Active Service – Lone Soldiers Program | Nefesh B'Nefesh FIDF

How to Request Reassignment

Baruch Mackler — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 11:33:07 +0000

How to request reassignment to a different position within the army:

Fill out Form 55 (55 טופס) which is the official request form to be submitted to the human resources office in your unit (משרד משא״ן)

The form must be signed by your direct officer and a high-ranking officer of your unit (with the rank of (סגן אלוף)

Along with the form (or on the back of the form), thoroughly explain the reasons why you are requesting to change your job in the army

In order to have your request examined as thoroughly as possible, it is recommended to include specific details and elaborate on the reasons for your request.

If you are requesting to move into a combat role, please add the following:

For Males: Along with your request form, include the form for enlisting into combat service (טופס הצטרפות ללחימה) and a personal review/recommendation from a commanding officer (חוו״ד)

For Females: Along with your request form, include a filled-out questionnaire regarding your preferred combat unit and a personal questionnaire (שאלון עדפות ללחימה ושאלון דיווח עצמי)

All the aforementioned forms can be requested/found at your unit’s Human Resources office

Application Process

All requests are taken seriously and are investigated thoroughly to ensure maximum efficiency. It is important to note that patience is key throughout this lengthy process.

Knowing Your Health Rights During IDF Service

Baruch Mackler — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:51:28 +0000

Know your rights!

Below you will find the Pamphlet for the Soldier in Mandatory Service, made by the Headquarters of the Chief Medical Officer of the Health Services Department.

Medical care in the IDF - Updates and Guidelines

Medical Care Within the Unit

In general, the medical care given to IDF soldiers is done so by the unit’s doctor. Soldiers who serve in outside bases are treated by medical staff of the civilian GMOs (Kupot Holim) until the end of the contract on November 1, 2014.

Urgent Medical Care Outside of the Unit

If you are outside the unit and you experience a medical problem that cannot wait until your return to the unit, you must turn to your local chain of the “bikurrofe” network according to geographical distribution. Remember! “bikurrofe” clinics are designed for providing immediate care, until your return to the unit for continuation of treatment–not for treatment of a continuing medical condition.

Medical Treatment in the Emergency Room

IDF and “bikurrofe” doctors are authorized to send you to an ER in order to receive urgent care. At the time of the referral, they will print you a referral paper along with budgetary authorization. You must bring the results of your ER visit to your unit’s doctor in order to continue treatment. Any civilian or soldier who goes to the ER independently and without a doctor’s referral will be responsible for all expenses of the ER visit. You have the right to submit a request to your unit’s doctor to receive authorization retroactively (form 119), but there are very few cases in which this is authorized. If your request is rejected, you must settle the debt independently with the hospital.

We recommend for soldiers to turn to their unit’s doctor or doctors of “bikurrofe” at the time of a medical problem. ERs are intended only for urgent medical cases.

Civilian Car Accident

In the event that you are involved in a civilian car accident and referred directly to the ER, you must acquire form 119 at the hospital. In order to receive the approval, you must turn to your unit’s doctor with the police record of the accident.

Examination By a Specialist

A referral to a specialist is given by the unit’s doctor as part of medical evaluation and treatment. Once you receive the referral, you must arrange the appointment with the necessary clinic. During 2013, the Medical Corps established a nationwide center “m’kol halev” for the purpose of arranging appointments to both military and civilian clinics. The center is open during all hours of the day and you will receive a response from service representatives and registered nurses in a swift, professional manner. In order to make an appointment, have your army ID and referral ready when you call. It is your responsibility to update your commander and arrive at the clinic on time with all the relevant medical information/documents/films.

Remember! After the exam, you must make an appointment with your unit’s doctor and provide him with the results of the specialist exam. Don’t keep the answers to yourself!

