Women in the Army
Women in the Army
Israel is one of only a few countries in the world with mandatory service for women. Currently, women make up 33% of soldiers who join the IDF and 51% of its currently serving officers. They take on various roles in the ground, navy and air forces. 92% of all IDF units have positions open to women. Below are different units where women serve, and the roles that are available.
Combat Positions
Search and Rescue, Home-Front Command
Color of Kumta: Orange
Basic Training Base: Southern Israel
Description: Protect civilians during operations, wars and natural disasters. In times of peace, they guard Israel’s borders, in addition to having other responsibilities, including search and rescue. (Co-ed unit) Minimum Required Profile: 72
Infantry Corps
Color of Kumta: Yellow Camouflage
Basic Training Base: Northern Israel
Description: Infantry unit that defends Israel’s borders and conducts operations when needed. (Co-ed unit) Minimum Required Profile: 82
Infantry Corps
Color of Kumta: Yellow Camouflage
Basic Training Base: Negev
Description: Infantry unit that defends Israel’s borders and conducts operations when needed. (Co-ed unit) Minimum Required Profile: 82
Infantry Corps
Color of Kumta: Yellow Camouflage
Basic Training Base: Negev
Description: Infantry unit that defends Israel’s borders and conducts operations when needed. (Co-ed unit) Minimum Required Profile: 82
Intelligence Corps
Color of Kumta: Yellow
Basic Training Base: Negev
Description: Field intelligence and reconnaissance unit that gathers information close to and behind enemy lines. (Co-ed training, but separate brigades) Minimum Required Profile: 72
Artillery Corps
Color of Kumta: Turquoise
Basic Training Base: Central Negev
Description: Artillery unit that defends Israel’s borders and conducts operations when needed. It includes elite missile and advanced drone forces. (Co-ed unit) Minimum Required Profile: 72
Paramilitary Police Force
Color of Kumta: Dark Green
Basic Training Base: Outside Jerusalem
Description: Border police unit serving within Israel, the West Bank and Jerusalem. Deal with counter-terrorism, law enforcement, and riot control. (Co-ed unit) Minimum Required Profile: 82
Infantry Corps
Color of Kumta: Red
Basic Training Base: Negev
Description: K-9 unit where soldiers are trained to work with and train dogs with specialties such as the extraction of terrorists from fortified buildings. (Co-ed unit) Minimum Required Profile: 97
Non Combat Positions
There are many support roles within combat units that are filled by women. These are very critical positions that train, guide, and assist the combat soldiers. There are two popular categories within these positions, Mashakit and Madricha
Mashak/it – מש”ק/ית (NCO) 
A non-commissioned officer that fulfills an official role in each unit. The most common positions are Mashakit Tash, Hinuch, Aliyah, Shalishut, and Hod. These jobs are very important. In fact, on every base in Israel, there will be a Mashakit of each type such that she can work with all soldiers and assist them in her specialty.
For example, to ask permission to go on vacation abroad, you will need to approach your Mashakit Shalishut. To improve your Hebrew, your Mashakit Aliyah can help you with private lessons. If you are having issues with accommodations or anything specific to being a lone soldier, approach your Mashakit Tash.
Madrich/a – מדריכ/ה (Instructor)
There are many different types of madrichot that teach soldiers to excel in various subjects. Such subjects can vary from how to read and analyze a map to how to operate weapons, machinery, tanks, and other equipment. Common positions include Madrichot Chir, Tank, totchanim and more.Another type of common instructor is a sports instructor called Madagit. Her job is to assist platoons, squads or even particular soldiers in maintaining their physical training.
Another type of common instructor is a sports instructor called Madagit מד”גית. Her job is to assist platoons, squads or even particular soldiers in maintaining their physical training.
There are hundreds of other support roles for men and women in the IDF that are not directly related to combat units. Though sometimes seen as less important, soldiers in these roles provide a vital service to the efficiency of the military. Soldiers still have basic training (level 02) for 2-3 weeks followed by a specialty course.
Keep in mind that there are numerous positions opened for women in the army, so much that we aren’t able to cover them all on this website. The positions and units presented on this page are just the most common. If you haven’t found a job that you want to do in the army, we recommend you do more research online (mainly in Hebrew) or talk to past or present lone soldiers about their services. Also, any job written as co-ed on the units page is another option.
These are some of the more known noncombat jobs for women that are out there:
