The course for female soldiers training to be exercise instructors is
currently well under way. Soldiers training to be exercise instructors,
among a variety of health, sports and combat fitness, also take classes
in Krav Maga (lit. “contact combat”), an Israeli-developed form of
martial arts.
Krav Maga is the defensive tactics system used to train the security
forces in Israel. It had been developed by the IDF with the purpose of
training their soldiers in self-defense both on the battlefield and off
of it. As the martial art of self defense advanced, it spread to
civilian populations throughout Israel and abroad. Krav Maga was quickly
modified for civilians, especially youth, once it was finally
recognized as an indispensable skill for everyone.
Yesterday, female soldiers who are studying to be exercise
instructors had a Krav Maga training session. Led by Krav Maga
Instructor Cpl. Rachel Shir, the soldiers learned about the principles
of the sport, primary among which is the emphasis not to fight for
fighting’s own sake, but rather to protect oneself by first neutralizing
one’s attacker, get away from the area and call for help. Cpl. Shir
said: “I chose this job out of a sense of vocation. I’m proud to be a
soldier in the IDF and I appreciate all the things the army has given
me, like the lifelong friends I’ve made here, and the professional
training that I received in the army. I really feel that I’ve widened my
horizons.”
http://idfspokesperson.com/2011/11/09/female-soldiers-study-first-israeli-developed-martial-art-krav-maga/