I don’t want to make this into some dramatic “insider” thing, but I spent enough time in the IDF to understand the system, different units, army culture, and, most importantly, the people serving in it.

Since I’m not Jewish, I also experienced some things from a slightly different perspective than most Israeli soldiers.

Feel free to ask about basically anything:
what serving is actually like, the people, commanders, religion, daily life, bureaucracy, stereotypes about the IDF, politics, my own opinions, or things you’ve heard
online and always wondered about.

Don’t be shy at all.
There’s no right or wrong question.

I have a few friends in sayeret and chir, was wondering how popular it is for people to use white snus? also are soldiers allowed to carry it on them?

I have a bit of cash to donate and I want to support the guys & gals who keep us safe.

I'm looking for recommendations for recognized, registered non-profit orgs in Israel (saif 46) that help soldiers either in, before, or after service.

Ty

I’m thinking to come serve after HS in the US and was wondering if I should go straight to Garin Tzabar or do a year of mechina in the country first? Any recommendations? Is there a lone soldier forum or online group I can join?

I am 23 F and the age qualification for Mahal is 21. But they said you can appeal for up to two years. I appealed a week ago and have not heard back. Any idea how long it takes or how I can reach them sooner? Thanks

I am a Christian from America but I absolutely love the IDF and the heroism they do!!

Anyone have any experience with krydex of idogear? What should I buy that won't break the bank?

Hello,

I wanted to ask if this could be an issue. I’m planning to become a combat soldier, or possibly join the Air Force, and I recently bought the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar.

Would it be a problem that I bought the standard version instead of the Tactical Edition? Are the extra features on the Tactical Edition actually important or useful for someone planning to join the military or serve in a combat role?

From what I understand, the Tactical Edition includes several additional features, such as:

Stealth Mode: disables wireless communication and prevents the watch from storing or sharing your GPS position.

Kill Switch: deletes all user data and memory from the device if security becomes an issue.

Night Vision Mode: adjusts the display for use with night vision goggles.

Jumpmaster Mode: designed for calculating release points for military parachuting operations.

Projected Waypoints: allows you to create and navigate to remote locations.

Dual Grid Coordinates: allows you to display two different coordinate systems simultaneously.

Dedicated Tactical Activity: provides tactical-specific activity data.

Rucking Activity: allows you to enter the weight of your backpack for more accurate training data.

Applied Ballistics support/ballistics solver (requires an additional unlock for certain functionality).

Stage Timer.

Besides these features, would the standard Instinct 3 Solar still be perfectly suitable for military training and everyday use in the army?

I’m mainly wondering whether I made a mistake by not getting the Tactical Edition, or if the standard version is already more than enough.

Thanks for your advice!

So im almost 17, got dapar 70, profile 97, i got the gama cyber questionere quiz and filled it up - (the first one almost everyone who was in a cs megama gets) i knew a lot of topics in Linux, windows, multiple languages, (i didn't know anything important in networks or security)

I thought i did well, since i did learn a lot outside of school. But i was informed i don't pass to the next stage. I think its because of the combination of dapar 70, profile 97 and the fact that i only got 78 final in math 5 points 571 and i failed the physics and history bagruts (ofcourse i plan on redoing them when i can, but its Still a long time from now - I'm going to 12th grade and physics exam (redo of the one i failed) is at the end of that.

Im also going to request redoing of the dapar since i know i can do better. But I need to wait to do my yom hamea (day 100) to redo the dapar.

I thinking of sending a massage to meitav asking if I'll be able to try again after redoing the dapar (if i get a 90 or 80) and let them know i plan on getting a good grade in physics (i got like 88 on yearly grade, but really fumbled the bagrurt and got like 58 final)

Any advice? Is it possible? I genuinely don't know what to do, i wanted a computer science role my whole life and its basically my identity. But at this point i see myself as a combatant.

I need help

So I drafted in the armored corps last month and in two weeks I’m having the oath, I want to know if at the same time we are receiving the tag, and how long is the masa tag also if anyone has information about all the masas like how long are day an likely when it would help

Hey everyone,

I'm a 20-year-old guy, haven't received my draft notice yet, and I'm trying to get a realistic picture of what's ahead of me. A bit about my situation:

I have a college diploma in Information Security, but it's from abroad and essentially isn't recognized here in Israel. I'm planning to get it officially translated. My Hebrew is basically zero right now.I'm an only child, so I'm aiming for non-combat units.

