[Gozmand]

It would be nice if the community would welcome new kendoka instead of trying to drive them off. I may not have asked the question, but it was not without interest to me, and I appreciated seeing it asked... and answered. My thanks to the questioner, and those who responded with information.

Ichimaru-san, though I may be wrong, I presume that the statement about grade school was related to school kendo clubs in Japan. I am under the impression that at least some middle schools in Japan have kendo clubs associated with them, and that they do kyu testing. I am likewise under the impression that the majority of AUSKF clubs do not. As others have stated, unlike some other Japanese martial arts practiced in the united states, although the same terminology is used (Kyu / Dan), colored belts are not awarded, and there is no way other than relative skill to determine which practitioners in your dojo "rank" others.

In kendo, if you are goal-oriented, you will have to find other ways to motivate yourself; other goals to set. Good luck in your study of the way of the sword!