A Combatives Belt must mean one thing: the man wearing it is a man you want beside you in a fight.

Warriors have always earned the trust of their comrades through deeds. Combatives University applies that principle to promotion. Candidates present evidence of their abilities to the Guild of Combatives Black Belts and earn the rank those abilities warrant.

Deeds of Arms

A Combatives belt is not awarded for attendance, time served, or the performance of memorized techniques with a compliant partner. It represents ability demonstrated under standards established by the Guild:

• Fighting ability is proved through submission grappling and mixed martial arts competition against real opponents.

• Shooting ability is proved through action shooting competition, including organizations such as USPSA and IDPA.

• Strength is proved by meeting powerlifting standards.

• Trauma medicine is proved through completion of training events that meet the Guild’s standards.

These are ways to establish ability, not a demand that every candidate follow an identical path. Representatives of the Black Belt Guild will work with candidates to evaluate credible evidence, including past tournament victories, qualifications, alternative lifts, and other documented accomplishments. What matters is whether the evidence proves the required abilities.

A real standard

The purpose is to recognize capable warriors, not to exclude people for its own sake. But a standard is real only if some people do not meet it. There will be no honorary promotions, no charity promotions, and no paper tigers.

Candidates progress through Grey, Green, Brown, and Black Belt in order. Certified Combatives Black Belts may personally promote their students to Grey and Green Belt. Other candidates pursue those ranks through Combatives University. All Brown and Black Belt candidates must meet the requirements through the University.

A Combatives Black Belt is the man you want next to you in a fight. He has proved that he can fight, shoot, meet demanding physical standards, and care for the wounded. That is what the rank means.

Study the requirements. Do the work. Prove it through deeds.

Deeds of Arms
Matt Larsen