Mixed Unit - Lions of Jordan (2018): Season 1, Episode 8 - Episode #1.8 - full transcript
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To me!
I looked around me and I was in shock.
The girls weren't moving.
It was crazy.
I'm not doing that.
Don't you agree that physically,
women are inferior to men?
It's one thing to say these things
before you enlist.
It's another thing entirely
to say it during basic training.
Do you actually still believe that?
Their physical strength
is weaker than men's.
Then why shouldn't the girls
stay on the home front?
If the IDF thought
you could be somewhere else,
they would've placed you there.
Who are you to tell me
what I can and can't do?
Where do you think
you'd contribute more, here or...
In my opinion? -Yeah.
-I think I'd be more useful in a recon unit.
Then you ended up here by mistake.
We're here for a squad test.
You're being tested not as individuals,
but as a unit.
Go, more, more, more!
There's no way the boys in my squad
will let the girls beat them.
Today's our chance
to show that we can beat the boys,
that we can take them on
no matter what.
Apply the tourniquet.
-No, no, no.
You're putting your hand there?
Hold the head.
No evac. He's dead.
Peleg, I'm sorry, man.
Damn, this sucks.
Alright, very good.
Very good, Lions.
Excellent.
Keep going, girls.
One squad won.
This squad was really
head and shoulders above the rest.
That squad was 3C.
That's it. I'm done.
You can't do that.
I want
to get out of here. That's all.
Begin live-fire drill!
-Begin life-fire drill!
Terrorist!
-Terrorist!
Terrorist!
-Terrorist!
Basic training is coming to an end,
and we're getting close
to the real thing.
The level of the drills has gone up.
Things are actually becoming dangerous.
Heavy fire!
Frontal attack!
There's live fire, which means
actual bullets are flying past you,
and they can hurt you.
Oh God, that was right behind me.
You don't see the person next to you,
in front of you.
Not only are you scared
of shooting your friends,
you're worried you're going
to get shot in the back.
Avigail, do you see Na'ama?
It was really dark.
You couldn't see anything.
Until someone was right beside you,
you couldn't see them.
Everyone was firing
in all directions.
We were using tracers,
so you could see the flash of red lines.
You saw the bullet right here.
It was really close. Scary.
All units, converge on me!
Karina, move forward.
Dirties ahead!
-Dirties ahead!
The danger is you could die.
If you get shot during a live-fire drill,
that's it.
Alright, final jump before charging.
-Final jump before charging!
One jumping.
Avigail, you're behind. Come on.
-Na'ama, get a leg up, move forward.
Go, charge in a straight line!
Go, charge in a straight line!
When someone falls out of line
it can get really dangerous,
and that's exactly what happened.
The bullets were really close to me.
I actually saw my life flash before my eyes.
Suddenly you realize you're a combat soldier,
that this is your job,
that you're risking your life
and people are actually firing at you.
End live-fire drill!
End live-fire drill!
Permission to advance,
barrels facing targets.
Come here, Squad 3C. Come here.
U-formation. Stand in a row.
How was that?
Wow, it sucked.
Terrible.
No, it was too much.
-I was aiming straight at the target.
It was terrifying.
Gibli almost hit my helmet.
How many terrorists did you spot?
Not a single one.
-I didn't see anything.
I didn't see anyone.
-I saw nothing.
I just saw Yana's bullets,
and her bullets, crossing my path.
While she was shooting, I was...
It flew right past me.
The bullets were where
Yana's standing right now.
Yeah, when Almog fired,
I felt the shock wave from her weapon.
When you're blind in the dark,
you have to pay attention.
You had the benefit
of using tracers now,
but you won't always be using tracers.
You won't see your bullets at night.
Manage the fight.
Stop, get up and say:
"I'm improving my position up,"
"I'm improving my position here, there."
Understood?
Understood, Platoon Commander.
What scares me
is that we don't know where the targets are.
I go uphill to a higher vantage point,
but I know
that if I don't drop down fast enough,
he could riddle me with bullets first.
And you have no idea just how much
I view that target as a terrorist.
I feel like he's shooting at me.
I mean, I'm completely exposed.
I see him,
he sees me,
and the game is who gets to shoot first.
That's the game.
Visibility was at zero.
I saw absolutely nothing.
Except... the only thing
was that I heard Almog's bullets
whistling in my ear
and then I saw her tracers flying by like this.
That's when I felt
like I was in a battlefield.
Really, and I've never been this...
It was just terrifying.
You know,
a tourist visited our ranch.
I took her to the supermarket
and she asked me,
"What do you do?"
"I'm a combat soldier."
She said,
"Aren't you scared?"
And I told her,
"I'm terrified.
But I still do it."
So she asked, "Why?"
And I was like...
"Because we have to."
My job, my mission,
is to protect people.
If I don't stop that terrorist
from attacking,
a lot of people will die.
Try and explain that.
So I told her we just do it.
She said, "But I mean...
"You don't have to do it if you're afraid."
And I said... "That's funny."
Of course I have to do it.
I swore to give everything I could.
I'm giving everything I have to my country,
Even if these two years and eight months
take the life out of me.
Courage matters.
You always need to have courage.
You always need to be brave enough...
-But you don't...
You don't think of it like that...
-To run forward,
get a leg up and start shooting.
-But you don't think of it that way,
Na'ama.
-Right now, that's just how I think of it.
That's exactly what I think about.
You all know we're the best.
Obviously. Did you doubt it?
I'm just saying,
if I get shot in the back
I'm going to kick your asses,
I swear.
Oof.
Wow.
Honestly,
I'm not afraid of being killed by a terrorist.
I'm afraid someone will shoot me in the back.
How come?
-Think about it, you're running
and you're relying on about eight other people
with loaded guns.
If one of them stumbles or falls,
bam, they'll shoot you...
in the back, in the...
head.
I'm very glad that this specific drill
only includes the boys' squad.
Alright, prone position.
Squad!
-Squad!
We'll be climbing up to a vantage point.
-We'll be climbing up to a vantage point.
In order to identify targets.
-In order to identify targets.
And initiate combat.
And initiate combat.
Begin live-fire drill!
-Begin live-fire drill!
One jumping.
-One jumping.
Jump, start jumping!
Unit commanders.
-Yes, sir.
Yes, sir.
-Meged? -Yes.
Here's what's going to happen.
I'll give the order,
"Seven, four, two, fire!"
Your squad will stay here
and cover me with fire.
-Okay.
You'll soften up the enemy.
Once I've jumped ahead,
you get your squad jumping
and follow on my heels.
Go, drop down...
-Yes, yes.
And join up behind you.
-Exactly.
Got it.
Got it?
-Yes.
Seven,
Four,
Two, one.
Fire!
Meged, fire!
Meged, fire!
Meged, to the center, 500 feet.
Not to the target?
500 feet, to the center.
Not to my target?
-No.
500 feet. Center of area.
One and two, jump.
-One and two, jump.
Onward.
Alright, fire.
One jumping!
One jumping!
Meged, move forward, Meged!
Peleg, spread out right.
Fire! Fire!
Fire, fire!
-Fire, fire!
Meged, get your squad.
Meged,
come here!
No, no, Meged!
Go right, fast!
Tell me your unit's deployed.
Meged, fire!
Meged, watch your aim.
Watch your aim.
You're aiming outside the area boundary.
Cease fire!
Cease fire!
-Cease fire!
Squad A, come here.
Oh, that was bad.
A catastrophe.
Quickly, Tomer and Almog.
Get in a proper U-formation.
Alright, it's like this.
What good are you
if you aren't there
at the end of the charge?
You're out of touch.
You're completely out of touch.
Irrelevant, useless.
You may as well not be in this squad.
Just as well.
If you're done covering,
why are you still up there?
What are you looking for?
You're irrelevant.
You're just another target.
You're a target in the field,
an object that's standing out.
The platoon commander
really tore into me
in front of everyone.
It was humiliating.
You're irrelevant when you're behind.
Even if you're the back unit,
you're irrelevant.
And to be irrelevant in combat
is the worst thing you can be.
It was really nasty.
She really overreacted.
Damn, that platoon commander.
What is it, man?
I want to get out of here.
My friends
are all proud of their service.
They're all in recon units.
When we go out on Thursday night
they talk about their units,
talk about being in the special forces,
talk about training abroad
and all that, and I...
"Where are you posted?"
"Lions of the Jordan Valley."
It sucks.
The ops they do,
their harsh, intensive training,
are things that push you beyond the limit.
You know what, Meged?
All in all, these are
two years and eight months of your life.
Try and do it your way,
the way that's best for you,
and give as much as you can.
The thing is, I want to fulfill my dream.
I don't want to give up on my goal.
I don't want to, Yair.
I tried,
I gave it a shot.
I want more, man.
It can't be helped. I just want more.
