Ranks, and belt colors, are different from school to school, even within the same style of martial art. Cecil Sensei uses three kyu  level colors (white, green, brown), plus junior and adult dan, or black belt, levels. This is the same system that his instructor  Bill Shank uses. Other schools, even Isshinryu schools, have various other obi colors, such as yellow, orange, blue, purple, etc.  We don't promote students to a different color belt after each kata, like many schools do, so we don't use more than three kyu belt colors.

White Belt – A beginning student is a white belt. White belts are required to learn the Basics, the first four kata, basic self-defense techniques, and the history of Isshin ryu. They will begin to learn the principles of balance, footwork, breakfalls, and proper breathing. The white belt karateka will also get into good physical shape, as exercise is an important role in martial arts studies. A sense of discipline and tradition are also instilled into white belts, which will help their overall progression. 

Green Belt – Once a white belt is promoted to green belt rank, they continue to improve all the skills they learned as a beginner, but they are also responsible for learning several new kata. Green belts are expected to finesse their white belt kata, and their timing, speed, and accuracy should improve on their fighting techniques. They should deepen their intellectual understanding of karate as well, learning more of the history and possibly doing some reading of their own on martial arts or Eastern philosophy or culture. Green belts must know not only self-defense, but learn knife defense as well. Green belts also begin learning to use budo weapons.

Brown Belt – At this rank, the student is expected to perform their kata and Basics at a solid level of proficiency, as well as learning more advanced kata. They are expected to display respect and act honorably at all times, and they should know the history and self-defense exceptionally well. A brown belt will have developed power to go with their techniques, and should have good control of waza (techniques), weapons, and kata. They should have good breathing, balance, and footwork, and a developing sense of martial strategy. A brown belt is a candidate for black belt level, and as such is held up to fairly high standards.

Black Belt - Black belts are also referred to as "dan" students.  Dan means 'step' or 'level' in Japanese, and there are traditionally ten levels of black belt rank.

 A brown belt may be promoted to sho dan black belt, after which the student must show overall skill and finesse in their karate, and learn two more kata. There is a minimum of one year of further study before they may be tested for ni dan.

At ni dan, one learns the last Isshinryu kata, plus hones their karate skills even more. A minimum of two years further study is required to advance to the next rank.

The dan ranks higher than second level will generally only be earned by those who display exceptional technique, and a solid mental and spiritual grasp of the martial arts as well as physical ability. Higher ranks require greater dedication, time, effort, and continual growth and improvement. Often, requirements for high dan ranks include running a dojo or otherwise promoting the martial arts to the public, or in some way contributing to the karate community and bettering others’ progress as well as your own.