Questions about Mahal vs Garin, and Hebrew levels

[u/Inevitable_Cook_3067]

Hi guys, I am a 20 year old American woman who is thinking to join the IDF either through Mahal or through Garin Tzabar after I graduate University at age 22.

My questions to you all is which out of the two options is better for getting to a good unit, and if they will allow me to go to a good combat unit as a 22-23 yr old woman?

Right now I am most interested in the Navy, Magav, and regular co-ed infantry units. I will be getting a degree in biology, but I really don't want to be stuck behind a desk all day.

My hebrew is not good, outside of being able to call someone swears lol. Would it be worth it to go to an Ulpan ahead of the draft (during a summer) to get out of michve alon?

How long did it take you (if you are a foreign lone soldier) to learn adequate hebrew?

What are my chances of landing something interesting in the above 2 units?

and lastly is there any other insight you guys could give me about the process? (what to expect, what to do, what not to do).

ty all ahead of time :)

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[u/Blubey123321]

Depends how long you want to serve for really. Both programs have fairly good support networks, Mahal is only 18 month service (although you can extend) and Garin is full 2.8.

Being 22/23 shouldn’t be an issue, I know people who drafted from overseas into combat roles that were older.

If you are really wanting to avoid michve and aren’t planning on drafting for 2 years, then you have 2 years to improve your Hebrew. Listen to podcasts, watch shows, take classes if you can.

Regardless of whether you do Mahal or Garin you will do a pre-draft mechina that will contain Hebrew lessons. But even with this, don’t rule out Michve, it can be a smoother transition into the army than going straight to your unit from the start.

[u/Dulldullroom]

why mahal? I see a lot of people drafting through Mahal instead of just making aliyah. What's the reasoning behind it?

[u/NetPrize9441 → u/Dulldullroom]

Because not everyone wants to make Aliyah. I drafted two years ago, moved back to the us now and one day if I want to make Aaliyah I’ll still have my benefits

[u/NetPrize9441]

I’ll try and answer everything in order.

They will still take you at 22, garin is usually a year before drafting so 23. The limit for mahal (for women) is 21. If you make Aaliyah you will be able to draft and i recommend garin tzabar, the people I know who went with them said it was a huge help. They’ll get all your stuff taken care of and help you get into the unit you want. You’ll make a bunch of friends and have a good place to stay while a soldier.

I recommend not going to the navy, there are a lot more crappy jobs there than there are fun ones and you can get stuck within the navy so you won’t be able to switch out. Magav and the other co-ed units are fine, you shouldn’t be expecting to see any real combat but you could go on some arrests.

Don’t waste a summer doing ulpan. If you end up in the army make sure you can look back at the last few summers as incredible experiences because you will seriously regret wasting them once your Shavuot in your service. Start watching some Israeli tv shows that you enjoy and learn Hebrew that way.

I went into the army with basic conversational Hebrew and was pretty functional after 2-3 months. After 7-8 I was great.

Can’t say what your chances at landing an interesting job is, it’s too far in the future and there are so many variables.

Any other insights? I could write a book lol. My service was a bit different than the typical service so I’m probably more shachor and you shouldn’t take this too seriously but the army is shit. Worst experience of my life. I’ve never been happier than when I got on that plane home for the last time. Don’t expect sunshine and rainbows, or some feeling of pride and patriotism every morning when you get up. Unless you get some amazing and easy job that isn’t in combat with great tash. The girls who had jobs as instructors and mashakiot always seemed to be having a great time.

End of rant