THE "HAND IN HAND COLUMN" DILEMMA - SCREENING EXERCISES/ACTIVITIES FOR MILITARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRST RESPONDERS, RESCUE UNITS, AND MORE
- Moran Sciamama-Saghiv
- Sep 23
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 16
Disclaimer: The content provided by Dr. Moran Sciamama-Saghiv on physical screening for military, law enforcement, and similar professions is intended solely for educational and informational purposes. It does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice, nor does it establish any professional relationship. Readers must obtain proper medical clearance and institutional authorization before applying any information. Dr. Sciamama-Saghiv disclaims all liability for injury, loss, or misuse of the material.
I am Dr. Moran Sciamama-Saghiv, ex-Army officer and an expert of many years on screening processes (especially yet not limited to military with an emphasis on special forces; physical aspects). I offer consultation services and a variety of lectures related to the Israeli military. I would be happy to collaborate with you (if and when relevant). In the meanwhile, I invite you to read my blog post series on the screening processes for military, law enforcement, rescue units, first responders, etc.
In a previous series of blog posts, I have surveyed the multiple and diverse aspects of how to establish or improve a physically-based screening process for military, law enforcement, first responders, rescue units, and more. In this series we will focus on actual suggestions for exercises/activities that can be used in a screening process, and possible variations. Each blog post in the series will analyze the elements that the screening activity requires, "pros" and "cons", "do" and "don'ts", and how the screening activity serves as a tool in the hands of the evaluators.
In some cases, there is more than one way to conduct the exercise, analyze it, or experience it. We will survey both physically-based screening exercises/activities, and non-physical screening exercises/activities. Furthermore, many screening exercises are planned in a way that your ability to prepare for them is limited as much as possible (even with previous knowledge and practice) or simply are meant to examine if you meet the minimum requirements and nothing more.
The "hand in hand column" dilemma is a physically-based exercise/activity that is meant to determine the candidates' ability to deal with increasing physical difficulty and examine the candidates' strategic thinking, determination to be noticed, contribution to the team, self-preference vs team-preference, fitness, group dynamics, situational awareness, sophistication, analytical skills, fast thinking, confidence, competitiveness, and perception of self.
At the beginning of the screening exercise, the candidates are taken to the bottom of a steep hill and are asked to form a column facing the hill. Next, the instructions and rules of the exercise are fully explained to the candidates. These instructions to the candidates and rules include the following:
The person at the front of the column goes to the top of the hill or to the point where a marker is set (a rock column, cone, or any other means of marking the spot), circles the marker, comes back to the team, takes the second person's hand, and they circle the marker together while holding hands the entire time.
Candidates must hold hands the entire time.
Candidates must move as a column (one behind the other; not one beside the other).
The action of circling the marker, "picking up" the next candidate, and circling the marker again, continues until the last team member has circled the marker once.
Once the first candidate has left, there may be no more changes to the order in which the column is organized.
At this point, as the candidates are heavily hyperventilating, the instructors actively engage with the candidates, asking them the following questions:
How do you feel?
What are your thoughts?
Are you happy with your location within the column?
Would you like to change your location within the column?
Where to would you like to change your location in the column?
If someone is moved backwards due to another candidate's decision - we ask them how do they feel about that? why?
If someone decides to move towards the back of the column, we "attack" them with questions of a negative nature due to their decision.
The main manipulations used as part of the screening exercise include:
The understanding that the first candidate in the column (in front) is physically and mentally challenged the most. If there are 10 people in the team, they will have to circle the marker 10 times per round.
The understanding that the last candidate in the column (in the back) is physically and mentally challenged the least. If there are 10 people in the team, they will have to circle the marker only once per round.
By allowing candidates to change their location within the column between rounds, we are allowing them to choose if they want to do more or less for the team.
By allowing candidates to change their location within the column between rounds, we are introducing the possibility for inter-personal competition and emotional dynamics (perceiving being sent backwards as a "personal attack" on their candidacy).
The screening exercise dilemma can be developed in multiple versions and/or directions. These may include the following:
The number of times that the marker needs to be circled can change (one round is completed when the last candidate in the column had circled the marker and the entire team returns to the starting point.
The mode of movement can change from walking to running to skipping (as long as it is safe).
The number of times each candidate can change their location in the column per round, entire exercise, or as a team as a whole can be changed.
The extent of gear and equipment carried individually and as a team can b changed.
A time element can be added where the team must all circle the marker according to the rules within a certain amount of time.
Penalties and/or punishment can be added. For example - failure to meet time means another round will be added. Letting go of hands = failure.
Punishment can include aggravating tasks upon failure - pushup, abdominal crunches, sprints, etc. Just remember to consider if you wish to use physicality as punishment (as a matter of principle).
A certain number of successful rounds can be set as the goal within a certain amount of time.
The time allocated allows us to decide if we want to give them a chance at succeeding (awards effort and teamwork) or making sure they always fail (group dynamics, dealing/coping with failure and aggravation).
The exercise does not have to include a hill, a less intense and challenging version can be achieved by using a lesser slope or using a flat surface.
You may consider rewarding the team for success, For example - extra time in the shower, more sleep, etc.
Other?
Curious? need help? have questions? - contact me!
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