Photos: The Final Challenge of a Paratrooper in Training
At the end of the gruesome eight month training, the recruits of the IDF’s Paratroopers Brigade have to complete their final challenge. Before the recruits will be fully fledged soldiers of the Paratrooper’s Brigade they have to finish their ‘Masa Kumta’, which translates to ‘Beret March’. This is an all night 90km march in full gear, through any kind of weather, at the end of which the young Paratroopers receive their red berets. This signifies the end of their training and full admission to the active forces of the Paratrooper’s Brigade.
21.02.12
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The recruits began their journey in the evening and will continue their trek throughout the entire night. After several hours of heavy marching, fatigue starts setting in as the sun slowly rises.
Undeterred by the pain they feel, the soon to be Paratroopers push on, still in full gear and with their weapons.
As the soldiers become increasingly tired, they help each other out following the spirit of the IDF – never to leave a man behind.
After many hard hours of marching, the soldiers get closer to their destination – Jerusalem. They will finish the last kilometers of their march in urban terrain.
So close to the finish line. The commanders stop the soldiers, but not for a break. Nothing gets your tired body going like doing pushups in full combat gear.
Now that the recruits have arrived at their destination, they can finally get some much deserved rest and get cleaned up for the ceremony that is soon to follow.
This is what it was all for. After eight longs months of training and a brutal 90km march, the young Paratroopers wear their red berets with pride.
One last check from the soldiers commander and now it is finally time to celebrate.
Congratulations!! These brave men are now proud members of the IDF’s Paratroopers Brigade and will work very hard to protect their country.
