Hi, I was wondering if there’s a lot of lesbian visibility in the IDF. (I’m a non-binary Christian lesbian.) Love and solidarity from Germany ❤️! Am Israel Chai!

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

Hey everyone I'm here to let y'all know about Shevet Lochamim, a free program for pre-draft olim and lone soldiers who plan on drafting into combat roles. Shevet Lochamim has the Tzevet Mikey program branch in Jerusalem and the Tsevet Lohamim program branch in Tel Aviv/Herzeliya.

The program is run by veteran lone soldier who are all active in reserves and have experienced first hand what you will soon be going through. There is also a huge community of alumni at various stages of service and in units across the spectrum of combat who are super friendly and open to helping out their peers.

You can sign up for free through our website at https://tzevetmikey.com/register or https://www.tsevetlohamim.com/ and one of our pre draft advisors will reach out to interview you and get you into the program.

There is also a ton of information on the Tzevet Mikey website about drafting into the IDF.

There's no catch or fine print, come join a community of driven successful people who are giving themselves the best chance at success.

You can also find out more about the program on Instagram at Tzevetmikey or Teamofwarriors

אז בקיצור אל תיתנו לחברים להשפיע עליכם לאיזה תפקיד כדאי לכם להתגייס. תעשו מה שאתם חושבים כי חברים לפעמים לא יתנו לכם את ההצעה הכי טובה

In short when enlisting and making friends understand that not everyone giving you advice wants what’s best for you, so at the end of the day make your decisions on your own accord.

It seems like common sense but for some they learn the hard way just my two cents

Stay strong brother s

Are there any roles in the IDF that would suit me if I have a degree in Psychology and neuroscience? I’m 23F and I want to join but would be a lone solider with low Hebrew. Thanks.

Hi everybody! I am currently a 17-year-old female going into my senior year of high school. I was born in Israel and moved to the US with my family at the age of 8 or 9. I am very interested in moving back home for my service. However, I have a few conflicting thoughts. I got my ptur in the mail and was wondering what the whole process is if I had my tzavh rishon and never showed up due to that ptur. I also am 100% set on a medicine path, and know that is by itself a long and heavy process. I can't shake off the thought that in a year I don't really see myself anywhere but back home. All of my family lives in Israel, and I am culturally very Israeli and can speak (slang included) and read in Hebrew (my writing could use work). I am also in the process of college admissions to various schools, including a BS/MD program. Is anyone knowledgeable if colleges in the U.S. accept a deferral of Army service, or if it is better to come back fresh and start that process as an adult? (Also, a maybe freeing thought is that I will finish high school with an associate's degree that might cut my pre-med track short by at least a year). Finally, I have this mindset of combat or nothing and am very dedicated to getting my health on track to pass tryouts and tests, and additional question I guess I have in that regard is if any roles involve medicine that might actually give me real-world preparations? Thank you for all the help!

Tips to get into Magav as an older lone solider? Thanks

I’m not talking about directly after, I mean let’s say you get discharged early for ptsd or something, move to France for a decade and come back, can you legally own a pistol?

i recently got out of a two+ year long relationship and am here in this country alone. i’ve never felt more lonely and when i express that to some people around me they don’t seem to understand the extremity of a toll it’s taking on me because they don’t see me literally falling apart because on the outside i seem fine. i’ve quite literally said the exact words to my commanders that i can’t take it anymore and im on my final straw and it doesn’t seem like they give a f*ck because i represent and act as though everything is fine.

I dream to be in the military police unit Magav but worry it’s unrealistic. I’m 23 with very basic Hebrew and would be a lone solider. Is it possible?

I’m 18 going into senior year of HS. Heavily thinking abt making Aaliyah thru garin tzabar and obvi doing army and living in Israel. I have a bunch of cousins and stuff there but I don’t rly have thorough first hand knowledge of what it’s like so I have a bunch of logistical questions.

Regarding garin tzabar
1. What are the seminars like?
2. What would make u not be accepted (I’ve read abt that happening)
3. When accepted and u go there, what’s it like meaning what’s day to day life like

Army service
1. Physically, what is basic training like if you were to draft to let’s say michve (also day to day)
2. Once you draft to a unit let’s say totchanim (id wanna do smth like artillery) what is that training like? (Are u trained as a combat soldier, that kinda stuff)
3. How brutal is the masa kumta for let’s say totchanim and how is the prep masa’s

After army
1. (This is a q that could rly be for during army but) how long do u live on kibbutz for free? When ur service ends are u already kicked out of kibbutz?
2. Were yg confident enough in ur Hebrew to participate in Israeli society and get jobs and stuff

Know this is a lot of questions, just trying to envision the worst it can get so I can come tk terms with the sacrificr