Well, eight months of the army has come and gone, seven of those in Golani Brigade infantry training. Time - what an inexplicable factor of mortality! Either way, events are going to transpire this week that I thought would never come, and honestly, I even believed at times that I wouldn't have the guts or ability to live through them. Silly, silly doubts.
On Monday, this very Monday, we have our masa kumta. If you are just stepping into this blog right now, I can't explain it to you the way you deserve, but let's just say that a masa (journey) is a massive hike at a very fast pace with full gear, and stretchers. The last one we did was about 40 kilometers, and the last 10k was with open, loaded stretchers, and the last five of that was climbing one of Israel's taller mountains. The word is the same used for the Israelites 40-year journey in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. And we remember how bad that was.
After I finish this feat, we have a ceremony on Wednesday to receive the Golani beret. For the past eight months I've had the army's basic green beret, a true sign of 'youth' in the army. The brown Golani beret, so colored because this brigade was originally composed of kibbutznik farmers, is a holy item in Israeli society. It symbolizes the greatest sacrifice for the country. If anything historical is still cherished in this changing, modern country, it is the Golanchik's color. At least this is the way we think of it in the army, and in my first-hand experience, I regularly receive encouragement and even thanks from civilians when they see the Golan tree on my shoulder tag.
For eight long months me and my fellow soldiers have been itching, just plain yearning for this moment. We've been trained, we're fully combat rated, we're ready for whatever the army needs us for, we've completed every single test thrown at us, and now it's time we receive our prize. We've earned it.
Last week was hell on earth, War Week, but we won't even discuss that. What passed passed, and I'm stronger for it.
But this next week, despite the physical strain to come... it will be something good to dwell on. Wish me luck, though I hope I only need determination. Funny how all things come in their due time, even when it seems they never will, no?
13 comments:
Indeed you have earned the brown beret. Wear it proudly.
(Somehow I suspect you will be "inheriting" somebody else's... A true honor).
Good luck, good luck, good luck! :D
you are one tough cookie bro. we love and miss you. please be safe!
how long is the masa
How do we get invitations to your Basic Training Commencement Ceremony?
When and where on Wednesday?
Good luck from the land of polar bears and ice! We LOVE Israel, Go IDF, Golani ROCKS!!!!!('course ;);p)!!!! Eh Eh!!!!!
God Protect you all.
kol' hakavod!
I'm retires from Zahal already, but I remember that my proudest moment was when I received my Tanach after completing tironut. But I also remember thinking about my feet at the time :-)
Mark
it is the best in the world 2 get brown kumta so kol ha kavod to you and my GOD be on your side all tih time :D
congrats. when my son recently received his red beret it was truly a wonderfully proud moment particularly since the ceremony took place at ammunition hill. I suspect you'll find a sense of accomplishment you will carry w/ you the rest of your life for having endured the training and the march.
congratulations, you are a true hero!
With brown berets comes great responsibility...
You definately deserve it, My son has his ceremony this coming Thursday, and I know from all the stories that he's been telling me that up to this point, it has been very tough.... so good luck to you, and may G-d protect you and all our soldiers from harm
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