As part of strengthening foundations and returning to operational readiness, the Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, held a conference today (Monday) with the participation of the senior operational commanders forum in the IDF, the chief corps officers, and all IDF division commanders.
The conference focused on summarizing, learning, and drawing operational lessons from operational exercises that took place in the regional divisions in various sectors. This is the first time the conference has been held in three years, with the IDF returning to a schedule of training and exercises.
The conference opened with a presentation of the General Staff framework, the training schedule, and guidance for the coming year by the Head of the Doctrine and Training Division, Brig. Gen. Itamar Lasri. This is part of the principle of returning combat units in the IDF to operational readiness and a routine of training.
Subsequently, key debriefing points, lessons, and operational insights were presented by the division commanders, from the exercises conducted alongside lessons learned in force build-up.
The day concluded with an operational commanders’ discussion and the Chief of Staff’s emphasis and summary.
The conference is being held as part of an effort to strengthen professional foundations and improve the IDF’s preparedness for war, through exercises and training. Operational learning is a cornerstone in the IDF’s preparation for future challenges.
The Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, said: “We are in a period of improving readiness for conflict. We must continue to draw lessons from the events of October 7th, strengthen our defensive posture, and be prepared for a series of offensive operations in all war theaters. The IDF is preparing for several scenarios, and we must be constantly vigilant and ready to achieve victory in a multi-front war. In the upcoming multi-year plan, we will strengthen the operational capabilities of the divisions in command and control, lethality, and mobility.”
The Chief of Staff noted that one of the key lessons for the reference scenario is a large-scale raid or a war of surprise. “We are strengthening our foundations, and therefore the insistence on holding this important learning day,” Lt. Gen. Kochavi continued, “We are returning to training, strengthening foundations, and maintaining a high level of alert in all sectors.”
“The purpose of today’s meeting is, first and foremost, mutual gathering and learning – within the divisions, in the regional commands, and in the General Staff. Above all, there is paramount importance to integrative learning as a basis for our growth and improvement,” added the Chief of Staff.
“The leading group of the IDF is here, a group with immense operational experience, which has been under continuous and exceptional operational load and pressure for a long time,” concluded Lt. Gen. Kochavi. “At the same time, we are committed to the continuous improvement of the army’s professionalism and its preparedness for war. We must strengthen capabilities in both defense and offense in the face of the challenges we face. Action without learning and drawing lessons, followed by implementation, is irrelevant – that is the goal here today. Learning and drawing lessons are the responsibility of all of us as commanders, for the sake of improving the IDF’s readiness and leading it to victory.”
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