THE "TWO PILES" DILEMMA - SCREENING EXERCISES/ACTIVITIES FOR MILITARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRST RESPONDERS, RESCUE UNITS, AND MORE
- Moran Sciamama-Saghiv
- Sep 22
- 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 "two piles" dilemma is a physically-based exercise/activity that is meant to determine the candidates' preference of the team over themselves vs preference of themselves over the team, strategic thinking, tactics selection, proactiveness vs reactiveness, dominance vs submissiveness, deceptive abilities, creation of alliances, willingness to "hurt" or "harm" teammates, aggressiveness, discipline, self-control, time awareness, situational awareness, following orders/instructions, teamwork, and more. This exercise can teach us a great deal about the candidates.
The exercise begins with the candidates standing in a large-diameter circle (the greater the circle, the more physical the exercise becomes). Each candidate gets one empty sand bag to begin with. They goal is to have the greatest number of sand bags in the team's pile and in your personal "pile" at the end of the allocated time. When the sign is given, each candidate must fill-up the sand bag with sand (either with their hands or a shoval), seal the bag, and then decide if to contribute the bag to the team's pile or to their own personal pile. One the bag has been added to a pile, they must grab another sand bag, and repeat their actions until the time allocated for the exercise/activity has ended.
It is suggested to set a few basic rules that are negotiable, especially to assure the safety of the candidates and avoid injuries:
Candidates cannot block another candidate with their body from reaching their personal "pile".
It is not allowed to throw or toss the sand bag.
Candidates may not help another candidate fill the sand bag, nor carry it.
Only one sand bag can be filled up and carried at a time.
Bags that are not filled all the way to the mark indicated (by the instructors or pre-marked on the bag), do not count.
Multiple variations cab be created for this screening exercise/activity. These may include:
Allowing to "steal" from personal piles.
Giving more points to different sand bag sizes. For example - small sand bag = 1 point, medium sand bag = 2 points, large sand bag = 3 points. This promotes mote strategy than physicality and allows candidates to be more efficient in their choices.
Allowing alliances and/or teamwork.
Allowing a candidate to read out times.
Appointing a group leader that can give orders.
Changing how candidates can move (walk or run).
Mandating how candidates must move (most walk or must run).
Shortening the time given during the exercise to create a sense of urgency and also test their ability to deal with surprises and changes.
Conducting the exercise/activity with full personal gear (keep it safe though).
Instead of individual pile, the group can be divided into pairs, or bigger groups, and must either move while physically connected or separately.
If other than individuals, one candidate for each pair/group can be allowed to make decisions and instruct the other/s on what to do; they must follow the "leader's" instruction. In such a case, does the "leader" also take a physically active part or just gives instructions?
The end goal can be set so that the piles must be the highest (which does not necessarily require the most sand bags, yet will require investing time in vertical construction).
Other?
Curious? need help? have questions? - contact me!
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