Commanders Share Hard-Won Lessons From Oct. 7 to Train Next Generation
Four Israeli military company commanders are integrating lessons from the October 7th Hamas attack and subsequent fighting into their training programs for new recruits. These officers, who fought on that day and some of whom were severely wounded, are now responsible for ensuring the next generation of soldiers is prepared and does not experience the same shock and failures. They emphasize remembering the events and the mission's shortcomings to prevent future disasters, aiming to equip soldiers with the readiness and operational mindset needed for constant vigilance.
הידיעה ב-5 שורות · תקציר של baba
- IDF company commanders are using October 7th lessons to train new soldiers.
- Officers experienced the Hamas attack firsthand, rescuing civilians under fire.
- Some commanders were severely wounded and returned to duty quickly.
- They stress the importance of remembering failures to prevent future shock.
- The goal is to prepare the next generation for constant vigilance and readiness.
Four company commanders, who were in junior roles on October 7, 2023, are now training the next generation of Israeli soldiers, incorporating the brutal lessons learned from that day and subsequent intense fighting. These officers, who experienced the Hamas attack firsthand while rescuing civilians under fire and sustaining injuries, are now leading training at various bases and courses within the IDF's Givati, Nahal, Paratroopers, and NCO schools.
Captain Y., currently a recruit company commander in the Givati Brigade's reconnaissance unit, recounted being at the Officer's School on October 7. He rushed to the southern front, participating in chaotic battles near Re'im Junction and Nir Oz. He described the shock of entering combat zones within Israeli kibbutzim and communities, a stark contrast to expected battlefields. "Forget what you know and understand we are entering a combat zone," he recalled being told, emphasizing the initial shock and disbelief.
Captain N., now a company commander in the Paratroopers' 890th Battalion, fought in Kibbutz Be'eri during the initial hours of the attack. After helping to clear the kibbutz, he prepared for the Gaza ground offensive. A week into the operation, he was severely wounded by friendly fire, suffering a collapsed trachea and requiring two months of rehabilitation. Despite his injuries, he returned to his company as soon as he was able.
These commanders emphasize the responsibility of training soldiers who did not experience October 7. "My job is to make the soldiers imagine what it was like. We were there and remember the initial shock, and our responsibility is that there won't be that shock next time," stated Captain N. Captain A., a company commander in the NCO course, stressed the importance of remembering the failures of October 7, not just the heroism. "We must not forget what happened to us and what was done to us, and we must not forget that we did not stand up to the mission," he asserted, highlighting the need to learn from professional failures to prevent future catastrophes.
Another Captain Y., commanding recruits in the Nahal Brigade's training base, described entering Kibbutz Kissufim to find a battlefield. He recalled a harrowing moment where a friend on the phone with family in Be'eri instructed them on how to use a shirt as a tourniquet. "Our mission was that no civilian would be harmed, and in this mission, we failed," he stated, underscoring the profound impact of the day's events on their current training. The commanders believe their combat experience, forged in blood, will prepare the next generation of fighters more effectively.
מוזכרים
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