“Maybe it’s something about how I grew up,” he said. And whereas Israel’s land borders are protected by an expanding network of physical barriers, the Navy is the first line of defense for Israel’s 170-mile coastline.Īsked why he had volunteered to be a Navy officer, which requires a 10-year commitment, well beyond the few years most Jewish men in Israel serve, Levy said he felt he had no choice. To add to the pressure, ships are among Israel’s most advanced and expensive war machines, with some reportedly carrying nuclear weapons.

But this lesson is particularly important in the Navy, where soldiers sometimes serve crammed onto missile boats and submarines for weeks at a time. The key, Levy said, was to help the slowest soldier finish in time.Īll Israelis who serve in the army learn that they have to rely on each other. Yet somehow - cold, wet and laden with gear - they eventually managed to run the lap in 2 minutes, or at least close enough to be allowed to return to their barracks. When they failed again, they were order to jump in the ocean and do it a third time. When they failed, they were ordered to do it with their gear on.

He recalled that during his officer course he and the other trainees were woken up after a few hours of sleep and ordered to run a lap on the base in 2 minutes.

According to Levy, much of basic training involves exercises in seeming futility.

Sinking ship simulator