1. Accelerated Adaptation Evolution The learning contest between the IDF and its adversaries (2006-2016) Hezbollah [aided by Iran], Hamas, Islamic Jihad (Gaza), ISIL (in Sinai), Jabhat el-Nusra (Golan Heights) BG (Ret) Dr. Meir Finkel Head of Dado Center/J3/Israel Defense Forces (IDF)

2. 2 Theory and Practice The answer to technological and doctrinal surprises on the battlefield: Real-time adaptability, based on - Flexible concept and doctrine Flexible organization and technology Flexible command and control system Real time learning and a ‘lessons learned' distribution system Personal experience: 2007-2013: IDF Ground Forces - Head of Concept Development and Doctrine Department (which guides education and training) 2014- Present: IDF J3 – Head of Dado Center for interdisciplinary military studies

3. The IDF “Learning Machine” since 2006 The IDF need to adapt and change has increased significantly in recent years due to four medium-scale (2006, 2008, 2012, 2014) and numerous small-scale engagements against ‘hybrid’ learning networks. This forced the IDF to develop its adaptation practices: Strategic and operational level learning ‘accelerator’ – Dado Center Educational effort focused on learning and changeability Training scenarios that push uncertainty to the limit and demand real-time adaptation - from platoon leaders to Commander of IDF Elaborate wartime* LL system that demands a 24 hr response time to a change (organization, procedures, training) [*besides COIN] Organizational changes that push knowledge development: Depth Command + Commando Brigade; Cyber Branch

4. Research center (Operating concepts, Operational environment, Learning process) School of advanced military studies for senior officers “Laboratory” for knowledge development process (General Staff and Main Headquarters)  IDF’s strategy and derived concepts  Investigate concepts during operations and exercises  Study of learning processes - focus on the IDF’s knowledge development history  Senior planners course  Tailor-made courses  National Defense College  Command & Staff College  Full learning processes – with regional commands and services  Strategic and Operational level war games  Special knowledge development projects “Bein Haktavim” journal Learning theory Dado Center mission : To be the IDF expert for strategic and operational-level learning and knowledge development processes, to develop the field, to assimilate it in the IDF, and to assist IDF bodies in its implementation Strategic and operational level learning ‘accelerator’

5. Educational effort focused on learning and changeability Infantry Platoon leaders course – “Black Swan” series of exercises Even when surprised – you are not defeated - Recover from failure, and turn the situation into a clear victory A series of surprises, failures, new unexpected challenges “Adaptation” computer game Teaches you games rules, change them and test your ability to identify and respond (gives you a grade in flexibility) BG Course – New (2014) NDC - (transformed in 2015) Colonels Course (transformed in 2015) LTC Course – New (2015) Force Design Colonels Workshop - New (2016) Based on the learning theory Infantry platoon commanders course “Black Swan” exercises – A series of surprises, failures, new unexpected challenges “Adaptation” tactical simulation – A virtual war game that changes its basic rules as you advance and evaluates your ability to identify and respond flexibly to the tactical changes Command and Staff College - “learning while fighting” + “Adaptation” tactical simulation

6. Training scenarios that push uncertainty to the limit Infantry Platoon leaders course – “Black Swan” series of exercises Even when surprised – you are not defeated - Recover from failure, and turn the situation into a clear victory A series of surprises, failures, new unexpected challenges “Adaptation” computer game Teaches you games rules, change them and test your ability to identify and respond (gives you a grade in flexibility) Battalion and Brigade exercises: Change of mission from phase 1, Failure in achieving missions, Change of arena, change of command,.. Division exercises From: phase 1: as planned – phase 2: change of plan – phase 3: new mission …. to: nothing as planned from phase 1 Training the Division wartime LL system IDF GHQ level Longer exercises to enable more development and dynamics The Chief of Staff (IDF commander) – is fully tested More and more “off the schedule” strategic and operational-level war games (based on story telling)

7. Adaptive aptitude cannot be gained without personal experience The IDF culture: – Aim of exercises is learning, not winning – To learn, the trainee has to fail, be surprised, be challenged mentally To achieve this, all measures are employed, including guiding subordinates to fail through their units’ difficulties to perform – To learn and build leadership, the trainee should discuss openly his personal failures, mistakes, etc.

8. 8 Real-time learning and a ‘lessons learned' distribution system Accelerated learning processes in wartime (operated 2008, 2012, 2014) – GF LL center deploys and works a 24 hr learning and assimilation cycle Learning events as part of HQ wartime daily routine Learning officers from Brigade Level and above – prepare the learning events In Div. exercises - Practicing the LL system (including identifying technological and doctrinal surprises and developing solutions during battle)

9. Key takeaways for the British Army Adaptive mind is a capability (like a tank) – Commanders should be: Selected for this skill Educated - More learning skills (less knowledge) Trained - overemphasize uncertainty (training to recover from surprise and failure) – not success oriented – up to the highest echelons Learning events as part of battle procedures (and part of training exercises) and personal to prepare them When deployed (at unanticipated place around the globe) – employ intensive learning effort (“first engagement as an controlled experiment”) – A deployed LL center focused on immediate adaptation: TTPs+ training + technical adjustments