Nahal Brigade
| Nahal Brigade | |
|---|---|
Nahal Brigade Insignia
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| Country | Israel |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Infantry |
| Size | 4 battalions |
| Part of | 162nd Division ("Steel Formation"), Central Command |
| Motto(s) | "The Human Advantage" |
| Colors | Light green beret ("glow stick green"), Green & White Flag |
| March | "Ha-Nachal Kan" ("The Nahal is here") |
| Engagements |
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| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Colonel Amos HaCohen |
The Nahal Infantry Brigade is one of the Israel Defense Forces main infantry brigades. It was established as a separate brigade in 1982 in response to the growing need for infantry manpower in the wake of the 1982 Lebanon War, though its 50th battalion was originally part of the Paratrooper Brigade in the 1950s. It is formed mainly from regular draftees as well as from a core of soldiers from the Nahal group, part of the Nahal movement, which combines social volunteerism, agriculture (historically the establishment of kibbutz farming communities) and military service. Many Mahal foreign volunteers are also known to serve in the Nahal Brigade, providing a highly motivated and disciplined core of soldiers for the brigade.
Nahal Brigade soldiers are distinguished by their light green berets, which earned them the nickname "sticklights" (Hebrew for glowsticks). The brigade is composed of 4 active-duty battalions – 50, 931, 932, and 934 (the Gadsa"r, Hebrew for reconnaissance battalion) – and the various companies on its training base, which together comprise Battalion 933.
It operates on a rotational basis on the most volatile Israeli borders (Lebanon, Syria and Gaza) as well as in the West Bank territories. It is tasked with regular patrol and observation operations on the borders, counter-terrorist operations and riot control in the West Bank as well as tactical assault support to police operations in the territories.
It has operated in all major wars and large-scale operations since its inception, playing key roles during the First and Second Lebanon War and the First and Second Intifada.
Nahal Infantry Brigade soldiers undertake around four months of basic training and around four months of advanced training in the Israeli desert.
Basic training: consists primarily of physical conditioning, Krav Maga, rifle training and the qualifying obstacle course. Recruits begin their desert marches at this point in order to prepare them for their beret march at the end of advanced training (70+ kilometers, depending on company). These marches are performed fully kitted in order to prepare them for battlefield marching. Rifle training aims to perfect recruits' day and night shooting skills prior to advanced training. Recruits will also undergo two-man team live firing exercises in the field. Weapon understanding and maintenance is also an important element of basic rifle training. Recruits are taught army values and weapon safety and responsibility. Recruits are also introduced to long field exercises in the desert. There they will learn to survive for the first time on combat rations, limited water, extreme desert heat, sleep deprivation, and field injuries all while being subjected to intense physical activity. Camouflage, fortification construction, combat first aid, and stealth maneuvering will also be taught at this stage.
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Wikipedia