about to start my 5th week

Hey everyone,
I havent posted in a pretty long while, but here goes my attempt of filling you all in on whats new with me. Im about to start my 5th week of my basic training. The first few weeks we didnt do anything too exciting, and frankly we didnt really start to do many things like soldiers, but since it has started to get better. We all got M-16s and got to shoot them in the 3rd week or so, and we calibrated them, and started getting used to having them on us all the time. we have had a lot of lessons on how to use the guns, how they work, and how to take them apart and clean them properly, which is really interesting, and probably one of my favorite parts. Another thing that we have done is we have learned how to fix up things so they will be handy. For example, we learned how to connect our guns to the straps so it will be stronger than just tying the strap on like it is given to you. also on our vests we were taught how to tie the water canteens to the vests so that you wont lose it. We have also had lessons on grenades a little and other things of the like. Another thing thats pretty cool is this physical test that any combat soldier in israel has to pass to be able to finish their training. Its called the 'bochan maslul' which means course test for lack of better words. Basically it consists of a 600 meter run, and an obstacle course of different types of obstacles, for example a climbing rope, and many others followed by another 400 meter run at the end, which all has to be done in less than 10.5 minutes. We have done many practices for it and drills for it, and were going to try to pass it for the first time this coming week, which is pretty exciting. The tricky thing about the test that i didnt mention is that you do the test with all of your equipment on you, including 6 full magazines of bullets, 1.5 liters of water, and your gun, which makes many of the obstacles much harder than they would be otherwise. Im looking foreward to it, even though it is really hard, and most people dont pass it on their first time, and many people have a lot of trouble with it otherwise. I feel like im starting to get closer with a lot of the guys who are with my in my tent and in our division too...which is good.

Im sure a lot of you have heard about what began in gaza exactly a week ago today. Just to inform, you have nothing to worry about with me. since im still in my first part of basic training, i will not be called up to go do any operation in gaza. Our commanders have told us that what is happening in gaza could change the plans of what we will be doing on our base, but thats about the most it should influence me.

This past week we started shmirot on our base, so we did many shmirot of 3 hours, the rules are your not allowed to do anything other than stand at your post, and if you want, you can drink the water in your canteens. your not allowed to sit or do anything else. it doesnt sound too bad, but it can get really boring, but you just have to keep yourself distracted sing to yourself or do whatever you can do to pass the time. anyways, thats a lot of what we did this past week. we also learned standing and sitting positions for shooting, and had many more lessons and drills.

Next week should be a good week, ill keep you all updated and try to do it more often. Hope all is well with everyone.