The following is an overview of what you can expect on your Yom Giyus.

The Tzav Giyus is a letter you will receive in the mail that provides information about your draft day, including when and where you are expected to be.

If your draft office is NOT listed as Tel Hashomer, it is very important to be on time. You will be sent by bus to Bakum, and you don’t want to be late for the bus.

After you receive your Tsav Giyus, it is not uncommon for your draft date to be changed. In most cases, the army uses an SMS system to notify draftees about date changes. Therefore, if you change your address or cell phone number, it is important to update your drafting office with this information.

If you have any questions about your upcoming draft, the Recruitment Information Center can provide answers to inquiries regarding medical issues, problems that arise and complaints about draft dates. The office is open Sunday through Thursday, 7:30 am – 8:00 pm. English speakers are available on staff to answer questions.

The center can be reached at:

Phone: (Meitav) 1111

On your Yom Giyus, bring the following items:

  • Your Tzav Giyus paper (drafting orders) document that came in the mail.
  • Teudat Tzehut (Israeli I.D.) or an Israeli passport
  • Driver’s license (if any).
  • ATM card or bank account information including bank name, branch number and account number, to ensure you receive your army salary to the correct account.
  • Apartment rental contract (if you are renting an apartment)

On the day of your draft, you are expected to dress according to military standards. You will be exchanging your civilian clothing for an army uniform.

If you wear earrings, you must remove them prior to your arrival at the draft office. According to the IDF, soldiers are not permitted to have any body piercing during military service.

Men must cut their hair to a length no longer than one inch. If you arrive with longer hair, you will receive a haircut free of charge, from the IDF.

If you are sensitive to the Tetanus, Meningitis, Hepatitis or Flu vaccine, make sure to bring a letter from your doctor that indicates this.

The Army tries to provide you with all necessary items. However, we recommend that you bring certain items along with you.

See Packing List for Men and Packing List for Women.

On the morning of your Yom Giyus, report to the Lishkat Hagiyus  indicated on your Tzav Giyus. After a short registration (and last minute goodbyes to friends or family members), you are sent on a bus with other draftees to start your recruitment procedures at Bakum.

These are the chain of stations you will go through on your enlistment date, once you get off the bus:

  • Store personal Bags: You will be directed by a commander where to check in your personal items, before continuing on to the next station.
  • Photo for Choger (Army ID): Remember that you will not have the chance to take a second photo! Make sure to take a great photo for your army ID.
  • Photographing Teeth: Using Dental Digital Panoramic Photography Advanced, your teeth will be photographed. This is for the army’s identification purposes.
  • Fingerprints: Fingerprints will be taken using a digital scanner.
  • Peripheral X-ray Inside the Mouth: This is accomplished using a modern x-ray machine.
  • Authentication of Data: The army verifies your bank account details, in order to transfer your military salary.
  • Blood Sample: A blood sample will be taken from you for identification during emergencies.
  • Vaccines: Flu vaccines (in the winter only), Tetanus and Meningitis.
  • Blood Sample for Bone Marrow Pool: This is done by an auxiliary organization, Ezer MiTzion. Joining only involves providing a blood sample, and doesn’t charge anything. This is not mandatory.
  • Diskiyot (Dog Tags – Everyone will receive dog tags. Men receive two, women receive one.
  • Hairdresser (men only): If your hair is considered too long for military standards, you will be given a haircut free of charge.
  • Interview with the Ketzinai Miyun קציני מיון , the officers in charge of assigning job placements. You are assigned a job, based on your testing scores in the Tzav Rishon (first drafting call), physical profile and Hebrew level. If you are drafting to the Michve Alon Hebrew course, you will see one at the end of the course.
  • Women in Combat Units: If you volunteered to be in Kravi (combat), you sign a declaration that you will serve 32 months of compulsory service instead of 24. This is signed before you leave Bakum and go to your base.
  • Receive Military Equipment:  You will receive your boots, uniforms, basic green beret, and more.

Non-Combat Position

A male serving in a non-combat position may receive the following items:

  • Lock
  • 1 Towel
  • 5 pair of wool socks
  • Toothbrush
  • Sewing kit
  • Laundry bag
  • Reflective bands
  • 3 pairs of underwear
  • 3 Undershirts
  • 1 Coat
  • 1 Backpack
  • 1 pair of army shoes
  • 3 Aleph uniform shirts (Note: Aleph Uniform is your formal uniform to wear outside of the base.)
  • 3 pairs of Aleph pants
  • 1 Cap
  • 1 Belt
  • 1 Shaver
  • A pair of ear plugs

Combat Soldiers

A male combat soldier may receive the following items:

  • Gym bag
  • 2 pairs of army boots
  • 2 pairs of sports shorts
  • 9 pairs of wool socks
  • 2 towels
  • 1 Coat
  • 3 Aleph uniform shirts
  • 3 pairs of underwear
  • Wash bag
  • Lock
  • Backpack
  • 1 Cap
  • Belt
  • 2 jerseys
  • 2 Aleph uniform undershirts
  • Sewing kit
  • Toothbrush
  • Shaving
  • A pair of ear plugs
  • Reflective bands

Extra Items for Combat Soldiers

The kit bag for male combat soldiers may include the following additional items:

  • פק”ל כיסים: Case to keep your items in your pants pocket
  • 1 roll of tape: This is known as Alizerbande. It is black, electrical tape that is used during basic training to “shifzer” (tape up loose ends or items).
  • Dog tag cover
  • Whistle
  • Watch cover
  • Japanese knife
  • Gun cleaning brush
  • 1 string for your gun

Non-Combat Positions

Women serving in a non-combat position receive the following items:

  • 1 Lock
  • 1 Towel
  • Five pairs of white socks
  • 1 Toothbrush
  • 1 Sewing kit
  • 1 Wash bag
  • 1 Backpack
  • Reflective tape
  • Earplugs
  • Coat
  • Cap
  • Belt
  • Pepper spray
  • 1 Aleph short sleeve shirt
  • 2 Aleph uniform shirts long sleeve
  • 3 Aleph uniform pants
  • 3 undershirts
  • 1 pair of shoes for winter
  • 1 pair of shoes for summer (sandals)

If you are caught wearing shoes other than the two given to you on your Yom Giyus, you may receive a ticket from the military police.

Equipment for Women in Combat Roles

  • Gym bag
  • 1 coat
  • 2 towels
  • 9 pairs of wool socks
  • 1 can pepper spray
  • 1 backpack
  • 1 laundry bag
  • Three t-shirts
  • 1 Lock
  • 2 pairs of sports shorts
  • 2 pairs of Aleph uniform pants
  • 2 pairs of Aleph uniform shirts
  • 1 cap
  • 1 belt
  • 2 pairs boots
  • 1 sewing kit
  • Toothbrush
  • Pair earplugs
  • Reflective tape

Extra Items for Combat Soldiers (Women)

  • פק”ל כיסים: Case to keep your items in your pants pocket
  • 1 roll of tape. This is known as Alizerbande, and is black, electrical tape used during basic training to “shifzer” (tape up loose ends or items)
  • Dog tag cover
  • Whistle
  • Watch cover
  • Japanese knife
  • Gun cleaning brush
  • 1 string for your gun

Once you receive your job and uniform, you may be taken to lunch. You are then split up into different groups and placed on buses, which take you to your designated Tironut (basic training) base.

Good Luck!