I have a few questions and would really appreciate any input from people who've been through the process or know how it works:

1. If I get my diploma translated and make a point of mentioning my education and IT skills at every stage of the recruitment process (tzav rishon, classification, etc.), how realistic is it that after 3 months at the training base I'd actually get assigned to some kind of tech/cyber unit? Or is that mostly a pipe dream for someone with no Hebrew and a foreign diploma?

2. If a tech placement doesn't work out, where do guys with very low Hebrew usually end up? I've heard it's often something like warehouse work, base maintenance, or general logistics. Is that accurate? Are there other common roles for people who can barely speak the language yet?

3. If I do land in one of those simpler/support roles – what does day-to-day service actually look like there? Is it genuinely easy-going, or more like mind-numbingly boring? I'm not complaining, I just want to know what to mentally prepare for.

Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to answer.

When applying for Garin Tzabar, who did you guys do as your recommendation to write the rec letter? I definitely have ppl but not sure exactly which direction to go. I have teachers I’ve had for years that would say very great things abt me, I have counselors that I’m still close with from my Israel summer program last year, and I can explore other options as well.

על הנייר, יש לי נתונים טובים (דפ"ר 90 וציונים סבירים ביום המאה) אבל לא קיבלתי מיונים לטיס או מודיעין או משהו כזה. כל מי שסביבי מקבלים זימונים לדברים האלה, גם אנשים שיש להם נתונים פחות טובים ושעשו צו ראשון הרבה יותר מאוחר ממני. מה לעשות? זה כי עשיתי משהו בראיון האישי? כדאי לי להתקשר ולבקש זימונים למיונים לכל מיני דברים?

Hi all,

I’m planning to draft in late 2027 through Garin Tzabar. I left Israel when I was 2 years old, so I currently don't speak Hebrew. I’d really appreciate some advice on my situation.

I will be drafting right after finishing my university degree in software engineering abroad. The catch is: for me coding is bottom 3 activities, I absolutely suck at coding and really want to avoid it at all costs during my service, my programming grades are the bare minimum to pass. However, I am strong in math and physics, got the maximum possible score in my high school math finals, and my math skills at uni are still solid. My medical profile isn't the worst. The most serious issue I have is -4 eyesight. My primary goal is obviously to serve and protect Israel. But alongside that, I want to use my service to gain practical skills for a future profession. I want to work with my hands - something like a mechanic, electrician, mechatronics, ideally in the aerospace sector.

I’m worried that having a foreign degree and background will give me a much lower chance of getting into these technical units compared to locals. I am aiming for non-combat technical roles. However, if the army places me in combat, I will accept it. Honestly, because I didn't grow up with the Israeli mentality, I don't fully grasp what combat service actually entails, and I have some internal fears about it. I’d love to hear some perspectives to help dispel those fears.

My main questions are:

- What is the preferable path or process to get into these hands-on technical units?

- What are the real chances of getting these roles?

- Even though I want to avoid programming, is there any way I can still leverage my software engineering degree to my advantage to secure these positions?

- What does the army look at most during the sorting process for these specific positions, and what should I focus on right now to improve my odds?

Thanks in advance for any advice

(Reposting this because my original post got stuck in the spam filter for 5 days)

Wondering. This could easily be made if someone had enough patience so it isn't really a classiifed issue, almost every pluga has an instagram page (altho it also would be somewhat interesting at the least to the enemy).

My husband is an American citizen who was born in Israel while his parents were on vacation in the 90's. Both of his parents are American born but became naturalized Israeli citizens--they held Israeli citizenship at the time of his birth. He left Israel at one month old and returned once for a short vacation when he was two years old. He got an Israeli passport and ID number before leaving Israel following his birth. Now he is 36 years old and he is an orthopedic surgeon. Would he be drafted to the army as a surgeon at this age? Would he be able to visit for 2-3 weeks without being drafted? At around 25 years old he went to his local Israeli consulate, and he was issued a new Israeli passport and a short term "pitur" to avoid army service as long as he didn't stay in Israel longer than 120 days. That passport has since expired, and he never went to Israel and he never tested out his pitur. Anyone have experience with this as a physician? Surely he wouldn't be useful to the army in combat, but he would be very useful as an orthopedic surgeon.

