06987-Sc Special Report - Combat Fitness

8/9/2019 06987-Sc Special Report - Combat Fitness

1/13

NON-CLASSIFIED

-1-

7889


2/13

NON-CLASSIFIED

-2-

Introduction

As one of the foremost institutions in Israeli society, and especially as it is a

combat organization requiring its soldiers to engage in strenuous physical and

mental activity, the IDF views health, physical fitness and a healthful way of

life as critical values.

The Center for Combat Fitness in the IDF is in charge of promoting and

improving the physical and mental fitness and vigor of its soldiers, includingthose doing their compulsory service as well as regular army personnel and

IDF reservists.

In light of lessons generated by the Second Lebanon War, when it became

clear that the physical fitness of the combatants was not at the level expected

of them, the combat fitness structure in the IDF has spearheaded a significant

program of reform in the field of physical and combat fitness in the IDF.

During the last 3 years, IDFs combat fitness structure has focused itsactivity on three levels:

1. Enhancing combat fitness of combat units.

2. Adjusting and regulating stress measures in selections and

physical assignments to elite units.

3. Assimilating a culture of a healthful way of life into the IDF.

1. Enhancing Combat Fitness of Combatants

Realizing the purpose of the IDF, i.e. defending the citizens of the State

of Israel, requires continuous operational fitness on the part of the

combat units. In order to continue improving the operational

performance of commanders and soldiers in the field, the IDF has

undertaken many changes in programs designed to enhance combat

fitness. These are particularly apparent in three areas:

7889


3/13

80.60%73.40%

65%57.60%

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

80.00%

100.00%

2006 2007 2008 2009

-

"

NON-CLASSIFIED

-3-

A change in the training program and in the stress measures of the

combat units:

The combat fitness structure has implemented many changes in the training

programs of the different units as the result of several instances in which thelevel of fitness was found to be insufficient for handling the missions at hand.

As a result, a unique training program and stress measure has been designed

for combatants in relation to the nature of their unit. This means shorter hikes

than in the past, as these have been shown to be more effective in improving

combatants combat fitness. As a result, the number of stress fractures has

steadily gone down over the years thanks to commanders follow-up and

awareness of the stress measures. In addition, the chief officer of the infantryand paratroopers announced directives regarding training programs that

include a measure to graduate physical effort in IDF units, a return to physical

activity after it was dropped from the training program, and tracking the

implementation of physical training programs at the unit and individual levels.

The improvement in the training program may be seen in the changes in

combat fitness level in infantry brigades: a 23% increase from 2006 until

2009 in the level of fitness of infantry brigades as is shown by the

control index.

[chart name:] Changes in fitness level measured by control indices infantry brigades

7889

23% increase


4/13

92%

86%87%88

84

78 %

70%

75%

80%

85%

90%

95%

2 00 2/ 3 2 00 3/ 4 2 00 4/ 5 2 00 6/ 7 2 00 7/ 8 2 00 9

200 2-2009

89%

81%82%

80%81%

79%

74%

76%

78%

80%

82%

84%

86%

88%

90%

2 00 2/ 3 2 00 3/ 4 2 00 4/ 5 2 00 6/ 7 2 00 7/ 8 2 00 9

2002-2009

NON-CLASSIFIED

-4-

In addition, from 2002 until 2009 there was a 14% increase in prospective

soldiers who passed the combat fitness exam; in the same period there was a

10% increase of prospective soldiers taking the exam. So, for example, in the

Southern Command, there was a 53% increase in examinees from 2008 to

2009.

[chart name, left:] The number of participants in the operational fitnessexam, 2002-2009[chart name, right:] The number of people passing the operational fitnessexam, 2002-2009

As part of the changes in the training programs and because of the

many injuries sustained by combatants because of muscular weaknessand incorrect use of the body, the decision was made to develop and

incorporate strength and stability training, in order to prevent injuries,

including orthopedic damage, during the training period and in order to

inculcate an awareness in the soldiers of proper work in strength and motion

exercises.

