New and Improved Officers Course

The C4I & Cyber Defense Directorate officers course is divided into two companies: combat and operational, each of which has its own course. The combat company of the course trains officers from the directorate who will be stationed in different combat companies upon graduation. Whereas, the operational company trains officers who return to the directorate after the course.

“I’m a commander for about 12 staff members, officers, and about 60 cadets- it varies from class to class. Being a commander means that I train the cadets and prepare them to become officers in the C4I & Cyber Defense Directorate and within the army in general,” said Major Or, commander within the officers course of the C4I & Cyber Defense Directorate.

The course is 13.5 weeks and is composed of a lot of professional material, including leadership and identity content, as well as professional and commanding trainings. According to Maj. Or, it’s a challenge to teach and learn all of this in such a short period of time, but it’s also intriguing and important work.

A new and improved course

“In my opinion, we have created a much better course. We were able to add more content to the 13.5 week course without extending it, including an additional exercise: the ‘Tidhar,’" stated Maj. Or.

This new exercise takes place towards the end of the course and lasts for 7 days. “Tidhar” is the first exercise of its kind with the Intelligence Directorate and the Artillery Corps. Both courses conducted combat procedures in the northern and southern areas of the country, and finished the course by conducting a drill with the Artillery Corps and Intelligence Directorate.

Streamlining the learning process

Allowing the cadets of both the operational and combat companies to be together in the “Tidhar” exercise shows them why things happen at the brigade, battalion, and division levels. At the end of the exercise, there’s a training in which all of the officers go into the field to better understand the whole combat and operational process, and not just the specific area of subject they’re in.

Today, with these new changes, an officer that will enter into a certain rank of work upon completion of the course will understand how the combat and operational procedure works in all levels, not just at their level, and not only within their line of work.

“There are cadets of the operational kind that are more suitable to be in the field, so upon completion of officers course, we send them to be officers in battalions. On the other hand, there are cadets who are more suited to work in the operational side of things, and therefore will then be sent to positions at the brigade level or higher,” stated Maj. Or.

The new “Tidhar” exercise and added course content aids soldiers in continuing on the path that is best for them, and essentially streamlines the communication process between combat and operational soldiers of the C4I & Cyber Defense Directorate.

“Being able to understand all processes and solve problems are crucial skills for officers in the C4I & Cyber Defense Directorate,” explains Maj. Or.