News
Non-combat soldiers to start working up a sweat
Yoav Zitun
Published: 27.07.12, 15:03
Comment Comment
Print comment Print comment
Back to article
15 Talkbacks for this article
1. could someone clarify...
Gabriel ,   Leiden, Netherlands   (07.27.12)
''Recruits faced with Rifleman 02 level training can expect a three kilometer march in the field, at least two nights of field training and sleeping rough with the platoon.'' I guess I am reading it wrong but is the above in total? I mean, even for non-combat troops....We did more in boyscouts. That said, combat troops or non-combat troops, what on earth is wrong with a couple of months of heavy bootcamp for any youngster especially if you're, like in Israel, expected to be on call until 48 years of age? One of the added benefits of a military draft is that you get some discipline and some basic survival skills booted into you. If I look around nowadays and see the people in their late teens/early twenties, students and otherwise, I cannot help thinking that these bums (that's the word) would have benefited greatly from a drill-sergeant earlier in their lives.
2. #1
Joshua ,   Tel Aviv, Israel   (07.27.12)
Whilst I agree with you wholeheartedly and think I benefitted greatly from my own military service (I was a combat soldier and an instructor in the paratroopers), the fact of the matter is it's a waste of time and money to send cooks, drivers, maintenance guys, etc out to learn how to survive like Rambo when it is completely unrelated to their job/function in the army. One must not forget that being an army of conscripts, the IDF needs to cater for the various types of draftees, their physical and mental abilities, their problems (socio-economic etc) and what not. Also, not everyone does reserve duty. Long story short, in an ideal world, all soldiers would be fully willing and able. But they aren't and allowances need to be made. Hell, in an ideal world, we wouldn't need an army.
3. Pfft
EGGM ,   Petah Tikva, Israel   (07.27.12)
Rifleman 02 is still very easy and I find it hard to consider it military training. They should move everyone to 03 maybe without the MAG and grenade training in order to save money.
4. So wait, non-combat soldiers won't be able to go home?
Henry from New York ,   Currently in Israel   (07.27.12)
I get little time to talk to my gf as it is. Now she has to stay on base even more? It's not like she goes home and then spends all night partying as it is; she collapses into her bed at 21:00 most nights. I hope this is just another poorly worded article and they're only talking about that month-long period.
5. Seriously. This is large error.
Gideon Reader   (07.27.12)
EVERY person inducted. male or female or other, needs to be first and foremost a rifleman. Secure and sound in the basic competence with firearms and their offensive use towards any potential enemy. Certainly everyone may not require Sayeret level skills, but a standing, armed force ready to enter opposition to an active enemy is not to be poo poo'ed. Foolish imporvement downwards, if I may say.
6. #4, Yes only during the month-long basic training period
Jake   (07.27.12)
7. #6 - Ah good. Not that she'll enjoy it, but at least it's
Henry from New York ,   Currently in Israel   (07.27.12)
not the rest of her service. I don't see how her having more combat training would help though. It's not like Israel's going to be overrun and there's going to be battles down to the last man, woman and child. I also agree with Joshua's points.
8. Good
Sarah B ,   U.S.A./lsrael   (07.27.12)
This will get those lazy brats back in line. During my five years of service as an officer I made sure that no one under my command ever slacked off.
9. @2 please define what type of unit 8200 is...
(07.27.12)
combat or non-combat? Do you feel they have mental abilities that are less than yours? What about their socio economic position? Their mental abilities? I know the answers and I can tell you this much your post is lower than whale waste at the bottom of the sea. Clearly you have no idea what it means to appreciate your fellow man and truly be part of a team! Tell me are you that Paratrooper officer who threw tear gas into his soldier's room last week? No! Well you certainly sound like you are. Learn humility...you may have served in an elite unit but always remember I as a civilian am always at a higher rank than you!
10. The post at No. 8 is not mine.
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (07.27.12)
11. #9 - A lot of people get very stressed out by the military.
Henry from New York ,   Currently in Israel   (07.27.12)
I think that's what he's getting at. Some people can take everything thrown at them without cracking and others can't handle the day-in and day-out strenuous work. As for socio-economic position, if the person has a hard time getting by and is depressed by this, then the work they're doing might compound the problem.
12. 10, stop pretending to be me you sicko
Sarah B ,   U.S.A./lsrael   (07.27.12)
I don't know where you get off impersonating me on this site but I wish you would stop. Find your own life to live and stay out of mine!
13. Have to agree with Gabriel........
Bill Pearlman ,   Ny, USA   (07.28.12)
a 3 mile march, overnight, can't go home. Doesn't sound particularly tough to me.
14. The post at No. 8 is not mine...
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (07.29.12)
The post at No. 10 is not mine either. Even that at No. 12 is not mine. All others are definitely mine, including this one...
15. To all you Sarah B haters...
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (07.29.12)
Nanee nanee nanee....
Back to article