Sections

Featured

‘You were all dead long ago’: My first (failed) close-quarters combat training with the Israeli Defense Forces

by ·

Disclaimer: This article describes one of my first CQB experiences with the Israeli Defense Forces, compiled from old notes. The article is merely an opinion piece—a piece of advice.

Back in 2008, on a hot, dusty, and stressful day, we finally reached the physical part of our urban qualification. The training grounds looked like a small, random settlement straight out of Tatooine.

It was our first real physical training using various CQB methods, with a great focus on the entry phases and communication. I was number two, behind my buddy, ready to enter the room. It was our first time performing with live fire. No more paintball  games or simulations—a real cause and effect. We entered the room via the procedure we learned. The place was filled with sand, and the whole room, which had no windows, quickly turned into one big dust cloud. We couldn’t see more than two meters ahead of us. Seconds after “stabbing” the 180° to the left, I recognized a continuous passage to the next room and automatically notified my buddy, keeping the flow and initiative.

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO CONTINUE READING.

Your subscription is important and supports our editorial integrity. Advertisers are sometimes afraid of being associated with controversial news topics, and your subscription is vital to ensuring we can continue to publish the courageous news we are known and respected for.

Get Insider Access and Expert Analysis Today

SUBSCRIBE NOW

or Log In

SHARE THIS

BECAUSE, FACTS DON'T TAKE SIDES

Your Subscription Supports Honest News Efforts

TRY 4 WEEKS FOR $1.99

Comments

Join our community. To comment on this article please join/login. Here's a sample of the comments on this post.

  • Avatar
    Steve B

    Not to mention the breaching techniques themselves. Many of the tools and techniques to size up and breach a door are similar. Learning first on what are often essentially homemade doors in villages in Israel helped with creative thinking when I became a volunteer FF in the US.

  • Avatar
    Steve B

    Great point. I recall reading once of a case where a victim was missed during a search. The first crew in the door pushed the door back against some "debris", and everyone else followed them. A victim was much later found behind the door.

  • Avatar
    Wojciech G

    Interesting point of view with using CQB room clearing for firefighters training. Poland is one of those places, maybe? Can I get some details abt your courses Eli? I'm going to involve with volunteer firefighters in my hometown to help them increase their skills. You can catch me on TT @POL_Woj.

  • Avatar
    mark m

    Dear SOFREP- More of this!

  • Avatar
    john p

    Awesome stuff I love learning about cqb