Limitations on Activities and Fitness for Duty

The giving of “ptorim” (exemptions) and other easing measures are intended as a response to exceptional medical situations or exeptional tasks in which the soldier requires special measures or protections in addition to what is prescribed by his profile. The goal of the exemption is protection of the soldier’s health along with details of his limitations and what he can continue to do to serve in his position and profession. The exemption is part of treatment an can be given only by a doctor–for either a limited time or a constant exemption.

Rest Days

The doctor will set his recommendations, according to his exam or for the needs of the treatment plan, as follows:

Fit for duty, according to medical profile, without additional limitations.
Fit for duty, according to medical profile, but with limitations (“betim”) as the doctor will detail.
Not fit for duty and must rest and avoid all activities (“gimmelim”) for a total number of days that the doctor will set. gimmelim can be within the unit, at home, or at another place set by the doctor.

The doctor can order you to attend a medical examination or treatment at any time, including on gimmelim, according to the medical need and in consideration of your medical status and level of mobility.

Contact Us

We welcome you to turn to us with any question or problem:

M’Kol Halev center for soldiers: To make appointments and receive guidance and professional response from a representative, 24 hours a day	Shortened dial: 6690 Army phone:* 0333-9999 Civilian phone: 03-948-9999 *For complaints and perach* inquisitions:** ext. 3
Mahut center for support of victims of family violence, abusive relationships, sexual violence or pregnant soldiers	Army phone: 0333-2600 Civilian phone: 03-948-2600
Bikur Rofe clinics	For addresses and hours: 6101 Website:* www.bikurofe.co.il
Magen David Adom ambulances: If you were referred to the ER by an MDA ambulance, you must provide MDA with a photocopy of your army ID and the financial debt forms by mail or fax.	Fax: 03-630-6005 Email: hayalim@mda.org.il
Other information can be found on the harap site on tzahalnet and the internet at www.refua.atal.idf.il

Basic Training in the IDF

Baruch Mackler — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 08:14:42 +0000

IDF basic training courses vary significantly depending on your job placement and the location of your course. There are different levels of basic training for Kravi (combat) soldiers, who are on training level 03, 05 or 07, and non-combat (soldiers who are not in Kravi units), who are on training level 02. Within each of these groups, the approach to basic training tends to be different on each base.

What Can I Expect From the Basic Training Course?

Despite the differences between the levels of training within the groups, certain elements are constant to basic training. Every course includes gun training, physical training and requires soldiers to help guard the base. You will be trained in matters of discipline and expected to complete tasks within defined time periods. Some of these tasks include how much sleep you get, your breaks, the time you spend eating, and even your speed at getting into line. There will be a sense of distance between you and your commanders, which means that you will need to learn how to approach them appropriately and ask permission for a range of requests.

Before you start basic training, it is important to speak to friends and hear their experiences, so that you will have a broader idea of what to expect during your course.

Keep in mind that ultimately, which basic training course you do depends on the job you are given in the army, and this relates directly to your Hebrew level and physical profile. Many positions in the IDF will require you to take a course. Depending on your placement, the length of your course can be anywhere from one to seven months long or longer.

Training Groups

The army organizes basic training groups using a numbered scale. You will receive a number known as your Rovaeii, רובאי (level of training).

The numbers classify you as follows:

02 training is for non-combat soldiers and could involve a 1 month course or longer
03 training for Shiriyon, Totachim and Hagnash
05 and 07 training is for Kravi units and involves 7 months of basic and advanced training
08 training is for individuals who finish the commanders course for Kravi
12 training is the officers course for Kravi
13 training is for the pilots course

If you have additional questions about basic training, please email army@nbn.org.il.

