Israel Defense Forces Soldier Talks Training

Imagine being tear-gassed when you're not wearing a gas mask.

Would you run?

And, what does a sandbox have to do with parachuting?

Alex Simone of Pikesville discusses his experiences in the Israel Defense Forces, including his paratrooper training.

"Once we reached 400 meters in the air and entered the jump zone, my dvuka (jump squad) stood and lined up next to the door," he wrote.

"The doors opened, filling the whole cargo with wind. Looking out the door, I could see the Mediterranean and the beach below, but it all still looked just like a movie. Nobody in their right mind would actually jump out that door, right?"

Read more of Simone's blog: Shalom Yaakov in Israel: A repository of my new life in the Holy Land.

Simone is a member of Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah Congregation.