What about Sagi?
Will you leave her here alone?
That's a good point, man.
It really is.
Listen to me,
don't give it up.
Sometimes she tells me
to follow my dreams.
She wants me to be happy,
she really does.
I mean, come on.
-You're so cute.
Why are you smiling?
Shut up.
You're so cute.
What do you mean?
I'm telling you, I feel it,
she wants me to be happy.
-I swear, you're just so cute.
I like seeing you like this.
It's funny hearing you talk about her.
It's cute.
We won't get leave at the same time,
all of the sudden...
I might not see her for a month,
a month and a half, two.
What will I do then?
I say, be happy with what you've got.
Don't throw it all away
and don't go looking...
You know?
Don't overreach.
You've got a good thing.
Make sure you keep it.
Man, I want to request a transfer.
Don't do it.
Don't be stupid.
Be happy with what you've got.
You've got a good thing going.
You've got friends,
you've got a new family here.
I don't know what to do.
This drill is called
"shooting after exertion".
The difficulty in shooting after exertion
is that you're winded,
so your body's moving,
it's unstable.
We're being taught to fire
after a workout.
We have to do two laps
in our vests.
Mostly, it's a test of your stamina.
It's harder to do.
You have to shoot and still hit the target,
aim well.
It's just tiring.
You can get through it,
it isn't hard, I mean...
it's possible.
You just have to practice.
Attention, Platoon Commander.
How many squats should I do?
Why aren't you running?
I can't run.
-Because?
Can't. I'm super dizzy.
How come?
-If I run, I'll fall.
I know I will.
I was dehydrated yesterday,
the company medic said...
So why didn't you drink?
I did.
-24 hours.
I did, but when I make sudden movements...
You saw me heading for the targets.
I didn't run then, either.
-Listen, it's...
Squat if you really want.
This is your specialization, Meged.
To be perfectly honest.
What a loser.
He spends all his time
looking down at the co-ed battalion,
but if you've made it to a combat unit,
you should give it your all.
Is it my fault that I don't feel well?
First of all, yes.
It's your responsibility to stay hydrated.
You've got a canteen,
you walk around with it all day.
If you aren't,
that's a different issue.
But we won't get into that.
Do your squats.
She knows I never make a scene like this.
Some people do it all the time.
I've never done that.
I always give it my all.
She knows that.
Nine burpees.
How many?
-Nine.
Seriously? Nine?
Wow.
-Another one.
Is that the last one?
No?
-No.
I've got no energy left.
I'm too tired.
Four...
Motherfucker.
I missed.
Ten.
No, no.
Yes, yes.
-No, it's too much.
Last one.
You're not winded enough.
That's it?
What's up, Meged?
I want you to know
how I perceive you,
as a soldier and as a person.
You think you're giving 100 percent.
The way I see it,
you're barely giving 60 percent.
Okay.
You cut yourself
a lot of slack.
You have so much to give,
and you don't do it,
and I don't understand why.
I don't know.
I just don't feel
like I can fulfill my potential here...
as much as I could.
I don't know why.
Maybe it's because of the girls,
maybe it's...
I don't know.
God forgive me,
but I honestly don't know.
So where do we go from here?
I'd appreciate it
if you could help me somehow.
To do what? Go somewhere...
Somewhere else.
But once you leave here
you won't end up in any other combat unit.
Once you leave combat,
you don't go back.
If you try and leave the battalion
you'll end up in the kitchens,
or as a quartermaster.
You've got this dream
that one day you'll end up...
Maybe you will, I don't know.
Something might change.
But you're here now,
and this is where you'll stay.
And you can be conflicted about it,
but the bottom line is that you're here.
So what are you gonna do about it?
This is your place.
So take this place
and do something good with it.
Good.
We've arrived
at the Urban Warfare Training Center.
It's also known as "Little Gaza".
It's a place that simulates Gaza exactly.
It was built to train soldiers
to fight in urban terrain.
It's like a copy of Gaza.
It really gives you a feel
of what Gaza looks like,
its buildings and houses.
Suddenly you see mosques,
you see Arab houses.
It reminds me a little of Hebron.
Of home.
Oh my God, it's actually Gaza.
All that's missing is an enemy
and a Muezzin that's singing their songs.
This is so cool.
It's so weird.
It's not a couple of shipping containers
that you have to pretend are a house.
There's a mosque, there are squares,
there are actual streets and posters.
It's the coolest thing ever.
There are abandoned buses,
cars,
graffiti.
It has everything.
It's an actual copy.
It makes everything feel a lot more real.
I wouldn't want
to walk around the UWTC at night.
I wouldn't.
Pay attention to what we'll be watching now.
First of all,
Commander Yaakov is leading this drill.
His squad
is here,
defending this house,
and they want to capture the house over there.
They're going to move
however they see fit,
move through lower ground
using a smoke grenade
and will capture the house.
Watch this drill,
this may be the most important drill
you'll undergo during urban warfare training.
Things have to happen quickly,
because we are in a kill zone.
Commander Yaakov is exiting the shelter
and is moving towards the house.
Commander Yaakov has reached the house
and wants to open it up.
and he wants to open it up.
It's important you stay focused here,
because ultimately, our biggest threat
is the possibility of abduction.
You never, ever stay alone
in urban terrain.
Never.
When you reach the UWTC
you realize that this is it,
this is where you'll learn
to be a combat soldier.
Grenade!
21, 22, 23...
On top of that, urban warfare offers us
a lot of things we can use in the moment.
Make sure you use cars,
make sure you use doors and windows.
Anything goes.
You'll practice that, too.
Commander Yaakov
is smoke-screening the terrorist.
Cover this door for me!
The entire unit immediately enters the house.
The house is the most secure area for you.
The street is the kill zone.
In.
-Go, go, go!
Fire, fire, fire!
-Fire, fire, fire!
Fire, fire, fire!
Clear, clear, clear.
End dry drill!
-End dry drill!
Wow, I love this.
I love this. It's the best.
Alright, get ready.
As you can see,
we are in the kill zone.
Any village looks just like this.
In urban terrain,
the threat can come from any direction.
A terrorist can come from here,
or from that window,
or from there.
That's why no matter where we go,
we'll stay in pairs
and we will cover each other.
I will always
have a barrel pointed
in every direction.
We moved, learned all sorts of drills,
and we had to function well.
We're walking down the road,
and everyone can see us.
Passing through lower terrain.
All of the sudden
you hear gunshots from a window
and you immediately
need to locate the flash,
see where it came from
and fire in that direction.
Fire, fire, fire!
Urban warfare poses very real dangers
at any given moment.
Even when you're inside a house,
you need to make sure no one's coming,
and that you're really covered
from all directions.
In the field we will mostly
be fighting in urban terrain.
It's very important to practice
moving from house to house,
how to duck under a window,
how to open up a house.
The first thing you'll learn
is establishing a standard shelter.
A shelter is a place in which I protect myself
and scout out my next destination.
I don't want to see anything like this.
Your arm will get shot off. Understood?
You're too exposed.
Look, you're all sideways.
My entire body
stays behind the cover.
And slowly, slowly...
As we do more drills,
you'll see
you'll get better at it.
Look, I can see all of you.
Like this?
Much better.
Very good. Excellent.
Alright, Avigail.
Great, I see the difference.
Alright, over to the wall.
We begin with a defended house.
I prepare the grenade,
touch the wall
to make sure it isn't covered
by shelves or something.
Then I throw the grenade.
21,
22, 23...
Fire, fire, fire, fire!
Move, Switch! Switch!
Fire! Fire!
Tap here,
walk in.
See?
Fire, fire, fire!
Got it?
-Yes.
A lot of recon units come here.
A lot of special forces train here.
It's depressing.
I feel like I'm missing out
when I see the recon units
and the special forces around us
while I'm training with the Lions.
These are my breaking points.
It was really, really hard.
Especially when I saw some of my friends...
there,
with the counter-terrorism unit.
It sucks.
Can't you help me transfer over to you?
I'm dying to get out of here.
My God.
Look at those beefcakes.
God help me.
-Where?
We don't have that in Karmiel.
We walk in,
and in the distance we can see
these perfect things.
Wow, wow, wow.
Wow, they're so hot.
-Karina.
God help me. Good lord.
You see them training, and you're like...
Oh my God.
Wow.
Lord.
I was in heaven. Wow.
I'm dying. They're so hot.
I'm dying.
I'm dead.
Can we stay here for the next month and a half?
Look at that.
What is that?
In urban terrain you're in danger
from all directions, even from above.
It means any one of your weapons
could be relevant.
There might be a terrorist inside,
and there may be one outside.
I can't open up a house in the dark.
I'll tell the terrorist to turn on the light.
In the very near future
I'm going to be facing a terrorist,
right in front of me at close range.
