Promotion in Kajukenbo Combatives is based on the totality of several factors to include knowledge of curriculum, participation, attendance and overall attitude. Promotion in Kajukenbo Combatives is earned; not given. Like anything in life that is truly worth learning, it takes practice. Just as a pianist may spend 30 minutes a week with a teacher, he/she must spend hours on their own practicing to perfect their musical skills. While there is practice time during scheduled classes, efforts should be made outside of class to practice the curriculum. (To our younger students, school first then martial arts.)
So the big question everyone has on their mind when they start martial arts, “how do I get a black belt?”. I believe this is a fair question; knowing a path to take to achieve a certain goal helps drive motivation. But the answer to this question is not so simple.
First, we have to look at what a black belt really means. There may be a misconception that wearing a certain color of belt automatically makes you invincible or able to overcome anyone and everything. In the words of BJJ black belt Kurt Osiander, “everyone gets got”. Even extremely proficient black belts have been bested by lesser ranked students from time to time. Does this make a person not worthy of being a black belt? No. It simply means something was working in the other person’s favor at that moment.
There are lots of martial arts programs out there that offer mail order black belts or promises of a black belt in two years. In my opinion, this threatens the legitimacy and overall meaning of the rank. To this end, I will not promote students under the age of 17 to the rank of black belt. This is in keeping with the high standards of my instructor and his instructor before him (late Sigung Trent Sera). Nor will I promote a person who has a bad attitude, lack of self-control, or intentions to use their knowledge/skills in the unjustified harm of others.
Understand that a black belt is a stepping stone on the martial arts path. It signifies a certain level of accomplishment which you should be proud of but does not mean there is not more to be learned. My teacher, Sigung Greg, always said, “I will never be a master”. I believe there is a lot of truth in this statement. Be confident in what you know but humble enough to continue learning more from others.
A black belt is someone who has put in the long hours training, made the sacrifices to attend classes and has a good understanding of the curriculum and movement of the human body. He/she can also take on a mentor and teaching role and above all else strives to be a good person. They also have the humility to say, “I don’t know” on occasion and seek an answer from others.
Students who get fixated on chasing a black belt in their training will find the learning less enjoyable. Let go of the fixation, focus on the training and have fun!