Unfortunately, the state of Israel and its citizens have been subject to serious security concerns for many years already. From the experiences accumulated by Israelis and their colleagues worldwide, we have come to understand that a military background, especially with experience in a special operation unit may help us to cope better with combat issues. But this experience needs to be complemented with a rigorous training and instruction in order to prepare Proactive and Efficient Protection Operators.

The concepts and principles of our Protection are derived from the factual assumption that the adversary has an advantage. This advantage is the element of surprise composed by four variables:

• Time      –   The adversary chooses the time of the assault.
• Place     –   The adversary chooses the place of the assault.
• Force     –   The adversary determines the amount of manpower and weaponry that will be used in the assault.
• Mode     –   The adversary determines the execution method of operation and the type of assault.

These four variables make the adversary’s advantage of surprise absolute. Therefore, it is necessary that we educate and assimilate ourselves with the behavior and characteristics of our adversary.

The Protection Operative’s mission is to thwart the actions of the adversary. We must depend upon our preparedness, courage, and ability to counter his aggression.

The success of a Protection Operative has to be a must despite the conditions of uncertainty, changing surroundings and the element of surprise of the adversary. To succeed we prepare ourselves for diversity, as diversity is the threat’s main tool of aggression.

The incident may occur in a public place and endanger the lives of innocent bystanders. This requires a selective and precise aim of fire in order not to inflict injury to innocent people. The psychological elements, previously mentioned, can affect the Protection Operative’s decision to “enter into combat”, due to his attempt to prevent loss of innocent lives. These issues have led to the development of our unique Training System.

Our secret weapon is the development of the “Inner-Strength” of the Human Factor!

Technology and accessories are always secondary or complementary.

What is Inner Strength?

Inner strength is one of the most important characteristics of successful people.

It is the foundation in a leader. Only those who have inner strength can lead from within.

We define inner strength as the ability to withstand adverse situations based on mental and physical fitness. It encompasses situational awareness, readiness, and willingness to persist in exceedingly difficult situations.

We have been known to successfully formulate an inner-strength combination of the Athenian spirit and the Spartan physical toughness in their daily lives. Individuals with balanced inner strength allow them to become solid leaders. The sources for personal inner strength are confidence, spirituality, and mental strength.

Our training system enables to thwart aggression

The numerous factors that have been analyzed together with the diverse experiences accumulated in Israel and in other countries, have led to an unquestionable conclusion: To improve the ability to deal with various situations of violence and high pressure, we combine practical training, simulations of unusual situations, drills and training related to the emotional and psychological stress.

We strive to minimize the participants’ expenses for our various courses, as we know that the trainees can later complete their knowledge in fields such as law, firefighting, operative driving, etc.

In our courses, we prefer to focus on the subjects of our unique expertise and on the special techniques, skills and methods that we use for the qualifications and empowerment of the Israeli Security Personnel.

Appendix 2

Israeli Tactical Response Methods
Armed & Unarmed

Course Objective

• To familiarize the participants with the Israeli Armed & Unarmed Tactical     Response concept, Principles, Methods, Tactics, and Instruction skills.
• To improve the mental and Physical abilities of participants in order to better cope with high stress situations resulting from violent events.
• To Learn and practice the guiding principles of the method in order to neutralize the threat quickly, in the simplest and most instinctive way possible.
• To qualify the participants to train, prepare and mentors Elite Protection personnel.

Participant’s Achievements

• This course will serve as an asset if you are a Protection Operative and you aspire to become Protection & Counter Terrorism INSTRUCTOR.
• The Course will familiarize the participants to the unique Israeli Tactical response methods, up-to-date methods, modern combat techniques and sophisticated tactics.

The Israeli Unarmed response method,
A “MUST” for Protection Operatives

Krav Maga, which means “Contact Combat” in Hebrew, is the official martial art of the Israeli Defense Force and National Police. It is a martial art created solely for the purpose of self-defense, devoid of any religious or philosophical elements.

Krav Maga is specifically designed for rapid skill acquisition and maximum effectiveness. A fundamental basis of Krav Maga is using the body’s instinctive reactions in responding to a threat, which means that Krav Maga need not be studied for many years for it to become practical.

