rank is individual and personal

[Nidan Melbourne]

On 9/6/2025 at 12:00 AM, bushido_man96 said:

In my current TKD organization, we run two month testing cycles.  It's expected that students make at least two class days per week minimum in order to be ready to test within those two months.  However, permission to test is only granted if the student is ready; it's not guaranteed.

At the recommended black belt level, the student has three testing cycles to prepare, and must test by the third cycle, or they go back in rank.  A different level of commitment is expected at this time.

Once a student makes it to 1st dan, they must wait 1.5 years to test for 2nd dan rec, then in 6 months must test for 2nd dan decided.  Then 2.5 year wait to test for 3rd dan rec. and so on.  After 3rd dan proper, there are no more "recommended" ranks (although I have heard of the GM knocking some 3rd dans to 4th rec for various reasons; I have not seen this in my time in the organization).

Here are the standards for the Aikido organization I train in:

7th kyu:  minimum 2 months and 20 hours of training.

6th kyu:  minimum 3 months and 30 hours of training after earning 7th kyu.

5th kyu:  minimum 3 months and 30 hours of training after earning 6th kyu.

4th kyu:  minimum 3 months and 30 hours of training after earning 5th kyu, plus prior attendance at 1 seminar or national Kangeiko.

3rd kyu:  minimum 6 months and 60 hours of training after earning 4th kyu, plus prior attendance at 1 association camp.

2nd kyu:  minimum 6 months and 60 hours of training after earning 3rd kyu, plus prior attendance at 1 instructor's seminar.

1st kyu:  minimum 6 months and 60 hours of training after earning 2nd kyu, plus prior attendance at 1 association seminar since earing 2nd kyu.

 

I went 10 years between 4th dan and 5th dan in TKD.

I went 11 years between 7th kyu and 6th kyu in AKD.

Thats interesting how the club requires attendance at a Seminar, Camp or Kangeiko after earning your 4th Kyu. 

However what is the general cost of those seminars/camps mentioned? As it seems to be a financial barrier for those who are low income earners/unemployed. 

Also are all of those camps/seminars local or spread across the US? 

 

[bushido_man96]

The club actually hosts several camps per year locally, and they provide options to help with the camps at the Hombu.  Many of the camps are free to attend, so that is very helpful.  He runs a not-for-profit dojo, and will usually ask for donations to attend some of the events, but they are not required either.  The longer I stay in it, the more I'll learn about other fees and what not.