As a returning citizen what would be the better option: go to college in romania and then try to join the IDF or join the IDF as soon as possible? Because of my high-school, the university options are finance, management, economics, social relations, and other things such as politics. As someone who wishes a military career, would any of these help me more than if I go to Israel for training and do my best?

Anyone know much on the Red unit IDF? It consists of only women and It’s fairly new but seems interesting. Thanks

Hi everyone, I’m a 16-year-old future Oleh, planning to make Aliyah and enlist around 2031-2032 (at age 21-22).I am highly motivated for combat service, and getting combat veteran status (Lochem Chud) is very important to me.I recently got my full orthopedic diagnosis: Juvenile Kyphoscoliosis (Grade 2, around 13-16°,stable for over a year)

Mild wedge deformity at Th8 Mild rotation/torsion at Th12 Mild flat feet (flexible) Functionally, I have no chronic pain,I lift weights at the gym,and my flexibility is improving.I assume this status will realistically land me a Profile 72 due to the structural/bone parameters.I have a few specific questions for veterans and current soldiers: 1. Isuf Kravi (Mobile/Rekhuv):The official IDF page now shows a requirement of 82+ for the general Combat Intelligence fighter track. For those with a 72 profile, does the Manila (placement questionnaire) still offer the option for Mobile Combat Intelligence (Isuf Rekhuv/FPV drones/Granite vehicles)?Or has the entire corps been completely closed to Profile 72 recently?

1. Navy (Daburim / Satilim):Since the official portal requires a 72+ profile for Navy combat roles, how realistic is it to pass the Gibush Yam and serve on patrol boats with a stable, mild Th8/Th12 deformity? Does the constant shaking on a Dabur boat cause issues for people with mild spinal curves?

3.Medical Commission: Given that my condition has been stable for a year with zero pain, what are the odds of the medical board pushing me down to Profile 64 based purely on the "medical seifim" of a wedge vertebra, even if my physical functionality and flexibility are excellent?

Appreciate any insights or personal stories from anyone who served in these units with back/spinal seifim. Thanks!

I got out 3 weeks ago. I have miluim in a 2 weeks. My boots are pretty beat up. Extremely dirty.

Is there a way to deep clean boots to get rid of fungus?

I'll probably try to give them bly, but it might be harder in miluim.

Hello everyone. I am 17, turning 18 in december and i wish to join the IDF. I am an Israeli citizen living in romania and i was wondering: what are the restrictions for nicotine? I use nicotine pouches, and from what I heard you are usually allowed to smoke in designated areas but I never heard anything about nicotine pouches and whether you are allowed to use them or not

I’m currently thinking to go to israel this coming year after I graduate high school in the US, I’d probably do a year of mechina then come back and join Garin Tzabar as a lone soldier. I may later in life come back to the US to study and build my career after the army. What paths did you all take and what do you recommend/discourage based on your experiences?

What mechina programs are best for Americans wanting to immerse themselves in israel and come out with a rewarding experience?

I’m really just looking for some basic advice/feedback as I’ve had many people encourage me and vise versa. Thanks

Is it possible to get the Magav role through Mahal? Since the service is shorter maybe they won’t want to bother. Thanks :)

Hi, I’m drafting to Michve in about 2 weeks. I did end up with a 45 medical profile (purely physical, not נפשי).

I’m trying to get a better idea of what more operational roles and units are available to someone with a 45 profile. I’m especially interested in נהג מבצעי, but I’d also like to learn about other תומכ״ל positions where you’re actually attached to an operational unit and have more of a field/operational role rather than being stuck doing an administrative job on a base.

For anyone who’s done these jobs:

What does the day2day actually look like?

For נהג מבצעי, can you end up attached to basically any kind of unit/brigade (golani, navy, chir, etc.), or is it more limited?

How much does the specific unit you’re assigned to affect what you actually end up doing?

Hi! I’m 18 going into senior year of HS srsly thinking abt Aaliyah. I am planning on hopefully doing garin tzabar just had quite a few questions.
1. How was application process and what’s chances you’ll be accepted (just bc I’ve seen stories of ppl getting rejected)?
2. What’s the total cost?
3. How do the seminars work and what do they look like?
4. (I know this will be diff per person and expirience but curious to hear abt yours) how was your garin expirience ppl wise? Did you like the ppl in it? How long did it take you click with them?
5. Once you get to Israel and the first day of the program starts, how do the days look? What’s the day to day look like for the 3 months?
6. Did you draft with any of your garin buddies?

That kinda stuff is what I’m curious abt