+1
The way it works for me is everytime I win a (credible)tourney I get a stripe. So when im injured I don't really get promoted even if im progressing, but oh well. I think it's a pretty fair, unbiased system considering I use a different system. You def earn it where I'm at.
16 is a good mandatory age. There will always be exceptions, but do your time. I could probably of driven fine when I was 13 or 14. I still wouldnt want my ass on the road.
I don't give stripes but allow affiliates to do so. If my students actually wore their belts then stripes would make sense, but to me, just the belts alone are good enough.
I promote based on consistency, knowledge of the system, loyalty and who you are submitting and who is submitting you. Just train hard and try to learn as much as possible and the promotions will come eventually :)
I stripe now, I have a place on the shirts where we fill in black boxes. It helps me keep track of students progress.
Promotion had to do with the individual and their abilities