Discipline
The nature of the discipline implemented by the Palmach reflected the unique character of the force. This was an innovative attempt within an army framework, inspired by the Kibbutz principles of fraternity and equality, and based on inner awareness and social commitment.
Discipline is an integral part of the routine of military life – in military bases and during training. The main objective of military discipline is to impart the fighters and unit with operational skills and capabilities for battles during which the lives of the fighters are in danger. The nature of the discipline in the Palmach reflected the unique character of the force. This was a novel attempt within a military framework that was inspired by the principles of fraternity and equality that prevailed in the kibbutz, founded on inner awareness and commitment to society. The experience of organizations such as the Red Soviet army or Tito's partisans in Yugoslavia, were used to support the disciplinary approach developed by the Brigade. In 1945, upon the implementation of procedural and regimental rules in the unit, the disciplinary code was put in writing.
The formulators of the Palmach's military doctrine distinguished between two types of discipline – one: mechanical obedience, based on a soldier's self effacement before the external authority of the commander and fear of the punishment he may face if he does not fulfill what is required of him; the second – self discipline, meaning a soldier's obedience to the internal authority of his conscience, and social and national ideals imbedded deep in his soul. The first type of discipline is attained by training the fighter, and not by educating him. This type of discipline may damage the moral fortitude and detract from the overall functioning of the military unit.
"Blind" discipline was not forsaken altogether. Commanders were well aware of its value in battle, as a means of coping with paralyzing fear; yet they refused to view it as a goal unto itself, believing that automatic drills, resulting in executing of orders validated by a formal, external authority, will collapse in the absence of inner authority that unites fighters during moments of crisis (such as the death of a commander). In these moments, the internal discipline, that is the fruit of teaching fighters to be loyal and educating them to take responsibility, constitutes a powerful and efficient tool, uniting the fighters and determining the outcome of a battle.
Palmach discipline was implemented on the basis of equality between Palmach members in reference to all material aspects. Relations between a commander and his subordinates were defined and based on simplicity and camaraderie, as informal, reciprocal relations. The commander did not wear ranks and medals, his subordinates referred to him by name, and saluting was not mandatory. The atmosphere was free of punishments. The commander was taught to control his soldiers using his personality and prestige. Emphasis was placed on obedience based on awareness, consciousness and the free will to fulfill one's duty. Obedience to a person giving an order was not considered blind obedience, but rather assent stemming from a sense of responsibility and commitment to the cause represented and expressed by the commander. The commander's authority did not originate from his position or rank, but these were perceived as tools at his disposal due to his skills, granted to him for the purpose of fulfilling his military missions.
Discipline was perceived as a logical result stemming from a person's decision to volunteer to be a fighter. The fighters' obedience was not evaluated by how upright he was when standing to attention, by marching drills with weapons or by the absence of critical thought about the words and deeds of commanders, but rather by maximal alertness during training and supreme courage during operational missions. Instead of protocol and etiquette, operational discipline was cultivated which was of decisive importance to the military regime in the unit. It should be noted that the relatively low number of military operations carried out before the War of Independence, and the enthusiasm before each mission provided the required level of motivation and functioning.
In addition to the aversion, that was characteristic of the Palmach, towards the regimented military style of foreign armies, the its disciplinary system and methods were formulated in response to the necessity of conducting military life in underground conditions that combined agricultural work, which made it difficult to enforce harsh discipline. It is possible that the very presence of young women in joint-gender military units contributed to softening the burden of formal discipline.
The Palmach was aware of the drawbacks of the disciplinary methods implemented in the Brigade, and the possibility of its abuse through false pretenses used to evade execution of orders or debates prior to executing orders requiring commanders to convince their subordinates of their necessity. Establishing relations between the commander and subordinates based on mutual trust and teaching fighters that there are orders that need not be explained for reasons of secrecy or lack of time helped commanders deal with these drawbacks.
The formulators of the Palmach's military doctrine distinguished between two types of discipline – one: mechanical obedience, based on a soldier's self effacement before the external authority of the commander and fear of the punishment he may face if he does not fulfill what is required of him; the second – self discipline, meaning a soldier's obedience to the internal authority of his conscience, and social and national ideals imbedded deep in his soul. The first type of discipline is attained by training the fighter, and not by educating him. This type of discipline may damage the moral fortitude and detract from the overall functioning of the military unit.
"Blind" discipline was not forsaken altogether. Commanders were well aware of its value in battle, as a means of coping with paralyzing fear; yet they refused to view it as a goal unto itself, believing that automatic drills, resulting in executing of orders validated by a formal, external authority, will collapse in the absence of inner authority that unites fighters during moments of crisis (such as the death of a commander). In these moments, the internal discipline, that is the fruit of teaching fighters to be loyal and educating them to take responsibility, constitutes a powerful and efficient tool, uniting the fighters and determining the outcome of a battle.
Palmach discipline was implemented on the basis of equality between Palmach members in reference to all material aspects. Relations between a commander and his subordinates were defined and based on simplicity and camaraderie, as informal, reciprocal relations. The commander did not wear ranks and medals, his subordinates referred to him by name, and saluting was not mandatory. The atmosphere was free of punishments. The commander was taught to control his soldiers using his personality and prestige. Emphasis was placed on obedience based on awareness, consciousness and the free will to fulfill one's duty. Obedience to a person giving an order was not considered blind obedience, but rather assent stemming from a sense of responsibility and commitment to the cause represented and expressed by the commander. The commander's authority did not originate from his position or rank, but these were perceived as tools at his disposal due to his skills, granted to him for the purpose of fulfilling his military missions.
Discipline was perceived as a logical result stemming from a person's decision to volunteer to be a fighter. The fighters' obedience was not evaluated by how upright he was when standing to attention, by marching drills with weapons or by the absence of critical thought about the words and deeds of commanders, but rather by maximal alertness during training and supreme courage during operational missions. Instead of protocol and etiquette, operational discipline was cultivated which was of decisive importance to the military regime in the unit. It should be noted that the relatively low number of military operations carried out before the War of Independence, and the enthusiasm before each mission provided the required level of motivation and functioning.
In addition to the aversion, that was characteristic of the Palmach, towards the regimented military style of foreign armies, the its disciplinary system and methods were formulated in response to the necessity of conducting military life in underground conditions that combined agricultural work, which made it difficult to enforce harsh discipline. It is possible that the very presence of young women in joint-gender military units contributed to softening the burden of formal discipline.
The Palmach was aware of the drawbacks of the disciplinary methods implemented in the Brigade, and the possibility of its abuse through false pretenses used to evade execution of orders or debates prior to executing orders requiring commanders to convince their subordinates of their necessity. Establishing relations between the commander and subordinates based on mutual trust and teaching fighters that there are orders that need not be explained for reasons of secrecy or lack of time helped commanders deal with these drawbacks.