The Krav Maga has been developed to assist the law enforcement and the entire security establishment’s personnel from the Civilian and Governmental sectors who have to deal with a different kind of reality then a civilian. The basic difference is that a civilian can choose to avoid certain situations, whereas the security units of all kinds have to deal with a given situation, neutralize the danger, using reasonable force and still obeying the law.

KM defines the needs of the specific unit and Taylor made the training program especially for them.

KM is considered one of the most effective methods of self-defense, combat ability, and improvement of both mental and physical abilities. The method is easy to learn, and it is based on the use of reflexive movements and responses, which it implements with various techniques. Krav Maga places emphasis on the mental and technical preparedness of the trainee.

The KM method has long ago spread beyond the borders of Israel, and is taught in Europe, the United States, and Australia, in the civilian and security sectors. Professionals, who were exposed to the method in various security institutions and the art of combat, testify that the method has important and vital characteristics:

The KM method has long ago spread beyond the borders of Israel, and is taught in Europe, the United States, and Australia, in the civilian and security sectors. Professionals, who were exposed to the method in various security institutions and the art of combat, testify that the method has important and vital characteristics:

1. The techniques and exercises are very practical and are very effective for practical situations in the street.
2. One who practices the method can reach high expertise through a relatively short training period.
3. The trainee’s ability to deal with real and pressured situations rises considerably and continues for a long time.

The KM combines variety of martial arts and uses the principle of Krav Maga as exploring the human natural movement and behavior to find the simple, effective, and fastest way to solve the hostile situation. The MKM training method is unique and allows the trainee to reach a high level of know how to cope in stress situations in a relatively short time

Course activities will also include:

• Fitness Training
• Strength training
• Endurance training
• Speed training
• Agility drills
• Determination drills
• Aggressiveness & Hand to Hand Combat
• Types of attack
• Attack & Defense techniques
• Disarming the assailant – firearms, knifes, clubs, hand grenades etc.
• Controlling, Restraining and Taking-down techniques
• Body search (routine & aggressive)
• Passage through a crowd
• Striking and Throws
• Use of Equipment
• The use of CQB (Close Quarters Battle) in VIP Protection
• Preparation for physical fitness and CQB exams

TECHNICAL AND PRACTICE

• The art of Presser points.
• Hand to hand tactics.
• Legs techniques.
• Knees techniques.
• Hands and legs defense.
• Elbows techniques.
• Release from haggling-all direction.
• Release from hand, hair, and strangulation situation.
• Defense against guns.
• Defense against knifes.
• Defense with sticks.
• Kidnapping guns etc.
• The art of metal thinking.
• Special extra techniques.
• Free fighting techniques.
• Special ground techniques for man and women.
• Knife ground defense.
• Strangling ground defense.
• Arm locks ground defense.
• Free ground fighting.

Israeli Armed Tactical response method

This combat system has the distinct advantage of providing itself effective time after time, possibly more than any other. It has been developed and refined over many decades of conflict in the Middle East.

Aggressiveness, decisiveness, and speed are all integral elements in Israeli tactical response methods. To this end, proper mindset is heavily stressed.

Stress is introduced onto the training regimen in order to get the trainees accustomed to the pressures associated with actual events. This common-sense approach is specifically geared for deadly-force situations rather than shooting competition, where often times techniques that bring X-ring accuracy on the range simply fail under stress.

The refinement of this system began in 1975, when, for the first time in Israel’s history, the Israel National Police established a specialized counterterrorism/hostage rescue unit. Called the Yamam (A Hebrew acronym for “Special Police Unit”), this was the first time in Israel’s history that a unit was dedicated solely to this purpose.

Because of the Yamam’s specialty in counter terrorism, hostage, rescue & and violent crime combat, they are frequently involved in actual conflicts, particularly in urban settings.

This vast experience enabled operators in the Yamam to develop a comprehensive training regimen and small arms doctrine that was so effective, reliable, and user friendly, that it is universally accepted by all branches of the Israeli security apparatus, including the Israeli Security Agency (Israel’s counterpart to the FBI).

