Israel is the one of only a few countries in the world with mandatory service for women. Currently women comprise 33% of all IDF soldiers and 51% of its officers, fulfilling various roles within the Ground, Navy and Air Forces. 92% of all IDF units are open to women. In this section you will find different units that women serve in and the roles that are available.

Combat Units

There are many combat units that women can serve in, below are the options currently available. Note that most require a gibbush (tryout) and high medical profile.

Karkal
Karkal
Infantry
קרקל
First male/female unit internationally. Infantry unit defending Israel’s borders and conducting offensive operations in times of need. This unit deals with patrol and safety on the Israeli-Egyptian border. Profile: 82+
Isuf Kravi
Isuf Kravi
Combat Engineering
איסוף קרבי
Color of Kumta: Light brown
Basic Training Base: Central Negev
Description: Field intelligence and recon unit gathering information close to and behind enemy lines. Profile: 82+
Arayot Hayarden
Arayot Hayarden
Infantry
אריות הירדן
Color of Kumta: Light Green
Basic Training Base: Binyamina Area
Description: Co-ed infantry unit defending Israel’s borders and conducting offensive operations in times of need. Profile: 82+ (Gibbush for women)
Kela David
Kela David
Special Artillery
קלע דוד
Women are now also allowed to tryout and join the elite units of Moran, Meitar and Skyrider as combat soldiers, commanders, and officers.
Totchanim
Totchanim
Artillery
תותחנים
Color of Kumta: Turquoise
Basic Training Base: Central Negev
Description: Artillery unit defending Israel’s borders and conducting offensive operations in times of need. Includes elite missile units and advanced drone unit. Profile: 72+
Chilutz v’Hatzalah
Chilutz v’Hatzalah
Search and Rescue
חילוץ והצלה
A home front command assists all to do with civilians and safety during times of war and natural disasters. They have many duties, including search and rescue. Training is three months. Profile: 72+
Oketz
Oketz
K-9 Unit
עוקץ
Women can be combat soldiers assigned to a specific dog and are often are often assigned to other units when said units are in need of their specialist skills, for example, the extraction of terrorists from fortified buildings. Profile: 97
Magav
Magav
Military Police
מגב
A border police unit that protects within Israel, the West Bank and Jerusalem. Deals with counterterrorism, law enforcement, and riot control. Women are in high demand and are often used to search women crossing borders.

Combat Support Roles

There are many support roles within combat units that are filled by women. These are very critical positions that train, guide, assist combat soldiers. Below you will find the most popular positions and their descriptions.

Madrichot (Instructors)

There are many different types of instructors that teach soldiers how to operate weapons, machinery, tanks, and other devices. Common positions include Chir, Tank, Artillery and more.

Madagiot (Trainers)

Sports and Fitness Trainers are placed throughout the IDF on bases and specific units. These positions are much like being a personal trainer for combat units and is a very physical position.

Mashakiot (NCOs)

A non-commissioned officer that oversees other soldiers and fulfils an official role in each unit. The most common positions are Mashakit Tash, Hinuch, Aliyah, Shalishut, and Hod.

Other Roles

There are hundreds of other roles for men and women in the IDF not directly having to do with combat units. Though sometimes seen as less important, soldiers in these roles provide a vital service to the functioning of the military. Soldiers still have basic training for 2-3 weeks followed by about a 2 month course.

-Dover Tzahal (Army Spokesman Unit)

-Kishrei Chutz (Foreign Relations)

-Hoveshet (Medic)

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