Useful Military (IDF) Terms

Baruch Mackler — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 08:17:34 +0000

Hebrew	English	Translation
מג”ד	Magad	Regiment commander
סמג”ד	Samgad	Deputy battalion commander
מ”פ	Mem-pe	Company commander
סמ”פ	Samech mem-pe	Company commander’s assistant
מ”מ/מפק”צ	Mem-mem/mafkatz	Platoon commander
סמ”מ	Samech mem-mem	Platoon commander’s assistant
רס”ר	Rassar	Master sergeant
רס”פ	Rasap	Company sergeant major
סמל	Samal	Sergeant (in charge of discipline)
מ”כ	Mac/mefaked	Squad commander
חופ”ל	Chopel	Company’s medic
מ”שקית ת”ש	Mashakit tash	In charge of personal affairs
מ”שקית חינוך	Mashakit chinuch	In charge of education on base
שלישה	Shalisha	Adjutant
חמשוש	chamshush	Leave base on Thursday
שו”ש	Shush	Leave base on Friday
מקוצרת	mekutzeret	Get back to base early (e.g. Motzei Shabbat)
רגילה	Regila	One week off from the army (every 4 months)
מיוחדת	meyuchedet	Time off from the army in special cases
אחת עשרה-שלוש	Achat esre- shalosh (11/3)	In base for 11 days- home for 3 days
טירונות	tironut	Basic training
אימון מתקדם	Imun mitkadem	Advanced training
מסלול	maslul	The whole time a soldier is considered “in training” (about a year)
ותיקה	vatika	No longer in training- seniority
צ’ונג/צעיר	Chong/tzair	“young” = “green”
חמישים וחמש	Chamishim ve chamesh (55)	Number of a form you fill out in order to transfer into a different unit
ג’ובניק	jobnik	Someone who has an easy, non combatant job
שעה ביציאה	Sha’ah ba yetzia	One hour delay before the soldier can leave the base (a punishment!)
ריתוק	rituk	confinement
סוגר	soger	Staying in base, not going back home
נוהל שבת	Nohal shabat	No training or working from a few hours before Shabbat until after Shabbat
קצין העיר	Ktzin ha’ir	City’s military headquarter
גימלים	Gimelim	Sick leave from the army
בתים	Betim	Sick leave- but has to stay in base
מלש”ב	malshab	Someone who is in the process of being drafted
קצין	katzin	An officer
ש”ג	Shin gimel	A guard in the entrance to a camp
פקודות מטכ”ל	Pkudot matkal	Orders from the general staff, regarding the soldier’s welfare
מסע כומתה	Masa kumta	A long, hard final hike/march which at the end the soldier receives their corps beret
השבעה	Hashba’ah	Swearing into the army ceremony
לוף	Loof	Canned meat

Getting By on Your Army Salary

Baruch Mackler — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 07:39:24 +0000

This article first appeared on YNet. You can view the original in Hebrew at this link: http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4198590,00.html

It’s no military secret that soldiers’ salaries are tiny. How can a soldier pay the bills without going into debt? Lt. Gal Zerihan, a service conditions officer in the Galilee Division, helps soldiers manage their salary and cover their regular expenses. For young adults, army service is the peak of their transition from teenagers reliant on their parents to independent adults responsible for making their own decisions. This stage of life also includes the transition to financial independence. Below are a few tips to help make the transition as smooth as possible:

Pay Up Front

Choose a debit card over a credit card. Debit cards are the best way to avoid going into overdraft, since every purchase you make is deducted from your bank account immediately instead of once a month. When your money runs out, the card is blocked, which keeps you from overspending. This way, there are no surprises at the end of the month.

Use Credit Cards Wisely

Need a credit card? Use it wisely. Credit cards are a gateway to unintentional overspending. To best keep track of your monthly spending, ask your bank or credit card company to set your billing date for the first of the month – the same time you receive your monthly salary from the army. This will make it easier to keep track of the balance between your income and expenses.

Beware of Fees

A common misconception among soldiers is that they are exempt from all banking fees. In reality, you may pay up to NIS 50 in fees for going over your credit limit or going into overdraft, for insufficient funds (if a check bounces, for example) or for service charges. These fees may apply to all customers and all types of accounts.

The solution? Don’t make withdrawals, set up standing orders or authorize other charges directly from your account if you don’t have enough money in your account to cover these costs. Don’t keep more than one credit card at a time. Most importantly – don’t go into overdraft.

