How does one become a national master? Does he just need to hit the rating of 2200 in the USCF or what else must be done besides this?
You need to have an established rating (based on 26 or more games) of 2200 or higher.
So, is that “highest ever rating achieved”? Or does the title come and go as the rating changes?
This is one of those issues that comes up from time to time.
Someone who achieves a 2200 rating has earned the Master title, but if that person’s rating drops below 2200 is that person still entitled to call himself or herself a Master or is ‘former Master’ more appropriate?
Let the discussion begin anew.
Just one more reason to earn the Original Life Master title. RIP Jerry!
Oohh. Does this mean I have to change my name and relocate in the middle of the night (again) because I whacked another hornet’s nest? 
Probably. We wasted an inordinate amount of time on at least two occasions arguing whether “master” was a descriptive term for one currently holding a rating of 2200+, or a lifetime title earned by once achieving a rating of 2200+. Let’s not do it again.
Someone should dig up the old thread(s) and bump them to the top.
Good idea. 'Cause I like my current identity and location. 
I’m fairly new to the forums and had no idea I was slicing open old wounds. Please forgive my natural inquisitiveness.
I found one of the old threads and reactivated it, it’s in the USCF Issues forum.
Some of the players I know whose rating have fallen below 2200 don’t call themselves masters. They also have no shame in collecting Expert prizes. 
Recently, some young players noting that I was on my floor rating of 2200, called me an “old dinosaur” and figured I would be an easy prey. After I won my games I looked over at the sad young faces and said, “I may be an old dinosaur, but I’m still a T. Rex.” 
Way to go! Beat them while they are young! Kids have to learn respect.
I see all these youngsters over 1700 at the Marshall and the Westfield Y CC playing adults. It only offers a bright future for American chess, and USCF.
During the NJ JHS Championship, and old friend, a master, came by and sat down with me and my kids between rounds. His son was playing in the event.
The two of us were showing off some positions; my kids were amazed.
Just before he left, I asked him how many years have we known each other. He said at least 35 years. The kids were even more impressed!
All the best, Joe Lux
I remember one old master saying that you have to win early and often against up and coming kids. Why? So they won’t publish their wins against you.
You can always hang in there, and outplay them in the endgame.
All the best, Joe
Joe, that used to be the case. The conventional wisdom has always been to get kids into the endgame as the best chance. The little wizards have quicker and sharper memories for the latest opening theory. They can memorize dozens of pages of "book.’ In the past, this was at the expense of studying the endgame. But the newest top kids are taking advantage of the endgame software and getting better faster and earlier. Alas, our advantage in experience and “wisdom” all too often is getting outgunned. A new generation is upon us; I hope they learn sportsmanship and respect along with how to play the English Attack of the Najdorf Sicilian.