1. What is the MAC?
The USAT-Martial Arts Commission (MAC) is a not-for-profit corporation with over 300 Commissioner members in various membership categories:
1. Commissioner
2. Advisory Commissioner
3. Special Commissioner
4. International Commissioner
5. Instructor Commissioner
6. State Association
The MAC’s Chart of Organization, it’s Board of Directors, it’s Executive Council, and its history (substantiated by recorded minutes of official meetings) can be viewed elsewhere on the site. CLICK HERE
Martial Arts Commissions Activity is also posted on the USAT web site. CLICK HERE
2. How did the MAC come to be?
After the USTU was disbanded (2002), and during the adjustment period that occurred afterward with the USOC taking control of the NGB and reorganizing it into the USAT, the Korean pioneers were excluded. The Ohio Taekwondo Association and Taekwondo leaders took initiative action to bring the Korean pioneers of Taekwondo back to the organization, to preserve the history and their integrity and honor, and to bring the State Associations back under the umbrella of the USAT. The MAC (Martial Arts Commission) was born out of a settlement between USOC, USAT and OTA. In the process, the CEO of the USAT came to realize how beneficial this association with the Grandmasters was for the athletes and their families. See the
• history of the MAC CLICK HERE
• and its accomplishments since 2007 CLICK HERE
3. What is a “Commissioner”?
A Commissioner is an
a. officially recognized and inducted Taekwondo practitioner by USAT/MAC
b. who has reached 30 years of age
c. who has achieved the rank of 4th Dan by studying at a recognized school, under an recognized instructor as a member of an organization that is regarded as reputable by the USAT-MAC.
There are several Commissioner categories. See FAQ #1
4. How do I become a member, a Commissioner, of the MAC?
The membership categories are outlined in FAQ #1 above. Anyone who meets the criteria (CLICK HERE) can submit the online application (CLICK HERE). The application and accompanying credentials will be reviewed and evaluated by the MAC Membership Committee.
5. What is the function of a Commissioner?
The function of a Commissioner is to support and help grow the MAC, by participation, in any of the USAT and MAC’s activities as his/her individual qualifications and expertise may allow.
6. What are the obligations of a Commissioner?
A Commissioner is expected to
a. be a registered USAT member
b. support and participate in major event
c. promote the mission of USAT-MAC
d. recruit new experts for the USAT-MAC
It is expected that a Commissioner will contribute the same skill set and passion to the MAC that has brought him/her from White Belt to high Dan Rank and to success in the Martial Arts industry. Based on interests, available time, and skills a Commissioner may elect to participate, or be recruited to participate, in any of the many standing or ad hoc councils (committees) that accomplish the work of the MAC.
7. What is the term of a Commissioner?
There is no term for holding a “Commissionership” since “Commissioner” is a title recognized by the USAT and the MAC. A Commissioner’s status may be terminated in the event of an unethical finding. A Commissioner’s term of service on any Council is determined by the Code of Operations.
8. What is the relationship of the MAC to the USAT?
USAT-MAC was founded in 2007 as a special commission under the USAT, the National Governing Body (NGB) of Taekwondo under the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). USAT-MAC is now an official USAT Affiliate Organization under the USATUSAT-MAC was formed to support USAT with respect to the martial arts aspect of Taekwondo and in furtherance of its Olympic effort. bylaws like other affiliates such as the National Collegiate Taekwondo Association (NCTA) and the Armed Forces Sports (AFS).
The core projects of the MAC include:
a. Martial Art Curricula for holistic life style
b. National Level Dan Rank Certification
c. Instructor Training and Certification
d. USAT Referee & Judge Certification programs
e. Nationally accredited programs to assist Taekwondo schools meet high standards and to, therefore, maximize success
f. International exchange programs for cultural experience
g. Development of athletes and the sponsorship of championships
h. Furthering the goals of the USAT for the Olympic Movement
The relationship of the MAC to the USAT is further exemplified by the fact that the founder and current President of the MAC, GM Joon Pyo Choi, has been serving as the “Affiliate Organization Member” of the USAT Board of Directors since the beginning of 2009.
9. Who are the members of the Board of Directors?
The Martial Arts Commission (National level) is guided by a 21-member Board of Directors. Within the Board of Directors there is a 9 member Executive Council. For details CLICK HERE.
