Common Questions About
The U.S. Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation®
The U.S. Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation®
National Member Headquarters
P.O. Box 154
Springfield, New Jersey 07081
(888) SOO-BAHK
(973) 467-5716 fax
headquarters@soobahkdo.com
http://www.soobahkdo.com/
http://soobahkdo.editme.com/
What are the protected trademarks and service marks of the U.S. Federation and the Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Martial art system?
http://soobahkdo.editme.com/TrademarksAndLogosPublic
What is required to become a Federation Member?
Individual Dan or Gup membership is available to all qualified member applicants who wish to train under the guidance of a Certified Instructor operating a Certified Studio in the Federation. If you are an instructor who intends to teach others, you will also need to obtain an Instructor Certification Study Kit to use in preparation for Instructor Certification (Kyo Sa or Sa Bom) so that you may be legally authorized to engage in the instruction of Grandmaster Hwang Kee's proprietary martial art system known as Soo Bahk Do® Moo Duk Kwan®. If you plan to teach commercially, then you will also need to apply for Studio Certification. One of the purposes of the Federation and one of the primary responsibilities of it's members is to adhere to the standardized techniques, philosophy and rank requirements that the founder of our art, Grandmaster Hwan Kee, has established. The requirements for each level of involvement in the Federation are clearly specified in the respective applications.
What is the first step I should take to become a Federation Member?
You should contact the closest Certified Instructor or a Regional Examiner in your geographical area and familiarize them with your history and establish a relationship with them. Simultaneously, you should apply for Federation membership by downloading membership application forms from http://www.soobahkdo.com/ or your instructor of choice or the Regional Examiner can provide them for you. If you have had previous martial arts training, it is helpful to prepare a typed resume of documentation of your training history by listing your previous instructors, ranks achieved (include copies of certificates), indicate any past or present membership in other Martial art organizations and summarize your motivation for seeking Federation membership. After your initial visit with a Certified Instructor or a Regional Examiner, they will advise you about how to proceed and can furnish you with a membership application and/or Studio "Announcement of Intent" forms when necessary. You should then submit the following items to Headquarters at the address on this brochure when you choose to apply for Federation membership.
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Training history documentation
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Completed Application for Gup or Dan membership
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Completed Order Form for an Instructor certification Study Kit
(only necessary if you plan to seek Instructor certification Jo Kyo, Kyo Sa, Sa Bom)
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Completed "Announcement of Intent" form
(only necessary if you plan to operate a studio)
What happens next?
If you are a student seeking the guidance of a Certified Instructor, the one you choose will explain the training program to you and with your paid Federation membership you will receive a copy of the "Manual for Gups" or "Manual for Dans" which lists all standardized techniques required to rank advancement. If you are a Dan and an Instructor or Studio Owner, you will be expected to demonstrate your initiative and dedication over a period of time while you are becoming technically and philosophically standardized. The length of time required to achieve standardization and receive certification depends on your motivation and active participation in the training opportunities available to you.
During your communication with your Certified Instructor of choice or the Regional Examiner, they will inform you of the training opportunities which will be available to you so you can pursue technical and philosophical standardization. These may be Regional, National, or privately scheduled events. If you operate a studio, the length of time required also depends on how long it takes for your students to become technically standardized before they can be rank certified. The rank certification that you and/or your students plan to apply for may also affect the membership and rank certification fees that will be incurred. The Certified Instructor you choose as your personal instructor or a Regional Examiner will help guide you and evaluate your progress.
What happens during the "standardization" period?
You should have already applied for Federation membership as you begin your standardization period. Membership application forms can be downloaded from http://www.soobahkdo.com/.
If you are a student, your enrollment at a Certified Studio under a Certified Instructor will provide you with the opportunity to begin pursuing your training immediately in their studio. If you are an Instructor or a Studio Owner, your application for individual membership will usually be approved on a conditional basis provided your students are registered as Federation members and that you are diligently proceeding to become standardized as agreed upon. You will be permitted to attend and participate in Federation events so that you can demonstrate your dedication and intentions. If you currently instruct others or intend to do so in the future, you will need to begin educating yourself in the areas that will be evaluated when you apply for "Kyo Sa" or Sa Bom" Instructor Certification and if you already operate, or plan to operate a studio, you will need to file an "Announcement of Intent" and "Application For Studio Certification" with Headquarters so that an inspection visit can be scheduled with a Regional Examiner, Special provisions will usually be made for your students to be considered for rank promotions and certifications during this probationary period. The level of rank that you and/or your students initially chose to apply for may affect the initial membership and/or certification fees that are incurred. Your Certified Instructor or a Regional Examiner will help guide you in this area or you may call National Member Headquarters with specific questions at (888)_ SOO-BAHK. Your official Studio Certification will not be issued until a later date when all requirements have been satisfactorily fulfilled.
Will my current rank be recognized?