There's nothing scarier.
Grenade!
21,
22,
23.
Detonated!
That's what I'll have to do,
and I'm just going to do it.
Fire! Fire! Fire!
Fire! Fire! Fire!
-Good, great.
Clear, clear, clear!
Blocked, blocked, blocked!
Clear, clear, clear!
Blocked, blocked, blocked!
It's one big kill zone
and we have to cover them
to help them move forward, understood?
Yeah.
-Alright.
Go.
Tomer.
Run.
You always have to run, or they'll get you.
Good.
Once you enter,
you have to yell out what you see.
It's important to let the next pair know
how to enter,
what to watch out for.
The most important thing
is to keep your hand here,
and your weapon next to the head.
Entering!
Say it.
-Entering!
You enter.
Fire, fire.
Cover!
Cover!
Don't cradle the weapon like...
like you're protecting it.
Once you've thrown the grenade,
the first thing you do
is crouch down
and wait for him to come running.
Entering!
Fire, fire, fire!
-Fire, fire, fire! Fire, fire, fire!
Good.
In urban combat training you realize
this isn't a game.
Everything has to be
very sharp, very accurate.
You have to keep yourself
and your friends safe,
or lives will be lost.
Alright,
a two-sided drill.
What does that mean?
Our squad is going up against another squad.
They defend, we attack.
The girls are defending a house
that we need to attack.
We're going to go in
and try and purge it of terrorists.
This is our building.
We'll position ourselves on the second floor.
Our goal is to surprise them.
Are you clear on the mission?
Yes, Platoon Commander.
-We're Squad 3C for the Hamas.
Futna, Fatima,
Ahmedina,
Fakrina.
Alright, Squad 3C for the Hamas.
Now, you may be terrorists,
but be smart, okay?
Remember operational procedures,
remember your combat training.
Think of this drill as a real-life situation.
Be as covert as you can.
On the other side
you may encounter a terrorist.
The attacker's advantage
is the element of surprise.
If you use it right,
it'll absolutely work in your favor.
Stay quiet.
Instead of yelling, clicking, whispering,
touch each other.
Stay sharp, maintain eye contact.
Always remember your combat training.
Stay sharp,
and let's see who wins.
I have a feeling they'll come through here.
Alright, let's go.
Let's drill.
Two lines.
We decided to use everything at our disposal.
We found everything we could around the house.
There were tables, things like that.
We blockaded the walls, the houses, everything.
Stay close to the wall.
Alright, let's go.
Meged, cover that direction.
From now on, stay absolutely silent.
Get in position,
fix whatever you need to fix
and that's it. Radio silence.
Stepped opening, to the right.
-Stepped opening, to the right.
Window to the right.
-Window to the right.
Shh.
Don't talk.
Watch out for them.
Identify them in advance.
It really feels like you're at war.
We started the drill,
walked inside in complete silence,
trying to surprise them
through the main entrance.
Alright, quickly.
Meged, Meged.
Meged!
Do it quietly.
Quietly.
It's a little scary,
because you don't know where they're hiding.
It's completely dark,
you can't see a thing.
You're nervous,
you've got your weapon.
We created a diversion.
The house had three floors.
The first floor was irrelevant,
they could walk in if they wanted to.
The second floor was where
most of us stood.
And on the third floor
we stationed someone with a bunch of blanks.
Announce regular opening, to the left.
Regular opening, to the left.
Meged, come with me.
-I'm with you.
Fire, fire, fire...
-Fire, fire, fire! Fire, fire, fire!
We started moving in,
clearing the rooms.
The first floor was completely empty.
Alright, done?
-Clear, clear, clear.
Blocked, blocked, blocked.
So what did we do?
The one on the third floor
started shooting.
Fire, fire, fire!
Fire, fire, fire!
Attack from the top floor!
-Attack from the top floor!
Relative to this floor.
-Relative to this floor.
Yana was our diversion.
So when they came into the house,
they went straight upstairs.
The entire force.
While we were on the second floor.
Squad!
Yana!
Terrorist eliminated?
-Terrorist eliminated!
Alright, go.
Regular opening, to the right.
-Regular opening, to the right.
Entering.
He was scanning the rooms
on the third floor,
but none of us were there.
Get out of the room,
get out of the room!
Squad.
-Squad.
We're going to capture the middle floor.
We're going to capture the middle floor.
Then he decided to go down to the second floor,
and we all knew he was coming.
Follow me.
Fire!
As soon as they came down,
we attacked.
They're running!
Roger, over.
-You have two casualties on your force.
I killed them.
End of drill!
End of drill!
Alright, out.
It took them forever to come into the room.
I figured I'd attack.
I came out of the room,
shooting like...
Spraying them with bullets.
Yair,
the girls are deluded.
Commander Nehorai and I
established a shelter on the third floor.
We walked in, saw the door opening,
and he fired once.
After he fired that bullet,
she called out "grenade"
and threw a grenade
into the other room.
Forget it, they won.
It's fine, let them enjoy it.
Honestly, I think
we took them.
We did what we had to,
and I think we won the drill.
They had 80 casualties
and we had just one.
Alright.
I yelled,
"Grenade! Allah Hu Akbar!"
I saw two of my friends today,
both from special forces units.
It depressed me.
I worked my whole life
to make it into one of those units.
Whatever you could give there, man,
you should give here.
Can you do that?
I can, but the question is why.
What do you mean, why?
-What do you mean, man?
You're here to serve your country, aren't you?
Why are you here?
-I am, but I know that in a recon unit
I could serve it a lot better
than in a co-ed battalion.
Says who?
Says who?
-What do you mean?
Says who?
-Says who?
Why can't you contribute here
just as well as in a recon unit?
Because what you'll be doing
is guarding a fence
where something only happens
once every two months. -Right.
Stop. You're guarding a fence
that people use to smuggle weapons
which are then used to kill my friends.
So what you're being told
is to do the grunt work,
shut up and smile.
Why?
Why is it grunt work?
-That's exactly what it is.
Man, you're looking at it the wrong way.
I can contribute
and serve my country much better
in a recon unit,
you know?
-You've got a bad read on reality, man.
Why?
Because your contribution
is just as good as the guys over there.
Why not give here
whatever you could give there?
I can. -He contributes one thing,
you contribute another.
What difference does it make?
Want to contribute?
I think you'd do more good here
than in a special forces unit.
Man, imagine if your friends...
If there's a war, and your friends go in...
-I do have friends like that.
That's what I'm saying.
Your friends will go in,
will put themselves in danger
and you'll be on the sidelines.
How long has it been since the last war?
Don't know. Three years.
War could break out tomorrow.
Cool. War could break out
five years from now.
The work we'll be doing
in the villages, during riots,
every day...
And if we get a hot posting in the West Bank...
-Well?
We'll be doing a lot more than them.
What do they do all day?
They train.
They train in case something might happen.
But who does the day-to-day work?
The ones on the front lines.
You've got a loaded gun
all day, every day.
You're on high alert all day, every day.
You run between this riot,
that terrorist attack.
That's the daily war
Israel is in right now, man.
But how will you feel
if you have to watch your friends go in?
We each have to do our part.
You do one thing,
they do another.
And if you won't do this,
and Moshe won't do this,
and I won't do this...
If no one will do this,
you know what will happen?
There will be no paratroopers
and no counter-terrorism,
no recon units of any kind
and no naval commandos.
That's all there is to it, man.
We each contribute where we can.
You're here?
Then that's what you are, a Lion.
Allah Hu Akbar!
Fire!
Platoon 3!
-Rousting drill! -On your feet!
Get up, wake up, come on.
-Let's go, Platoon 3! It's a rousting drill.
Go on, wake up.
The past few days had been rough
and I didn't think
there would be a rousting drill.
We didn't get enough sleep that night,
and we didn't sleep well.
Are you kidding me?
Where are your listeners?
Wake up, wake up!
Where are your listeners, Platoon 3?
How is it possible the platoon was sleeping
with no one to guard it?
Go on, wake up!
You're going on a trek with the sergeant.
Oh no, I don't believe we've got a trek.
Silence.
A few notes for this trek.
First, you will walk in complete silence.
I don't want to hear
any complaints, swears, shouts, nothing.
Each of you will be dead silent.
Second,
I want to see you help each other.
I don't want to see
anyone lagging behind.
If you see someone lagging behind,
grab their hand
and pull them forwards.
Ready, 3?
Yes, Sergeant!
Not enough.
Ready, 3?
Yes, Sergeant!
Good. Silence.
Suddenly you're running
with 70 lbs. on your back,
and the road won't end.
I just won't end.
I'm out of strength.
Pay attention, keep the pace.
Run, run, run.
Are we halfway there?
No.
We're nowhere.
Just keep the pace.
We've got this. Keep the pace, that's all.
