When students join Brandywine Martial Arts Academy, they are registered with the World Tang Soo Do Association. Members receive an association manual which explains the history of Tang Soo Do, rules of behavior, testing requirements, terminology, etc. Members also receive an association identification card which serves as their training transcript.

The World Tang Soo Do Association is an international organization with studios on six continents. Color belt membership is a lifetime membership as long as the student remains active in the association. The identification card is honored by all studios in the association. This way, if students move during their color belt training period, they may join a World Tang Soo Do Association school in their new location at their current ranking.

Registration in the association is handled by Brandywine Martial Arts Academy at the time that the student registers for classes with Brandywine Martial Arts Academy.

You may attend a few classes to evaluate training, association requirements, and instructors. If you wish to join the association and school following the evaluation period, instructors will assist you with the necessary paper work.

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All classes will begin the same way, according to World Tang Soo Do Assocation protocol. Students should arrive at least 15 minutes early, to warm-up and to help prepare the dojang for training. The class will line up at the scheduled time and begin group warm-ups. After completion of warm-ups, the class instructor will call the group to attention and opening ceremonies will commence. All Gup students should practice opening and closing class, you will all have a chance to try.

The majority of the class will be learning and practicing all basic Tang Soo Do techniques, which include:

• Basic techniques: Stances, kicking techniques, hand techniques, and blocks
• Self-defense techniques: Hap Ki Do techniques used to defend against grabs and attacks
• Hyungs (forms): Predetermined sequential moves against imaginary attackers
• One-step sparring: 30 predetermined counter attacks, practiced with a partner

Classes will end with the students lining up and completion of the closing ceremonies. All students should "pitch in" to help clean up the training equipment.

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This system offers a gradual advance through the seasons and abilities until black belt. For each belt, white through red, the ranks have an additional stripe that is applied to the belt. For the ranks of Green, Brown and Red Belts, trim should be put on the uniform.

The Gup Belt system is as follows:

Gup	Belt	Uniform	Minimum Time
10th	White	No trim	Beginner
9th	White - Black Stripe	No trim	6 Weeks
8th	Orange	No trim	3 Months
7th	Orange with White stripe	No trim	4 Months
6th	Green	Green trim.	6 Months
5th	Green with White stripe	Green trim	9 Months
4th	Brown	Brown trim	12 Months
3rd	Brown with White stripe	Brown trim	15 Months
2nd	Red	Red trim	18 Months
1st	Red with White stripe	Red trim	21 Months

The test after 1st Gup is for Cho Dan Bo, Candidate for Black Belt. Upon successful completion of the requirements for Cho Dan Bo, the student will test for and receive a Blue Belt. There is no trim on the uniform.

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Gup, or Color Belt, Testings will be held about every three to four months. These events may feature visiting instructors and students.

A Gup test consists of two parts, written/verbal and physical. The written test may be given before the date of the physical test. The date of testing will be announced well in advance so that proper preparations can be made. On the day of the test, the physical test will be run before a panel of one or more examiners. The candidates may be called upon to answer questions on any area of their ranks requirements at the examiners discretion. The physical test includes warm up, basic/advanced drill, hyungs, self defense, sparring, breaking, and any other requirements. These tests are designed to "test" the current knowledge of the student, not to teach them new techniques.

Details for testing and proper test protocol will be explained to the eligible student. A handout will describe all fees and paperwork due prior to the testing date, as well as what is expected of the student on the day of the test. Guest Instructors and Students from other studios may be invited to the test. Therefore, it is important that proper protocol is followed at all times.

Dan tests are held twice a year. These test dates are set by World Headquarters. The testing is run by the Region #8 Masters and is overseen by Grandmaster Jae C. Shin. Black Belt tests are very intense and challenge the ability of the student. To achieve Black Belt takes approximately four years of continuous training. The details of the requirements of this test will be explained to eligible students.

Remember, when testing through the ranks and eventually to black belt, the goal is not the belt, but the proficiency in techniques that is achieved. The belt is worn around the waist, but it is what is in your heart that matters. If you have any questions about your progress, please ask your instructor.

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