Israel Speaks
After high school young people in Western countries usually
start planning their future. In Israel the situation is different.
Here 18-year-olds know they are facing a long army service -
3 years for boys and 2 for girls.
In practise 80 per cent of army aged young people join the army annually.
Due to the continuous security threat it is important in Israel
that as many soldiers as possible get battle training.
There are groups across the country that prepare youngsters for
the army service in 1 or 2-year courses before joining the army.
Maor is a student of medicine and a captain of the reserves.
He trains youngsters for the army in the Negev in Southern Israel.
Many youngsters preparing for the army want to join one of the Israeli
Defence Forces' elite units.
One of the goals of the groups is to prepare for the entrance exams
of these courses.
Tests for the elite units include dif- ferent kinds of physical performances
which require good fitness.
The training courses are focused on obtaining these capabilities.
Eitan is a student of engineering who has served in the army's
rescue unit.
Now he is training the youngsters together with Maor.
What interested me in this was the emphasis on values
and mental preparedness, and not only passing exams.
Is there a difference between your own time in the army and today?
You cannot compare it separately.
It's harder today, because there are less days for the tests.
There is only one general day and special tests that last for a week.
If the trainees don't come here prepared, even though they'd be
great guys, they can be left outside the unit, which is a pity.
How do you motivate 16-17-year-olds to train for the army?
They are people in the final grades of high school
and they have already received their conscription letters.
They are excited about training.
We explain to them why we do what we do.
We get into the soldier's mentality.
How do you guarantee their safety during the training?
Occupational safety is very important.
We don't push them to limits that they are not able to reach.
We start from a low level, because people come from home surroundings.
After a slow start they are able to improve
and we can move on to bigger challenges.
The training program also includes the basics of self defence techniques
used by the army.
Today we are finishing the one year battle program.
The program prepares us physically and mentally for
what is waiting for us in the army.
What brought you here in the middle of the second grade of high school?
The goal of reaching high positions in the army.
Getting into special units requires preparation as well as
physical and mental strength.
How do you think you have developed during this time?
I have strengthened mentally.
I know I can do much more than I thought.
What do your peers think of this kind of training?
Today, there are more and more groups like this, especially in the South.
I know many from Omer and Beersheva and other places
who participate in them. It has become quite popular.
If you want to reach a high place you need to prepare.
If you compare yourself to some other young person in the world -
do you lose or gain something?
Israelis, young people and adults are mentally very strong.
We grow up at an early age.
For some people it's a loss. I think it's an advantage
when you become independent and understand that it's not given
to have your own state.
What makes you leave your own comfort and come here?
I want to do my best for the well being of the state.
Everyone has to serve 3 years and I want to serve in units
that have more signficant tasks.
Are your parents worried about you going to a battle unit?
Naturally yes, but they have also served in the army.
My father is very proud of me.
I will join the army in the coming months. I began this course
4 months ago.
I was a little bit late, because I had already been in the tests.
Nevertheless, it has given me a lot and improved my capabilities
as a soldier in a special unit and maybe in some higher positions.
What do these four months give?
What is important in the course?
We deal with values that are important in the army.
First of all, cooperation -
how to work as a group, how to behave with friends
in physically hard situations.
This is the real test; when you carry heavy weights and everything hurts
you have to keep your head cool and remain friendly
and if necessary take the lead.
I remember you in your first training, -
when we began running around the kibbutz.
I told Eitan that this will not be easy and wished him good luck.
Eitan took the challenge with both hands.
I've been looking at you during this last week.
You are a good group.
I can see how you work together.
You help each other in hard times.
You leave your talks and arguments aside
and work together.
That is your strength: your ability to accomplish tasks
by working together and accepting each other. It's not trivial.
Even the birds cheer at us. - Thank you.
International media often blames Israeli soldiers for violence
and hurting innocent people.
Anyone serving in the Defence Forces knows these accusations
to be groundless.
Translation: Sonja Mattayev