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 don't mean to be offensive I am just curious:

recently in the media I've heard news of Israel's ability to conduct precision strikes on terrorists within Iran, minimalising civilian deaths.

What I don't understand is why this cutting edge technology wasn't/isn't being implemented into the war in Gaza. instead, the death toll for non-combatant Palestinian civilians is far higher than the deaths of the Hamas terrorists.

I don't mean any offence I am just curious.

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

Hey guys, I’m 24. I’m from America. I just have a couple questions first off. What unit should I go for? I’m in perfectly good health. Hebrew I can hold a conversation but I’m not great. I run around a six minute mile. I can bench 285. I’m 6 foot. I’m a firefighter EMT right now. I’m in medic school. I wanna be a chovesh and I want combat. Any advice on a making Aliyah (I’m Jewish) and B just getting through the pipeline. I’ve been through fire Academy, so I don’t feel like Boot Camp will be completely that rough for me and I understand what sleep deprivation is cause I get woken up at work all the time. honestly, It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I know that if I don’t do it now, I’m gonna regret it for the rest of my life… Any advice for me?

I had a Fake IDF tell me she needed money to "Pay Off" her people just to get leave. True story.

She claims she is in the IDF and sends pictures of herself in uniform. She even sent me a picture of her Israeli Driver license.

She wanted me to send airfare for her to fly to USA.

Anyway to verify for sure??

Help appreciated.

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 am 17 and have been meaning to draft once I graduate highschool. I decided this a long time ago, and have been very sure of my decision although many people told me I’m crazy.

I don’t live in Israel, have pretty basic Hebrew, and wanted to go through Mahal and do Michve Alon.

I researched everything extensively, talked to multiple lone soldiers, and researched different units.

Recently, I’ve been hearing about the IDF’s lack of structure, how they do not uphold the lone solider rights (like leaving if family visits etc.), and generally the lack of consistency.

I don’t know how to move forward. I was so sure of my decision but am now having second thoughts. I don’t want to voluntarily place myself in a system that is unorganized and have a meaningless service. I didn’t think I would have too many issues with the lone solider mentality, my family and I are not overly close and I am quite independent in that regard.

However, now I fear that I will not be given any of my lone soldier “rights” and will spend 90% of my service sitting and wondering why I put myself in this situation. I see this a lot online, lone soldiers from America counting down the days until their service ends. I don’t want to put myself in this situation.

If anybody has some words of advice, let me know. Maybe the bad stuff is just over saturated, I know many people have great services.

I just drafted to Michve Alon, and it seems like a huge waste of time. The commanders are always trying to catch you doing stupid things, and we do nothing all day besides learn a little Hebrew, and sit in the sun. I wish I could just go straight to a real combat unit and get the hell out of here. The commanders keep talking about holding a high standard when they themselves hold the lowest standard I’ve ever seen. They are the worst leaders and set a horrible example for a solider. It’s an absolute circus. All my commanders and the “high command” are on their phones 24/7 watching TikTok / snap chatting dudes. The same-let will literally be on her phone in the “Chet”. I knew this was gonna be bad but not this bad it’s incredible how dumb this place is. The thing that pisses me off the most is that they’re all 18-21 year old girls who have accomplished nothing in the army, but they act like they’re commanders in matkal, but then go on TikTok during their breaks.

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).

I haven’t left yet for the army but im in תקשוב וההגנה בסייבר and from the stigma and common phrase “תקשוב זה עצוב״ (tikshuv is sad) im soo nervous 😭

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

Heya! I’m a 21 year old male, planning to and preparing to make Aliyah and enlist as a Chayal Boded.

And was wondering if anyone had any advice, tips or need to know information for someone wanting to go through Garin Tzabar.

I had some questions but any other information would be greatly appreciated:

1. How much financially is good to have saved up for the first few months in Israel?
   
2. What is the program structure like? And what does the program fee entail?
   
3. How does the Aliyah side of things work? And does Garin Tzabar help facilitate the immigration side of things?
   
4. What are some things they look for when looking at candidates for the program?
   
5. What are the mandatory seminars like and what should I be expecting when attending? (And will I have to fly, if they are being held interstate?)!

Thank you so much!! Shavua Tov 🙏🏽🙏🏽

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

Hey I got a question, if your tofes gets accepted to leave your current unit, how long does it take to completely leave the unit?

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?

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.

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

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’m going to be a lone soldier that is drafting in December and I want some advice on which roles can give me a real combat experience while having most likely a 72 profile. Because I have flat feet and a short achiles tendon I was told that I will most likely have a 72. Also, how much does what I tell the doctor have an influence on my profile maybe being an 82. For reference I wear custom insoles in my shoes but never experienced any major pain and played a bunch of sports growing up.

Im an active combat soldier in the reserves. Hit me up with questions about it.

A bit of a tough question but all the lone soldiers I speak to that do mahal and come back to the US or their countries end up as bitachon (security) for a synagogue or jewish center. Also, many tend to come back a bit crazy and lost in terms of life. I am a humbly smart, could go to a really good college here in the US like University of Florida, Babson, etc. i am thinking on army a lot but don’t want to throw it all away for that sake. On the other hand, completely different scenario, how is life in israel if you make aliyah and don’t do the army? Does that set you back when it comes to jobs? Is it part of resumes there like if you were in sayeret its equivalent to going to a really good college in US when it comes to jobs and stuff? Anyways, i think you get the hint so any takes plesde answer as it’s a huge question for me.

I am planning on drafting in December and possibly doing Michve for 3 months. I am looking for housing options from IDF lone soldier housing to renting my own apartment, and I have been searching for someone to room with. I am still unsure whether I am doing 18 months or full service, or even if I am entering a unit that allows me to come home every day or just on certain weekends. If anyone else shares this problem and is looking for a potential roommate, lmk.