Don't lag behind
so far we can't catch up.
Keep going, keep going.
I can't.
How is she?
She's behind about 200 paces,
someone needs to go
and take the stretcher from her.
Understood.
Get someone to replace her now.
The girls often
cause delays for the boys.
If it's hard for you, don't be here.
This is deputy 3, over.
Go on.
The soldier was lagging behind
and she simply stopped.
I'm stopped right now.
Roger, have her bridge the gap
and resume walking.
Roger.
Come on. Let's go.
Are you taking over for me?
Help her.
-Just take her helmet.
Has the exchange been made?
-Affirmative.
Alright, Platoon 3.
I've resumed walking.
Keep the pace.
I can't stand.
I've got to lift the thing.
My legs...
I can feel my bones,
my back.
Go, man, go.
Come on.
Krako, can you do it?
Toss it aside for all I care.
Krako,
please.
My legs are dead, man.
Go, 3!
Where's Peleg?
Yair said he can't carry the water anymore.
Okay.
-And no one will take over from him.
Then find someone who will.
I don't care.
-I asked everyone.
What do you mean? They won't do it?
Yes.
-Then have them do it. Now.
Now. I don't care.
And whenever you see a gap,
make them bridge it.
Okay, Platoon 3, time to volunteer.
Meged,
can you carry the water
and give him the stretcher?
I can't.
I won't do it.
I'll take it.
Don't volunteer to take over for him.
I might be tired soon
and ask you to take over for me.
He spends all day moaning
that he's not in a recon unit,
but come on, man.
You're barely making it in the Lions.
You think you can handle special ops?
Are you kidding me?
Platoon 3, listen up.
If none of you are willing
to take over carrying the water from Yair,
it shows me your platoon
isn't there for each other,
that you have no solidarity.
Shame on you.
Shame on you, Platoon 3.
If you think you're already fighters,
then you need to seriously think again.
And if you think
that you don't feel like switching equipment
and helping your friends,
it's simply a disgrace.
In the following time
I want you to open up two stretchers.
You'll carry the rest of the equipment
as well as the stretchers till the end.
Good luck, 3.
Three, two, one...
Go.
Stretcher up.
3, start moving silently.
Alright, Platoon 3.
Keep the pace.
Can you start walking back there?
Don't smile. They don't deserve anything,
not even a cheer.
Stretcher stops here.
Stretcher stopping.
Stretcher stopping in three, two, one...
Lower stretcher to waist height.
Lower stretcher to ground.
-Lower stretcher to ground.
I didn't think this trek
would unfold the way it did.
I thought you'd be more motivated,
I thought there would be more solidarity,
more assistance.
It pained me to see you
refusing to help your friends
carry their equipment,
refusing to run, refusing to move forwards.
I shouldn't have to yell
to make that happen.
You should be doing it on your own.
You have to love what you do.
Stay like this.
Last night's trek was a failure.
You don't strive for excellence.
Not at all.
I can't have you stop
whenever things hurt.
I can't have you pause,
or ask for relief.
You're at the bottom.
The very bottom.
You should be walking the trek
until your feet crack open
and you're bleeding.
It's happened before.
I've seen my friends
bleeding from their feet
because they walked
till their feet bled.
You should be tearing your hair out
because it's so painful and hard
without saying a single word.
Bite your tongue until it bleeds.
I won't have my platoon behave this way.
I won't.
I want to see your motivation,
your ecstasy,
whenever you get a mission.
I want each of your sprints
to end in vomit.
That's what you should be doing.
I'd give up my rank
before I agree to have mediocre soldiers,
whiny soldiers,
insubordinate soldiers.
Is 70 percent the best you can do?
Is the bare minimum the best you can do?
Put yourself in my shoes for a moment.
Would you send a platoon like yours
into the field?
The first time you handle a terrorist attack,
the first person who gets murdered
in front of you
because you couldn't get there on time,
will you go and tell their mother,
"I'm sorry,
"I couldn't make it there on time?"
Get it together, fast.
My soldiers will not be mediocre.
My commanders aren't mediocre,
I'm not mediocre.
I don't think I am, at least.
Dismissal hearings are coming up,
and soldiers will be summoned.
Soldiers will be removed from this company.
If you can't do it, that's fine.
You can go.
The door is open.
Close your eyes.
Close them.
Close them, Meged.
Who wants to be here?
Raise your hand high
if you want to be here.
I closed my eyes,
and all my emotions welled up.
Lower your hands.
Is there anyone
who doesn't want to be here?
Who doesn't want to take the next step?
I'm starting to feel that this is it.
I'm done, I'm through with this. Enough.
Honestly,
I don't want to stay here.
That's it.
I'm getting out of here. I don't care how.
Everyone, lower your hands.
Those of you who raised their hand
are welcome to request a transfer form
and get out of my platoon.
Take them back to camp.
Did you see Meged raise his hand?
Yes.
-He's going to transfer out of here.
I won't keep people
who don't want to be here.
I won't pat anyone on their head.
What he needs to do now
is go up to the base,
and get ready to go home.
He's got an interview tomorrow at 10:00 AM
at Ground Forces HQ.
Grab him, talk to him,
explain the situation.
Meged!
At this stage,
a soldier who's still unmotivated
won't do what he should.
It's too late to change.
What's up?
-Okay.
Yeah?
Alright,
you...
You've been eliminated,
and you're going to Ground Forces HQ.
Eliminated?
I've never been eliminated from anywhere.
I've always been the best.
I've always been at the top.
The decision's been made.
I'd like him to stay in my squad,
but it's been decided
that he won't continue his service with us
due to his lack of motivation
and its effect on the squad.
You'll head up to base now
and go home.
You've got an interview tomorrow
with the placement officer at Ground Forces HQ.
I believe he'll give you a non-combat role.
That's when it hit me.
I realized I could end up as a non-combatant.
If they remove me from combat
it'll be the end of me.
For real.
I wouldn't be able to handle it.
Do you think there's a chance?
A chance for what?
-A combat role?
Of any kind?
I don't know.
-If I push hard for it? Maybe?
Listen, he sees 300 guys like you a week.
-I see.
But give it a shot.
It's not worth the risk.
If there's a chance I might end up
as a non-combatant, I'd rather stay here
and be a fighter.
I think I've made a mistake.
Company Commander,
I know it sounds really fickle
and like I've gotten turned around,
but I've decided to stay here
and give it everything I've got.
I know it seems weird
that I've changed my mind all of the sudden,
but I think that...
I could be as motivated as I was
my first couple of weeks here.
I know that it's...
really late,
but it's just...
Maybe you can help me?
I don't blame anyone.
I know it's my fault.
It's me and my big mouth,
I know.
You can't zigzag.
You've got an interview tomorrow,
and that's that.
Attention, Platoon Sergeant.
Yes.
-Can I say goodbye to everyone?
I'm leaving now.
You're heading back to the induction center?
Meeting with the placement officer.
What's he going to do with you?
New job.
You're kidding.
You're not really going.
Bless you. Darling.
-He's getting emotional.
Are you crying, man?
Why, man? It's nothing.
It'll be okay.
It'll be alright, Meged.
It's hard to say goodbye.
The person I'll miss most is Sagi.
Hey.
Hey.
Hey, what's wrong?
Hey.
-This sucks.
Attention, Commander May.
Can I ask you for a favor?
What?
-Something a little...
Depends what it is.
10 minutes.
10 minutes for what?
-With Sagi.
Alright.
Then when will I see you?
-No idea.
Complete uncertainty.
Baby.
I may have made a mistake.
It kills me.
It'll be okay.
What's up?
Getting the night off?
No way.
This is it.
What do you mean?
-I'm out.
Out where?
Don't smile, you fucker.
-I'm out. That's it.
It's really hard.
But this is it, man.
Where are you going?
-Ground Forces HQ.
Go to the battalion commander
and tell him you don't want to leave.
Listen, I don't have a choice, man.
I can try and talk to the battalion commander,
but it won't help.
Tell him you won't leave.
It's been decided.
I'm already listed.
My name's already been brought up.
What can I do?
Now they're sending me to HQ.
Do I look like I belong in HQ?
Do I look like a driver?
No, you look like the guy
who follows the brigade commander with...
Who writes everything down.
-Fuck you, asshole.
Yeah, you'd follow him
with a pen and paper.
Fuck you both. Seriously.
Alright, babes.
Alright, bro.
-No.
Okay, babe.
-God bless you.
Bye, my man.
Talk to me, bro.
Alright. See you, man.
Go, charge in a straight line!
Fire!
-Fire! -Fire!
I feel like I let myself down,
which is the worst feeling.
I don't know what they'll do with me,
I don't know where I'm going,
if they'll take me off combat duty
or give me a chance to be a fighter.
I really don't know
and it's eating me up inside.
