Achievement Awards

Achievements can be earned as people progress through the ranks. They are designed to mark accomplishments and show someone’s progression within a rank. With achievements that have changing requirements with rank, when the fighter progresses to the next rank, they will need to re-earn the award at the new rank (example: When a yellow sash successfully completes their test for brown, they will no longer have a sutra achievement because they now need to learn the new set of sutras.) Some achievements eventually fall off completely because the achievement is a simply expected for the new rank (example: A red sash is expected to teach classes, so the achievements for teaching are no longer available because that is part of what having a red sash means.) Testing is to occur once a month and individuals may attempt one achievement during the designated testing time. Tests that do not have a testing portion and the take-home tactics test may be completed and awarded at any time. Completing the achievements that are associated with testing requirements does not qualify the individual for their next rank, however field leadership will notice and consider when someone has completed these requirements. Individuals will need to complete the rank associated awards before testing for any of the rest.

Sutra Proficiency Award

Ranks: White, Yellow, Brown

Description: An award given for memorizing the sutras at a particular rank

Requirement: Tester must be able to quickly recite all of the sutras that they are required to know for the next rank in a random order determined by the test director without any errors

Form Proficiency Award

Ranks: All

Variation: The Eight, The Right-Handed Form

Description: An award given for precisely performing a weapon form

Requirement: Tester must perform the form at least twice with great precision and speed, without any stumbles or errors

Line Drill Proficiency Award

Ranks: White, Yellow, Brown, Purple, Orange

Description: An award given for performing line drills strongly and cleanly

Requirement: Tester must perform line drills sharply that they are required to know for the next rank

Tactical Proficiency Award

Ranks: White, Yellow, Brown, Purple, Orange

Description: An award given for completing the tactical exercise for their rank

Requirement: Tester must complete the tactical test that is required for the next rank

Helmet Proficiency Award

Ranks: White, Yellow, Brown

Description: An award given to those who demonstrate a proficiency fighting with a helmet

Requirement: Tester must fight ten rounds with an opponent chosen by the test conductor and demonstrate that using a helmet does not hinder their fighting effectiveness

Double Sword Proficiency Award

Ranks: All

Description: An award given to those who demonstrate proficiency fighting with two swords

Requirement: Tester must be able to perform twenty sets of dual wielding basic blocks and strikes without causing an error, demonstrate proper stances and forms with independent sword motion while fighting for a duration

*Note: Proper stances and forms include not letting swords tangle, using each sword for attacking and defending, the ability to set up combos

Sword & Shield Proficiency Award

Ranks: All

Description: An award given to those who demonstrate proficiency fighting with sword and shield

Requirement:

Spear Proficiency Award

Ranks: All

Description: An award given to those who demonstrate proficiency fighting with a spear

Requirement: Tester must be able to win a knight’s test when equipped with a spear against single sword opponents, demonstrate fighting while retreating rapidly, demonstrate proper control and power when attacking at a full run, and demonstrate the ability to defend when an opponent is in close

Bible Teaching Award

Ranks: White, Yellow, Brown, Purple, Orange

Description: An award given to those who have taught five bible lessons

Requirement: Put together five bible lessons on different topics and teach them to the group – No test is required

Fighting Teaching Award

Ranks: Brown, Purple, Orange

Description: An award given to those who have taught five weapon or tactics lessons

Requirement: Put together five fighting related lessons on different topics and teach them to the group – No test is required

Form Creation Award

Ranks: All

Description: An award given to someone who has created a teachable form

Requirement: Compose and demonstrate a form that may be incorporated into teaching that a blue sash approves – No test is required