Israeli Paratroop Culture

Israeli Paratroop Culture

In Israel, different military units have different cultures.

The Paratroops usually pick the brightest kids from high school, the Golani infantry brigade usually pick the toughest kids, while the Nachal infantry brigade has become the new home for many new immigrants from Russia. After the Gibush (entrance exams), the real Tironut ( boot camp ) begins. six month basic training emphasizing soldiers’ fitness and personal weapons proficiency. Soldiers have to perform longr marches. ( Masa’ot ) in daily basis. There are two masa’ot are important for paratrooper. One is to earn the unit tag ( flying serpent ) and the other one is the graduation march during which soldiers have to march 90km from their base to Ammunition Hill Jerusalem where one of their most epic battle was fought in 1967. After they exchange their green beret and infantry badge with the elite maroon beret and achieve the status of rifleman 3rd class. Before the second phase of basic training begins, which last about two months long. any undesirables are transferred out and those who are going to become medics are temporarily transferred for medical training. Each soldier is assigned his weapons role within the unit for example; machine gunner, RPG, mortar man, radio operator …..and is able to function in that task at squad level. APC and helicopter training is also introduced. Today, a bigger emphasis is placed on night fighting and urban area. combat. After the second phase of training the candidates will receive the status of rifleman 5th. Even then, they are not a full badge paratrooper yet. Soldiers thentransfer to Tel Nof Jump school for parachute training then finally they become a full-fledged Tzanhan ( paratrooper ) After becoming a full-fledged paratrooper, all of them are expected to complete Kours Ma’kim ( squad leader course ). After all, Airborne’s motto is "Initiate, Lead, Make an Example and Win". After the course the graduates either return or become drill instructors for recruits. Some soldiers with exceptional leadership ability are sent to Officer school and later become platoon leader. Women too, serve in the Infantry and Paratroop Corps as instructors (in such fields as marksmanship, anti-tank missiles, etc.), educators, administrative and technical personnel. At the Paratrooper Training Base, women likewise serve as parachute riggers and inspectors. They undergo a jump course to increase their identification with the paratroopers whose lives are literally in their hands. There are always a bevy of curvy women about and they and their pregnancies are major distractions.Structure of the Paratroop Brigade: Currently the Airborne brigade consist of four battalions under the command of Colonel Herzl Halevi. ( All Paratrooper units are named after snakes.)· 101st "Cobra" Airborne Battalion · 202nd "Viper" Airborne Battalion · 890th "Echis" Airborne Battalion · "Flying Serpent" Special Troops Battalion o "Naja" Anti-Tank Company o "Coluber" Engineer Company o 5173rd "Taipan" Reconnaissance Company · "Eryx" Signal CompanyIsraeli Paratroop Brigades are organized exactly like Russian Paratroop Brigades. Most people do not realize that Israel is a Marxist state