Question 099: Certificate mills

I came across your web site by accident and got to reading it and was "quite amused" by some of the things you had to write. Although I agree whole heartedly about "some" of the things you had to say about "certificate mills" as there are 100s out there who are quite fraudulent, most likely are not even black belts, live in a trailer etc. "I do not agree" that "all organizations" are money hungry paper mill organizations as you seem to imply!? To name a few: USA Karate Association, AIKIA /World Masters Association which is run by Jerry Beasley who he is a PHD who teaches Martial arts at Radford University in VA, he puts on Karate college every year. Joe Lewis, Bill Wallace, and Renzo Gracie are involved with and support that organization...say no more! These are organizations I belong to ..why.. well the founder of my style died, my teacher moved away and I no one to advance with. I was a well respected 3rd dan who was a top fighter around New England but earned higher grade in rank with the help of these organizations. And believe me it did not cost me to get rank..testing was free..and the first few times I failed and they worked with me to move forward. They also support my students and give them a good sense of credentials.