 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
Remember Coles at Sandy Bay for all your Kosher goodies!
14
NEWS FROM SEAN LADIGES - 18 July 2004
Hello everyone,
I am now one month (exactly half-way) into my Marva period. Marva is basically two months of
basic training in Tza'al (the Israeli Defence Force) along with some trips around Israel and classes
about Israeli history.
Last week I was in Nitzana, in the Negev desert, doing hikes around the desert and visiting places
such as the Israeli border, and Machtesh Ramon. We also learned about the plants and animals that
can be found in the Israeli desert. Before this I spent a week learning about navigation, a week out
in the field learning about field craft and ambush, as well as learning how
to shoot an M-16. The first week was dedicated to discipline and learning, how to present yourself
and how to communicate with our commanders as well as the safety rules of using a gun.
The training is not too difficult, but I am having a bit of trouble adjusting to the heat. July and
August are the hottest months of the year, and the temperature reached 40 degrees last week, and I
have to be in my full uniform the whole time.
I recieved my M-16 at the end of the first week, and since then I have gone to a firing range once.
apart from shooting it, we have spent a lot of time learning about the safety rules of weapons, and
about how to take it apart and clean it. I have to take it with me everywhere I go, even when I take a
shower and I need to put it under my mattress under my head while I am
asleep. If I forget it three times, I will lose my gun. A couple of nights ago, the commanders came
into our rooms and tried to steal our guns. One of my roommates lost his gun while he was asleep
because of this.
Next week we will be going to Wingate, which is the main military fitness centre in Israel situated a
bit north of Tel Aviv. We will have a week of sports and fitness and learn some Krav-Maga, a style
of unarmed combat that the Israeli military use. I am looking forward to this because so far we have
not had as much physical training as I want.
The entire program is in Hebrew with translations for those who need it, and there are also quite a
few Brazilians on the program to whom I speak only in Hebrew so my Hebrew has improved a lot
since I started Marva, which is something I am really happy about.
Another amazing thing about the program is walking around in uniform off the base. I have had
tourists come up to me and ask to have their photos with me, and when I go to shops and on busses,
they give me discounts for being a soldier. In general people look at me in a totally different way
when I am in uniform.
The best part is when I get a free weekend once a fortnight and I visit my family and I get to sleep in
past 5:30 and I get to wear whatever I like and I get to eat real food and I can check my email.
Take care and let me know what you are all up to,
Love,
Sean
 |