Excellent drill, girls.
Definitely better than the last one.
---
To me!
I looked around me and I was in shock.
The girls weren't moving.
It was crazy.
I'm not doing that.
Don't you agree that physically,
women are inferior to men?
It's one thing to say these things
before you enlist.
It's another thing entirely
to say it during basic training.
Do you actually still believe that?
Their physical strength
is weaker than men's.
Then why shouldn't the girls
stay on the home front?
If the IDF thought
you could be somewhere else,
they would've placed you there.
Who are you to tell me
what I can and can't do?
Where do you think
you'd contribute more, here or...
In my opinion? -Yeah.
-I think I'd be more useful in a recon unit.
Then you ended up here by mistake.
We're here for a squad test.
You're being tested not as individuals,
but as a unit.
Go, more, more, more!
There's no way the boys in my squad
will let the girls beat them.
Today's our chance
to show that we can beat the boys,
that we can take them on
no matter what.
Apply the tourniquet.
-No, no, no.
You're putting your hand there?
Hold the head.
No evac. He's dead.
Peleg, I'm sorry, man.
Damn, this sucks.
Alright, very good.
Very good, Lions.
Excellent.
Keep going, girls.
One squad won.
This squad was really
head and shoulders above the rest.
That squad was 3C.
That's it. I'm done.
You can't do that.
I want
to get out of here. That's all.
Begin live-fire drill!
-Begin life-fire drill!
Terrorist!
-Terrorist!
Terrorist!
-Terrorist!
Basic training is coming to an end,
and we're getting close
to the real thing.
The level of the drills has gone up.
Things are actually becoming dangerous.
Heavy fire!
Frontal attack!
There's live fire, which means
actual bullets are flying past you,
and they can hurt you.
Oh God, that was right behind me.
You don't see the person next to you,
in front of you.
Not only are you scared
of shooting your friends,
you're worried you're going
to get shot in the back.
Avigail, do you see Na'ama?
It was really dark.
You couldn't see anything.
Until someone was right beside you,
you couldn't see them.
Everyone was firing
in all directions.
We were using tracers,
so you could see the flash of red lines.
You saw the bullet right here.
It was really close. Scary.
All units, converge on me!
Karina, move forward.
Dirties ahead!
-Dirties ahead!
The danger is you could die.
If you get shot during a live-fire drill,
that's it.
Alright, final jump before charging.
-Final jump before charging!
One jumping.
Avigail, you're behind. Come on.
-Na'ama, get a leg up, move forward.
Go, charge in a straight line!
Go, charge in a straight line!
When someone falls out of line
it can get really dangerous,
and that's exactly what happened.
The bullets were really close to me.
I actually saw my life flash before my eyes.
Suddenly you realize you're a combat soldier,
that this is your job,
that you're risking your life
and people are actually firing at you.
End live-fire drill!
End live-fire drill!
Permission to advance,
barrels facing targets.
Come here, Squad 3C. Come here.
U-formation. Stand in a row.
How was that?
Wow, it sucked.
Terrible.
No, it was too much.
-I was aiming straight at the target.
It was terrifying.
Gibli almost hit my helmet.
How many terrorists did you spot?
Not a single one.
-I didn't see anything.
I didn't see anyone.
-I saw nothing.
I just saw Yana's bullets,
and her bullets, crossing my path.
While she was shooting, I was...
It flew right past me.
The bullets were where
Yana's standing right now.
Yeah, when Almog fired,
I felt the shock wave from her weapon.
When you're blind in the dark,
you have to pay attention.
You had the benefit
of using tracers now,
but you won't always be using tracers.
You won't see your bullets at night.
Manage the fight.
Stop, get up and say:
"I'm improving my position up,"
"I'm improving my position here, there."
Understood?
Understood, Platoon Commander.
What scares me
is that we don't know where the targets are.
I go uphill to a higher vantage point,
but I know
that if I don't drop down fast enough,
he could riddle me with bullets first.
And you have no idea just how much
I view that target as a terrorist.
I feel like he's shooting at me.
I mean, I'm completely exposed.
I see him,
he sees me,
and the game is who gets to shoot first.
That's the game.
Visibility was at zero.
I saw absolutely nothing.
Except... the only thing
was that I heard Almog's bullets
whistling in my ear
and then I saw her tracers flying by like this.
That's when I felt
like I was in a battlefield.
Really, and I've never been this...
It was just terrifying.
You know,
a tourist visited our ranch.
I took her to the supermarket
and she asked me,
"What do you do?"
"I'm a combat soldier."
She said,
"Aren't you scared?"
And I told her,
"I'm terrified.
But I still do it."
So she asked, "Why?"
And I was like...
"Because we have to."
My job, my mission,
is to protect people.
If I don't stop that terrorist
from attacking,
a lot of people will die.
Try and explain that.
So I told her we just do it.
She said, "But I mean...
"You don't have to do it if you're afraid."
And I said... "That's funny."
Of course I have to do it.
I swore to give everything I could.
I'm giving everything I have to my country,
Even if these two years and eight months
take the life out of me.
Courage matters.
You always need to have courage.
You always need to be brave enough...
-But you don't...
You don't think of it like that...
-To run forward,
get a leg up and start shooting.
-But you don't think of it that way,
Na'ama.
-Right now, that's just how I think of it.
That's exactly what I think about.
You all know we're the best.
Obviously. Did you doubt it?
I'm just saying,
if I get shot in the back
I'm going to kick your asses,
I swear.
Oof.
Wow.
Honestly,
I'm not afraid of being killed by a terrorist.
I'm afraid someone will shoot me in the back.
How come?
-Think about it, you're running
and you're relying on about eight other people
with loaded guns.
If one of them stumbles or falls,
bam, they'll shoot you...
in the back, in the...
head.
I'm very glad that this specific drill
only includes the boys' squad.
Alright, prone position.
Squad!
-Squad!
We'll be climbing up to a vantage point.
-We'll be climbing up to a vantage point.
In order to identify targets.
-In order to identify targets.
And initiate combat.
And initiate combat.
Begin live-fire drill!
-Begin live-fire drill!
One jumping.
-One jumping.
Jump, start jumping!
Unit commanders.
-Yes, sir.
Yes, sir.
-Meged? -Yes.
Here's what's going to happen.
I'll give the order,
"Seven, four, two, fire!"
Your squad will stay here
and cover me with fire.
-Okay.
You'll soften up the enemy.
Once I've jumped ahead,
you get your squad jumping
and follow on my heels.
Go, drop down...
-Yes, yes.
And join up behind you.
-Exactly.
Got it.
Got it?
-Yes.
Seven,
Four,
Two, one.
Fire!
Meged, fire!
Meged, fire!
Meged, to the center, 500 feet.
Not to the target?
500 feet, to the center.
Not to my target?
-No.
500 feet. Center of area.
One and two, jump.
-One and two, jump.
Onward.
Alright, fire.
One jumping!
One jumping!
Meged, move forward, Meged!
Peleg, spread out right.
Fire! Fire!
Fire, fire!
-Fire, fire!
Meged, get your squad.
Meged,
come here!
No, no, Meged!
Go right, fast!
Tell me your unit's deployed.
Meged, fire!
Meged, watch your aim.
Watch your aim.
You're aiming outside the area boundary.
Cease fire!
Cease fire!
-Cease fire!
Squad A, come here.
Oh, that was bad.
A catastrophe.
Quickly, Tomer and Almog.
Get in a proper U-formation.
Alright, it's like this.
What good are you
if you aren't there
at the end of the charge?
You're out of touch.
You're completely out of touch.
Irrelevant, useless.
You may as well not be in this squad.
Just as well.
If you're done covering,
why are you still up there?
What are you looking for?
You're irrelevant.
You're just another target.
You're a target in the field,
an object that's standing out.
The platoon commander
really tore into me
in front of everyone.
It was humiliating.
You're irrelevant when you're behind.
Even if you're the back unit,
you're irrelevant.
And to be irrelevant in combat
is the worst thing you can be.
It was really nasty.
She really overreacted.
Damn, that platoon commander.
What is it, man?
I want to get out of here.
My friends
are all proud of their service.
They're all in recon units.
When we go out on Thursday night
they talk about their units,
talk about being in the special forces,
talk about training abroad
and all that, and I...
"Where are you posted?"
"Lions of the Jordan Valley."
It sucks.
The ops they do,
their harsh, intensive training,
are things that push you beyond the limit.
You know what, Meged?
All in all, these are
two years and eight months of your life.
Try and do it your way,
the way that's best for you,
and give as much as you can.
The thing is, I want to fulfill my dream.
I don't want to give up on my goal.
I don't want to, Yair.
I tried,
I gave it a shot.
I want more, man.
It can't be helped. I just want more.
What about Sagi?
Will you leave her here alone?
