degree stripe. The color order is: 5th=Silver, 6th=Gold, 7th=Red, 8th=Blue, 9th=Purple. Purple is considered the color of royalty.

Besides the minimum age requirements for some of the lower ranks of Black Belt, each level of BB has a minimum amount of (active) time needed at each rank. For example: 1st Degree=2 years, 2nd=2 years, 3rd=3 years, 4th=4years, 5th=5 years, and so on up. The 8th and 9th degrees can be given out early if the Instructor is successfully promoting the art and is producing high ranking Black Belts of their own. This is a great exception as it ensures the instructor may be able to fulfill the dream of 9th degree before getting too old to physically demonstrate.

If the Black Belt decides that they want to become an Instructor, the red/white/blue collar signifies that the Black Belt is a Trainee Instructor (apprentice). They have a minimum of 300 hours of assisting before given the privilege of testing for their Blue or Red Collar. The Blue Collar is for BB's that are under 16 years old. The Red Collar is for 16 and above. The Red Collar signifies that the BB is now an Assistant Instructor. The next instructor level is rewarded by earning the thin Black Collar. This represents that the Black Belt is now a certified Instructor. This instructor must have successfully graduated from the Trainee Collar into the Assistant Instructor Collar and had accumulated a minimum of 300 hours assisting on their Red Collar. They must pass their written and physical test with a score of 96% or better. They must submit a class planner for a designated week, and teach the proposed class under the supervision of the Chief Instructor. Their final requirement is to have successfully completed a CPR/First Aid course and maintain it every two years. Obtaining the rank of Certified Instructor is a huge responsibility and is the reason for such demanding requirements.

The next level of Instructorship (Head Instructor) is awarded at the sole discretion of the Chief / Master Instructor. The prestigious title of Head Instructor is rewarded by wearing the wide Black Collar. The Head Instructor is in charge of a specific program. This could range from children, adults, weapons, cardio kickboxing, camps, etc. They are in charge of teaching the colored belt classes and make the decision of when the colored belt students test. When the Head Instructor reaches the rank of 4th degree and higher they no longer wear a collar.

The final level of Instructorship is called the Chief or Master Instructor. This Instructor is in charge of all curriculum and the overall direction of training. The Chief/ Master Instructor is in charge of all of the Black Belts and instructors in the Academy. They are also responsible for all Black Belt promotion and all of the special events.

The age old philosophy of apprenticeship lives strong at our Academy. Our young Black Belts stand on the shoulders of the Senior Instructors. Senior Instructors must teach the young Masters to carry on and proliferate the art. Our martial art is best described by the Korean term called "Choong Sil". This means constant and never ending improvement.

I pray that this newsletter fully explained our ranking system. The next time you notice a uniform ranking on one of our instructors, congratulate them on their achievements. It represents much more than colored ribbon sewn on a dobok. It stands for discipline, perseverance, dedication, loyalty, mental and physical excellence, and most of all HEART. Like one of our MAA t-shirts says on the back. "A Black Belt is more than something you wear, it is more than something you earn, A Black Belt is something you become". I commend all of our Trainees, Assistants, and Certified Instructors for their pursuit of excellence.

See You All In Class

God Bless
With Love - Your Instructor,
Master Serdinsky