THE "SHEEP HERDER" OR "SHEPHERD'S" DILEMMA - SCREENING EXERCISES/ACTIVITIES
- Moran Sciamama-Saghiv
- Sep 23
- 5 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 "sheep herder" or "shepherd's" dilemma is a non-physically-based exercise/activity that is meant to determine the candidates' ability to deal with the possible need for self-preservation at all costs. This dilemma is relevant to individuals (espionage), teams, and units that operate in enemy territory, with little to no backup [known as a rapid reaction force / rapid response force (RRF), quick reaction force / quick response force (QRF)] and where their detection has a good chance of ending up in complete mission failure, their capture, torture, death, diplomatic disaster, or national embarrassment. The dilemma examines what are the candidates willing to do to save their teammates and/or themselves.
The screening exercise begins with the candidates being given part or all details of the mission. If only part is given first, the first part usually does not yet engage the candidates with a dilemma and focuses on other aspects of such a mission such as the question of is it okay to go on missions, uninvited, on the soil of another sovereign nation? - this usually stirs up the conversation, and allows us to learn of the candidates knowledge of international relations, international law, and how they perceive the nation's global status.
At some point of the screening exercise, the candidates are told that they have been spotted by a non-combatant, innocent local sheep herder or shepherd. At this point, the screening exercise dilemma can be developed in multiple versions and/or directions. These may include the following:
The screening exercise can be completely guided by the instructors, allowing better control of the resulting dynamics.
The screening exercise can be left complete "open" in the hands of the candidates. In such a case, usually they get a set of written text and instructions either all up-front or in stages.
A combination of the first two options.
versions of this screening exercise can include different options of dealing with the sheep herder such as 1) Killing them; 2) Abducting them (taking them with the team or holding them hostage until it is safe to release them); 3) Tying them up on the spot and leaving them to their fate; 4) Allowing them to go free.
The screening exercise can include a majority vote, requirement for a unanimous vote, or an appointed "commander" and decision maker from one of the candidates.
To make the dilemma feel and look more realistic and evoke emotions, the use of images can be implemented, as well as sharing the hobbies, loves, and thoughts of the sheep herder.
Information shared can include facts about past mission where teams/units were discovered and the failures to rescue them. Since these are facts that are shared, it will increase the understanding of the candidates of what this actually means, and how relevant it may become.
Other?
Curious? need help? have questions? - contact me!
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