IDF-track unit — Border Police / Magav (משמר הגבול, Mishmar HaGvul): what it is, profile, training, service length, women, Yamas and Yamam, olim
What it is
Magav is the combat arm of the Israel Police, not formally part of the IDF — but conscripts are drafted into it through the normal IDF process and serve their compulsory service there. Its work is counter-terrorism, public order and law enforcement: Jerusalem and the Old City, Judea & Samaria crossings and villages, the Seam Line, mixed cities, and riot control. Since October 2023 Magav units have also fought alongside the IDF in Gaza and the north. Roughly 1 in 20 applicants is accepted, according to veterans’ guides. Beret: dark green.
Special units inside the Border Police:
- Yamas — undercover (mista’arvim) counter-terror units in Judea & Samaria and Jerusalem; entered via a Yamas course after service in a Magav unit or via Gibush Yachatiot.
- Yamam — the national police counter-terror and hostage-rescue unit; a professional (career) unit, recruited from experienced soldiers and officers after their compulsory service, not from conscripts directly.
- Matilan — reconnaissance / observation unit.
Requirements
- Medical profile: 82 is the published minimum for combat Magav; the unit has historically also accepted 64–72 candidates for certain roles, and the new profile 70 (Sept 2026) widens this. Confirm with Meitav.
- Gibush: none for the regular units — request Magav on the manila. Personal interviews and security screening are part of acceptance.
- Hebrew: important — Magav work involves talking to civilians, checking documents and giving instructions. Olim scoring 6 or below do Michve Alon first.
- Gender: mixed — men and women serve as Magav combat soldiers together.
Path in and training
- List Magav on the manila; acceptance is competitive and interviews follow.
- Training at Bahad Magav (near Beit Horon / the Mikhmash area): about 4 months basic + 2 months advanced (~6 months) — infantry skills, weapons, Krav Maga, urban and riot-control tactics, police law and arrest procedures.
- Posting to a regional company (Jerusalem, Judea & Samaria, Center, North, South). Most conscripts are posted to Jerusalem or Judea & Samaria. Squad commanders’, Yamas and officers’ courses follow for those selected.
Service length
- Men: 32 months. Women: Magav combat service is 32 months (they sign an extension from the standard 24).
- Olim arriving at 22–27 who volunteer for combat: 24 months minimum.
- Reserve duty: Magav has its own reserve system, distinct from IDF miluim.
What life is like
Veterans describe a trade-off: units in Israel proper (Tel Aviv, north, mixed cities) have better conditions and more routine policing; Jerusalem and Judea & Samaria units carry the heavier operational load and the stronger unit culture. Magav soldiers wear a distinctive uniform and often serve close to home, with more time off-base than field units in the Negev.
For olim
- One of the more common combat placements for olim, including those with profiles below infantry level.
- Good Hebrew helps more here than almost anywhere else, because the job is partly public-facing. Olim who speak Arabic, Russian or Amharic are valued for community interaction.
- Lone-soldier rights apply as in the IDF (Magav conscripts are IDF soldiers on loan to the police for benefit purposes); the Border Police has its own lone-soldier officers.
- Policing experience in Magav is a recognised route into the Israel Police after service.
Contacts
- Meitav: 1111 · Lone Soldier Hotline: *6563
- NBN Lone Soldiers Program: army@nbn.org.il