Arutz ShevaSecurity11:00

First Officers Graduate Hasmonean Brigade's New Course

By ערוץ 7

Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba

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Fifteen officers have graduated from the Hasmonean Brigade's inaugural officer course, marking a significant step for the IDF's ultra-Orthodox unit. The graduates, including a 34-year-old father of six and a former combat soldier from Bnei Brak, will now lead platoons within the brigade. The course focused on integrating religious observance with professional combat leadership, aiming to produce capable commanders for soldiers with yeshiva backgrounds.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

The Hasmonean Brigade graduated its first 15 ultra-Orthodox officers.
Graduates will lead platoons of soldiers, many from yeshiva backgrounds.
Moshe Fisher, 34, a father of six, was the oldest cadet.
One graduate received a commendation from the President of Israel.
The course balanced religious observance with professional combat training.

First Officers Graduate Hasmonean Brigade's New Course — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

The Hasmonean Brigade, an ultra-Orthodox unit in the IDF, has graduated its first-ever officer course, commissioning 15 new officers. These graduates are set to return to the brigade and lead its soldiers, many of whom come from yeshiva backgrounds. The course aimed to train officers capable of leading ultra-Orthodox soldiers while maintaining high professional standards.

Among the graduates is Moshe Fisher, 34, a father of six, who joined the IDF through a shortened enlistment program for reservists. Fisher, the oldest cadet, decided to extend his service, complete officer training, and now aims to lead by example. He emphasized the importance of being a proactive leader, always moving forward.

Another graduate, identified as M., 20, came to Israel to study in a yeshiva before enlisting. He served as a squad leader for recruits and found deep meaning in the role, motivating him to pursue a command track. M. also got married during the course and feels a responsibility to be a role model for his soldiers.

Also graduating is A., 22, from Bnei Brak, who served as a fighter and squad leader in combat operations in Lebanon and Gaza. He received a commendation from the President of Israel during the course. A. highlighted the challenge of balancing his ultra-Orthodox lifestyle with the demands of combat service, striving to be both devout and highly professional.

Course commanders noted the significant effort involved in establishing the new officer track from scratch, adapting to the ultra-Orthodox lifestyle while ensuring rigorous combat training. One graduate from Bnei Brak initially worried about his community's reception but found acceptance when his commitment to religious observance was evident during weekend leaves. The new officers will soon lead platoons of ultra-Orthodox soldiers, some of whom previously spent years studying in yeshivas.