IDF Company Commanders Describe How October 7 Shapes Recruit Training

IDF company commanders who fought on October 7, 2023, described how their experiences now inform the training of recruits and junior commanders in interviews published on October 29. The officers serve in training roles with Givati, Nahal, the paratroopers and a commanders course. Their accounts connect their own combat experiences with the preparation of soldiers entering service after the attack. A captain identified as A., serving on a commanders course, described daily attention to ammunition readiness, drills, defensive preparation and alertness at dawn. “We must not forget what happened to us,” he said. A paratrooper training captain identified as N., serving with Battalion 890, said newer soldiers had not been serving during the attack and needed preparation without the initial shock his generation experienced. N. recounted fighting in Be’eri and later suffering a serious friendly-fire injury during the ground operation in Gaza. He said he returned to his company after 2 months of rehabilitation. His account describes both his experience in combat and his subsequent role in preparing other soldiers. A Givati captain identified as Y. described leaving officer-training duties to fight in the Gaza-border communities. Another captain, also identified as Y., who now trains Nahal recruits during fieldcraft week, recalled rescuing civilians in Kissufim. The officers described lessons they carry into their present instruction through readiness, defensive drills and the experiences they share with their soldiers.