Shop Wisely

Deciding to give up buying snacks for your entire service isn’t always practical. Treat yourself once in a while, but stick to a few important guidelines.

First, avoid making purchases at gas station convenience stores. Instead, shop at the Shiklit [military canteen] for the cheapest, most conveniently available products. In the supermarket, buy store brands – these products are generally comparable in quality to name brands and are usually cheaper.

In general, try to compare prices of products you buy regularly so that you can make an educated decision about where to buy.

Loans – Use With Caution

Many soldiers use loans as a quick fix for their overdraft or an easy source of money for a big purchase. Most banks offer loans in proportion to the customer’s income to ensure that the customer will be able to pay back the installments. Still, remember that loans include monthly interest payments with each installment, so think carefully before deciding to take out a loan.

If you really need a loan, ask your unit’s service conditions officer [mashakit tash] for information about military loans. This option is always preferable to taking out a loan at the bank, since the payments are deducted directly from your monthly salary and the army does not charge interest.

An Expensive Habit

Smokers, especially soldiers who smoke, have an extra financial burden to shoulder every month. Income tax doesn’t make things any easier – taxes account for approximately 70% of the retail price of cigarettes. These high taxes aren’t meant to prevent you from smoking, as most people probably think – they’re actually meant to offset the damage that smoking causes the state: smokers are more likely to suffer from illnesses, which leads to more patients in government-funded hospitals. Treating these patients is extremely expensive for the state.

Are You Keeping Track?

Always keep track of your expenses. Even if it seems complicated – go to the bank, ask for bank statements for your account and go over them at home. Ask a service conditions officer who is familiar with the details for advice. You can also keep track of your account online, through your bank’s website.

Michvei Alon

Baruch Mackler — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 07:43:42 +0000

Army Hebrew Course

All Olim Chadashim with a low Hebrew level (determined by the IDF at your Tzav Rishon) will be required to begin their army service with a three-month Army Hebrew Course at the Michvei Elon base.
This course is devoted to giving Olim Chadashim the necessary Hebrew skills to succeed in the Army. The course includes one month of basic training. Those drafting as combat soldiers will do a more advanced level of basic training with their unit, following completion of the Hebrew course. Non-combat soldiers may be required to repeat basic training, depending on where they are placed.
Participating soldiers in this course will meet a placement officer near the end of the course to determine unit placement.
This course is conducted in December, March/April and August (preceding the March, August and November drafts).

Course Moledet

Course Moledet (“Heritage Course”) was established in 2013 and takes place a number of times each year at Michve Alon. For males and females assigned to combat-support positions, the course takes place in March, July, and November and is seven weeks long. For males assigned to combat positions, the course takes place in February and October and is five weeks long, and is devoted to preparing these soldiers both mentally and physically for a successful army service in a combat unit. Candidates who are found eligible attend a general, half-hour interview at the Lishkat Giyus (Recruitment Office) to answer questions regarding their connection to Israel and desire to draft. Following the interview, candidates that fit the course’s criteria are then selected to attend the five-week course.

Can the course affect my placement?

Course Moledet does not interfere with the army’s placement procedures. Following the completion of the course, candidates who already received a job placement will continue to their respective fields. Candidates who did not yet receive a job placement will undergo an interview with a placement officer, and their overall performance in the course may affect their job placement.

What does the course entail?

The course covers a variety of different topics. During the course soldiers embark on tours throughout Israel, visiting museums, theatres, and government buildings. They explore their Jewish heritage, engage in Israeli culture, and study the structure of the Israeli government. In addition, they acquire tools and skills for adapting to the military system and ultimately complete basic training (level 02).

Can I skip Course Moledet and do Course Nativ instead?

Placement in Course Moledet is determined after your interview at the Lishkat Giyus. Candidates who are chosen for the course cannot receive an exemption. However, soldiers who wish to do Course Nativ are eligible to participate later in their military service.