With the attention and momentum martial arts has gained in America, more people are seeking training in programs, such as karate, taekwondo and mixed martial arts. Martial arts has also been integrated into U.S. military training programs, such as Marine Corps training, which now sets a higher standard for combat readiness, according to Marine Times. The green belt level of training has great significance in many forms of martial arts, as it typically signifies a state of preparedness beyond the basics.
Belt Systems
The belt system in martial arts is used to indicate the training level and proven competence of practitioners. After World War II, Japanese karate students began dying their belts to demonstrate their expertise, mostly due to a bad after-war economy, says All-Karate.com. They found a cheap way to indicate skill level by changing belt colors with progressively darker dye. However, another theory based on folklore explains that the tradition of graduating colors is based on ancient karate warrior "fashion" and warriors not washing their dirty belts, adds All-Karate.com. The karate founder's belts became dirtier as they gained experience. In taekwondo practice, belt colors not only represent a level of competence but also "reflect an inner journey that never truly ends," says the American Taekwondo Association. In most types of martial arts programs, the white belt is the beginner's belt, and belt color progresses from lighter to darker colors as you gain skill and prove your ability.
Karate
Typical Karate belt levels are white, yellow, green, brown and black, but in some karate styles and schools, the series is a bit different --- white, yellow, orange, green, blue, brown, black. Most reputable martial arts instructors will tell you that time spent training does not automatically qualify you for a belt, says the ATA. What matters is skill level. After you've successfully earned preliminary belts in karate, at least white and yellow typically, you can begin training for the green belt. While you are taught skills, such as stability, fluidity, adaptability and assertion during initial training, you're taught more advanced skills, including sensitivity and emotion, during green belt training, according to Hilton Karate. The green belt represents maturity and inward reflection, and emphasis is placed on helping others. You also must master action names and their meanings.
Taekwondo
In taekwondo, belt colors typically progress through white, orange, yellow, camouflage, green, purple, blue, brown, red, red/black and black, according to the ATA. To graduate to a higher belt level, students must exhibit proficiency in essential belt techniques for their current belt level, such as fundamental moves, sparring and form, says the ATA. The green belt represents development and growth in strength and power, which is symbolized by a growing pine tree in taekwondo philosophy, according to ATA. Green belt components include developing basic techniques that work in harmony.
Marine Corps
The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program teaches a version of mixed martial arts and combines its MMA techniques with armed forces combat methods. Development of mental and character disciplines is also emphasized, and recruits study the culture and history of martial arts, according to Marines.com. The MCMAP involves a belt-ranking system made up of five levels --- tan, gray, green, brown and black. The third level of achievement --- the green belt --- may soon be a requirement for every marine pending official Marine Corps approval, according to the Marine Times. However, according to Lt. Gen. George Flynn, deputy commandant for Combat Development and Integration, a reevaluation of the whole Corps Combat Conditioning Program has indefinitely postponed revisions to the MCMAP, reports the Marine Times in a subsequent article in June 2010. Marine recruits already are required to complete the lowest belt level of tan, but a green belt is a prerequisite for MCMAP instructor training and a requirement of all infantrymen, according to Marines.com.
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