The American Martial Arts Institute is pleased to announce that after years of dedication and training, six individuals have tested for and earned new black belt ranks in American Eagle Style.  American Eagle Style is a traditional empty-hand martial art, and its students begin their training as white belts.  The length of time required for a student to earn the prestigious rank of black belt varies but is typically between 5 ½ to 8 years.  There are few distinctions in modern American society that take so long to achieve; therefore, many people believe that the rank of black belt is synonymous with the end of a journey.  This is not the case.  Instead, the rank of black belt indicates a new beginning of an American Eagle stylists training. 

In American Eagle Style there are ten levels of black belt that are referred to as degrees or Dan.  A first Dan wears a black belt.  Those who are second Dan or higher wear red tips on their belt to indicate their rank; for example, a fifth degree would wear five tips on the right side of his or her belt.  The only exceptions to this are the Grandmaster and Master for the style; these two individuals wear black belts with their names and titles embroidered into the belt.  To earn a new rank of black belt, the student tests before a panel of black belt judges lead by the Grandmaster.  There are testings for all levels of black belt with the exception of ninth and tenth degree.  Tenth degree is the highest level and denotes the Grandmaster.  Ninth degree is reserved for the successor of the Grandmaster; however, that successor tests for all other ranks.

Black belt testings in the American Martial Arts Institute evaluate the knowledge and skills of each individual candidate. Students are allowed to talk about their testing and achievement. Numerous areas are tested, and the areas emphasized and written examination change with each testing.

The testing lasted six hours and required the candidates to demonstrate punches, kicks, extension tools, basic forms, self-defense against empty-handed attackers, knives, and guns, takedowns, bagwork, board breaking, tumbling, ippon kumites, defensive hanza techniques, sparring against one, two, three, and four opponents simultaneously, oral questions and answers and, most importantly, the demonstration of up to 16 different katas or forms. Each candidate completed an intensive written examination that they were allowed 45 minutes to complete. 

Grandmaster Clifford C. Crandall headed the judging panel, Jr., which was composed of nine black belt instructors that included four titled instructors, and fifth and sixth dan instructors.

Keeping alive the importance of each black belt rank and the complexity of each level, the American Martial Arts Institute maintains the old guidelines of a minimum of two years between each black belt ranks, but this is used as more of a guide and may be longer to allow the student an opportunity to grow mentally and emotionally. The individual who is testing for second degree or higher has demonstrated that they can physically learn techniques and that they understand the concepts of what the school, style and philosophy are by the fact that they earned their first degree. The difficulty as the individual continues the road of being a black belt student of the arts is in the ability to put into practice as a part of their character and philosophy that which they have learned.

The individuals testing for second, third, and fourth degrees were required to demonstrate additional weapons forms and a wide variety of additional black belt katas from traditional Korean, Japanese, and Chinese styles as well as their American style.

Congratulations to these individuals and their instructors:

First Degree, Black Belt
Don Blowers

Second Degree, Black Belt
Stephanie Chard
John Tsou

Third Degree, Black Belt
Judy Merren

Fourth Degree, Black Belt
Marilyn Stalloch
Tim Stalloch

These individuals will receive their certificates at the next Ceremonial Black Belt Breakfast.