Commanders’ course not changed after war
First IDF training course for regiment and company commanders in full swing, but little changes to program despite lessons from war in Lebanon. Brig.-Gen. Har-Even claims: War problems don’t apply to these echelons
“Whoever thought that after the war, we’d change the course 180 degrees, is mistaken. The problems discovered did not apply to these ranks,” Har-Even said.
The first training course following the war was hardly altered, despite the many lessons learned from the various inquiries after the war. The junior commanders training course still centers on doctrines of command and authority and the theories of battle. In addition, the program coaches physical fitness and field exercises.
So how did the war change the course? Har-Even explains: “We emphasize cooperation of branches, recognizing soldierly abilities, study sessions on the findings of the war inquiries, and we’ve included pilots among the course’s staff again.”
The officers did their first field exercise this week, in the freezing cold weather of northern Israel. The regiment commanders' mission was to navigate seven kilometers through complicated territory, while facing various challenges including enemy commando units, gunmen armed with anti-tank missiles, difficult terrain, command and control issues, and organizing soldierly configurations in real time – all the while operating in cooperation with army helicopters.
“The exercise was terrific,” Brig.-Gen. Har-Even summed up. “We have quite a few lessons and comments. That’s how we learn.”
Few changes
The course is attended by standing army and reserve commanders, and lasts three straight months. Soon the students will hold training exercises in the Golan Heights as well, as was done a few years ago, but in effect, despite the war and the difficult conclusions raised during inquiries into its failures, there are very few changes.
“Already during the war we checked the contents of our course and examined their relevance, and we concluded that we are teaching correctly, and therefore we didn’t find it necessary to revolutionize the course,” the officer explained.
“Our problems in the war did not have to do with regiment and company commander training, but rather with other issues less relevant at these echelons,” Har-Even said.
In March, the IDF is slated to head a continuing education course for brigade commanders, and according to Har-Even, more changes will be seen in that particular course directly resulting from lessons of the war.
