The use of the belt system to develop the skills necessary to master the art of Tang-Soo-Do serves many purposes. It establishes a chain of command, and with rank, the level of authority and responsibility increases and the student learns to accept and properly use them. The most obvious feature of the belt system is that it provides an instantly visible record of a students progress. The different colored belts represent goals that have been set and achieved. Once a new rank is reached you will feel a sense of accomplishment and you can set your sights on a new goal with renewed enthusiasm.
At each belt level stripes are earned that mark your level within that belt. Yellow thru brown have two stripes, red has three and a black belt has nine stripes, called degrees. Ninth degree is the highest rank a student can obtain. The tenth degree is reserved for the founder of the organization. This rank may be passed on to the apprentice of his choice should he step down. In the event of his death without the passing of this rank the rank shall be retired with him.
| BELT COLOR | RANK |
| NO BELT | 10 (grade) |
| WHITE | 9 (grade) |
| YELLOW | 8 (grade) |
| ORANGE | 7 (grade) |
| GREEN | 6 (grade) |
| BLUE | 5 (grade) |
| PURPLE | 4 (grade) |
| BROWN | 3 (grade) |
| RED | 2 (grade) |
| RED | 1 (grade) |