The answer to this question depends on a variety of factors. If you are transferring from another style, your experience in Soo Bahk Do "Moo Duk Kwan" does not yet exist, so you may need to begin at a lower rank and then progress toward your desired rank just as other Federation Members do. If you have previous Tang Soo Do or Soo Bahk Do "Moo Duk Kwan" experience, special circumstances may apply and your personal instructor or Regional examiner will advise you as you proceed with the Federation membership application process. The level of rank that you and/or your students initially chose to apply for when transferring into the Federation may affect the initial membership and/or certification fees that are incurred.
When will I be eligible to advance in rank?
If you are a student, your Certified Instructor will provide you with opportunities to advance in rank when you have fulfilled the minimum time requirements as specified in the "Manual For Gups" or "Manual for Dans" and have demonstrated satisfactory technical skill to achieve your next rank. You will be expected to meet all requirements as set forth by Grandmaster Hwang Kee and the Technical Advisory Committee for each rank. You will be recommended by your personal Instructor or Regional Examiner for rank advancement as you fulfill the necessary requirements. If you are a 1st, 2nd or 3rd Dan then you must have the recommendation of your personal Instructor, the supervising Instructor who is working with you or a Regional Examiner who has worked with you to help you achieve standardization before you will be eligible to appear before a Regional Testing Board at semi-annual Dan Tests. Your participation, skill level and general preparedness will be evaluated before you are recommended to test. Ranks up to and including 3rd Dan can be recommended by Regional Testing Boards at the Regional level, but 4th Dan or above is only available to those who are invited to attend, and successfully complete, the week-long Ko Dan Ja test held under the direct authority of Grandmaster Hwang Kee in Springfield, New Jersey once each year. If you are a studio owner you will also need to fulfill all the requirements for Studio certification.
When will I be eligible for Instructor Certification?
You will be expected to meet all the requirements as set forth by grandmaster Hwang Kee and the Technical Advisory Committee and the Board of Directors for (Jo Kyo or Kyo Sa or Sa Bom) Instructor Certification and you must have the recommendation of your personal certified Instructor, the supervising Instructor who has worked with you or a Regional Examiner who has worked with you to help you achieve standardization before you will be eligible to appear before a Regional Testing Board at the semi-annual Dan Tests. You participation, skill level and general preparedness will be evaluated before you are recommended. "Kyo Sa" certification can be recommended by Regional Testing Boards or you may test at the annual Moment With The Masters test conducted by the Technical Advisory Committee. "Sam Bom" certification requires you receive an invitation to attend, and successfully complete, the week-long Ko Dan Ja test held annually at a location specified by the Technical Advisory Committee.
When will my studio be eligible for Certification?
Your studio will be expected to meet all requirements as set forth by the Technical Advisory Committee and the Board of Directors for a location that is legally authorized to offer instruction in Grand Master Hwang Kee's Soo Bahk Do® Moo Duk Kwan® martial art system. Your studio facility must meet certain criteria and pass the Regional Examiner's inspection and you must be properly certified as an Instructor of "Kyo Sa" or "Sa Bom" status with a current membership in the Federation. Your Studio Certification may be issued on a pending basis, providing that a Certified Instructor or the Regional Examiner assumes responsibility for assisting you until your fulfill all the requirements for Studio Certification.
What else should I know about the Federation?
As a member, and even more so as an instructor, you should be familiar with the Mission and chartered purposes of the Federation, the benefits of membership, how the Federation is structured administratively and how it's activity is administered by the Technical Advisory /Committee and the Board of Directors. You can find more information in the "Manual for Gups" or "Manual for Dans" and the "Charter and By-laws" of the Federation or you may contract your Region's elected Board Member, a Regional Examiner or Headquarters with any questions you may have. You may also activate a free account on the Federation's collaboration wiki http://soobahkdo.editme.com/ and access other valuable information and resources at http://www.soobahkdo.com/
What are the costs related to membership in the Federation?
As a national non-profit organization whose primary purpose is promoting the study of our martial art, and working toward World Peace by improving human relationships through the study of our art, our priorities are on insuring you enjoy the most rewarding and productive training experience possible during your study. The Federation offers a warm and carting family of fellow martial artists who all have a common bond and mission through Grandmaster Hwang Kee and his Soo Bahk Do® Moo Duk Kwan® martial art system. Please refer to the Schedule of Federation Fees that support pursuit of the Federation's chartered 501c(4) non-profit purposes. The individual fees for each Dan rank certification application and Kyo Sa certification application will be furnished to you by your Certified Instructor or the Regional Testing Board. If you become a Certified Studio Owner, you will also have access to additional support services and other special benefits reserved for Certified instructors operating Certified Studios.
What information is available through the Federation?
In addition to premiere technical training and guidance, educational text books, DVDS, Videos, and other materials are also available to enhance your study. Our order form lists the official publications and other educational items available.
Primary educational texts are listed on the order form and a number of other items are also available including companion videos, DVDs, terminology audio cassettes, flags and photos. Please contact Headquarters for complete list.
Federation members are entitled to substantial discounts on many products which may be ordered as indicated on the order form.
We hope this answers most of your questions about the Federation and that you will make application to pursue membership in the Federation. "There is Only One Moo Duk Kwan" and we welcome all serious students to join our worldwide brotherhood. If you need further assistance please contact National Member Headquarters.
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