Expanding the corps of combat fitness trainers:

In recent years, the IDF opened a physical fitness trainers course for IDF

service people already serving in other capacities, and in 2009 over 300

physical fitness trainers were certified. (To date, over 800 physical fitness

trainers among IDF service people already serving in various capacities have

been certified.) In addition, professional personnel are being referred to all

infantry and reconnaissance battalions. All of these changes indicate that IDF

commanders are internalizing the importance of physical fitness. From 2007

7889

14% increase10% increase


5/13

NON-CLASSIFIED

-5-

until 2009, there was a 55% increase in physical fitness trainers certification

among IDF service people already serving in other capacities.

As part of the activity of the Center for Combat Fitness, there are routine

spot checks, including attending training, close tracking of unit

performance, and continual lesson-learning and adjustments The

inspections are carried out in relation to the nature of the units

activities.

The physical fitness structure views such inspections as an impetus to

learning, motivation and improving a units physical and combat fitness.

Therefore, there has been an increase in inspections taking place in practice

in various units, with stress placed on combat units. In 2009, some 24

General Staff checks were planned as well as 32 inspections at the GOC

Army Headquarters. In addition, there are pinpoint checks in various units in

order to make sure combatants achieve optimal combat fitness.

2. Adjusting and Regulating Stress Measures in Selections and Physical

Assignments to Elite Units

As a result of several unfortunate events, in which two prospective IDF

recruits died during selections in the summer of 2006 and six

prospective IDF recruits suffered heat strokes in 2007, the fact that it is

7889

55%increase

The number of IDF service people already serving in orther

capacities ceritified as physical fitness trainers


6/13

NON-CLASSIFIED

-6-

necessary significantly to change the physical selection processes in

the IDF has become better understood. There have been significant

improvements in command and control processes in these selections. The

IDF has established a professional committee headed by the chief infantryand paratrooper commander that incorporates medical, safety, psychological

and combat fitness experts. The committee is charged with approving the

physical selections in the army in general and is the authorized body in

charge of the placement and selections processes. Alongside, a selection

division has been established in the Center for Combat Fitness that is

responsible for examining and approving training programs and exercise

routines of all physical selection processes in the IDF. Today, the selections

are not carried out on the basis of the consideration of the unit commanders

but are rather carried out in accordance with the directives of the one

authorized body. This division is responsible not only for approving the

directives but also for supervising their implementation in practice.

In addition, a unique training program was developed that certifies reserve

and regular army soldiers to become physical selection commanders. This is

to ensure that all selection commanders have up-to-date, appropriate training,

thereby preventing situations in which commanders who themselves have not

been in training for a number of years are in charge of physical selections. As

part of these changes, some 100 physical selection commanders in the

reserves and the regular army have been certified.

The results of these changes have already been felt in the last 2 years. In this

period, only a single incident of heat stroke, the result of a prospective IDF

recruit not reporting on medications he was taking, took place during the

various physical selections.

The IDF is also working to improve the selections and stress measures

for students at the IDF preparatory high schools. Today, such

improvements in physical and combat may already be seen among the

students in the 12 preparatory schools where physical fitness trainers

are working. During the year, most of the students arrive for selections for

special and/or volunteer units. Therefore, physical training done ahead of time

with professional supervision and with a designated goal in mind is necessary

7889


7/13

6723

5052

41713991

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

2005 2007 2008 2009

"

NON-CLASSIFIED

-7-

for every student at such a prep school. Physical and combat preparation will

prevent unnecessary injuries, stress fractures and early dropouts of potential

combat soldiers.

3. Assimilating a Culture of a Healthful Way of Life into the IDF

As part of the growing awareness in the IDF of the importance of a

healthful way of life, several projects are today working to strengthen

the culture of physical fitness in the IDF: the Healthful Way of Life

Project, cross-country teams in the IDF, the Change in Shape Project,

and Fitness and Health Week.

