Tzav Rishon + Unit Assignment

Read about this process in your mother tongue:

• Espanol

A number of factors are considered when assigning you to the unit in which you will eventually serve.

UPDATE – August 2021: The IDF recently declared a number of changes in the draft process such as Yom Hameah (יום המאה) for males and the abolishment of the Kaba (קב”א). Read more about the changes here

1. Three factors/scores are determined during your tzav rishon – צו ראשון. These scores will help the army determine if you are a fit for certain units. You can see here the scores needed for the different combat units of the IDF.
   • Dapar/דפ”ר – This stands for דירוג פסיכוטכני ראשוני or “rank from initial psycho-technical test”. Scores rank from 10-90 (90 being the highest). This test is done on a computer and is form of intelligence test. You are allowed to do the test in English (it’s even encouraged if english is your mother tongue!). A minimum score of 50 is needed in order to serve in elite units.
   • Kaba/קב”א – This stands for קבוצת איכות or “quality group” and is used to check if you are a potential fit for Officers Course later on in your service. The Kaba score ranges between 41-56. 50% of this score is based on the score you received on your דפ”ר/Dapar. 17% of this score is based on your previous education (high school diploma/dropout/etc). 33% is based on the personal interview you will have where you will be asked about your background. The average Kaba of draftees is 50. The minimum Kaba needed to draft to a combat job is a 44.
   • Medical Profile/פרופיל רפואי – This score represents your overall health and will determine if you are fit to serve in a combat role or not. The highest score is a 97. Scores of 97, 84 & 72 allow for service in combat/combat support roles. The following are examples of jobs available for each profile:
     • 97: All jobs are open to this profile such as סיירת מטכל, חטיבת קומנדו, infantry jobs, etc
     • 84: Combat intelligence (איסוף קרבי), Combat Engineering (הנדסה קרבית),
     • 72: Border Infantry (חי”ר גבולות), Tanks (שריון), Artillery (תותחנים), Search & Rescue (פלח”ץ), Air Defense (הגנה אווירית), etc.
2. Gibushim – גיבושים – Special Forces Tryouts
   • Either before your service or during your time in Michve Alon, you will be given the option (not always – if this is something you’re interested, make sure to actively pursue it!) to participate in 2 different tryouts.
   • גיבוש צנחנים – Paratroopers Tryout: This tryout spans around a day and a half. At the start of the tryout there will be a 2 kilometer run. The slowest runners will be cut and sent home. After the run you will head to sleep. In the early morning (around 2 or 3 AM), you will be woken up for the main challenge. This is composed of around 8 hours of intense sprints, crawling, carrying stretchers, team and leadership challenges and more. Those that finish this section will be awarded an interview where you will be asked a variety of questions including “why do you want to draft to the paratroopers?”.
   • Yom Sayerot – יום סיירות: This tryout spans a full day and is without a doubt more challenging than the tryout for the Paratroopers. This day includes nonstop sprints, crawls and stretcher carries up and down steep sand dunes. This tryout is the key to reaching the elite units such as שייטת 13, סיירת מטכ”ל, 669, ושלדג. Most that finish this day are offered an additional tryout to חובלים, a sailors course. The other possible results are to either receive גיבוש מטכ”ל (which leads to שלדג as well) or גיבוש שייטת (which leads to 669). Upon completion of the additional gibush you may or may not be accepted into one of those units. Those that finish the gibush receive interviews to potentially be placed in commando units such as דובדבן, מגלן, אזוג, יהלום, and more. Important to point out that many people that finish the tryout do not receive an invitation to additional tryouts. The level of competition here is extremely high as you will be competing with droves of Israeli’s who have been training for this day for years.

• גיבוש שייטת/מטכ”ל/טייס – These tryouts span 5 days and are extremely difficult. You will be pushed to your limits mentally and physically.
• Watch the video below for critical tips on how to prepare and succeed in your גיבושים.

3. קצין מיון – Placement Officer: Sometime before your draft/during Michve Alon, you will have an opportunity to meet with a placement officer. You will express to him your preferences of where you would like to draft to and he will consider your request and place you where he and the IDF see fit.

4. Michve Alon Hebrew Course – קורס עברית מחווה אלון: A 3 month course composed of 1 month of basic training and 2 months of intensive Hebrew learning. Being a soldier in the Israeli Defense Forces, it is critical that you be capable of communicating in Hebrew at a high level throughout your service. Those that have a low level of Hebrew come draft day will be sent to Michve Alon, where they’ll have 3 months to work hard and improve their Hebrew. During Michve Alon, you’ll have the opportunity to choose either יום סיירות or גיבוש צנחנים. There is no guarantee that you will receive the opportunity to attend both. Choose wisely.