Bahad 1 Officers Academy

Bahad 1 Officers Academy

בית הספר לקצינים (בה"ד 1)
Motto	“Whatever you see me do, do likewise"
Location	Mitzpe Ramon , Israel
Website	westpoint.edu

Chaim Laskov Officers Training School Bahad 1 is the IDF Officers' Academy named after Haim Laskov. It serves as the central Academy for the preparation of officers in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), where

most training for IDF officers and cadets occurs, with the exception of pilots, naval officers, and cyber officers. The Academy is located near Mitzpe Ramon in southern Israel.

History

The first Company Commanders’ Courses (M.M.) of the Haganah were held in various places across the country starting in 1921, with the first course at Kibbutz Kfar Giladi. Most courses were conducted at the Juara base from 1937.

After the establishment of the IDF in May 1948, the Officers' School moved to Camp 80 in Pardes Hanna, then to Camp Sirkkin in Petah Tikva in August 1955, and finally to its current location in May 1968, designed by architect Tzvi HaKar.

Until the year 2000 training of women officers was separate from that of the men, at a different base. Beginning that year, the courses were combined and now men and women officers are trained together at Bahad 1.

IDF Officers are taught to act with responsibility, obligation, mission, and professional pride. They serve not only as leaders in the IDF, but as role models in wider Israeli society. They must of course be skilled in warfare and military strategy, knowledgeable in their professional area, and have the ability to command those who serve under them and to earn their respect and loyalty. They must be able to make rational professional decisions and implement them successfully.

At the end of the officers training course each graduating cadet receives a pin consisting of a sword symbolizing defense of the homeland and an olive branch symbolizing the hope for peace. IDF officers wear this pin proudly, and lead their troops as directed in the Book of Judges: “Whatever you see me do, do likewise.