The Healthful Way of Life Project:

The project allows regular army personnel to improve their physical fitness

and make their way of life a more healthful one. The Healthful Way of Life

Project started in 2008 with 5 units. During 2009, the project expanded to

include 47 units, and this year another 15 units will be joining it. So far, 2,000

regular army personnel have participated. The project uses a professional

team of experts on healthful living, physical fitness officers, unit physicians,

fitness trainers and nutritionists. The project is active during business hours,

without exception, and the physical fitness program of the project is held three

times per week. The project includes tracking of personal indices of all the

participants, and individualized meal plans for every regular army service

person created by a clinical nutritionist.

7889


8/13

350

250

70

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

2007 2008 2009

NON-CLASSIFIED

-8-

[chart name:] Number of participants in commanders runs, segmented

by year

Cross-country teams in the IDF:

As part of the IDFs program to promote and improve soldiers physical

fitness, during their compulsory service and in the regular army, cross-

country teams have been established throughout Israel. Today, there are

4 such teams in various locations Beer Sheva, Tel Aviv, the Wingate

Institute, and Safed and over 300 regular army service people participate in

them.

[chart name:] Number of participants in cross-country teams

7889


9/13

NON-CLASSIFIED

-9-

[chart tags, clockwise from top:] Improving fitness, Preventing

hypertension, Preventing accumulation of blood lipids, Balancing blood

sugar, Life expectancy increase, Stress reduction, Preventing smoking,

Improving quality of life

The Change in Shape Project

The Change in Shape Project is a program that combines physical

activity with individualized menus designed to lose weight. The project

takes place in intimate, personal groups, providing a supportive and rewarding

setting for participants making one of the biggest changes in their lives.

During the program, designated for regular service personnel with the rank of

major and above, participants receive individualized menus based on

nutritional counseling and individualized physical training programs. In

addition, the project provides close personal tracking of the various body

indices to allow for optimal results.

Fitness and Health Week:

Maintaining the health of IDF service personnel is a basic commitment

the army has to its soldiers. Led by the Medical Corps and the Center for

Combat Fitness, the IDF has for a number of years been maintaining an

extensive program designed to improve fitness and health in all units.

Promoting this is achieved through a variety of means, such as supporting

cross-country running teams, supporting soldier participation in the Tel Aviv

Marathon, and opening dozens of special, innovative courses and workshops

for all IDF personnel. Fitness and Health Week is an important component

of this program and is designed to promote awareness of and

encourage a healthful way of life.

Fitness and Health Week in the IDF has been held for the past 4 years and is

an established part of the IDFs training graph. This week takes place May 17-

27; this year it was held for the fifth time. During the week, all IDF units hold

activities and workshops on the topic of physical fitness, health maintenance,

and making better life choices, as well as practical training (running, walking,

7889


10/13

NON-CLASSIFIED

-10-

ball games), unit-wide sports days, lectures on healthful living, physical

examinations, and BMI measurements. The climax of the week is the 10K run

at Training Base 1.

7889


11/13

NON-CLASSIFIED

-11-

Information Update:

Combat Fitness in the IDF February 2010

As one of the foremost institutions in Israeli society, and especially as it is a combat

organization requiring its soldiers to engage in strenuous physical and mental activity,

the IDF views health, physical fitness and a healthful way of life as critical values.

The Center for Combat Fitness in the IDF is in charge of promoting and improving

the physical and mental fitness and vigor of its soldiers, including those doing their

compulsory service as well as regular army personnel and IDF reservists.

In light of lessons generated by the Second Lebanon War, when it became clear that

the physical fitness of the combatants was not at the level expected of them, the

combat fitness structure in the IDF has spearheaded a significant program of reform in

the field of physical and combat fitness in the IDF.

During the last 3 years, IDFs combat fitness structure has focused its activity on

three levels:

Enhancing combat fitness of combat units.

It is already possible to see improvements in the level of physical fitness in combat

soldiers in the infantry in particular and in the combat corps in general, as a result

of changes in training programs and the stress measures. The various training

programs and stress measures have been adjusted to match the nature of the

activity required and of the units operational missions.