That's a good point, man.
It really is.
Listen to me,
don't give it up.
Sometimes she tells me
to follow my dreams.
She wants me to be happy,
she really does.
I mean, come on.
-You're so cute.
Why are you smiling?
Shut up.
You're so cute.
What do you mean?
I'm telling you, I feel it,
she wants me to be happy.
-I swear, you're just so cute.
I like seeing you like this.
It's funny hearing you talk about her.
It's cute.
We won't get leave at the same time,
all of the sudden...
I might not see her for a month,
a month and a half, two.
What will I do then?
I say, be happy with what you've got.
Don't throw it all away
and don't go looking...
You know?
Don't overreach.
You've got a good thing.
Make sure you keep it.
Man, I want to request a transfer.
Don't do it.
Don't be stupid.
Be happy with what you've got.
You've got a good thing going.
You've got friends,
you've got a new family here.
I don't know what to do.
This drill is called
"shooting after exertion".
The difficulty in shooting after exertion
is that you're winded,
so your body's moving,
it's unstable.
We're being taught to fire
after a workout.
We have to do two laps
in our vests.
Mostly, it's a test of your stamina.
It's harder to do.
You have to shoot and still hit the target,
aim well.
It's just tiring.
You can get through it,
it isn't hard, I mean...
it's possible.
You just have to practice.
Attention, Platoon Commander.
How many squats should I do?
Why aren't you running?
I can't run.
-Because?
Can't. I'm super dizzy.
How come?
-If I run, I'll fall.
I know I will.
I was dehydrated yesterday,
the company medic said...
So why didn't you drink?
I did.
-24 hours.
I did, but when I make sudden movements...
You saw me heading for the targets.
I didn't run then, either.
-Listen, it's...
Squat if you really want.
This is your specialization, Meged.
To be perfectly honest.
What a loser.
He spends all his time
looking down at the co-ed battalion,
but if you've made it to a combat unit,
you should give it your all.
Is it my fault that I don't feel well?
First of all, yes.
It's your responsibility to stay hydrated.
You've got a canteen,
you walk around with it all day.
If you aren't,
that's a different issue.
But we won't get into that.
Do your squats.
She knows I never make a scene like this.
Some people do it all the time.
I've never done that.
I always give it my all.
She knows that.
Nine burpees.
How many?
-Nine.
Seriously? Nine?
Wow.
-Another one.
Is that the last one?
No?
-No.
I've got no energy left.
I'm too tired.
Four...
Motherfucker.
I missed.
Ten.
No, no.
Yes, yes.
-No, it's too much.
Last one.
You're not winded enough.
That's it?
What's up, Meged?
I want you to know
how I perceive you,
as a soldier and as a person.
You think you're giving 100 percent.
The way I see it,
you're barely giving 60 percent.
Okay.
You cut yourself
a lot of slack.
You have so much to give,
and you don't do it,
and I don't understand why.
I don't know.
I just don't feel
like I can fulfill my potential here...
as much as I could.
I don't know why.
Maybe it's because of the girls,
maybe it's...
I don't know.
God forgive me,
but I honestly don't know.
So where do we go from here?
I'd appreciate it
if you could help me somehow.
To do what? Go somewhere...
Somewhere else.
But once you leave here
you won't end up in any other combat unit.
Once you leave combat,
you don't go back.
If you try and leave the battalion
you'll end up in the kitchens,
or as a quartermaster.
You've got this dream
that one day you'll end up...
Maybe you will, I don't know.
Something might change.
But you're here now,
and this is where you'll stay.
And you can be conflicted about it,
but the bottom line is that you're here.
So what are you gonna do about it?
This is your place.
So take this place
and do something good with it.
Good.
We've arrived
at the Urban Warfare Training Center.
It's also known as "Little Gaza".
It's a place that simulates Gaza exactly.
It was built to train soldiers
to fight in urban terrain.
It's like a copy of Gaza.
It really gives you a feel
of what Gaza looks like,
its buildings and houses.
Suddenly you see mosques,
you see Arab houses.
It reminds me a little of Hebron.
Of home.
Oh my God, it's actually Gaza.
All that's missing is an enemy
and a Muezzin that's singing their songs.
This is so cool.
It's so weird.
It's not a couple of shipping containers
that you have to pretend are a house.
There's a mosque, there are squares,
there are actual streets and posters.
It's the coolest thing ever.
There are abandoned buses,
cars,
graffiti.
It has everything.
It's an actual copy.
It makes everything feel a lot more real.
I wouldn't want
to walk around the UWTC at night.
I wouldn't.
Pay attention to what we'll be watching now.
First of all,
Commander Yaakov is leading this drill.
His squad
is here,
defending this house,
and they want to capture the house over there.
They're going to move
however they see fit,
move through lower ground
using a smoke grenade
and will capture the house.
Watch this drill,
this may be the most important drill
you'll undergo during urban warfare training.
Things have to happen quickly,
because we are in a kill zone.
Commander Yaakov is exiting the shelter
and is moving towards the house.
Commander Yaakov has reached the house
and wants to open it up.
and he wants to open it up.
It's important you stay focused here,
because ultimately, our biggest threat
is the possibility of abduction.
You never, ever stay alone
in urban terrain.
Never.
When you reach the UWTC
you realize that this is it,
this is where you'll learn
to be a combat soldier.
Grenade!
21, 22, 23...
On top of that, urban warfare offers us
a lot of things we can use in the moment.
Make sure you use cars,
make sure you use doors and windows.
Anything goes.
You'll practice that, too.
Commander Yaakov
is smoke-screening the terrorist.
Cover this door for me!
The entire unit immediately enters the house.
The house is the most secure area for you.
The street is the kill zone.
In.
-Go, go, go!
Fire, fire, fire!
-Fire, fire, fire!
Fire, fire, fire!
Clear, clear, clear.
End dry drill!
-End dry drill!
Wow, I love this.
I love this. It's the best.
Alright, get ready.
As you can see,
we are in the kill zone.
Any village looks just like this.
In urban terrain,
the threat can come from any direction.
A terrorist can come from here,
or from that window,
or from there.
That's why no matter where we go,
we'll stay in pairs
and we will cover each other.
I will always
have a barrel pointed
in every direction.
We moved, learned all sorts of drills,
and we had to function well.
We're walking down the road,
and everyone can see us.
Passing through lower terrain.
All of the sudden
you hear gunshots from a window
and you immediately
need to locate the flash,
see where it came from
and fire in that direction.
Fire, fire, fire!
Urban warfare poses very real dangers
at any given moment.
Even when you're inside a house,
you need to make sure no one's coming,
and that you're really covered
from all directions.
In the field we will mostly
be fighting in urban terrain.
It's very important to practice
moving from house to house,
how to duck under a window,
how to open up a house.
The first thing you'll learn
is establishing a standard shelter.
A shelter is a place in which I protect myself
and scout out my next destination.
I don't want to see anything like this.
Your arm will get shot off. Understood?
You're too exposed.
Look, you're all sideways.
My entire body
stays behind the cover.
And slowly, slowly...
As we do more drills,
you'll see
you'll get better at it.
Look, I can see all of you.
Like this?
Much better.
Very good. Excellent.
Alright, Avigail.
Great, I see the difference.
Alright, over to the wall.
We begin with a defended house.
I prepare the grenade,
touch the wall
to make sure it isn't covered
by shelves or something.
Then I throw the grenade.
21,
22, 23...
Fire, fire, fire, fire!
Move, Switch! Switch!
Fire! Fire!
Tap here,
walk in.
See?
Fire, fire, fire!
Got it?
-Yes.
A lot of recon units come here.
A lot of special forces train here.
It's depressing.
I feel like I'm missing out
when I see the recon units
and the special forces around us
while I'm training with the Lions.
These are my breaking points.
It was really, really hard.
Especially when I saw some of my friends...
there,
with the counter-terrorism unit.
It sucks.
Can't you help me transfer over to you?
I'm dying to get out of here.
My God.
Look at those beefcakes.
God help me.
-Where?
We don't have that in Karmiel.
We walk in,
and in the distance we can see
these perfect things.
Wow, wow, wow.
Wow, they're so hot.
-Karina.
God help me. Good lord.
You see them training, and you're like...
Oh my God.
Wow.
Lord.
I was in heaven. Wow.
I'm dying. They're so hot.
I'm dying.
I'm dead.
Can we stay here for the next month and a half?
Look at that.
What is that?
In urban terrain you're in danger
from all directions, even from above.
It means any one of your weapons
could be relevant.
There might be a terrorist inside,
and there may be one outside.
I can't open up a house in the dark.
I'll tell the terrorist to turn on the light.
In the very near future
I'm going to be facing a terrorist,
right in front of me at close range.
There's nothing scarier.
Grenade!
21,
22,
23.
