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A black belt is a white belt that did not quit!

The Navy is run by chief petty officers. They are highly regarded and respected by both commissioned and non-commissioned officers. When a recruit enters the Navy, the first person he or she will probably deal with is a chief. Anywhere in the Navy, when sailors have a question, they are told to "Ask the chief!" For these reasons, most sailors aspire to becoming a chief someday.

Taekwondo is run by black belts. They are highly regarded and respected by all martial artists. When potential students enter a dojang, they immediately notice the black belts.  When students have a question, they are told to "Ask the black belt!" For these reasons, most students aspire to becoming a black belt someday.

Black belts exemplify the virtues of Taekwondo and should be emulated by students. Black belts should be respected and should earn respect. Black belts are martial artists, but they are also leaders and teachers, whether they are aware of it or not.

Black belts are a repository of Taekwondo history, Taekwondo techniques, and the scientific reasoning behind the techniques. They understand why techniques are performed, why they are taught in the manner they are, and how they and others may improve upon technique execution, application, and instruction. 

Color belt students have the luxury of regular promotions with rather short intervals between them so they have a way to check on their progress and inspire themselves. Black belts have many months or even years between promotions so they have no easy way to judge their progress, so they must use self-motivation for inspiration.

Students watch black belts perform techniques to learn the proper way to perform techniques. If you are a black belt, you must always perform techniques properly, not matter how tired you are. Black belts should never just go through the motions of performing a technique or pattern, they must always execute techniques and patterns with precision, power, and enthusiasm. If you are not willing to do your best at every class, either return the black belt or do not come to class.

Students emulate black belts. They do not separate the black belt from the person, so, if they see a black belt outside the dojang, they see the person as a black belt, not as a regular person. Many times, black belts are noticed and watched by students outside the dojang without being aware they are being watched. This means black belts must exemplify the virtues of Taekwondo at all times. Black belts must practice what they preach, at all times, inside or outside the dojang. One false move at an unsuspected moment that is witnessed by a student may negatively affect the student's Taekwondo career and even his or her life. 

During his trial in 399 BC for being disrespectful by not keeping his opinions to himself, the Greek philosopher Socrates said he led "an examined life, "that everything he said or did was scrutinized because of his position in society. However, Socrates also said, "the unexamined life is not worth living." Being a black belt means you will be living an examined life, but, if you are up to the challenge, it will be worthwhile. Being a black belt is an awesome responsibility, if you are not ready to accept the responsibility, do not accept or keep the black belt.

Significance of the Black Belt

A great public misconception is that all black belt holders are experts. This is understandable since the public's knowledge of the martial arts comes mostly from motion pictures and television. This is compounded by the fact that some novice black belt holders advertise themselves as experts, and, eventually, even convince themselves they are experts.

First degree black belt (first dan) is only the beginning of another stage in the training of a Taekwondo student. Until this point, the student has merely been building a foundation. It will be many years before the final structure is completed. The job of building the structure lies ahead, but, if a firm foundation has been laid, the building process will be less difficult.

A diligent student may attain first dan in about 2-3 years of continuous training. This is the equivalent of an associate of arts college degree. Much more training and many more dan promotions are required before reaching the Ph.D. level (master ranks) and being considered an authority on Taekwondo.

From my experience, if a student diligently trains 2 to 3 times a week, it will take about 4 years before it all comes together and the student understand what Taekwondo is about. At that point, the students techniques will be quick, powerful, and proper, a proper understanding of patterns will have occurred, and the student's sparring will be reflexive, not planned. At this point, when the student spars, he or she will do very little. Instead, he or she will be at the right place at the right time, will be able to read opponents' intentions, and will only attack openings when they occur or are created by the student. All these should be attributes of a first degree black belt, but regrettably, by the time these things occur, the student is usually a second degree back belt or higher. This means that the student was not ready to be a black belt when promoted to first degree black belt. It is a shame, but that is how the martial arts have evolved. If things keep evolving this way, students will not be achieving these black belt attributes until third degree or higher.

Kong is is a Korean term for the merit or credit you gain from your service and achievements. In the Navy, if two sailors were being considered for promotion, their records would be searched for kong. The one with the most awards and achievements would probably get the promotion.

In some Taekwondo schools and organizations (regrettably, not many) promotions, especially to the senior color belt levels and to the black belt level, are awarded not for just attendance and physical ability, but also for kong. Without kong, a student should never be promoted to black belt. To build kong, a student must show leadership abilities, set an example as to what a true black belt should be, volunteer for school projects, do what needs to be done without being told, be available to junior students when they need assistance (all the time, not just during class), be a mentor to junior students, work within his or her community to make it a better place for all to live, etc. When any problem arises, people should say "I will go to him; he is a black belt. He knows what to do and will help me."

As mentioned at the beginning of this topic, a black belt may be compared to a U.S. Navy Navy chief. Being selected to be a chief petty officer is a great accomplishment that puts the person into a unique fraternal order of other chief petty officers. As a chief, your every action will be scrutinized by the lesser ranks so you must constantly set an example for them to follow. With many years of dedicated effort, a chief may earn the coveted highest rank of master chief petty officer. Black belts are also members of a fraternal order and must set the example for lower belts. With years of hard work and study, a novice black belt may one day be considered an expert, but regrettably, many novices harbor the misconception that they are experts and thus will remain novices forever.

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