4. Changing the training program and stress measure in the combat

corps and adjusting these to the nature of the unit: The improved

training program is reflected in the changes in the level of fitness in the

infantry brigades: an increase of 23% between 206 and 2009 in the level of

fitness in infantry brigades as is clear from the control indices (Graph 1 in

the Appendix). Moreover, there was an increase of 14% in the number of

prospective soldiers passing the combat fitness exam from 2002 until 2009

and 10% increase in the number of prospective soldiers participating in the

combat fitness exam from 2002 until 2009 (Graph 2 in the Appendix).

7889


12/13

NON-CLASSIFIED

-12-

As part of training courses offered at the School for Combat Training at

Training Base 8, new contents were incorporated into the course entitled

Strength and Stability Training to Avoid Battle Injuries of Combatants.

The course is held in conjunction with the Medical Corps and is designed

for physical fitness officers and physical fitness trainers with emphasis on

combat soldiers.

5. Expanding the structure of combat fitness trainers: In 2009, more than

300 IDF service people already serving in other capacities were certified

as physical fitness trainers. From 2007 until 2009, there was a 55%

increase in physical fitness trainers certification among IDF service

people already serving in other capacities (Graph 3 in the Appendix).

6. Increased inspections and tracking of physical fitness in various units,

with stress placed on combat units: In 2009, some 24 General Staff

checks were planned as well as 32 inspections at the GOC Army

Headquarters. In addition, there are pinpoint checks in various units in

order to make sure combatants achieve optimal combat fitness. In addition,

GOC Commander Brig.-Gen. Sammy Turjeman decided to institute a

combat fitness test for combat commanders as a condition of promotion.

Adjusting and regulating stress measures in selections and physical

assignments to elite units: The IDF has established a professional committee

headed by the chief infantry and paratrooper commander that incorporates

medical, safety, psychological and combat fitness experts. The committee is

charged with approving the physical selections in the army in general and is

the authorized body in charge of the placement and selections processes.

Alongside, a selection division has been established in the Center for Combat

Fitness that is responsible for examining and approving training programs and

exercise routines of all physical selection processes in the IDF. In addition, aunique training program was developed that certifies reserve and regular army

soldiers to become physical selection commanders. To date, some 100

physical selection commanders in the reserves and the regular army have been

certified.

The IDF is also working to improve the selections and stress measures for

students at the IDF preparatory high schools. Today, such improvements in

physical and combat fitness may already be seen among the students in thepreparatory schools where physical fitness trainers are working. This year,

7889


13/13

NON-CLASSIFIED

-13-

Training Base 8 (The School for Combat Fitness) is hosting the IDF

championship in combat fitness for the IDF preparatory high schools.

Assimilating a culture of a healthful way of life into the IDF: At

present, several projects are in place to strengthen the culture of physical

fitness in the IDF: the Healthful Way of Life Project, cross-country teams in

the IDF, the Change in Shape Project, and Fitness and Health.

1. The Healthful Way of Life Project: The project involves some 50 units

and over 2,500 regular army service personnel. During the project, the

individuals indices of all the participants are tracked and clinical

nutritionists prepare individualized meal plans for all participants.

2. Cross-country running teams in the IDF: Today there are five cross-

country teams throughout Israel and more than 300 regular army personnel

are members (Graph 4 in the Appendix).

3. The Change in Shape Project: This project is designed for regular army

personnel with the rank of major and above. The program provides

nutritionally sound menus and individualized fitness programs for 45

officers in the coming year.

4. A new IDF swim team in which 150 commanders with the rank of

captain/master sergeant and above are members.

5. Fitness and Health Month: October 2010 will be designated Fitness and

Health Month and all IDF units will hold activities and workshops on the

topic of physical fitness, health maintenance, and making better life

choices, as well as physical activities (running, walking, ball games), a

unit-wide sports day, lectures on healthful living, physical examinations,

and BMI measurements. The climax of the month will be the 10K run at

Training Base 1. Originally, this program lasted only one week, but

because of the positive feedback and response generated the program has

been extended to last a full month.

06987-Sc Special Report - Combat Fitness

Documents

Transcript of 06987-Sc Special Report - Combat Fitness