Joel asked: "So do you basically have to make a decision between training higher levels and training to be an instructor? I don't mean exclusively, but with most of the emphasis on that particular area?"

No actually you have to make the choice to really work on advancing your own training and to also undertake the instructor mentorship both at the same time.

The reality is you are taking a larger burden and have to work much harder, just as I do having to mentor the individual and work on their overall progress too.

My students don't pay for instruction (none of them), and the responsibility to teach rests with the instructor, never the dan student. Taking on teaching is a choice they make and work towards.

Being an instructor is not a reward, it is an obligation for the future of our art.

In turn when one becomes an instructor they were a black belt with a red and white stripe on one side. The red and white stripe is on the inside and is almost unseen. Not for recognition, but to remember the obligation of teaching each time one dons the obi.

I like how you put it: "...an obligation for the future of our art".

In many ways, the investment in mentorship is an investment in the future. As such, it is not something to be taken casually or lightly.

An "internship" with a good teacher would be ideal. However, the reality is, there are few teachers like Mr Smith who teach, and mentor, for no money.

For some, the reality may be having to fork out money in one way or another to obtain (dan) ranking and/or certification (either nationally or internationally recognized, or whether it is industry specific or not, e.g. a sports coaching degree - with or without a martial arts specialization component).

In Australia, there are a number of what we call "Registered Training Organizations" (RTOs) which will provide nationally recognized training and certification in a vocation or industry "recognized" qualification. One can obtain "recognized qualifications" in the Martial Arts "Industry" and associated professions.

(The "Industry" Association exists to protect the "consumer" from "charlatans" and to provide "insurance" for the legitimate "business" operator).

This is only one type of qualification. There is also a National Coaching Accrediation Scheme (NCAS) which will provide you with a sports coaching certification/diploma qualification (3 levels), which is much broader in it's application. i.e. with an NCAS Level 1, you could be coaching the women's netball team at the next Olympics.

How do people feel about these as alternatives to the ideal (let's use Victor's example for the moment)?