Detonated!
That's what I'll have to do,
and I'm just going to do it.
Fire! Fire! Fire!
Fire! Fire! Fire!
-Good, great.
Clear, clear, clear!
Blocked, blocked, blocked!
Clear, clear, clear!
Blocked, blocked, blocked!
It's one big kill zone
and we have to cover them
to help them move forward, understood?
Yeah.
-Alright.
Go.
Tomer.
Run.
You always have to run, or they'll get you.
Good.
Once you enter,
you have to yell out what you see.
It's important to let the next pair know
how to enter,
what to watch out for.
The most important thing
is to keep your hand here,
and your weapon next to the head.
Entering!
Say it.
-Entering!
You enter.
Fire, fire.
Cover!
Cover!
Don't cradle the weapon like...
like you're protecting it.
Once you've thrown the grenade,
the first thing you do
is crouch down
and wait for him to come running.
Entering!
Fire, fire, fire!
-Fire, fire, fire! Fire, fire, fire!
Good.
In urban combat training you realize
this isn't a game.
Everything has to be
very sharp, very accurate.
You have to keep yourself
and your friends safe,
or lives will be lost.
Alright,
a two-sided drill.
What does that mean?
Our squad is going up against another squad.
They defend, we attack.
The girls are defending a house
that we need to attack.
We're going to go in
and try and purge it of terrorists.
This is our building.
We'll position ourselves on the second floor.
Our goal is to surprise them.
Are you clear on the mission?
Yes, Platoon Commander.
-We're Squad 3C for the Hamas.
Futna, Fatima,
Ahmedina,
Fakrina.
Alright, Squad 3C for the Hamas.
Now, you may be terrorists,
but be smart, okay?
Remember operational procedures,
remember your combat training.
Think of this drill as a real-life situation.
Be as covert as you can.
On the other side
you may encounter a terrorist.
The attacker's advantage
is the element of surprise.
If you use it right,
it'll absolutely work in your favor.
Stay quiet.
Instead of yelling, clicking, whispering,
touch each other.
Stay sharp, maintain eye contact.
Always remember your combat training.
Stay sharp,
and let's see who wins.
I have a feeling they'll come through here.
Alright, let's go.
Let's drill.
Two lines.
We decided to use everything at our disposal.
We found everything we could around the house.
There were tables, things like that.
We blockaded the walls, the houses, everything.
Stay close to the wall.
Alright, let's go.
Meged, cover that direction.
From now on, stay absolutely silent.
Get in position,
fix whatever you need to fix
and that's it. Radio silence.
Stepped opening, to the right.
-Stepped opening, to the right.
Window to the right.
-Window to the right.
Shh.
Don't talk.
Watch out for them.
Identify them in advance.
It really feels like you're at war.
We started the drill,
walked inside in complete silence,
trying to surprise them
through the main entrance.
Alright, quickly.
Meged, Meged.
Meged!
Do it quietly.
Quietly.
It's a little scary,
because you don't know where they're hiding.
It's completely dark,
you can't see a thing.
You're nervous,
you've got your weapon.
We created a diversion.
The house had three floors.
The first floor was irrelevant,
they could walk in if they wanted to.
The second floor was where
most of us stood.
And on the third floor
we stationed someone with a bunch of blanks.
Announce regular opening, to the left.
Regular opening, to the left.
Meged, come with me.
-I'm with you.
Fire, fire, fire...
-Fire, fire, fire! Fire, fire, fire!
We started moving in,
clearing the rooms.
The first floor was completely empty.
Alright, done?
-Clear, clear, clear.
Blocked, blocked, blocked.
So what did we do?
The one on the third floor
started shooting.
Fire, fire, fire!
Fire, fire, fire!
Attack from the top floor!
-Attack from the top floor!
Relative to this floor.
-Relative to this floor.
Yana was our diversion.
So when they came into the house,
they went straight upstairs.
The entire force.
While we were on the second floor.
Squad!
Yana!
Terrorist eliminated?
-Terrorist eliminated!
Alright, go.
Regular opening, to the right.
-Regular opening, to the right.
Entering.
He was scanning the rooms
on the third floor,
but none of us were there.
Get out of the room,
get out of the room!
Squad.
-Squad.
We're going to capture the middle floor.
We're going to capture the middle floor.
Then he decided to go down to the second floor,
and we all knew he was coming.
Follow me.
Fire!
As soon as they came down,
we attacked.
They're running!
Roger, over.
-You have two casualties on your force.
I killed them.
End of drill!
End of drill!
Alright, out.
It took them forever to come into the room.
I figured I'd attack.
I came out of the room,
shooting like...
Spraying them with bullets.
Yair,
the girls are deluded.
Commander Nehorai and I
established a shelter on the third floor.
We walked in, saw the door opening,
and he fired once.
After he fired that bullet,
she called out "grenade"
and threw a grenade
into the other room.
Forget it, they won.
It's fine, let them enjoy it.
Honestly, I think
we took them.
We did what we had to,
and I think we won the drill.
They had 80 casualties
and we had just one.
Alright.
I yelled,
"Grenade! Allah Hu Akbar!"
I saw two of my friends today,
both from special forces units.
It depressed me.
I worked my whole life
to make it into one of those units.
Whatever you could give there, man,
you should give here.
Can you do that?
I can, but the question is why.
What do you mean, why?
-What do you mean, man?
You're here to serve your country, aren't you?
Why are you here?
-I am, but I know that in a recon unit
I could serve it a lot better
than in a co-ed battalion.
Says who?
Says who?
-What do you mean?
Says who?
-Says who?
Why can't you contribute here
just as well as in a recon unit?
Because what you'll be doing
is guarding a fence
where something only happens
once every two months. -Right.
Stop. You're guarding a fence
that people use to smuggle weapons
which are then used to kill my friends.
So what you're being told
is to do the grunt work,
shut up and smile.
Why?
Why is it grunt work?
-That's exactly what it is.
Man, you're looking at it the wrong way.
I can contribute
and serve my country much better
in a recon unit,
you know?
-You've got a bad read on reality, man.
Why?
Because your contribution
is just as good as the guys over there.
Why not give here
whatever you could give there?
I can. -He contributes one thing,
you contribute another.
What difference does it make?
Want to contribute?
I think you'd do more good here
than in a special forces unit.
Man, imagine if your friends...
If there's a war, and your friends go in...
-I do have friends like that.
That's what I'm saying.
Your friends will go in,
will put themselves in danger
and you'll be on the sidelines.
How long has it been since the last war?
Don't know. Three years.
War could break out tomorrow.
Cool. War could break out
five years from now.
The work we'll be doing
in the villages, during riots,
every day...
And if we get a hot posting in the West Bank...
-Well?
We'll be doing a lot more than them.
What do they do all day?
They train.
They train in case something might happen.
But who does the day-to-day work?
The ones on the front lines.
You've got a loaded gun
all day, every day.
You're on high alert all day, every day.
You run between this riot,
that terrorist attack.
That's the daily war
Israel is in right now, man.
But how will you feel
if you have to watch your friends go in?
We each have to do our part.
You do one thing,
they do another.
And if you won't do this,
and Moshe won't do this,
and I won't do this...
If no one will do this,
you know what will happen?
There will be no paratroopers
and no counter-terrorism,
no recon units of any kind
and no naval commandos.
That's all there is to it, man.
We each contribute where we can.
You're here?
Then that's what you are, a Lion.
Allah Hu Akbar!
Fire!
Platoon 3!
-Rousting drill! -On your feet!
Get up, wake up, come on.
-Let's go, Platoon 3! It's a rousting drill.
Go on, wake up.
The past few days had been rough
and I didn't think
there would be a rousting drill.
We didn't get enough sleep that night,
and we didn't sleep well.
Are you kidding me?
Where are your listeners?
Wake up, wake up!
Where are your listeners, Platoon 3?
How is it possible the platoon was sleeping
with no one to guard it?
Go on, wake up!
You're going on a trek with the sergeant.
Oh no, I don't believe we've got a trek.
Silence.
A few notes for this trek.
First, you will walk in complete silence.
I don't want to hear
any complaints, swears, shouts, nothing.
Each of you will be dead silent.
Second,
I want to see you help each other.
I don't want to see
anyone lagging behind.
If you see someone lagging behind,
grab their hand
and pull them forwards.
Ready, 3?
Yes, Sergeant!
Not enough.
Ready, 3?
Yes, Sergeant!
Good. Silence.
Suddenly you're running
with 70 lbs. on your back,
and the road won't end.
I just won't end.
I'm out of strength.
Pay attention, keep the pace.
Run, run, run.
Are we halfway there?
No.
We're nowhere.
Just keep the pace.
We've got this. Keep the pace, that's all.
Don't lag behind
so far we can't catch up.
