Palchan Nachal

Firstly, I have to start this post with an explanation as to why it's taken me so long to publish. My mefaked had originally told me that, due to security reasons, this blog couldn't practically continue. There are so many details I can't put in apparently. However, this blog is my own little Zionist project, to try and explain my experiences in the IDF for anyone else who might be interested in joining, and so, with a green light from my commander, I'm carrying it on despite the holes in the information.

So I passed the gibbush and I am now serving in the Gadsar. My unit is a small team within Palchan Nachal, called Chapak Machat. I had no idea they were even testing for the team, as they only test for it once every two years. To explain, the Palchan specialise in counter-terrorism (during non-war time) and explosives and engineering (during war time). Our training is one year and 2 months. The Palchan are the first in and make the first impact. Chapak Machat is a small team within Palchan that also specialise in communications. We come under the direct command of the head of Nachal, and we are his eyes and ears on the ground. 

So what's been going on up until now? Due to my doubts as to whether or not I could continue the blog, there are many gaps in my memory during the past few weeks. The first little bit was taken up by lots of discipline, lots of running from here to there, sorting out equipment, and sitting in introductory talks by people like the head of the Gadsar, the doctor, the fitness instructors, the Rabbi etc. 

Photos are a little problematic, but here's my new "home" on the base

We then started on shooting, and we spent a week every day out in the shooting ranges. We were taught and practiced technique, and repeated getting from standing to lying position over and over again. My shooting has definitely improved. 

As well as lots of shooting practice, we also did a lot of Krav Maga training. Krav Maga is close-quarter combat and we were introduced to the basic principles, with a focus on the fitness. It's slowly slowly increased in difficulty, but also in practical training.

So far we have had two Masaot, or marches; the last one being our Masa Hashba'a this past week. During both masaot I carried the stretcher on my back. At the end of the last masa we were also given our shoulder tags that say we are in Nachal. 

The Hashba'a is the swearing-in ceremony that every solider has. In it, you swear your allegiance to the State and its laws. Ours was at the Kotel and my parents and one of my sisters came from England to watch me getting sworn in. It was an emotional moment singing Hatikvah at the end, in my uniform, standing at the sight so central to our people for thousands of years, across the globe. It really hit me how proud I am to serve. Never again will we be without a homeland, without independence, and I am proud to play a very small part in making sure of that.

That's me, just about to swear-in and recieve my weapon and a Tanach

Because my family are here, I have off until Tuesday. I do apologise (if anyone actually cares) for the brevity of this post. It's been difficult to remember the details, because it's been a while. But after speaking to my commander, I've been given the go-ahead to carry on the blog (minus a few details). I should have next Shabbat off so will update the blog then. Until then, I'm relaxing with my family for a bit before heading back to base :)