Losing Rank/Being Demoted

[scottnshelly]

Occasionally I get asked if I could ever have my title of Black Belt revoked. My short answer is always “no”. I understand that in extreme circumstances an Instructor or organization may decide to demote a student.

My question is, has anyone heard of an Instructor or organization that requires something to maintain Black Belt status? For example, an organization that requires continuous membership or an Instructor that requires constant attendance at class.

Again, I understand that an Instructor or organization can demote or revoke based on disorderly conduct or bad representation of the school. My question pertains to losing rank for not doing anything.

[MasterH]

There are orgs who require a recomended black belt student to test within 6 months for a decided rank, or they would be demoted to the previous rank.

And I know someone who was demoted from 2nd Degree black belt to a 1st Degree recomended rank for bad mouthing their instructor. Funny thing is he's now a 5th Degree and a regional VP.

-Adam

[kivikala]

In every school I've trained at, the rank you earn is yours. No one can "take it away from you". Even if you stop training and them return much much later you are still that rank. If you are not "worthy" of the rank by way of lack of continued training, that is your shame to bear. You just have to buck up and get going again and prove yourself to yourself.

As for required continued attendance requirement? That to me is nonsense.

That's the way it is here, your world may differ.

[MasterH]

In every school I've trained at, the rank you earn is yours. No one can "take it away from you". Even if you stop training and them return much much later you are still that rank. If you are not "worthy" of the rank by way of lack of continued training, that is your shame to bear. You just have to buck up and get going again and prove yourself to yourself.

As for required continued attendance requirement? That to me is nonsense.

That's the way it is here, your world may differ.

That's the difference between a rec rank and a decided rank. Once you're a decided - you're set. Unless you do something stupid. All rank, unless decided black belt, can be resended. That's the way it is in my world.

[stonecrusher69]

The style I study there is no belt or rank,but whatever you get out of your training can't be taken away.

[MasterH]

The style I study there is no belt or rank,but whatever you get out of your training can't be taken away.

Not even a sash? How do you measure your skill?

[IcemanSK]

I spoke to an ITF master recently who told me he busted one of his BB's down to white belt after the students returned after a 10 year absence. So, I guess it can be done.

[Steve_K]

After I was awarded my black belt, I was told that it was "probationary", and that I could later be asked to repeat any aspect of my black belt test, at any moment. I think I was told that that policy would last for a year, or something like that. However, after that, to my knowledge, they won't/can't demote me. I think technically you can only be demoted if you comply with your instructor's decision to demote you. The only "official" thing I can imagine a teacher doing, that you can't defy, is being expelled from his/her school, and you will not be recognized as a black belt there. Basically all they can really do, is blackball you as a bad student/black belt.

But when it comes to lower ranks below black belt, they can definately demote you, because you are their student, and MUST comply with their decisions.

[orion82698]

The style I study there is no belt or rank,but whatever you get out of your training can't be taken away.

Ahhh... the way it should be done. This sorts out all the people who are there to learn an art/self defense Vs. the "I'm a black belt, look what I can do" crowd. I could care less about a colored belt. You have an instructor and maybe some assistance... that's it. If a Blue belt can mop the floor with a Black belt, does the color matter anymore?

[AndrewGreen]

Is it rank? "I'm gonna bust you down to private soldier!"

Or is it a certification?

You can loose rank, if you accept that it is not skill based, but pecking order based. Otherwise, they can't take away your skill. That's like taking an exam and passing, then 2 years later getting a letter saying "Sorry, changed are mind, we're taking your pass back"