Keep going, keep going.
I can't.
How is she?
She's behind about 200 paces,
someone needs to go
and take the stretcher from her.
Understood.
Get someone to replace her now.
The girls often
cause delays for the boys.
If it's hard for you, don't be here.
This is deputy 3, over.
Go on.
The soldier was lagging behind
and she simply stopped.
I'm stopped right now.
Roger, have her bridge the gap
and resume walking.
Roger.
Come on. Let's go.
Are you taking over for me?
Help her.
-Just take her helmet.
Has the exchange been made?
-Affirmative.
Alright, Platoon 3.
I've resumed walking.
Keep the pace.
I can't stand.
I've got to lift the thing.
My legs...
I can feel my bones,
my back.
Go, man, go.
Come on.
Krako, can you do it?
Toss it aside for all I care.
Krako,
please.
My legs are dead, man.
Go, 3!
Where's Peleg?
Yair said he can't carry the water anymore.
Okay.
-And no one will take over from him.
Then find someone who will.
I don't care.
-I asked everyone.
What do you mean? They won't do it?
Yes.
-Then have them do it. Now.
Now. I don't care.
And whenever you see a gap,
make them bridge it.
Okay, Platoon 3, time to volunteer.
Meged,
can you carry the water
and give him the stretcher?
I can't.
I won't do it.
I'll take it.
Don't volunteer to take over for him.
I might be tired soon
and ask you to take over for me.
He spends all day moaning
that he's not in a recon unit,
but come on, man.
You're barely making it in the Lions.
You think you can handle special ops?
Are you kidding me?
Platoon 3, listen up.
If none of you are willing
to take over carrying the water from Yair,
it shows me your platoon
isn't there for each other,
that you have no solidarity.
Shame on you.
Shame on you, Platoon 3.
If you think you're already fighters,
then you need to seriously think again.
And if you think
that you don't feel like switching equipment
and helping your friends,
it's simply a disgrace.
In the following time
I want you to open up two stretchers.
You'll carry the rest of the equipment
as well as the stretchers till the end.
Good luck, 3.
Three, two, one...
Go.
Stretcher up.
3, start moving silently.
Alright, Platoon 3.
Keep the pace.
Can you start walking back there?
Don't smile. They don't deserve anything,
not even a cheer.
Stretcher stops here.
Stretcher stopping.
Stretcher stopping in three, two, one...
Lower stretcher to waist height.
Lower stretcher to ground.
-Lower stretcher to ground.
I didn't think this trek
would unfold the way it did.
I thought you'd be more motivated,
I thought there would be more solidarity,
more assistance.
It pained me to see you
refusing to help your friends
carry their equipment,
refusing to run, refusing to move forwards.
I shouldn't have to yell
to make that happen.
You should be doing it on your own.
You have to love what you do.
Stay like this.
Last night's trek was a failure.
You don't strive for excellence.
Not at all.
I can't have you stop
whenever things hurt.
I can't have you pause,
or ask for relief.
You're at the bottom.
The very bottom.
You should be walking the trek
until your feet crack open
and you're bleeding.
It's happened before.
I've seen my friends
bleeding from their feet
because they walked
till their feet bled.
You should be tearing your hair out
because it's so painful and hard
without saying a single word.
Bite your tongue until it bleeds.
I won't have my platoon behave this way.
I won't.
I want to see your motivation,
your ecstasy,
whenever you get a mission.
I want each of your sprints
to end in vomit.
That's what you should be doing.
I'd give up my rank
before I agree to have mediocre soldiers,
whiny soldiers,
insubordinate soldiers.
Is 70 percent the best you can do?
Is the bare minimum the best you can do?
Put yourself in my shoes for a moment.
Would you send a platoon like yours
into the field?
The first time you handle a terrorist attack,
the first person who gets murdered
in front of you
because you couldn't get there on time,
will you go and tell their mother,
"I'm sorry,
"I couldn't make it there on time?"
Get it together, fast.
My soldiers will not be mediocre.
My commanders aren't mediocre,
I'm not mediocre.
I don't think I am, at least.
Dismissal hearings are coming up,
and soldiers will be summoned.
Soldiers will be removed from this company.
If you can't do it, that's fine.
You can go.
The door is open.
Close your eyes.
Close them.
Close them, Meged.
Who wants to be here?
Raise your hand high
if you want to be here.
I closed my eyes,
and all my emotions welled up.
Lower your hands.
Is there anyone
who doesn't want to be here?
Who doesn't want to take the next step?
I'm starting to feel that this is it.
I'm done, I'm through with this. Enough.
Honestly,
I don't want to stay here.
That's it.
I'm getting out of here. I don't care how.
Everyone, lower your hands.
Those of you who raised their hand
are welcome to request a transfer form
and get out of my platoon.
Take them back to camp.
Did you see Meged raise his hand?
Yes.
-He's going to transfer out of here.
I won't keep people
who don't want to be here.
I won't pat anyone on their head.
What he needs to do now
is go up to the base,
and get ready to go home.
He's got an interview tomorrow at 10:00 AM
at Ground Forces HQ.
Grab him, talk to him,
explain the situation.
Meged!
At this stage,
a soldier who's still unmotivated
won't do what he should.
It's too late to change.
What's up?
-Okay.
Yeah?
Alright,
you...
You've been eliminated,
and you're going to Ground Forces HQ.
Eliminated?
I've never been eliminated from anywhere.
I've always been the best.
I've always been at the top.
The decision's been made.
I'd like him to stay in my squad,
but it's been decided
that he won't continue his service with us
due to his lack of motivation
and its effect on the squad.
You'll head up to base now
and go home.
You've got an interview tomorrow
with the placement officer at Ground Forces HQ.
I believe he'll give you a non-combat role.
That's when it hit me.
I realized I could end up as a non-combatant.
If they remove me from combat
it'll be the end of me.
For real.
I wouldn't be able to handle it.
Do you think there's a chance?
A chance for what?
-A combat role?
Of any kind?
I don't know.
-If I push hard for it? Maybe?
Listen, he sees 300 guys like you a week.
-I see.
But give it a shot.
It's not worth the risk.
If there's a chance I might end up
as a non-combatant, I'd rather stay here
and be a fighter.
I think I've made a mistake.
Company Commander,
I know it sounds really fickle
and like I've gotten turned around,
but I've decided to stay here
and give it everything I've got.
I know it seems weird
that I've changed my mind all of the sudden,
but I think that...
I could be as motivated as I was
my first couple of weeks here.
I know that it's...
really late,
but it's just...
Maybe you can help me?
I don't blame anyone.
I know it's my fault.
It's me and my big mouth,
I know.
You can't zigzag.
You've got an interview tomorrow,
and that's that.
Attention, Platoon Sergeant.
Yes.
-Can I say goodbye to everyone?
I'm leaving now.
You're heading back to the induction center?
Meeting with the placement officer.
What's he going to do with you?
New job.
You're kidding.
You're not really going.
Bless you. Darling.
-He's getting emotional.
Are you crying, man?
Why, man? It's nothing.
It'll be okay.
It'll be alright, Meged.
It's hard to say goodbye.
The person I'll miss most is Sagi.
Hey.
Hey.
Hey, what's wrong?
Hey.
-This sucks.
Attention, Commander May.
Can I ask you for a favor?
What?
-Something a little...
Depends what it is.
10 minutes.
10 minutes for what?
-With Sagi.
Alright.
Then when will I see you?
-No idea.
Complete uncertainty.
Baby.
I may have made a mistake.
It kills me.
It'll be okay.
What's up?
Getting the night off?
No way.
This is it.
What do you mean?
-I'm out.
Out where?
Don't smile, you fucker.
-I'm out. That's it.
It's really hard.
But this is it, man.
Where are you going?
-Ground Forces HQ.
Go to the battalion commander
and tell him you don't want to leave.
Listen, I don't have a choice, man.
I can try and talk to the battalion commander,
but it won't help.
Tell him you won't leave.
It's been decided.
I'm already listed.
My name's already been brought up.
What can I do?
Now they're sending me to HQ.
Do I look like I belong in HQ?
Do I look like a driver?
No, you look like the guy
who follows the brigade commander with...
Who writes everything down.
-Fuck you, asshole.
Yeah, you'd follow him
with a pen and paper.
Fuck you both. Seriously.
Alright, babes.
Alright, bro.
-No.
Okay, babe.
-God bless you.
Bye, my man.
Talk to me, bro.
Alright. See you, man.
Go, charge in a straight line!
Fire!
-Fire! -Fire!
I feel like I let myself down,
which is the worst feeling.
I don't know what they'll do with me,
I don't know where I'm going,
if they'll take me off combat duty
or give me a chance to be a fighter.
I really don't know
and it's eating me up inside.
Excellent drill, girls.
Definitely better than the last one.