During my basic training there was a three-day exercise, more or less staying awake for three days. A 30-kilometer march to begin with, a field exercise and then setting up a command post. It was about -20° in mid-February, and a van came from the barracks for washing; the water was about 0°; it was like a warm shower. The food was simple E-packs, biscuits, chewing gum, hamburgers or Serbian bean stew. At night there was combat training to teach us not to smoke in position at night and especially not when our helmets were still on our heads. We were only allowed to sleep when we were not on protective duties, for a maximum of half an hour. There were only two people in a tent (dachshund garage), and each person only brought half of it. We slept in just our underwear, no socks or shoes, which had to be taken off, and only our rifles were allowed in bed, so that they were ready for use straight away! At dawn, a fire attack with a counterattack and then it was just a matter of falling back, light luggage, all weapons and as much ammunition as everyone could carry. Five kilometer sprint march with ABC alarm and then splitting up the group to set up an ambush for the pursuers, one machine gun and 20 G3s, no mines or hand grenades, you had to find the right position to win. The officers stayed out of it, as a squad leader you could decide for yourself, the problem was that squad leader 1 serves in the same unit as squad leader 2, how do you outwit someone you spend every day with? You drink the same beer, eat the same food, watch the same films and sing the same songs. I won the game, but please don't ask how (secret), with two men lost we were allowed to return to the barracks, but it was still a long way from the military training area. I had to keep everyone in good spirits so that we could make it and help anyone who could no longer carry their luggage or weapon. We all divided it up between us, and those who couldn't go on, we took them by the arms and dragged them home. 500 meters from the barracks, one of our comrades wanted to give up completely. I took his rifle, passed his backpack on and lifted it onto my shoulder (luckily he didn't weigh that much anymore at 1.65). So we marched into the barracks, this time without singing, but full of satisfaction at having made it. We ate in full gear with weapons (no go) but what we were given was actually a slap in the face. After taking off my gear, I slept for almost two days. Then the discussion, plus and minus, who survived, etc. But it brought us all together, not as a unit but as people who put themselves through it. I'd better not say anything about the 6-day exercise!!! (That was all in the 1990s)
Had to do the same shit twice during the summer in 35+ degree heat. The first time 2 guys went down with heatstroke and one with kidney problems out of our 8 men squad. Our squad leader said he was shaking in his boots when he had to report to the company CO an the company sergeant at the end of the exercise. Served in tanks in 1993/1994. Shit times/great times 😉
This describes the earlier version of the so-called "Hell Week" of the KSK. However, a new version of this exercise has been in place for quite some time. Without revealing too much, allow me to provide an example: In the old Hell Week, a planned capture was part of the program. In contrast, the new version begins with the capture itself, from which the soldiers must escape. Subsequently, they must evade recapture without any provisions-except for a single bouillon cube per soldier. The intensity of the exercises increases progressively with each passing day. Towards the end of the week, the soldiers are hunted using helicopters and tracking dogs, ensuring that recapture is inevitable-but only at the point specified by the protocol. Any soldier captured prematurely is deemed to have failed. During the second captivity, the intensity of the challenges is further heightened.
2:40 "in a democracy" refers to human rights. In autocratic countries, what they do to soldiers (and others) is straight up torture. Torture is never okay in Germany, even on volunteers: In any sado maso dungeon, physical health and safe words are sacred! In hell week, the German government walks right up to that line of torturing soldiers who want to pass. Dictatorships cross that line and if you fail, you lose much more, maybe even your life or that of your loved ones.
Additional context on the log-carrying part: During military training, if there are physical ability tests, you'll often find your comrades(and/or other test-takers) cheering for you on the side lines. So if you're barely during the allotted time, this extra moral support can help you get additional stamina you need and did not think you had left, especially with physically demanding tasks over a long period of time. During this portion of Hell Week however, nobody is allowed to say a thing; even worse, you receive cool, stern and reserved looks from your comrades - not even the hint of a smile to be found! This "mental game" in combination with the dead silence all around - sans the call to "Pick up the goddamn log, real damn fast!" - weights on you and is a stark departure from any proper military's esprit de corps.