Advantages of Our System:

1. Simple and easy to learn.
2. Enhances the bodies muscle memory.
3. Prepares the Operator for Combat in unexpected situations.
4. Fast and effective CQB techniques
5. Prepares the Operator to work both independently and as a team.
6. Elevates fighting spirit and determination.
7. Elevates confidence of self and weapon
8. Innovative and unique training methods
9. Releases the operator from thinking about shooting techniques.
10. Trains the operator not to depend on the instructor or supervisor.

Principles

The Israeli armed Tactical Response and Combat Methods are essentially different from the methods of the Army:

Military Units carry their long-range weapons overtly and ready for an engagement, while being able to carry high-capacity magazines; these units are combatants and part of a larger team, which works as a single firing unit. This contributes greatly to the commitment and will of the combatant to “enter into action” Commitment and will are psychological trades of the military combatant.

Tactical Response Methods (unarmed & armed) are obligated skills for Protection Operatives in general and for Law enforcement Operatives active in High-Risk Zones/Missions in particular.

Our unique combat system has the distinct advantage of having proven effective time after time, possibly more than any other. It has been developed and refined over many decades of conflict in the Middle East.

A fast, determined instinctive reaction becomes an initiated surprise action against the attacker

Following are all the principles of our Tactical response/combat, according to which the trainee at the International Security Academy-Israel will be trained, with an emphasis on the nurturing of each trainee’s personal ability.

Time of Entry into Combat

When the combatant detects an enemy attack, he/she will react swiftly, instinctively, and with determination to eliminate the enemy threat.

Naturally, the ideal situation is to identify and detect an adversary while he/she is still in the stage of preparation for the assault. However, it is obvious that this is difficult due to the ability of the enemy to blend in with the civilian populace. Drawing the pistol should be performed immediately upon the beginning of the incident. When there are additional armed security forces at the scene, the protection operatives drawing of his/her weapon could bring friendly fire to himself.  In such an instance, the Operative should postpone the drawing of his pistol until he arrives at the combat zone.

From the moment the Operative enters combat he must act quickly and with determination while initiating combat and striving for contact. The Protection operative should fire swiftly and precisely, while taking into consideration the population in the area and avoiding injuries to innocent civilians.

Shortening the Adversary’s Range and Choosing an Axis of Advancement

Immediately upon the fall of the adversary or loss of eye contact with him the Operative should close the distance with him as fast as possible. This is done by using the shortest line of advancement in order to neutralize him totally or to renew eye contact with him. One should remember that the shortest route of advancement is not always the fastest. While advancing towards the adversary, the Operative should regard the “hidden field” cells he passes, by merely peeking at them, in order not to waste time until reaching the final neutralization of the adversary.

Reorganization for the Continuation of Combat

The final neutralization of the adversary after his identification does not mean that the incident has come to an end. Immediately upon the neutralization of the adversary the Operative should reorganize and reassess his situation in order to continue combat. He should survey the terrain closest to him and replace the magazine in his weapon (if it is advisable to do so tactically). The operative should wear an identification hat or any other means of identification and move while surveying in the direction of areas from which it is probable that the incident evolved.

Continuing Combat While Surveying

Upon the final neutralization of the first adversary there will not always be time for the Operative to reorganize for the continuation of combat. There is high probability that during the combat with the first adversary additional adversaries will be identified and will require attention and firing response. Therefore, immediately upon the neutralization of the first adversary the Operative will have to advance, either while surveying or because he received indication of combat taking place in an adjacent zone. In the event that the Operative did not receive such indication or did not identify another adversary visually, he should continue surveying towards contact, while “opening” all the hidden field cells in the direction of the survey. This survey must be decisive, swift, systematic, and efficient, so that the Operative does not move in the area unnecessarily and therefore will reach any potential adversary quickly.

Using One’s Discretion when Firing at Several Adversaries

If an Operative encounters several adversaries simultaneously, he should open fire at the adversary identified as the most efficient. The most efficient adversary is the one armed with the deadliest weapons, the most determined or the closest to the guarded population. If the conditions are identical and it is difficult for the Operative to assess the situation immediately, he should open fire in the direction of the adversary closest to him and from there continue to other adversaries.

