TONG IL KWAN TANG SOO DO
RANK SYSTEM

As other martial arts, Tong Il Kwan Tang Soo Do has Rank System (Classification). The Classification consists of two levels: from 10th till 1st Geup are the students’ grades and from 1st till 10th Dan are the masters’ degrees.

Students’ grades are in ascending order:

	10th Geup – white belt;
	9th Geup – white belt with yellow stripe;
	8th Geup – yellow belt;
	7th Geup – yellow belt with green stripe;
	6th Geup – green belt;
	5th Geup – green belt with blue stripe;
	4th Geup – blue belt;
	3rd Geup – blue belt with red stripe;
	2nd Geup – red belt;
	1st Geup – red belt with one black stripe.

 At students’ grades, stripes of corresponding color must be from two sides of a belt. Also intermediate students’ grade “Pum” in addition applied. Pum-stripe of of corresponding color must be from one side of a belt and be the same color as Geup. The Pum can be awarded with a view of encouragement of the student.

At achievement of last students' grade – the 1st Geup, there are two subsequent steps before examination to the 1st Dan. These grades are:
 

	1st advanced Geup –   red belt with two black stripes;
	The Candidate to a black belt  –   red belt with three black stripes.

Tang Soo Do is not a sport in essence, it is martial art, and therefore the applicant for the 1st Dan should realize and experience deeply the value of this moment of the life.

At successful performance of high requirements of masters’ first degree, the 1st Dan will be awarded. This event is the certain boundary on the student’s way of his perfection. At the same time, this is only the beginning of his development as master, because the perfection is unlimited.

1st, 2nd and 3rd Dan can be awarded for a high technological level, moral perfection and achievements in sport. Owners of these degrees have a title "Kyo Sa Nim" ("Teacher").

Since 4th Dan, degrees can be awarded for presence of students – owners of black belts, methodical development, the organization of large events, the significant contribution to Tang Soo Do development. Owners of 4th–7th Dan have a title "Sa Bu Nim" ("Master").

Masters’ belts have black color; distinction of degrees of their owners is underlined by quantity of golden stripes on the one side of a belt. Since 8th Dan, a black belt can be with red continuous stripe in the center of a belt, thus golden stripes are not applied. Belts with a red continuous strip usually use at the official style events. Owners of 8th–9th Dan have a title "Keo Jang Nim" ("Grandmaster"), and the owner of 10th Dan have a title "Do Ju Nim" ("Keeper of the way", "Founder").

	1st Dan – black belt with one golden stripe;
	2nd Dan – black belt with two golden stripes;
	3rd Dan – black belt with three golden stripes;
	4th Dan – black belt with four golden stripes;
	5th Dan – black belt with five golden stripes;
	6th Dan – black belt with six golden stripes;
	7th Dan – black belt with seven golden stripes;
	8th Dan – black belt with eight golden stripes                     or black belt with red stripe;
	9th Dan – black belt with nine golden stripes                     or black belt with red stripe;
	10th Dan – black belt with ten golden stripes                       or black belt with red stripe.