IDF unit — Oketz (עוקץ, Unit 7142, canine special forces): dog handlers, Gibush Yachatiot, profile, training, women, olim

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oketz_Unit; https://garinmahal.com/gibushim-tryouts; https://draftidf.co.il/units/ · 2026-09

What it is

Oketz is the IDF’s independent canine special-forces unit. Handlers and their dogs (mostly Belgian Malinois) are attached to infantry, special forces and Magav for attack and apprehension, explosives and weapons detection, tunnel and building search, tracking, and search-and-rescue in collapsed structures. The unit traces its roots to the Haganah (1939), was re-established in 1974, and today sits within the Ground Forces’ special-forces framework (its operators train with and graduate at the Paratroopers, wearing the red beret with the Oketz tag).

Requirements

• Medical profile: 82–97; most operators are 97.
• Kaba / DAPAR: good; the unit also looks for patience and calm — dog work rewards temperament as much as fitness.
• Hebrew: high (operators work embedded with other units on their radios).
• Gibush: Gibush Yachatiot (about 3 days). Oketz has its own selection component within the gibush, including an assessment with dogs.
• Gender: mixed — women serve as Oketz combat handlers.

Training

About 16 months: ~6 months basic and advanced infantry training with the Paratroopers, parachuting, then Oketz’s course at its base (Adam / Sirkin area): canine handling, obedience, attack and detection specialties, working with a specific dog assigned to you for the rest of your service, CT and entry techniques, and a final march. Each handler is paired with one dog; the bond is central to the job.

Service length

32 months for men; women in the unit sign 32 months (vs 24 standard). No general keva requirement for handlers, though keeping a handler-dog team operational means the unit strongly encourages full service. Confirm at the gibush.

Keeping the dog

Retired working dogs are frequently adopted by their handlers at the end of service, subject to the unit’s decision on the dog’s status — a common but not guaranteed outcome.

For olim

• Entry via Gibush Yachatiot (no Yom Sayerot, no multi-year signing) makes Oketz one of the more reachable elite units, and one of the few that also takes women.
• Hebrew still matters; Michve Alon graduates are rarely invited but can ask the placement officer about Gibush Yachatiot.
• Experience with dogs is not required but is worth mentioning at the Tzav Rishon interview.
• NBN’s Lone Soldiers Program can submit a screening request (army@nbn.org.il).

Contacts

• Meitav: 1111 · Mitgaisim: mitgaisim.idf.il
• NBN Lone Soldiers Program: army@nbn.org.il, 02-659-5800