First Experiences

Hello again everyone. It's only been a few weeks, but it feels like months. I already finished my first course, and on Sunday I'm off to basic training. I'll try to describe it as best I remember.

Sunday the fourth I was up early and at the bus station by 7:30 like I was told. Everyone finished showing up around 9 and they just called everyone's name and told us to get on a bus for the Bakum, the main army base in Israel. We had a smaller group than usual because it was an odd draft - just for those going to the course with me and other special programs.

At the Bakum we got some more of the army's hurry-up-and-wait, had lunch, got to meet some of the others... I ended up eating next to a guy from Sharon, MA (the town right next to Wheaton) who was also 23 and had lived at Kibbutz Tirat Tzvi (later we realized that I'm now in his old room). We went through all the processing - getting photographed, x-rayed, our teeth photographed and x-rayed, fingerprinted, several shots, gave blood, and got our equipment.

After everyone was finished, we got on the bus to our new base. On the way we paused at a rest stop and we were all excited to interact with the public for the first time in uniform. The guy working there ruined it, though, because he would only speak to us in English. We arrived at Michve Alon sometime after dark and were immediately sent to dinner. Of course, we had to start doing things the army way, so there always had to be someone around the bags.

After eating and talking to each other for a bit, we got what I felt was the worst punishment of the three weeks - we had to pick up all our bags and equipment and run to our new rooms (maybe 1/3 mile away and involving several staircases). Inside we were given our day-to-day uniforms and equipment. We made sure it was all there and fit us, then we put the uniforms to use by running back and forth for a few hours.

Things get a bit more fuzzy here, as it's hard to remember out what happened in what order or when. I'll give it as best I can.

The next day was more army exercizes. We ran a lot (as always), stood in formation until we got it perfect, crawled, and learned how to carry others who've been wounded. I still can't crawl properly - after three weeks of working on it, I can do 10-15 meters quickly, then just crash. At night we were given a lecture by the Rasap. I should pause here to explain our commanders:


Our course consisted of one plugah [company], which is divided into three machlakot [platoons - single is machlakah], and each machlakah was divided into three kitot [squads - single is kitah]. On the rare occasions we were separated into our kitot, there was one mifaked [commander] for each, but generally all three were together. In charge of the whole machlakah was the MM [mifaked of a machlekah]. Those four were with us almost all the time.

In addition, we had a samal [sergeant] with our machlakah and with our plugah we had a sarsap and rasap. Both of these are abbreviations, although I don't know what for and I'm still not sure which is a higher rank. From all these people in charge of us, four (the mifakdot [plural of mifaked] and the MM mostly led us by encouragement and example, while the other three led us mostly by yelling and punishments.

Going back to the story, I guess this lecture was to intimidate us, although I can't imagine why. The Rasap basically read the rules with as difficult Hebrew as he could (remember, we're all immigrants and generally don't speak so well) while yelling at us to sit with our hands behind our backs and not to look at him. Every few minutes someone would hit a large pipe behind us. And anyone who moved even the tiniest bit was screamed at to go outside and punished.


The next day we were given our guns, the M16, or as it's known in Hebrew, M16, along with a very simple and uncomfortable strap and a magazine. We were told to have the gun with us at all times, only being allowed to let go at meals (where we'd put it under our seats), to sleep (with guns under our heads), or in the shower (with guns on the hooks next to the shower or being watched by a friend).


Sorry, folks. I'm tired and it'll be Shabbat soon. I'll try to finish tomorrow night