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A black belt is a white belt that did not quit!

The Navy is run by chief petty officers. They are highly regarded and respected by both commissioned and non-commissioned officers. When a recruit enters the Navy, the first person he or she will probably deal with is a chief. Anywhere in the Navy, when sailors have a question, they are told to "Ask the chief!" For these reasons, most sailors aspire to becoming a chief someday.

Taekwondo is run by black belts. They are highly regarded and respected by all martial artists. When potential students enter a dojang, they immediately notice the black belts. When students have a question, they are told to "Ask the black belt!" For these reasons, most students aspire to becoming a black belt someday.

Black belts exemplify the virtues of Taekwondo and should be emulated by students. Black belts should be respected and should earn respect. Black belts are martial artists, but they are also leaders and teachers, whether they are aware of it or not.

Black belts are a repository of Taekwondo history, Taekwondo techniques, and the scientific reasoning behind the techniques. They understand why techniques are performed, why they are taught in the manner they are, and how they and others may improve upon technique execution, application, and instruction. 

Color belt students have the luxury of regular promotions with rather short intervals between them so they have a way to check on their progress and inspire themselves. Black belts have many months or even years between promotions so they have no easy way to judge their progress, so they must use self-motivation for inspiration.

Students watch black belts perform techniques to learn the proper way to perform techniques. If you are a black belt, you must always perform techniques properly, not matter how tired you are. Black belts should never just go through the motions of performing a technique or pattern; they must always execute techniques and patterns with precision, power, and enthusiasm. If you are not willing to do your best at every class, either return the black belt or do not come to class.

Students emulate black belts. They do not separate the black belt from the person, so, if they see a black belt outside the dojang, they see the person as a black belt, not as a regular person. Many times, black belts are noticed and watched by students outside the dojang without being aware they are being watched. This means black belts must exemplify the virtues of Taekwondo at all times. Black belts must practice what they preach, at all times, inside or outside the dojang. One false move at an unsuspected moment that is witnessed by a student may negatively affect the student's Taekwondo career and even his or her life. 

During his trial in 399 BC for being disrespectful by not keeping his opinions to himself, the Greek philosopher Socrates said he led "an examined life, "that everything he said or did was scrutinized because of his position in society. However, Socrates also said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." Being a black belt means you will be living an examined life, but, if you are up to the challenge, it will be worthwhile. Being a black belt is an awesome responsibility; if you are not ready to accept the responsibility, do not accept or keep the black belt.

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