Question 099: Certificate mills

So I "extensively" researched organizations and feel I personally belong to one of the best in the business (AIKIA/World Martial art Masters Association). What I am saying Ron is if you look and research around the country you will find that "higher dan grades" including many in Taekwondo where not given "in person" or necessarily from an organization in "direct teaching lineage.” You have implied this in your paper mill column as a means to look for credentials. This statement could actually offend many in Taekwondo who are well respected teachers! Unless a black belt came from a Chinese Sholin temple(as their credentials are as pure as spring water) the rest of us in the world have credentials that are in the "gray area". Why because somewhere in our lines someone got their credentials through correspondence or someone was self proclaimed in the past 80 yrs. Does that mean we are all invalid and only Chinese Kung Fu is the only valid system out there? Of course not but for those of us not in a Sholin temple other gauges should be used by students looking for a school to learn in. Some of these gauges but not all including should be the teachers integrity, possible tournament record, who gave them their black belt and if there initial black belt "Shodan" was "in person" and who their teacher was etc. Also what possible organizations one belongs to and finally what a teachers students say about them. This is what I feel are the true gauges of determining credentials outside a Sholin Temple!

I am going to send you an additional email about some organizations I have extensively researched (one in particular I belong to and why I do) I have graded these organizations accordingly from "A - F.” It looks like you are doing a great thing Ron with your TKD tutor.

I commend you on that. If you would like further input to help educate people around this country about organizations/credentials feel free to use some of things I spoke of in this email and or I would be more than happy to add more opinions/food for thought for your consideration