Ranks, titles and belts in martial arts and warrior training

Everyone is familiar with the various uniforms and colored belts of martial arts. Along also, with the titles that come with various ranks, specifically at advanced levels. Having trained in both traditional systems with uniforms, belts and a strict hierarchy as well as modern systems where we did not wear a belt or uniform and very loose ranking structure , I understand both methodologies and in my systems have used both, though in my systems it is for a functional purpose, not a traditional one. For traditionalists its a very important part of hierarchy and order, while for modernists they tend to not value those types of things that much

As a practitioner in my own systems and development of Modern African Warrior Sciences, from traditions I descend from and trace my lineage to, warriors did not wear colored belts in training nor used ranking systems like in other martial arts of the world. So for me personally, It is not a part of my lineage. In my experience training and teaching I have only had trainees wear a uniform ( or the uniform top)  and belt when doing “combat grappling”, because we make use of the clothing for throws (clothing makes throws safer as well) and other techniques, functional of fighting someone with clothing you can manipulate. In “submission fighting” we don’t wear it because the grappling and technique has different parameters, techniques and goals. In times where I do not wear a uniform, I have worn my belt for the functional purposes of it lets visitors to a training hall know im the instructor when they see it, in case they want to ask question or inquire about training. Furthermore, the belt is simply a weapon in skilled hands, with a large variety of techniques you can do with it, while still wearing it or with it in the hands.

I have a title myself as well as black belts, and I do still use a ranking system as well, though my students don’t wear belts when they train though (they can if they want). A ranking structure is a way for the student to gauge and see progress and have a feeling of achievement. To see they are learning something from a surface perspective. It gives motivation and a goal to strive towards, so to me it’s am important tool in teaching for the benefit of the student, specifically younger students like youth and kids. For those who use colored belts and uniforms, for those that do not understand, the belts show the students rank. When you have a large class or gathering of people training it can be very hard to keep order. The colored belts are a simple way to group everyone and make sure individuals are learning their pertinent skills. So in this, colored belts help the instructor whom trains large groups or with unfamiliar trainees from other schools and places. Some modernists understand this, and they use school shirts or shorts of different colors to denote rank, or wristbands or armbands of different colors for the same purpose..

To me, regardless if it is is a black belt or title, they are something to be proud of, because of all of the hard training and devotion it takes to earn these things or get to that point. The title or rank is just an outer expression of all the internal hard work you have put in, besides showing those whom follow your path you level of knowledge.  That’s not a ego thing, it is factual that we have to be worthy to lead others. The titles are professional titles in my mind, no different than the title of "Dr." for doctors or titles like professors and others have. It shows your level of knowledge and time / experience in your field.

While I try to personally not get too tied up in ranks and titles and such, I understand why these systems exist. They show hierarchy, they maintain and establish an order and this order helps (or is supposed to) foster respect and other attributes that are apart of the makeup of any warrior training. In the world of martial arts, it can be filled with a lot of jealousy, politics and conflict over the systems of titles and belts and it can make people lose focus on why they began training. It can also make people too focused on others accomplishments instead of their own, which is a sad thing and also a bad thing. In many scenarios, people sometimes get lost in these trappings and the ego takes over. They chase notoriety, money or other things and lose touch with the true warrior path or "the way". In this instance belts and titles can be a hindrance or a negative.

Each person path is different, and for those whom may not have belts or some form of titles attached to their name, it does not take away from their knowledge, training and skills. It also does not take away from the good they do for their fellow man by teaching and building up others to be the best they can be, touching lives. Sometimes though, we may want to distance ourselves from titles because of the expectations that come with them. With a title / belt comes a certain level of expectation and quality from what you have to offer. People will also perceive you differently and you will have to be very solid in all of your skills and knowledge versus the world. It all can become a lot to contend with, so its easier to avoid the titles and do what you have a passion for, likewise, without the perceptions and expectations that the title bring. While this is understandable, if your passion is strong enough for you to want to be a teacher or leader, then you should not shrink away from your calling any all of the things that go along with it. Your convictions should outweigh any hesitations or fear of challenges involved. Those inherent challenges are the things that make you better.

In any warrior culture, no matter if you could become a warrior by training, battle and reputation or had to be born into a bloodline, you STILL HAD TO TRAIN ! You had to go through the rigors of the training process and whatever traditions or rituals that went along with it. You had to learn all of the mental, physical and spiritual aspects of being a warrior in that culture and you were not honored, given the credit or respect, and definitely not given the TITLE of being a warrior until you completed your training successfully. After all of that hard work, what warrior would take the title and mantle of being a warrior, and then disregard it ? No one. Just like no one whom has earned a belt or title or anything else would not do. While I walk the line of merging tradition with the modern, I understand and respect both, and also understand and respect others decisions and processes on whichever methodology they use. Everyone’s path is different so they have to find the methodology that works for them, in regards to to those whom teach or instruct.

My personal mindset is that my skill and my ability are within my mind, heart, and spirit. No name, title, belt, rank or recognition can give me more skill, not can it take away the lifetime of training and physical attributes I have. The ranks, titles and belts only open you up to a world of politics involving those who live by those things. People whose personal, ego, and their whole reality are based around them. In my experience, these things are something to have pride in as accomplishments, but ultimately serve as professional tools and necessity, nothing more. Evolving from a "martial artist" to a survivalist, the notion of the politics of the martial arts world is not something I care for or wish to be apart of. I would rather spend my time teaching, training and helping people with skills and knowledge.

In the end, I will part with what i have told and drilled into the minds of anyone I ever put a black belt on, and that is this ; No matter what title or belt you do not have, no matter what title or belt you do have, in the end the quality of your belt or title or anything is dependent upon your skill and ability. Can you apply your skills effectively and successfully versus resistance in the environments and scenarios you train in ? Can you actually functionally fight ? Will your skills save you life ? Next is what have you done to contribute to the world with your skills and ability ? What have you done to give back to others or a positive cause ? Things like this, in my eyes personally, give you true credibility. A man wearing a potato sack held together by a rope, whom is a master of himself and physical skills has more credence and legitimacy than someone with a title or black belt that cannot apply their skills, because that is useless.

- HM Hardy, The "Black Lion" Ultimate Lutalo