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IDF — Yom Giyus (draft day at Bakum), basic training levels, and the Michve Alon army Hebrew course for olim

Source: https://www.nbn.org.il/nbnlsp/yom-giyus-draft-day/ ; https://www.nbn.org.il/nbnlsp/basic-training-in-the-idf/ ; https://www.nbn.org.il/nbnlsp/michvei-alon/ (Nefesh B'Nefesh–FIDF Lone Soldiers Program) · 2026-09

The Tzav Giyus (draft order)

The Tzav Giyus is a letter telling you the date and place of your draft. If your draft office is not Tel Hashomer, be on time — you are bused from there to Bakum (the induction base). Draft dates are often changed; the army notifies by SMS, so keep your address and phone number updated with the draft office.

Questions about medical issues, problems, or draft dates: Recruitment Information Center (Meitav) 1111, Sunday–Thursday 7:30–20:00, English speakers available.

What to bring on Yom Giyus

Dress, hair, piercings

You exchange civilian clothes for a uniform. Remove earrings — no body piercings are allowed during service. Men must have hair no longer than one inch; if longer, you get a free haircut at Bakum.

The stations at Bakum

  1. Store personal bags
  2. Photo for your Choger (army ID) — you get only one shot at this photo
  3. Dental panoramic photo and mouth X-ray (identification)
  4. Fingerprints (digital scanner)
  5. Verification of bank details for your salary
  6. Blood sample (for identification in emergencies)
  7. Vaccines: tetanus, meningitis, flu (winter only)
  8. Optional blood sample for the bone-marrow registry (Ezer Mitzion) — free, not mandatory
  9. Diskiyot (dog tags) — men get two, women one
  10. Haircut (men, if needed)
  11. Interview with the Ketzinei Miyun (placement officers) — your job is assigned based on Tzav Rishon scores, medical profile and Hebrew level. If you are going to Michve Alon, this happens at the end of that course instead.
  12. Women volunteering for combat sign a declaration to serve 32 months instead of 24, before leaving Bakum.
  13. Receive equipment: boots, uniforms (Aleph = formal uniform worn off base), green beret, coat, backpack, socks, underwear, undershirts, towel, lock, sewing kit, toothbrush, earplugs, reflective bands; combat soldiers get two pairs of boots, gym bag, and extras (pocket case, black “alizerband” tape, dog-tag cover, whistle, gun-cleaning kit). Women also receive pepper spray and winter/summer shoes — wearing other shoes can get you a ticket from the military police.

After lunch you are put on buses to your tironut (basic training) base.

Basic training (Tironut)

Basic training depends on your job placement, which depends on your Hebrew level and medical profile. Every course includes weapons training, physical training, guard duty, strict discipline and timed tasks (sleep, breaks, meals, lining up), and a formal distance from commanders. Length: one to seven months or longer depending on the job.

Training levels (“Rovai” number):

Questions: army@nbn.org.il

Michve Alon — the army Hebrew course

All olim with a low Hebrew level (score of 6 or below at the Tzav Rishon) start their service with a three-month Army Hebrew Course at the Michve Alon base. It includes one month of basic training. Combat soldiers then do a more advanced basic training with their unit; non-combat soldiers may repeat basic training depending on placement. Near the end of the course you meet a placement officer.

The course runs in December, March/April and August (before the March, August and November drafts).

Course Moledet (“Heritage Course”)

Held at Michve Alon several times a year for olim with adequate Hebrew:

Candidates are selected after a half-hour interview at the Lishkat Giyus about their connection to Israel and motivation. The course includes tours of Israel (museums, theatres, government buildings), Jewish heritage, Israeli culture, structure of government, tools for adapting to the military, and completes level-02 basic training. Those chosen cannot get an exemption from it; soldiers who want Course Nativ can do it later in their service. Performance can affect job placement for those not yet placed.

Useful contacts