Interesting, Robert G; My understanding was that teh hwa rang were elite force (I guess almost like our special forces) my understanding (please see link) was that people were groomed for teh hwa rang not that is was an option. I think this is basically what you were said
http://www.vanooyen.org/taekwondo/un..._warriors.html
I think this is the type of like were you have to think and not believe everything you read. While I have never heard anyone state that hwa rang was a direct extension of the techniques of teh original hwa rang this article does.
http://www.allmartialarts.com/KIXCO/.../hwarangdo.htm
Anyway, just trying to get the right story Just curious