Using One’s Discretion when Replacing a Magazine in a Static State, in Motion or Initiated Replacement

During combat, there will probably be malfunctions of the Operative’s weapon, including running out of ammunition in the magazine. In such cases the Operative should carry out swift operation of the weapon or replacement of the magazine immediately. The course of action and place of this operation should be according to the developments in combat. If running out of ammunition or malfunction occur during firing and the adversary is still creating effective fire, the magazine replacement should take place in a crouching position on the spot, while hopping to the right or left. If there is a shelter near the shooter that does not take any time to reach and change the magazine, the combatant should hop to the shelter while performing the replacement.

If running out of ammunition or malfunction occur parallel to the fall of the adversary or his disappearance, the Operative should perform the replacement of the magazine or operation of the malfunction in motion, while closing the gap between him and the adversary, or in the direction of the last point in which he identified the adversary.

This closing of gap must be performed swiftly, in such a way that the operation of the malfunction or replacement of the magazine does not hinder his reaching the adversary.

The operation of the weapon or replacement of the magazine should not be at the expense of closing the gap between the Operative and the adversary.

Initiated replacement is a tactical maneuver intended to refresh the combatant’s ammunition in order to continue combat. The principles that guide discretion regarding initiated replacement are: there should not be initiated replacement at the expense of combat or verification of neutralization; one should perform initiated replacement while maintaining eye contact with the adversary and without disengaging from the combat scene; and keeping the replaced magazine if it still has bullets.

Using One’s Discretion for Hand-to-Hand Combat

If running out of ammunition or malfunction as specified above occur in short range from the adversary, the combatant should immediately enter “hand-to-hand combat” with the adversary and after disrupting his functioning ability one should operate the weapon – replacing the magazine or correct the malfunction, until the final neutralization of the adversary.

Short range for the use of hand-to-hand combat is defined as a range (distance) from which it is more effective to reach the adversary than to crouch in one’s place or hop to a shelter in order to operate the weapon.

Long Range Firing and Closing the Gap with the Adversary

In an event or incident, the Protection operative may be far from the center of occurrences. When the Operative is very distant, he must quickly close the gap between himself and the incident spot. However, if the distance is great but enables eye contact and a clear effective line of fire exist, the Operative should fire within the limitations of distance and weapon effectiveness and choose the suitable rate of fire. If he identifies that the firing is ineffective, he should stop firing and close the gap between himself/herself and the adversary.

We do not train to shoot with a weapon; we train to fight with it

This training is designed to cover a broad spectrum of critical issues concerning the safe handling, carrying, and ownership of handguns. It also covers the fundamental concepts of performing while under stress of combat situations and its aftermath. Mental aspects of training are covered in depth as well as the psychological stress plectrum of critical issues concerning combat situations.

Course activities will include:

• Safety instructions
• Familiarity with the weapon and its parts
• Disassembling and reassembling the weapon
• Operational check of the weapon
• The instinctive (operational) shooting method
• Aiming and pointing
• 1-2 Hands shooting
• Salvo shooting
• Drawing and cocking
• Shooting stances – standing/kneeling/turning
• Turning and shooting 360 degrees
• Braking and shooting while walking/running
• the Advantages and Importance of Movement
• Overcoming Jams & Malfunctions
• Reloading & changing magazines
• Taking & using covers
• Effective Use of Cover
• Multiple opponents
• Post effort shooting
• Entry and Move Through Structures
• Selective & long-range shooting
• Integrated exercise – simple & surprise
• Operating the weapon with weak hand
• Night shooting
• Use of various weapons

Combat techniques for the usage of firearms in a building:

• Techniques of movement in an urban area
• Techniques of movement in building
• Opening doors and entering rooms
• Shooting through doors and windows
• Motion in a building with weapon – concealed or drawn

The use of firearms combined with vehicles:

• Shooting from a vehicle
• The use of vehicle as a cover
• Embarking and disembarking under fire