Israeli Special forces: Selection strategyTHE ALPHA action plan(BASE IN A HBR CASE STUDY)

Israeli Special forces: selection strategythe alpha action planI. Description of the selection strategy Internal ProcessExternal ProcessesComparing Training TimeExperts SpeakII. Diagnostic and solutionCentral IssueDiagnostic and SolutionIII. Conclusion"Excellence is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well

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I. Description of the selection strategy

i. Internal processA. Required Characteristics of an Israeli Special Forces Soldier

IntelligencePerformance under physical and mental stressTechnical skillsSelf disciplinePerseveranceAbility to accept authorityEnduranceCourageAdaptability & TeamworkReliabilityResponsibilityPhysical fitnessImprovisation skillsMotivation

B. Israeli special forces candidateevaluation process (exhibit 1)

i. Internal processC. Selection and Recruitment

Search for the best candidates among the mass of new enlisteesLengthy and complex process (see Exhibit 1)Personal interview to candidates ages 17Candidates meet the health and IQ requirements for service as elite infantry soldiers are offered the opportunity to test in the Paratroopers Regiment:2 DAYS TEST TWO TIMES PER YEAR BEFORE THE ANNUAL DRAFT DAY(physical and mental) 4,000 candidates are reduced to 400 future draftees who qualified for paratrooper training(selection challenge) 400 arrive to the paratroopers basic training camp to begin their three year military serviceOffer to become part of the Special Forces350 respond and register to the five day testing programThey are divided into groups of 30 soldiers20 are selected for the Special Forces Unit

i. Internal processD. Selection Process

11 recurring drills (lasting several hours under severe weather constraints under mental and physical pressure)Rest periods are short, limited sleeping hours and food breaks5th day only 100 participants are remainingLast day only 20 or 22 are selected to start the 20-month Special Forces Training track, the rest return to the paratroopers regiment

II. External Data

II. External Data

SAS United Kingdom Special Force Selection Process

Requirements:Prior military experience or reserve39 months of service remainingAge: 18 to 32, no older than 35 years of age

Selection Process:Pass rate of only 10%2013: 3 casualtiesTwice per yearTest of physical strength and endurance over challenging geographic places worldwide; including the Jungle of Brunei.About 6 WEEKS to complete 2 attempts with personnel failing with Return to Unit

Selection Phases: Special Forces briefing courses (1 week)Aptitude Phase (4 weeks)Jungle ITTP and SOP Training ( 9 weeks)Employment Training (14 weeks)Only on successful completion of Employment Training will volunteers be "badged" and posted to an operational Sabre Squadron within 22 SAS

II. External Data

Navy Seal Special Force Selection Process

Requirements:Seals spend over a year in a series of formal training environments before being awarded theSpecial Warfare Operator Naval For naval officers must attend and graduate from their rating's 24-week "A" School known as Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) school, a basic parachutist courseThen, a 26-week SEAL Qualification Training program.

Selection Process:US CitizenAge: 18 to 29 years of age maleVision 20/75 correctable 20/20Must pass the SEAL Screening test and drug testGood moral character

Selection Phases: Must pass the PST (Physical Screening Test) swimming 500 yd/12.30 minutesNaval Special Warfare Preparatory School inGreat Lakes, Illinois (8 weeks)Parachute Jump School (3 weeks)SEAL Qualification Training (SQT) (26 weeks)SEAL Troop (TRP) Training (12-18 months deployment) (three phases)

III. Comparing time in training# 1 SAS UK: 8 MONTHSIntense worriers trained in worldwide geographically challenge areasHighlight: Dessert Storm Airstrike#2 Navy Seal USA: 25 MONTHSIntense navy training at individual, unit and task forceHighlight: Death of Osama bin Ladem#3 Israeli Special Forces: 36 MONTHSHighlight: Entebbe Hostage Rescue

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II. DIAGNOSTIC AND SOLUTIONCentral Issue: TimeSlide # 11 clearly demonstrates that the time taken to train an ISRAELI Special Force worrier is the longest compared with the #1 and #2 most powerful worldwide special forces:Israel Special Forces: 36 monthsSAS UK: 8 monthsNavy Seals: 25 months

As explained by Gunnery Sergeant Bocanegra, this intense physical activity for such a long period of timewill lead to unnecessary burn out that will be reflected later during service. As he explained the body can take years to recuperate from severe physical activity.

Nevertheless, Sergeant Buster thinks that he does not want to change the recipe of the Israeli Special Forces, he agrees that there is room for improvement.

Both Sergeants agree that the selection process needs to be an intense practice due to the demand of the joband casualties should always be expected since worriers or soldiers must be always ready for the unexpected.

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II. DIAGNOSTIC AND SOLUTION

13ii. Solutions A Holistic ApproachSelection and Recruitment Process:This can take only 2 times per years instead of three as SAS does. This waiting period in between will allow to have a bigger pool of candidates to select from.Implement different types of less intense physical and mental trials at the beginning of the process so there will be more than 10% future draftees. Less intensity physical trials will lead to less casualties; especially at the beginning of the process. Less casualties means less liability, something that must be looked at carefully. The new required characteristics of an Israeli Special Forces will focus on the 4 pillars that enfold a person as a whole: ability to tap the infinite intelligence (Motivation), the mental capacity (Intelligence), the emotional capacity (Endurance) and the physical capacity (Physical Fitness).

Selection Challenge:Utilize new SFAS (Special Operation Recruiting Battalion, USA) assessment courses which observes a soldier as a Whole Man. This selection process assesses each candidate for six attributes that are important for all Special Forces Soldiers: intelligence, trainability, physical fitness, motivation, influence, and judgment. Many worldwide special forces are taking the SFAS training. This will avoid the Common Evaluation Mistakes providing a more accurate grade in each drill. This is aligned with point ii under Selection and Recruitment Process.Less drills: There are many drills that are not understood by the candidates and the reason of taking them. These drills ought to be reviewed and study in detail to see which ones really add value to the evaluation process.

Israeli special forces candidateALPHA action plan

NEW TIME: 24 MONTHS(Note: Navy Seal USA: 25 months)

iii. conclusionCarmen bocanegraCFB2005@NYU.EDU954 248 7912* MIAMI, FL - EMIGRANT, MT

"Excellence is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well