10. How does a MAC State Association get formed?
Historically, beginning in 2008, the MAC engaged in an effort to reestablish State Associations for USAT and MAC. That year 32 MAC State Associations were formed (Board of Directors Meeting, New Orleans US Open) with the approval of the CEO of the USAT for a period of one year. Today the Guidelines and the Application for establishing a MAC State Association are online. CLICK HERE
11. How does a MAC State Association get recognized by the USAT?
After approval by the MAC as a State Association, application is made for recognition as a USAT State Association. The application can be viewed elsewhere on this site. CLICK HERE
12. Can more than one State Association be recognized by the USAT at the same time?
Yes. There are some states which currently have 2 State Associations: a USAT State Association and a USAT-MAC State Association.
13. Why are 2 State Associations recognized?
Although both Associations have the same mission, namely, to support the goals of the USAT, each of the Associations supports a different aspect of those goals. The USAT State Associations function to support and develop athletic competition at the state, national and international levels. The USAT-MAC State Associations functions to support, not only athletic competition by working with the USAT State Association, but to support and develop the full scope of Taekwondo as a Martial Art. The USAT-MAC’s programs include all of those outlined in FAQ #4 above. This mutual support brings many benefits for students, for instructors who are operating schools, for State and National Organizations. The key concept is “SHARING”.
14. What are the benefits that State Associations bring to the nation’s students, families, instructors, schools, and organizations?
The key word is "OPPORTUNITY".
a. more opportunity for students to learn and to participate in USAT events
b. more events, and more kinds of events, in which to participate
c. where there are 2 Associations, they can collaborate and create a better experience for everyone
d. more experiences for referees, judges and coaches
e. more, and higher level, educational experiences for students and instructors
f. more cultural opportunities and the local, national and international levels
g. more opportunities for friendship and camaraderie
h. more opportunities to visit new places
i. more opportunities to have individual accomplishments recognized
j. more accomplishments held high as encouragement to other
k. more opportunity to bring all the individual benefits of Taekwondo practice to more people
l. more ...
15. What are the specific ways in which the MAC has been and will be of service to the USAT?
Since 2007, The MAC has been very active in many areas:
a. recruitment of Commissioners
b. establishing MAC State Associations
c. conducting poomsae seminars in conjunction with all USAT’s major events
d. conducting Dan Rank Promotion Tests in conjunction with all USAT’s major events
e. hosting the Kukkiwon to conduct Poomsae Seminar and for the first time ever to conduct Dan Rank Promotion Test in the U.S. for 1st through 7th Dan
f. conducting USAT/MAC State Championships to support both the USAT Jr. Olympics / Sr. National Championship and the annual MAC Expo
g. sponsoring the annual MAC Expo (2009 and 2010)
h. establishing the first ever USAT-MAC Demonstration Team. Learn more CLICK HERE
i. participating in Kukkiwon’s 2010 Hanmadang with USAT-MAC Demonstration – and took 3rd Place! See more CLICK HERE
16. How can my involvement with the MAC benefit my school?
The numbers are simple: as the number of quality programs increases, the overall number of participants increases, the number of new (or improved) quality programs trickle down to the schools, the more students are attracted to the school, the school develops and grows. The effect of that spreads outward and creates more opportunity. Visionary? Absolutely! How do we spell “visionary”? … “MAC”.
17. How can I keep up to date with what’s going on with the MAC?
The MAC has a constantly developing website at. CLICK HERE
You are encouraged to bookmark it and visit often. The MAC also publishes e-newsletters and e-bulletins on an as-needed basis and sends them to all subscribers. You can easily subscribe (and unsubscribe at any time).
CLICK HERE: Sign Up to Receive e-Newsletters & e-Bulletins
18. What is MAC’s Chronological History and Future Plan?
The history of MAC’s Activity can be viewed chronologically. CLICK HERE
The MAC Accomplishments for 2010 is posted on the web. CLICK HERE
The schedule for 2011 can also be viewed on the web. CLICK HERE
Major MAC Activities in 2011 (in addition to the already established schedule of events) will include
a. World Master Instructor Certification Seminar conducted by Kukkiwon – January 14-17, Anaheim CA, sanctioned by USAT, directed by MAC National, planned and conducted by MAC-California.
b. a continuing series of Grande Seminars (Business, Poomsae, Weapons Disarm, Gumdo, Kimoodo) at the major USAT and MAC national events leading to instructor, referee and judge certifications, new programs for MAC schools, new opportunities for taekwondo practitioners across the U.S.
c. continuing search for the best talent to represent the U.S. nationally and internationally in sparring, poomsae and hanmadang competitions.