The major requirement for being admitted to higher A.S.P. ranks is active participation in A.S.P.A. affairs. Other requirements are:

1. Good moral character

2. Active participation in A.S.P. training and seminars

3. Active promotion of A.S.P., locally, nationally, or internationally

4. Competitive record of ANY type, either non-contact (Comsek), contact (free sparring, stick-footfighting), or give and take (kickboxing and grappling). This requirement applies to men under 60 and women under 55.

5. Teaching, or helping to teach A.S.P. and qualifying as an A.S.P. accredited instructor.

6. Successful examination on each particular program and selected techniques of all previous ones

7. Increased proficiency in free sparring against multiple opponents

8. Red Cross First Aid and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) certificates (desirable for up to BB VII A.S.P., required for higher ranks).

BLACK BELT IX, A.S.P THIS RANK IS AWARDED WHEN ALL PREVIOUS CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN MET AND THE CANDIDATE HAS GRADUATED FROM A.S.P.A. ACCREDITED COURSES IN THE FOLLOWING:

1. Orienteering (use of map and compass to find, set up, and follow a given course).

2. Wilderness Survival

3. Firearms Safety

ALL ABOVE SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS MAY BE STUDIED AND REQUIREMENTS FULFILLED AT ANY TIME DURING THE CANDIDATE S TRAINING FOR LOWER RANKS. EMPHASIS IS ON FORTUITOUS SITUATIONS WHICH DO NOT ARISE FROM DELIBERATE DECISIONS, SUCH AS GOING ON AN EXPLORATION OF THE AMAZON OR ANTARCTICA.

THE CANDIDATE IS NOT EXPECTED TO BECOME AN EXPERT IN THESE SPECIAL AREAS, BUT BECAUSE OF THEIR IMPORTANCE, HE IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP AN AWARENESS IN THEM. NATURALLY, THE MORE HE LEARNS, THE MORE HE WILL BENEFIT PERSONALLY. ACCREDITED COURSES INCLUDE THE RED CROSS, ARMED AND SPECIAL SERVICES TRAINING, GOVERNMENT SPONSORED PROGRAMS, AND SOME COMMERCIAL ONES.

RATIONALE: We are living in an uncertain and violent world. The usefulness of such knowledge for self-protection is self-evident. Because of many authoritative works in the required areas, we shall not deal with them here. Please refer to the bibliography for further reading.