Ten Field intelligence officers participate in an intensive two week commando course, modeled off of a U.S. Marine Corps exercise, enhancing their combat skills
Date: 29/07/2012, 8:07 PM
Author: Bamahane Magazine
The Field Intelligence Corps selected ten exceptional officers to participate in a special, intensive commando course, held for the first time ever during the past two weeks.
The purpose of the course is to have officers cope with different drastic scenarios, operating in difficult field conditions and with very little sleep. During the course, the officers trained all across the country, quickly becoming familiarized with each region, and immediately carrying out complex missions.
“The missions mostly include spending long hours in the field while coping with mock enemies,” explained commander of the course, Cpt. Meni Abramov. “The officers walked a total of 80 kilometers during the course, successfully completing an intelligence gathering mission every time they arrive at a destination,” added Cpt. Abramov. “This course advances each participating commander and teaches him or her a great deal. We plan to hold a commando course every eight months.”
Chief Filed Intelligence Officer, Brig.Gen. Eli Pollack launched the idea to hold a commando training exercise after a visit to the United States where he attended a U.S. Marine Corps drill. Following this model, the course is intensive, physically demanding and tests restraint, since the participants are unaware of their next challenge, enhancing the soldiers’ combat skills.
“The course doesn’t teach the officers new professional skills, but rather forces them to deal with highly difficult missions,” explained one of the officers participating in the course. “You must always be focused, even after navigating for hours and carrying heavy weights, there’s a mission you must complete. These aren’t simple tasks, especially considering the field conditions and intensively of the training. You prepare for the mission during the day, and operate during the night- and must still find the energy to keep going.”