During my basic training there was a three-day exercise, more or less staying awake for three days. A 30-kilometer march to begin with, a field exercise and then setting up a command post. It was about -20° in mid-February, and a van came from the barracks for washing; the water was about 0°; it was like a warm shower. The food was simple E-packs, biscuits, chewing gum, hamburgers or Serbian bean stew. At night there was combat training to teach us not to smoke in position at night and especially not when our helmets were still on our heads. We were only allowed to sleep when we were not on protective duties, for a maximum of half an hour. There were only two people in a tent (dachshund garage), and each person only brought half of it. We slept in just our underwear, no socks or shoes, which had to be taken off, and only our rifles were allowed in bed, so that they were ready for use straight away! At dawn, a fire attack with a counterattack and then it was just a matter of falling back, light luggage, all weapons and as much ammunition as everyone could carry. Five kilometer sprint march with ABC alarm and then splitting up the group to set up an ambush for the pursuers, one machine gun and 20 G3s, no mines or hand grenades, you had to find the right position to win. The officers stayed out of it, as a squad leader you could decide for yourself, the problem was that squad leader 1 serves in the same unit as squad leader 2, how do you outwit someone you spend every day with? You drink the same beer, eat the same food, watch the same films and sing the same songs. I won the game, but please don't ask how (secret), with two men lost we were allowed to return to the barracks, but it was still a long way from the military training area. I had to keep everyone in good spirits so that we could make it and help anyone who could no longer carry their luggage or weapon. We all divided it up between us, and those who couldn't go on, we took them by the arms and dragged them home. 500 meters from the barracks, one of our comrades wanted to give up completely. I took his rifle, passed his backpack on and lifted it onto my shoulder (luckily he didn't weigh that much anymore at 1.65). So we marched into the barracks, this time without singing, but full of satisfaction at having made it. We ate in full gear with weapons (no go) but what we were given was actually a slap in the face. After taking off my gear, I slept for almost two days. Then the discussion, plus and minus, who survived, etc. But it brought us all together, not as a unit but as people who put themselves through it. I'd better not say anything about the 6-day exercise!!! (That was all in the 1990s)
Had to do the same shit twice during the summer in 35+ degree heat. The first time 2 guys went down with heatstroke and one with kidney problems out of our 8 men squad. Our squad leader said he was shaking in his boots when he had to report to the company CO an the company sergeant at the end of the exercise. Served in tanks in 1993/1994. Shit times/great times 😉
Omg I couldnt stay awake for 3 days 😳😳this is unreal.
This describes the earlier version of the so-called "Hell Week" of the KSK. However, a new version of this exercise has been in place for quite some time. Without revealing too much, allow me to provide an example: In the old Hell Week, a planned capture was part of the program. In contrast, the new version begins with the capture itself, from which the soldiers must escape. Subsequently, they must evade recapture without any provisions-except for a single bouillon cube per soldier. The intensity of the exercises increases progressively with each passing day. Towards the end of the week, the soldiers are hunted using helicopters and tracking dogs, ensuring that recapture is inevitable-but only at the point specified by the protocol. Any soldier captured prematurely is deemed to have failed. During the second captivity, the intensity of the challenges is further heightened.
The Bundeswehr does not have the best reputation among its allies, but no one has ever complained about the KSK.
2:40 "in a democracy" refers to human rights. In autocratic countries, what they do to soldiers (and others) is straight up torture. Torture is never okay in Germany, even on volunteers: In any sado maso dungeon, physical health and safe words are sacred!
In hell week, the German government walks right up to that line of torturing soldiers who want to pass. Dictatorships cross that line and if you fail, you lose much more, maybe even your life or that of your loved ones.
Thanks for explanation 😉
Additional context on the log-carrying part:
During military training, if there are physical ability tests, you'll often find your comrades(and/or other test-takers) cheering for you on the side lines. So if you're barely during the allotted time, this extra moral support can help you get additional stamina you need and did not think you had left, especially with physically demanding tasks over a long period of time.
During this portion of Hell Week however, nobody is allowed to say a thing; even worse, you receive cool, stern and reserved looks from your comrades - not even the hint of a smile to be found! This "mental game" in combination with the dead silence all around - sans the call to "Pick up the goddamn log, real damn fast!" - weights on you and is a stark departure from any proper military's esprit de corps.
This is such a ruf training, but an awsome challange.🙂
PzGren, we had a KSK Feldwebel, kehlenbiss bis zu kriechen um zum Ziel zu kommen.
Its crazy! You really have to want and prepare for it!
Yess
Hallo 😊 ja unsere ksk ist super
😉🙂
I love IT 🔥
😉thanks