First you have to understand that there is an extreme difference between a second level student, and a second level (dan?) instructor. If your friend has only been attending for two years it is more than likely he is a second level student. if he is a focused student and he takes his training seriously (considers it a matter of life or death) then it is possible he has achieved that level in just two years.

@ Shaeeck,

Although KM doesn't teach the philosophical or spiritual aspects of the Martial Arts it is derived from it is actually quite an extensive system with plenty to learn over ten or more years (minimum time to learn effective application in my opinion). To learn to execute the techniques effectively enough to use them in a survival setting takes as much discipline, and dedication, as learning proper practical application of techniques in TMAs. There is quite a lot to it when you get into all the various levels of learning. The farther you get into it the more advanced the techniques become and the longer it takes to advance to the following levels.

Edit:______________________________

Just so you know, rahul, Leo is absolutely clueless about what it takes to "master" Krav Maga.

Krav Maga is NOT a martial art. It is a self defense system which means it has far less to learn. It is not designed to be a complete art, it is designed to help a person escape a dangerous situation as quickly as possible. If that means kick someones knee out and run away then that is precisely what they will do. They get the job done and then move on.

Being that it is a self defense system rather than an art it means that you do not need to spend extended periods of time learning the structures of it. People training it for extended periods of time tend to be instructors or people just training to keep skills sharp rather than a continued advancement of knowledge.

I am very skeptical of people training in the system for a long period of time because it is more likely to be a mcdojo system trying to fleece people.

If you have a very good instructor, you can master Krav Maga in 3 to 6 months.

I am learning karate for over a decade now.. but still I am a 2nd dan. I know it does not matter what your rank is, what matters is how much you practice and dedicate yourself to the art. But a friend of mine started learning krav maga 2 yrs back and holds a 2nd dan! Is grading in krav maga so fast? Its a real tough art and very practical! So shouldn't it take more time to master??