I have trained inthe arts for nearly 15 years and I have to some degree lost sight of the purpose of the training, Is it for rank, both nationally and worldly or is it for the ability to pass on the knowledge to others, or for self defense? I train to grow mentally and spiritually. I have no formal rank but I have been complimented by many instructors for my ability. I just wonder does rank really count? or Should I find an instructor to paper the pockets of these weirdos who uses Bruce's name to get a buck??
YOU COULD WRITE BOOKS ON YOUR QUESTIONS( TO MUCH TO ANSWER) TRAIN IF YOU WANT TO TRAIN. IF YOU WANT TO BE SOCIAL, GO TO A SCHOOL. NOW IN MODERN TIMES WITH COMPUTERS YOU CAN GET SELF DEFENCE DVD'S ON ANYTHING.
This is a tough question and one I think we all face. Coming from training where no rank has been used, I can say that I think that alone adds some sense of credibility but it also makes it hard to asses exactly what you have learned. Ranking systems should be used to describe hurdles that you have overcome. Instead it seems they are all about describing your skills to the uneducated.
Many people out there use artifical rankings so it isn't hard to go that route if you find it necessary. Most of them do it for selling points when it comes to their school. They want their students to brag to their friends that they are trained by a 3rd degree black belt who is better than a lower degree. We all know this isn't true in the overall picture. You can be a white belt in one style and still mop up the floor with black belts in that style...depends on what you know.
So I would say if rank is important to you then push for it. If you have gone 15 years without needing a rank then why change? If you are planning to start teaching then maybe you need to get some fluff for your bio. As an everday citizen and the weird way the legal system works, it could actually be in your best interest to have no rank. At least then if you hurt someone bad in real life self-defense your rank can't be used against you. I can totally relate to your question though, at some point you do feel like no rank means no dedication. You can't express your training in terms to the masses that they can relate to. Evaluate why a rank might be beneficial and then figure out how much of that is pure ego. I can't give a solid answer to the question but I can say that I would prefer to train with you over someone that has a black belt just because you are more likely to review the material without trying to prove your expertise. Ranks are fine until ego comes into play.
In Jett kune do there can be no rank. The only rank in my school is to look in my eyes when you bow. at first. Then not to when I think they are ready. T here is no kata! There is no right way. No way is way. But there are many wrong ways. Now I came from myself and spare with the fifth degree black belt who teaches four kinds of gung fu in my school. He is very good yet I have no rank and he can't make me turn from my right side ever. Rank is ok but not in JKD. How would you test? I have only one test in my teaching and that is my students test themselves. Editing themselves while moving or sparing. They are learning fast and love every second of it.