Cho Dan Bo

Cho Dan Bo, which translates to First Degree Candidate, is the rank directly under black belt in Korean martial arts (i.e. - Taekwondo or Tang Soo Do).

In traditional Korean culture Cho Dan Bo was a black belt with a white stripe to signify the advent of black belt with the stripe removed which then became 1st Dan black belt. In Tang Soo Do the belt appears as a midnight blue belt. In the United States, this rank is generally given to those about to become black belts, or children that have risen to black belt level skill in their system but are not old enough to hold a black belt. There is traditionally a six month to a year waiting period before testing for Cho Dan, or first degree black belt.